COURSE DESCRIPTIONS -INTRAMURAL ELECTIVES

**F = fall semester
**S = spring semester

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND FAMILY PRACTICE

Faculty: Lalita Kaul, Ph.D., and Dr. Joseph Nidiry
Where: TBA
Enrollment: Four (4) students per four-week period

This course is designed to teach students how to evaluate the nutritional status of patients and address the special needs of individuals with some pathologic conditions. The general plan of the course includes case presentations at Nutrition Rounds. In addition, students will participate in nutrition counseling in the Family Health Center.

Faculty: Dr. Adnan H. Eldadah
Where: Howard University College of Medicine
When: Year Round
Enrollment: Four (4) students per four-week period

The student will choose an area of interest in the field of Applied Epidemiology. He/she will design a plan to collect and analyze data from a selected population. Thereafter the student will proceed to make conclusions and recommendations suitable for publication and/or submit a report to the responsible policy makers. The student will work closely with the faculty n his/her project. Projects may explore the epidemiology of acute diseases, chronic diseases, mental health, environmental health, health administration, or related fields.

Faculty: Dr. Joseph Nidiry
Where: Washington D. C. Metropolitan Area
When: Fall and Spring Only
Enrollment: 5-6 students per four-week period

The preceptorship elective exposes students to primary care medical setting during their basic professional training years. Students work on a one-to-one basis with a primary care physician in a private office setting, or community health clinic. Students are assigned to a preceptor, which is expected to orient them to office procedures and management. The student will be involved in nursing home visits, hospital rounds, medical meetings, and other practice-related activities. The preceptor is expected to emphasize the family physician’s role as a member of the health care team providing longitudinal and comprehensive care.

Faculty: Dr. Adnan Eldadah
Where: Washington D. C. Metropolitan
When: Fall and Spring Only
Enrollment: 5-6 students per four-week period

The field of Complementary / Alternative Medicine (CAM) will be reviewed. The CAM six major categories and the subcategories will be defined. The student will choose a subcategory for emphasis. The student will review the literature using the electronic search technique as well as other related books and materials not available through the medline searches. The student will write a scientific paper worthy of publication and presentation. Furthermore, the student will practice different relaxation techniques and develop experience in using biofeedback techniques.

Faculty: Dr. Martin Y. Heshmat
Where: Howard University College of Medicine and N.W. STD Clinic
When: Spring Semester Only
Enrollment: Two (2) students per four-week period

This course is designed to give the student first hand experience in the clinical and preventive aspects of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Under supervision of the preceptor, the student will have the opportunity to interview patients, do physical examinations, perform some laboratory tests commonly used for diagnosis of STD, and prescribe appropriate therapeutic regimens. In addition, the student will be involved in such preventive measures as patient education, contact tracing and prophylactic treatment.

Faculty: Glenda Hodges, Ph.D., Robert H. Williams, M.D.
Where: Howard University College of Medicine and N.W. STD Clinic
When: Year Round
Enrollment: Two (2) students per four-week period

This course is designed to introduce student to the interrelated concepts of spirituality and medicine associated with health and wellness, therapeutic interventions and medical outcomes in-patient care. The teaching approach will include lectures, group discussions, case studies, medical/clergy rounds at selected sites including hospitals, hospices, nursing and personal care homes, and interactive sessions with pastoral care, staff and family conferences. The course subject matter will include the following topics: epidemiology of spirituality, spirituality and medical outcomes – a review of scientific data, and a review of various religious traditions, i.e., African, Buddhist, Jewish, Catholic, Islamic, Hispanic, and Christian. Palliative care, spirituality, and end of life decisions will also be discussed.