Course Syllabus

GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND TEACHING

Welcome to pediatric hematology/oncology. The rotation is intended to develop appropriate assessment and treatment of children with common hematological and oncological problems by enhancing the residents’ knowledge of physiology, pharmacology, and evidence based medicine.

You will find the expectations for residents outlined below. If you are preparing to join our service, please click on the link above and watch the orientation video.

Any questions can be addressed by Dr. Mack (jmmack@uams.edu)

PART I: PATIENT CARE AND MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

OBJECTIVES:

1. Information Gathering:
   • Perform an appropriate problem-oriented history and physical examination
   • Gather accurate, essential information from all sources, including medical interviews, medical records and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures
   • Make informed recommendations about preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic options and interventions that are based on clinical judgment, scientific evidence, and patient preference
   • Explain the indications and limitations of laboratory and radiologic study abnormalities in the context of disease-specific pathophysiology and formulate a plan for therapeutic intervention, when appropriate
     
     
2. Common conditions (see table 1):
   • Discuss the pathophysiologic basis of the disease process
   • Describe the presenting signs and symptoms of the different hematologic and oncologic diseases
   • Understand the potential complications and consequences of the disease and various treatment options; evaluate prognosis
3. Management and decision making:
   • Develop and maintain a detailed list of tasks with accurate prioritization
   • Coordinate with multiple consultants involved in the care of the patient
   • Recognized the limits of one’s knowledge, skills, and tolerance for stress levels
     
     
4. Medical ethics and legal issues:
   • Discuss concepts of futility, withdrawal and withholding of care
   • Define brain death
   • Describe hospital policy on “Do not resuscitate” order

PART II: INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

GOAL: Understand and demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with parents, patients and professional associates.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Develop and maintain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients and their families
2. Listen effectively
3. Elicit and provide information using effective nonverbal, informative, interrogative, and writing skills
4. Communicate and work effectively with other residents, attendings, consultants, nurses and ancillary staff as part of the critical care team
5. Communicate frequently and effectively with referring and primary care physicians
6. Consistently maintain accurate, timely and legally appropriate medical records

PART III: PROFFESIONALISM

OBJECTIVES:

1. Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that superseded self-interest; accountability to patients, society and the profession and a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development
2. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent and clinical practices
3. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender and disabilities

PART IV: TEACHING METHODS

To achieve the objectives of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology rotation, the resident physician will participate in the following educational activities:

1. Teaching rounds:
   • Prior to the start of daily teaching rounds, it is expected that the resident will:
     • Examine each patient
     • Collect and review all data (including consult notes)
     • Review all radiographic studies
     • Develop a concise, system-based or problem based treatment plan
   • Teaching rounds will start around 9:30am daily (may vary on weekends) and will continue until all patients have been discussed
     
     
2. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Education Curriculum:
   • Formal didactic teaching conferences will be held at 2pm (see calendar) and will include the following topics:
     • Oncologic emergencies
     • Bone tumors
     • Transfusion medicine
     • Anemia
     • Bone marrow failure syndromes
     • Coagulation disorders
     • Platelet disorders
     • Sickle Cell disease
     • Leukemia/Lymphoma
     • Brain tumors
   • Every other week, the residents have the opportunity to attend Tumor Board conference where new patients are discussed in a multidisciplinary approach with the hematologist/oncologist, pathologist, radiologists and pediatric surgeons.
   • All residents are REQUIRED to complete the Hem/Onc pre- and post-tests.  This can be found under "Quizzes".  Participation will be reflected on their end of rotation evaluation.
     
     
3. The resident should request a weekly evaluation with the staff on that week.