Infectious Diseases

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Department
Medicine
Course Number
MED 351
Course Title Infectious Diseases
Course Director
Afsoon Roberts, MD
Length (Weeks)

2, 4
When Offered

All year
Prerequisites

All core clerkships
Availability Notes
Contact Name
Dr. Roberts
Contact Phone
202-741-2234
Contact Fax
202-741-2241
Contact Email
aroberts@mfa.gwu.edu
Other Contacts
Location
Limit
3
Report

Report to MFA 8-436, at 9am
Evaluation

Uniform Clinical Evaluation; seminar participation
Description

The focus of the elective experience is on the diagnosis and management of patients with infectious disease diagnosis. This includes the evaluation of patients on medical and surgical services with head and neck infections, central nervous system infections, endocarditis, blood stream infections, pulmonary and GI infections, skin, bone and joint infections, travel related infections and infections in the immunocompromised host. Additionally, this course introduces the student to topics such as antimicrobial spectrum, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention. Clinically relevant aspects of microbiology and immunology are also explored. Academic activities include a joint case conference with the Washington VA Medical Center, which is held three times a month (remote). Other conferences include weekly didactics on infectious disease topics, clinical microbiology and the monthly Washington ID Society conference. 

Faculty include: Drs. Afsoon Roberts, Marc Siegel, Jose Lucar and Maria Ruiz. 

Students have the option of taking this course for 2 or 4 weeks.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Recognize the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of common infectious diseases such as: head and neck infections, central nervous system infections, endocarditis, blood stream infections, pulmonary and GI infections, skin, joint and bone infections, travel related infections as well as infections in the neutropenic host and in transplant patients on immunosuppressive therapy.
  2. Identify the microbiologic testing methodology used to help diagnose common infectious diseases.
  3. Recognize antimicrobial spectrum of coverage and the choice of antibiotics used to treat common infectious diseases.
  4. Identify infectious diseases that require isolation procedures.
  5. Describe principles of antimicrobial stewardship and responsible use of antibiotics in order to reduce risk of fostering further resistance in micro-organisms.
  6. Identify preventive measures for reducing risk of infection such as vaccines and the correct use of preventive antibiotics.
Additional Notes