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Medical Student Curriculum

The only opportunity currently is to elect a four week elective in PM&R. To schedule an elective with our Department please contact Kennikka M. Smith , Assistant Registrar, at 501-686-5348.  Students rotate through outpatient clinic at UAMS Stephen’s Spine Center, the PM&R consult service at University Hospital , inpatient services at Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute and both inpatient and outpatient services at the North Little Rock Veteran’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. A student should be able to gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes outlined below by completing the PM&R rotation. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in PM&R and also a great experience for those planning on careers in internal medicine, family practice, neurology or geriatrics.  If you would like more information about the elective please contact Linda Voyles, PM&R Residency Program Coordinator at lmvoyles@uams.edu.

Objectives

KNOWLEDGE – a medical student completing a one month rotation in PM&R should be able to:

  • Define and distinguish among the terms “impairment,” “disability,” and “handicap.”
  • Discuss the functional implications of illnesses and injuries within the routine and practice of medicine.
  • Discuss the impact of chronic illnesses, pain and disability on an individual, the family and community.
  • Describe the concepts of continuum of care, including appropriate locations and facilities for different stages in the course of recovery and rehabilitation, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
  • Discuss the cost-benefit relationship in the provision of psychiatric care.

SKILLS –a medical student completing a one month rotation in PM&R should be able to:

  • Obtain a history from patients with a particular emphasis on functional limitations residual abilities and psychosocial status.
  • Determine whether disability is present and make an appropriate referral for continued care and/or evaluation.
  • Demonstrate communication techniques with patients, family members, other health care professionals, and/or representatives of third-party payers and managed care.
  • Keep medical records with sufficient information to monitor a patient’s functional progress and document need for care.

ATTITUDES –a medical student completing a one month rotation in PM&R should be able to:

  • Understand a patient-centered, rather than disease-oriented medical ethic.
  • Demonstrate concern for the social, cultural and economic implications of a patient’s disorder.
  • Appreciate the willingness to seek long-term solutions for chronic problems.
  • Demonstrate empathy and compassion for patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
  • Show proper respect for and willingness to work in harmony with other members of the rehabilitation team.