Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
University of South Carolina    
2017-2018 School of Medicine Bulletin (Archived) 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2017-2018 School of Medicine Bulletin (Archived) [Archived Catalog]

DMED D603 - Introduction to Clinical Medicine II


Credits: 6

A two-semester, six-credit-hour (DMED 603 - fall) and seven-credit-hour (DMED 604 - spring), second-year course consisting of an introduction to the fundamentals of physical examination and physical diagnosis and the use of various models to assist in the conceptualization of psychopathological behavior, with an emphasis on the relationship of emotional factors to physical illness. Developmental problems of children, adolescents and adults, addictive problems, sleep disorders, and organic mental disorders are discussed. The course emphasizes the use of population-based data in making sound judgments regarding the clinical care of individual patients and interventions at the community level. Bioethical issues in the care of patients and techniques of prevention are presented and discussed, as are the most frequently encountered primary care clinical problems. The course includes information about frequently used radiologic and clinical laboratory studies and their value and limitations in the context of the pathophysiology of various disease states. The course utilizes an organ system approach and integrates physical diagnosis, ultrasound, and radiology with the medical pathology course. A portion of the spring semester is devoted to a series of problem-based learning exercises designed to integrate information from the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course continuum with knowledge gained from first and second-year basic science courses and to prepare students for the transition to the clinical environment in the third and fourth years.Primary methods of instruction include lecture, problem-based learning, self-instruction modules, standardized/simulated patients, and small-group discussion. Modes of assessment include written multiple choice/essay examination, assessment of participation in small-group discussion and problem-based learning, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, and the Introduction to Clinical Diagnosis NBME subject examination. Demonstration of mastery of the following minimum clinical skills is required for successful completion of this course: performance of a clinical breast examination; demonstration of basic cardiac life support (BCLS) skills and provision of documentation of same; completion of Columbia Free Medical Clinic experience; demonstration of complete history and physical examination; and performance of computer literature search and completion of assignments related to the care and assessment of community-dwelling elders.  

Note: Restricted to medical students.