Pathophysiology I & II

Dr. Thomas Garrett (pictured)

Course Director
Office: BB15-1516
Phone: Ext. 24116
Email: tjg1@columbia.edu

Dr. Jay Lefkowitch

Associate Course
Director for Pathology
Office: PH 15W-1574
Phone: Ext. 57381
Email: jh13@columbia.edu

Ms. Betty Carroll

Course Coordinator
Phone: Ext. 59306
Email: ec11@columbia.edu

The Pathophysiology course runs in both semesters of second year.

Pathophysiology I is composed of five sections: Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Immunology, Microbiology/Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Neuropathology. Each section has an examination for which the student receives a numerical grade. A final grade for the semester is calculated using a weighted average since the sections have significantly different durations.

Pathophysiology II is composed of seven sections: Cardiology, Pulmonary Diseases, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Renal Diseases, Oncology, and Hematology.

Each section has an examination for which the student receives a numerical grade. A final grade for the semester is calculated using a straight average for the seven sections since all have a similar duration.

No final examination is held in either semester. However, all students must demonstrate that they have mastered the core competency in all twelve sections. Students who do not demonstrate core competency on an examination will be required to do a make up examination at the discretion of the Second Year Faculty Committee.

Physical Diagnosis

Dr. Carmen Ortiz-Neu

Course Director
Office: BB 15-1516
Phone: Ext. 5-9056
Email: co6@columbia.edu

The goal of this introductory clerkship is to teach the student to obtain a complete medical history and to perform a general physical examination. The course begins in November and meets once weekly for 20 sessions ending in May. Groups of four students (working in teams of two) and one preceptor initially use self-exam to learn basic physical examination techniques. Starting in January, they work at the bedside with hospitalized medical patients to acquire these skills, with emphasis on both the techniques involved and on the interpersonal aspects of the doctor-patient interaction.

Clinical Practice II

Dr. Delphine Taylor

Course Director

Office: P&S 3-401
Phone: Ext. 5-0344
Email: dst4@columbia.edu

Dr. Michael J. Devlin

Associate Course Director

Office: 1051 Riverside Dr., Unit 116
Phone: (212) 543-5748
Email: mjd5@columbia.edu

Building on the experiences of first year, Clinical Practice II continues to emphasize the communication skills needed to become an effective and empathic clinician. The first semester focuses on improving interviewing and listening skills geared toward particular clinical situations. To complement material learned in pathophysiology, pharmacology and psychiatry and physical diagnosis, Clinical Practice workshops provide a hands-on approach to addressing substance abuse, chronic pain and disability, and adherence to medical therapy. Students also practice talking to patients and families about bad news and end-of-life issues. In the second semester, Clinical Practice small groups provide students a format to discuss concerns about caring for patients and practice core skills as they transition to the clinical years.

Narrative Medicine Seminar Series

In the second semester, students will participate in the Narrative Medicine Seminar Series, a series of graduate-level small-group seminars in the humanities taught by P&S faculty and faculty from the Morningside campus. Students may choose among seminars in literature, creative writing, history, visual arts, photography, philosophy, and religious studies. Some of the seminars offered in previous years include, The Philosophy of Death, Faith in the Study of Practice of Medicine, Women’s Illness Narratives, Medical Student as a Writer, Fiction Workshop, Photography, Life Drawing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Attending to Movies. For a description of seminars offered previously, go to the Program in Narrative Medicine website at www.narrativemedicine.org/ or CP2 website at www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/cp2

Students may elect to fulfill this requirement instead by enrolling in a main campus course in the humanities in the fall or spring. Course listings on the main campus are available in the Registrar’s office in Black Building or online and must be approved in advance. For more information, contact seminar series director Rita Charon at rac5@columbia.edu

Pharmacology

Dr. Andrew L. Wit

Course Director

Office: P&S 7-446
Phone: 5-4197
Email: alw4@columbia.edu

The subject of the Pharmacology course is the effects of drugs and chemicals on physiological processes particularly in conditions of disease. Both basic mechanisms of therapeutic and toxic drug actions as well as practical aspects of drug administration to patients are the topics of the lectures and conferences. The course also teaches the vocabulary and concepts necessary for the use of drug therapy in the clinical years of medical school as well as for future practice.

Psychiatric Medicine II

Dr. Janis Cutler

Course Director

Office: PI 1st Floor, 1303-D
Phone: 543-5552, 543-5556
Email: cutlerj@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu

Skills and knowledge will be built upon those acquired in the first year. Major psychiatric disorders to be discussed will include Anxiety Disorders and Personality Disorders. Normal child and adult psychological development will also be presented. Principles of psychiatric treatment will be introduced. Psychiatric patients will be interviewed in small groups.

Electives In The First Two Years

This section describes electives that are offered to first and second year students through the Dean’s Office. These are in addition to the required clinical selectives of the Clinical Practice I course. Students may also choose to participate in the following clinical electives:

Metropolitan Alumni Clinical Elective

A major objective of this elective is to help first and second year medical students get a better understanding of a particular specialty by spending an afternoon in a clinical setting with a P&S alumnus. The list includes physicians in 29 different specialties ranging from Anesthesiology to Vascular Surgery.

The Role of the Unsung Hero

Objective: To observe an anesthesiologist at work in the O.R. and in patient care.

One student every Saturday and Sunday morning will come in at 7 A.M. and report to the attending on call that day. He/she will have the opportunity to follow that attending, observe surgery from the anesthesiologist’s point of view and interact with residents and patients.