Course Goals
The goal of this course is to provide 4th year students with exposure to the specialty of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM). Students will practice evaluating common acute pediatric complaints as well as work on developing skills for recognition and stabilization of critically sick and injured children.
In this elective, students will begin with orientation from course faculty the first Monday of the rotation. They will attend 7 shifts in the pediatric emergency room, where they will evaluate and develop management plans for pediatric patients with all types of medical emergencies under the supervision of a PEM attending physician.
In addition, students will attend PEM fellowship didactics as well as simulation sessions on Thursday mornings during their rotation. Students will receive feedback at the end of the rotation by supervising attending.
Course Objectives
- Practice obtaining a focused history and physical exam appropriate for the pediatric ED setting.
- Participate in common PEM procedures where appropriate.
- Describe how experienced pediatric providers differentiate between well and sick children.
- Discuss ABCs management of a critically ill child and participate, when appropriate.
- Demonstrate the ability to form a differential diagnosis prioritizing “can’t miss” diagnoses as well as most likely etiology of the presenting complaint.
- Describe management of common pediatric presentations in the pediatric ER.
- Discuss clinically relevant national guidelines for common pediatric emergencies, such as: sepsis, trauma, acute asthma exacerbation, status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury
- Practice focused patient presentations, including summation of relevant history, pertinent physical exam findings, a focused patient assessment and a comprehensive family-centered plan.
- Describe issues related to ethics and cultural sensitivity in the pediatric ER.
- Explain health care disparities and their impact on children’s access to healthcare and delivery of quality healthcare.
External Rotators
Prospective externs may apply for this rotation through VSLO. We can accommodate one student per period. Please visit the VSLO application to view course offering dates and additional details.
Visiting Student Learning Opportunities™ (VSLO®) | Students & Residents