Four-Week Electives for the Clinical Continuum - Department of Ophthalmology

This course is designed to give students an extended experience in clinical ophthalmology or in the research laboratories of the department.  Prior to registering for the course, students will meet with the faculty mentor whom they have selected and agree on the objectives and the experiences that will facilitate achieving those objectives.   They may choose to study one or more of the clinical subspecialties or to work on a specific project in the research laboratories.  At the conclusion of this course, the student will prepare a brief report of activities undertaken and objectives achieved.

Objectives:

To provide a deeper understanding of clinical or investigative ophthalmology than is possible in the one block senior selective.

Prerequisite:  Written approval of the mentor, prior to registration.  Students selecting a clinical program must first satisfactorily complete the one block senior selective in Ophthalmology.
Method of Evaluating Student Performance:  Subjective impression of the faculty mentor.

How is this course evaluated by the course director (mentor):  By review of course evaluation instrument.  

How is this course evaluated by students:  By completion of course evaluation instrument.

Ophthalmology Clinical Clerkship - Medical Center Of Louisiana And Tulane Medical Center (MDOP OP C/T)

This course is designed to introduce the Senior student to the modern practice of ophthalmology.  The focus is for the student to obtain working knowledge of the field sufficient to aid and augment his or her future practice of any other branch of medicine.

Term:  A maximum of 5 students will be assigned to this course in a given one month period.

Instruction Site:  Instruction in Ophthalmology will be given at the Tulane University Hospital and Clinic and Medical Center of Louisiana. The department may assign a student to the Veterans Affairs Hospital or other affiliated clinics.  Students may not take this course more than once unless prior written approval is granted by Joel G. Sacks, M.D., or Delmar R. Caldwell, M.D.

Positions Available:  Five students will rotate on Mondays, Thursdays, and every other Friday at the Medical Center of Louisiana Eye Clinic.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and every other Friday, the students will be at Medical Center of Louisiana in the a.m. for surgery and in the p.m. they will be at the Tulane Clinic.

Orientation:  On the beginning day of each block, all students will report at 8:45 a.m. to the Department of Ophthalmology, 5th floor, Room 5013, of the Tulane University Medical School, for orientation.

Didactic Exercises:  Students will be required to attend a weekly student seminar, department-wide conferences, surgery, laser treatments, and clinics.  Students will also be expected to read and understand an assigned textbook.

Skills And Practical Experience:  The students will work side by side with the residents and faculty.  They will learn to use all ophthalmologic instruments including the slit lamp, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, and visual field devices.  They will not necessarily learn how to do a refraction, as this procedure does not fall in the realm of most general physicians; however, they will learn to treat most common eye conditions that would present to primary care physicians.

Evaluation:  The students will be evaluated by the residents and the faculty members who work on a regular basis with them. There will be a written exam.  The results of this evaluation will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs on the standard Tulane evaluation form. Presentation at Grand Rounds and submission of articles/abstracts for publication are also factors in the student's evaluation/grade.  Students may distinguish themselves by accomplishing more than the basic course requirements, such as giving an excellent presentation at ophthalmology Grand Rounds.
Term:  1 month
Quota:  5 students
Time Offered:  Blocks 02-10

Ophthalmology Research Clerkship (MD OP RES TMC)

This course is designed to provide the senior student with an exposure to laboratory research in ophthalmology.

Term:  One student will be assigned to this course for a one month period.

Instruction Site:  Research laboratories of the department.

Research Projects:  The student will be assigned to work on an on-going project related to the molecular mechanisms of ocular disease.  When seeking the permission of the instructor, Diane Blake, Ph.D., to register for this course, there will be ample opportunity to discuss the nature of the research programs.

Orientation:  The student will meet with Diane Blake, Ph.D., in her office on the first morning of the course.

Didactic Exercises:  The student is expected to attend all ophthalmology laboratory conferences and other conferences as assigned or approved by the instructor.

Skills And Practical Experience:  The student will work side-by-side with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students and will be expected to learn the theories behind the studies, appropriate laboratory techniques, the interpretation of the results, and to develop an understanding of the relevant literature.

Evaluation:  The student will be evaluated by the instructor and co-workers in the laboratory.  In order to achieve an Honor grade, the student will be expected to obtain research results of quantity and quality sufficient to prepare an abstract for a national meeting.

Anesthesiology Basic Science & Clinical Research Dermatology Family & Community Medicine Medicine Neurosurgery Obstetrics/Gynecology Opthalmology Orthopaedics

Otolaryngology Pathology Pediatrics Pharmacology Psychiatry/Neurology Radiology Surgery Urology