Advances in Physiology Education, Vol 264, Issue 6 1-S3, Copyright © 1993 by American Physiological Society
A novel interactive demonstration in clinical gastroenterology for first-year medical students
M. F. Crass 3rd and D. S. Hodges
Department of Physiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430.
A unique clinical correlation in gastroenterology for first-year medical
students is described. This interactive demonstration is conducted in a
clinical setting and is designed to introduce the student to a broad range
of topics in clinical gastroenterology while complementing lecture material
in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Faculty and fellows of the Department
of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
present minilectures and demonstrations at five different stations held in
endoscopy rooms of the GI Diagnostic Center (GI Lab). The first-year class
is divided into groups of 20 students or less. Each group visits a given
station for 30 min, and each station has a specific topic. The topics are
motility studies, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, gastric analysis, endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. At
each station, physicians pose clinical questions related to the students'
understanding of GI physiology and, in turn, respond to students'
questions. For students who have been learning basic concepts of GI
physiology, this clinical demonstration offers a more meaningful clinical
correlation than standard clinical lectures could afford. In addition, the
demonstration brings enhanced interest and enthusiasm for the subject
matter.
