Internal Medicine 2 Syllabus
Chairs:
Virginia Campus: Ronnie B. Martin, D.O., FACOFP-dist (rmartin@vcom.vt.edu) - Interim Chair
Carolinas Campus: Teresa Kilgore, D.O., FACOI (tkilgore@carolinas.vcom.edu)
Rotation Credit Hours: 4
Goals
To acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies that are required to evaluate and treat patients with acute and chronic medical conditions commonly found in the adult at a level consistent with a graduating generalist medical student. To develop the physical examination and clinical skills required of a graduate medical student in general internal medicine practice, including the ability interpret information relative to normal and abnormal structure, function and physiology. Demonstrate the ability to acquire and apply historical and clinical information for problems solving to advance the health of the patient. To develop the psycho-social and communication skills and competencies that are required to communicate with, and treat a wide diversity of patients in acute, outpatient and institutional settings. To develop the ability to research medical literature and scientific resources for information that affects the patient’s condition, treatment and outcomes and the ability to evaluate and apply scientifically valid information to maximize the outcome of the patient. Students will develop an understanding of the indications, contra-indications and application of medical procedures and therapies common to the specialty, including but not limited to ordering and interpretation of diagnostic studies, utilization of pharmacological agents, psychological and nutritional therapies, incorporation of osteopathic principles and practices into the patients care, and clinical procedures.
Rotation Description
During the third year internal medicine rotations, students expand their knowledge of adult health and wellness, preventative, primary, secondary and tertiary care. They learn about the treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions, palliative and end of life care, the requirements of primary care for the adult and goals for wellness as well as the demands of population and public health. The student is challenged to acquire the ability to apply this knowledge in diverse clinical settings. The curriculum is taught through VCOM TV on-line lectures, on-line case modules and presentations, assigned readings, bedside and clinic teaching, journal clubs, tumor boards, grand rounds, and through one-on-one student-preceptor experience in caring for patients in the clinical setting. The Core Internal Medicine rotations include inpatient and outpatient exposure, as well as general internal medicine and medical sub-specialty exposure. Internal Medicine Two places an emphasis on the treatment of the adult patient in the preventative, primary and secondary roles of the discipline. The student will be expected to acquire knowledge, skill and competency in treatment of chronic disease and acute illness with an emphasis on the outpatient setting. The student will be expected to concentrate on current guidelines for primary care, wellness, nutrition, psycho-social requirements of the patient.
Clinical Setting in Which Rotation Occurs
The practice of internal medicine occurs in the private, public and governmental clinic settings, in long-term care facilities, in inpatient institutional settings and in the emergency departments of hospitals and institutions. Internal Medicine Two places an emphasis on the treatment of the patient in the ambulatory setting. Due to the variety of practice opportunities and formats in internal medicine rotations, students should review their specific site instructions for a more detailed description of their specific practice setting.
Requirements for Completion
Required Textbooks:
-
Internal Medicine Essentials for Clerkship Students-2 (Available in electronic format on the VCOM Library)
-
Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine--Nelson and Glonek
-
CDC and JNC guidelines as referenced in the syllabus below. The specific content areas that students are responsible for are hyperlinked below and are available at no cost.
The specific reading assignments in this textbook have been designed to correspond to the core clinical topics for the rotation and can be found on the web site along with the “Clinical Modules and Required Curriculum.”
Requirements for Successful Completion of the Internal Medicine 2 Rotation:
- Attendance according to VCOM and preceptor requirements
- Completion of all Clinical Modules in the Required Curriculum
- Clinical Encounter and Procedure Logs

- Preceptor Evaluation at end-of-rotation

- Successful completion of the end-of-rotation written exam
The end-of-rotation exam questions will be derived directly from the specific objectives presented in each of the below modules.
RETURN TO TOP
Clinical Modules - Required for Completion
The Internal Medicine curriculum is delivered through the assigned readings detailed on the web site and developed knowledge and competency about primary care, preventative medical practices and public health practices that affect the clinical conditions most commonly encountered in the care of the adult patient in the community setting. Each of these topics has specific learning objectives and is accompanied by assigned readings in the texts. The internal medicine end-of-rotation exam questions will be derived from the objectives presented below and correspond to the specific readings indicated in the IM Essentials textbook, Nelsons, and CDC articles. Thus success on the exam will require that students complete all reading assignments. Reviewing of online videos and review of any accompanying cases or presentations that were required for IM One rotations is not required for this examination but may be helpful for the student.
1. Test Interpretation [+]
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials – Chapter 24
- Objectives:
- Define and discuss the following testing principles. Understand how each affects the utility of a given test and its ability to evaluate for the presence or absence of disease and assist with clinical decision making.
- Sensitivity
- Specificity
- Positive predictive value
- Negative predictive value
- Likelihood ratio
- Describe and discuss the concept of continuous variables in clinical tests.
- Discuss the effects of increasing and decreasing the abnormal cut-off values for a given test in terms, specifically in terms of the resulting sensitivity and specificity
- Describe the importance of a pretest probability when applying test results to patient care
2. Adult Immunization Guidelines [+]
- Reading assignment:
- IM Essentials Chapter 25
- CDC Recommended Adult Immunization Guidelines
- Objectives
- Discuss the adult immunization guidelines for Diphtheria-Tetanus and Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination
- Discuss the current recommendations for adult immunization for the following:
- Varicella
- Influenza
- HPV
- Herpes Zoster
- MMR
- Pneumococcal polysachcaride (PPSV)
- Meninigococcal meningitis
- Hepatitis A and B
- Discuss the contraindication for administration of a live attenuated vaccine
3. Acute Adult Infectious Diseases [+]
- Influenza
- Reading assignment: CDC 2011 – 2012 Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians
- Objectives:
- Discuss the guidelines for chemoprophylaxis and treatment for influenza
- Tuberculosis
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials – Chapter 52
- Objectives:
- List and discuss the criteria for Tuberculin Positivity by Risk Group
- List the recommended treatment regimens for patients with a positive PPD and those with confirmed active TB
- Meningicoccal Meningitis
- Reading assignment:
- IM Essentials Chapter 64
- CDC/MMWR – Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease
- Objectives
- List the medications utilized for the post-exposure prophylaxis of meningococcal meningitis, including the age appropriateness of each and their duration of usage.
- Identify appropriate empiric treatment for meningitis based on patient age
- Identify populations at risk for meningococcal disease
- Define Close contacts for those with meningitis
- Define the following as they relate to meningococcal meningitis: confirmed case, primary case, secondary case
- Hepatitis and Cirrhosis
- Reading assignment:
- IM Essentials – Chapter 21, 22
- CDC Guidelines
- Objectives:
- Identify the epidemiologic features, agents, mode of transmission, prevention and immunization strategies for Hepatitis A, B, and C
- Identify the serologic response to HBV infection and be able to interpret antibody responses in reference to state of infection
- List the common lab findings that may assist in the diagnosis of the following: Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis
- List antiviral treatments for hepatitis C
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 49
- Objectives:
- Discuss the strategies that can be used for the prevention of STDs
- Discuss the risk factors for acquiring STDs
- List the diseases that should be screened for in patients engaged in high risk sexual behaviors including unprotected intercourse
- Discuss the clinical features of the common STDs and those which cause genital ulcers.
- Sepsis syndrome
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 46
- VCOM TV – Sepsis and Septic Shock (Powers)
- Objectives:
- List the criteria for the diagnosis of SIRS
- Define SIRS, sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock
- Discuss the physiologic characteristics of septic shock in how this helps differentiate it from other causes of shock (cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, filling pressures, vital signs etc)
- List and describe the lab studies that are useful in the evaluation of septic shock
- Discuss the main treatments used for sepsis including vasopressors and be able to distinguish between their pharmacologic characteristics.
- List the indications for the use of drotrecogin alfa in septic shock as well as its most significant side effect.
4. Adult Malignancies [+]
- General
- List and discuss the most common causes of cancers in both men and women. Identify the leading causes of cancer mortality in both genders.
- Gastric Cancer – CDC Surveillance for Cancers Associated with Tobacco Use – US 1994-2004
- List and discuss the risk factors for gastric carcinoma
- Colon Cancer – IM Essentials Chapter 68
- Discuss the guidelines for colon cancer screening in average risk and high risk patients, including those with a family history of colon cancer
- Lung Cancer – IM Essentials Chapter 69
- Describe the characteristics that help to differentiate a benign from a malignant pulmonary nodule
- List the different types of lung cancer
- Define and describe common paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer and identify the type of cancer they are most commonly associated with
- Prostate Cancer – IM Essentials Chapter 70
- Discuss the current recommendations for prostate cancer screenings, including the limitations
- Discuss the subsequent step in the evaluation of patients with an abnormal digital rectal exam or PSA test
- List the 3 major treatment strategies for localized prostate cancer
- Discuss the role of androgen deprivation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer
- Cervical Cancer – IM Essentials Chapter 71
- Discuss the screening guidelines for cervical cancer
- List and discuss the common symptoms of cervical cancer, including the “terrible triad”
- List the common conditions that are in the differential diagnosis for cervical cancer and how these may be evaluated
- Discuss the recommendations and utility of the HPV vaccine in prevention of cervical cancer
- Breast Cancer – IM Essentials Chapter 67
- List the risk factors for breast cancer including the “main” factor
- Discuss the prevention strategies available for women at high risk of breast cancer
- Describe the current screening guidelines for breast cancer screening including evaluation of breast abnormalities based on patient age and abnormality characteristics
- Multiple Myeloma – IM Essentials Chapter 44
- List the common presenting signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma
- Discuss the work-up of suspected multiple myeloma and identify the laboratory and other studies utilized for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and be able to discuss their significance
- Discuss the differential diagnoses of multiple myeloma including MUGA
- Leukemia – IM Essentials Chapter 43
- List the most common types of leukemia encountered in adults
- List the common presenting symptoms of leukemia
- Briefly list and discuss the targeted treatments available for the common adult leukemias.
5.
Cardiopulmonary Diseases [+]
- Chest pain, Coronary Heart Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes
- Reading assignments: IM Essentials Chapter 1, 3, 8, 9, 25
- Objectives:
- Differentiate between types of Acute Coronary Syndrome based on presenting EKG and pathophysiology
- List and discuss the initial treatments for Acute Coronary Syndrome and the differences in those treatments based on type of ACS (STEMI, NSTEMI, UA)
- List the Major differential diagnoses of chest pain and be able to differentiate based on presenting signs, symptoms and studies (including any specific imaging or EKG findings)
- List and discuss major risk factors for coronary heart disease
- Define CHD equivalents
- Discuss the Goals for LDL cholesterol levels for those with CHD or CHD equivalents and those with > 2 risk factors for CHD
- Hypertension
- Reading assignments:
- IM Essentials Chapter 37
- JNC Guidelines
- Objectives:
- Define hypertension
- Discuss current JNC 7 Guidelines on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
- Pulmonary embolus
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 80
- Objectives:
- List the risk factors for developing pulmonary embolus
- List the most common presenting signs and symptoms for PE
- Discuss the process utilized in evaluation of suspected PE and the importance of estimating pretest probability
- List the studies available to help diagnose or exclude PE and explain their role and limitations
- COPD
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 77
- Objectives:
- Define COPD
- List the risk factors for COPD including environmental and occupational exposure risks. Understand predictive risk factors.
- Discuss the epidemiological features associated with COPD
- Discuss the diagnosis of COPD including clinical features and pulmonary function and radiological testing utilized for diagnosis
- List and discuss the role of recommended treatments for COPD.
- List the most common mircroorganisms involved in an infection in acute COPD exacerbation and the correct antibiotic choice
- Pleural effusion
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 75
- Objectives:
- Describe the physical exam findings in patients with pleural effusions.
- List the common x-ray findings of a pleural effusion
- Identify Light’s Criteria for the characterization of pleural effusions and be able to differentiate between transudative and exudative effusions
- List the differential for pleural effusion and be able to discuss key features suggesting the specific etiology of the effusion
6. Neurologic Diseases [+]
- Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 65
- Objectives:
- List the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and acute stroke syndromes. Be able to differentiate risk factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.
- List and describe the major arteries involved in CVAs and list the most common clinical features seen with a stroke in that distribution
- Identify physical exam findings that suggest risk factors for stroke and the subsequent appropriate follow up tests
- List the most common differential diagnoses for stroke and TIA and differentiate between them
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 66
- Objectives:
- Describe the pathophysiology, typical symptoms, onset, physical findings and recommended treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Discuss the differentiating features between the 4 major categories of peripheral neuropathies
7. Endocrine Disease [+]
- Diabetes
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 8
- Objectives:
- List the BP level at which has been showed to reduce CV events and mortality in diabetic patients
- List the drug therapies utilized for Type 2 Diabetes. Understand the limitations and contraindications. Know which is most likely to lead to hypoglycemia.
- List the diagnostic criteria for diabetic ketoacidosis
- Thyroid Disease
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 10
- Objectives:
- Discuss the symptoms, physical exam findings and laboratory diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
- Define Graves disease and identify the type of dysfunction it causes.
- Define “apathetic thyrotoxicosis” and identify the features that differentiate it from other forms of hyperthyroidism
- Discuss the evaluation of hyperthyroidism and the best test to differentiate between thyrotoxicosis due to excess hormone production from increased hormone release from a damaged thyroid
- Adrenal Disease
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 11
- Objectives:
- List the causes of adrenal insufficiency and identify the most common.
- Discuss the testing to establish the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and that utilized to differentiate primary from secondary insufficiency
- Identify common lab abnormalities that may be present with adrenal insufficiency
- Differentiate the causes of Cushing’s syndrome.
- Describe the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism including physical exam findings and laboratory diagnosis.
- List and discuss findings that suggest the presence of hyperadosteronism.
- Describe the rule of tens for pheochromocytoma
- Describe the recommended work up for suspected pheochromocytoma
- List and differentiate the conditions that can be confused with pheochromocytoma
8. Pain Management in Internal Medicine [+]
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 73
- Objectives:
- Differentiate between acute and chronic pain in terms of temrporal pattern and autonomic responses
- Discuss the strategies for treating pain based on rating of mild, moderate or severe using the 1-10 pain scale
- Discuss commonly used adjuvant therapy for pain
- List and differentiate the different routes of opioid administration
- Discuss the common side effects of opioids and the strategies for minimizing or treating these
- . Discuss the considerations of using meperidine for pain control and the specific dangers
9. Approach to Involuntary Weight Loss [+]
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 33
- Objectives:
- Define the term involuntary weight loss and the possible causative factors
- Define and differentiate the following terms: wasting, sarcopenia, cachexia, protein energy malnutrition, failure to thrive
- List the common medications that can cause weight loss.
- List 2 medications that may be used to stimulate appetite.
10. Diseases of the Blood and Vasculature [+]
- Vasculitis
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 90
- Objectives:
- List and describe the features of the common types of vasculitis, including etiology and diagnostic features
- Discuss the differential diagnosis of vascultitis and describe common features of these diagnoses
- Anemia
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 38
- Objectives:
- Discuss the diagnostic characteristics and etiologies of the anemias listed below. Identify the features of patients most commonly identified with the following anemias.
- Macrocytic
- Microcytic
- Normochromic
- Discuss and differentiate the pathophysiologic causes of the following anemias:
- Thalassemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Myleoplastic anemia
- Hemolytic anemia
11. Mental Illness, Substance and Tobacco Abuse [+]
- Mental Illness
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 27
- Objectives:
- List the risk factors associated with suicide
- Discuss screening strategies for depression and suicide risk
- Psychoactive Substance Abuse
- Reading assignment: IM Essentials Chapter 28
- Objectives:
- Discuss the epidemiological factors and risk factors for alcohol abuse
- List and describe screening tools for alcohol abuse
- Discuss the treatments available for alcoholism including detoxification.
- Discuss the complications of cocaine abuse.
- Understand which medications should be avoided in patients who abuse cocaine and why.
- List and discuss the symptoms of opioid withdrawal as well as those medications that may assist in controlling these symptoms.
- Tobacco use
- Reading assignments:
- IM Essentials Chapter 31
- CDC 2004 Surgeon General Report Health Consequences of Smoking – Executive Summary
- Objectives
- Identify chronic diseases and cancers associated with long-term tobacco abuse
- Discuss methods for interventions to assist with smoking cessation including appropriate pharmacologic options
12. Osteopathic Medicine for Internal Medicine II [+]
- Reading Assignments: Nelsons Chapter 16 and Chapter 17
- Objectives:
- Describe the viscerosomatic reflex findings (by associated spinal levels) associated with upper respiratory and lower respiratory disorders, infections and symptoms, by type of response and anatomic regions.
- Define the pathology of viscerosomatic findings associated with respiratory track neoplasms by type of response and anatomic regions.
- Describe the evaluation of patients with somatic dysfunction and its relationship to respiratory track pathology and the viscerosomatic reflex
- Describe indications for and appropriate treatment modalities, including but not limited to cranial techniques and direct techniques for sinusitis, otitis and pharyngitis, rib raising techniques, lymphatic pump techniques for the pulmonary system, techniques for somatic dysfunction of the lower cervical and thoracic spine, for patients with abnormalities of structure and function of the respiratory track.
RETURN TO TOP
Clinical Performance Objectives
While the end-of-rotation exam is derived from the didactic curriculum, reading assignments and objectives described in the curriculum section, the end-of-rotation evaluation completed by your internal medicine preceptor is based on clinical competencies, demonstrated professionalism and demonstrated knowledge of the discipline and the ability to apply that knowledge to the care of the patient. These core competencies reflect student performance in 6 key areas: communication, problem solving, clinical skills, medical knowledge, osteopathic medicine and professional and ethical considerations. Your end-of-rotation evaluation from your preceptor will be based directly on your performance in these 6 core competencies as described below.
- Communication - the student should demonstrate the following clinical communication skills:
- Effective listening to patient, family, faculty, peers, and other members of the healthcare team
- Demonstrates respect, compassion and respect in patient communications and interactions
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct both a focused and comprehensive patient interview, obtain historical and current information that is pertinent to the care of the patient and demonstrate accuracy and effectiveness in their investigation of medical complaints, medical, social and psychosocial history specific to the rotation.
- Considers whole patient: social, spiritual & cultural concerns
- Efficiently gathers, interoperates and prioritizes essential from non-essential information
- Skill in educating and motivating patient compliance and understanding of condition, treatment instructions, consents & medications
- Demonstrated ability to present patient cases and medical information in an accurate, concise, well organized manner in both “written” documents and oral formats.
- Problem Solving – the student should demonstrate the following problem solving skills:
- Identify important questions, identify and sort data in organized fashion organizing and prioritizing positives & negatives
- Discern major from minor patient problems
- Formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis while identifying the most common and probable diagnoses
- Identify indications for, interoperate and apply findings from the most appropriate diagnostic or clinical tests for the patient and the condition
- Identify correct treatment and management plans considering contraindications & interactions based on scientifically valid, outcome proven information from research of literature
- Incorporate patient’s and family perspectives and values into the diagnostic and therapeutic decision making.
- Be knowledgeable of socioeconomic considerations in design of diagnostic and treatment plans for the patient.
- Clinical Skills - the student should demonstrate the following skills:
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize inductive and deductive reasoning to problem solve patient complaints and conditions.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply the clinical knowledge and skills they were instructed on during PPC and OMM education throughout the OMS-I and OMS-II years.
- Assesses vital signs & triage patient according to degree of illness
- Demonstrate good observational, auscultory, palpatory and visual skills to gather clinical information and the ability to apply the findings to the treatment of the patient.
- Perform a thorough physical exam pertinent to the patient and the systems involved with the patient’s condition or complaints.
- Demonstrate the ability to incorporate the clinical findings with osteopathic treatment of abnormalities discovered in structure or function.
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine - the student should demonstrate the following skills in regards to osteopathic manipulative medicine
- Demonstrate a “whole patient” approach to the assessment and management of each patient including consideration and incorporation of cultural, social, spiritual, family, and behavioral considerations.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a comprehensive osteopathic examination of the patient with attention to the visual and palpatory findings of the neurological and musculoskeletal systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to utilize Chapmans points, changes in somatovisceral and viscerosomatic reflexes and dermatome nerve distribution in the evaluation and treatment of the patient.
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize OMM techniques to treat the patient’s complaints or abnormalities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to apply osteopathic principles and treatments for the care of patient with complaints or conditions that are described in the assigned reading and video’s assigned from the Nelson Text.
- Medical Knowledge – the student should demonstrate the following in regards to medical knowledge
- Identify & correlate the anatomical, physiological, pathological, psychological and socio-economic conditions that are related to patients condition and the disease processes
- Demonstrate characteristics of a motivated, life-long learner including demonstrating intellectual curiosity, academic and clinical interest and enthusiasm about patient care and the ability to review and research the literature
- Thoroughness and Competency in researching evidence based literature and the ability to apply scientifically valid, outcome based information for the treatment of patient populations as well as the individual patient.
- Correlate symptoms and signs with most common diseases with underlying pathophysiological conditions.
- Demonstrated ability to different normal from abnormal physiology, behavior, structure and function in the patient.
- Ability to perform a comprehensive and accurate history and physical examination and correlate the history, clinical signs, symptoms and findings with the clinical condition, its management and underlying pathology.
- Ability to utilize, evaluate and apply diagnostic processes for common adult medical conditions.
- Professional and Ethical Behaviors - the student should demonstrate the following professional and ethical behaviors and skills:
- Is dutiful, punctual, reliable, and responsible regarding obligations of the rotation and patient care needs.
- Prepares for each day by performing assigned and required reading, self-study, documentation, review and completing individual responsibilities.
- Consistently completes all patient care, call and documentation responsibilities to ensure that they contribute to high quality patient care and outcomes.
- Accepts and appropriately responds to feedback, evaluation, praise as well as criticism without resistance or obstinacy.
- Displays professionalism in relationships with patients, staff, & peers
- Displays integrity and honesty in assessment of their medical competency and documentation
- Acknowledges errors, seeks to correct errors appropriately
- Identifies the importance to care for diverse, disadvantaged, underserved populations in a culturally competent, non-judgmental and altruistic manner.
- Demonstrated ability to work professionally, collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment.
- Demonstrates awareness of and respect for patient’s rights, including need for informed consent, patient involvement in medical care and treatment decisions and end of life issues.
- Demonstrate respect for and complies with the rules and obligations that are established by the educational, regulatory, legislative and professional organizations that regulate, supervise and govern the profession of osteopathic medicine
RETURN TO TOP