Medical student chronic illness care curriculum: linking quality care and quality training
Susan Kirsh M.D., Gerald Strauss Ph.D.*, Karen James M.D., Amir K. Jaffer M.D. Cleveland VAMC, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Purpose
Chronic disease and its management complexity threatens to overwhelm the acute
care oriented health care system. Medical training has increasingly addressed
chronic care management , but continues to fall short. Curriculum to train
medical students in the unique aspects of chronic illness care is needed.
Methods
The Wagner chronic care model as a
conceptual framework was used to design clinical and didactic components of a
four week block. Sixteen 3rd year medical students will participate
monthly in a 4 week block at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation or University
Hospitals of Cleveland/Cleveland VAMC. The block includes clinical experiences
and an electronic curriculum on key aspects of the chronic care model (registry
use, self management, evidence based guidelines). Students will take a pre-test
and post-test assessing attitudes, self-efficacy and knowledge in chronic care
management. Each student will be evaluated by a preceptor while assisting a
patient in setting self-management goals, applying an evidence based guideline
to a clinical question and journaling throughout the month on a patient with a
chronic illness. Themes will be identified.
Results
We hope develop a curriculum to
improve attitudes and knowledge and skills in chronic illness care and in
working in a multidisciplinary team.