Fundamentals of Patient Care 2A goals:

1. Prepare students for their third-year clinical clerkships with competency of medical history taking, and an introduction to the complete physical examination
2. Increase students' knowledge about behavioral sciences concepts relevant to medical practice
3. Foster students' acquisition of life-long, self-directed learning skills
4. Foster students' professional development as future clinicians
5. Integrate clinical and basic science concepts relevant to medical practice
6. Emphasize the ethical and basic science concepts relevant to medical practice
7. Foster students’ acquisition of knowledge and skills needed in the prevention and resolution of ethical conflicts

Fundamentals of Patient Care 2A course is composed of 2 coordinated segments in which learning content has been developed to increase conceptual integration across segments.  Specific learning activities have been selected to complement one another and maximize active, self-directed learning principles. 

The 2 course segments are:  Physical Diagnosis  and  Introduction to Clinical Ethics
 

Professional Behavior

During Fundamentals of Patient Care 2A, students will interact extensively with classmates, staff, preceptors, faculty, and patients.  Students are expected to demonstrate professional values such as:

* placing the needs of the patient first
* maintaining a commitment to scholarship
* helping colleagues meet their responsibilities
* demonstrating a commitment to continued improvement in
   themselves and classmates by giving and accepting positive and
   negative feedback
* being respectful of classmates, staff, preceptors, and faculty.

In the clinical setting, the welfare of the patient should be the student's primary concern.   The student must demonstrate the following qualities:

integrity
respect
compassion
responsibility
courtesy
sensitivity to the patient's needs
a professional attitude and behavior toward colleague
a high standard of moral and ethical behavior.

Attire

Students are expected to dress professionally, wearing their white coat and ID badges, during the CCET graded evaluations and when having any patient encounter (including the Breast, Pelvic, and Male GU Exams).  Please read the Second Year Curriculum Guide for specific on-campus dress codes.

Patient Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is of supreme importance. Students should refrain from discussing patients with others in open areas, such as reception rooms, hallways, sidewalks, etc., and are not to leave anything with a patient's name on it, where it can be seen by others. In addition, no one other than MUSC 2nd year medical students or faculty may attend lectures or small-group sessions in which patient information is disclosed or discussed.

College of Medicine Honor Code

The College of Medicine honor code applies to all Fundamentals of Patient Care assignments, written examinations, and clinical examinations except when students are specifically directed to work in groups or share information with each other.  Any questions concerning the honor code should be directed to the appropriate segment coordinators.

Attendance

Attendance at all course activities is required. According to College of Medicine policy, a single unexcused absence from a small-group preceptorship experience will constitute a course failure.  If an illness or emergency arises, students must notify their small group preceptor before their assigned small-group session, AND notify Marilyn Lowndes in the Year 2 - Fundamentals of Patient Care Office (792-4437).

Absence Policy

Emergency Excused Absences:

For an emergency excused absence, the student must contact the Course
Director and the Dean’s Office to obtain approval.  Students may be granted emergency excused absences under the following circumstances:

• Death or serious illness of a close family member (i.e., grandparents, parents, spouse,children, siblings).
• Personal illness.  A doctor's excuse is needed if the student is away for 2 days or longer.

For a planned excused absence, the student must contact the Course Director and the Dean’s Office at least one week prior to the start of the course regarding the absence. Students may be granted planned excused absences under the following circumstances:

• The student is making an academic presentation at a regional or national conference.

NOTE:  The Dean’s Office must approve this type of absence prior to informing the Course Director. Students should contact Myra Haney at 2-1672 or haneymk@musc.edu.  Significant life events that involve a close family member, such as wedding or graduation. Time away from class must be minimal and, preferably no more than 2 days.