Medical Student Electives - Hematology/Oncology

Rotation Director:  Howard Terebelo, D.O. 

Duration:  One month

Maximum number of student per four-week period:  Two

Evaluation:  Oral and Written

Candidates:  Senior students of approved allopathic and osteopathic medical schools

Description:

The senior elective in Hematology/Oncology maintains five major objectives, which are as follows:

1.  To familiarize the student with the multidisciplinary approach to neoplastic disease through working with hematology/oncologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, social workers, palliative care physicians, hospice staff, medical residents and fellows in oncology 

2.  To involve the medical student in the field of cancer and hematologic malignancies and in a treatment approach that addresses all comorbidities, the complexities of the geriatric patient and includes all the disciplines of medicine

3.  To allow the student to become familiar with the management of the most common malignancies such as breast cancer, carcinoma of the lung, colon carcinoma, leukemia and lymphoma and to understand the fundamentals of chemotherapy

4.  To help the student gain proficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, such as bone marrow performance and interpretation

5.  To expose the student to investigational protocols

The student will have the option of inpatient consultation and outpatient experience of 4 to 8 hours per week.

The student is responsible for various aspects of patient care, specifically daily rounds, histories and physical examinations, progress notes and discharge summaries.  In addition to these activities, the student is required under supervision to assist in the performance of procedures such as thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, paracentesis, bone marrow aspirate and bone biopsy on assigned patients.

Several conferences are held during the student’s rotation in oncology.  It is necessary for each student to attend tumor board, journal club, multidisciplinary conferences (GI, biliary, genitourinary, breast, leukemia/lymphoma, lung, chief’s rounds) and the fellow didactic lectures.  Morning report is also considered a part of the student’s daily routine.

During the student’s training period, he/she is evaluated on the medical knowledge retained. The student is supervised by the first year oncology fellows, but evaluated by the rotation director.  The evaluation is based on responses to questions while on rounds and understanding of the basic pathology and physiology in the neoplastic cases presented to the attending physician.