Course Catalog

 
28-316 CLINICAL SKILLS TEACHING ASSOCIATE
Department MEDICINE Campus Birmingham
Course Type(s) Teaching Associate Facility UAB Medical Center
Course Director ZACHARY PACHECO, MD Enrollment Limit 68
Contact Alexandra Fresh Enrollment Minimum 1
Email afresh@uab.edu Address Volker Hall
1670 University Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone (205) 934-4473 Fax
Weeks
Normally Offered
See Offering Dates		 5-46
Prerequisites Prerequisites: Students must be in good academic standing and have an interest in teaching. The elective offers an opportunity to advance teaching abilities and clinical skills, including Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Elective Requirements: To provide a consistent learning environment, CSTAs are expected to avoid: >2 away rotations, >4 consecutive weeks out of town at a time, or >6 total weeks out of town in any 12-week period. Specific Clerkship Prerequisites: Medicine, Surgery 
Specific Clerkship Prerequisites: Medicine, Surgery
Visiting Students
Accepts students from US LCME accredited schools.
Accepts students from osteopathic schools.
Course Description Duration: This course is offered from August to May each year. Credit: 4 weeks of elective credit. Overview: This elective allows fourth-year students to: 1. Acquire and apply bedside teaching skills, specifically history-taking, physical examination, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) 2. Refine and hone clinical skills and reasoning for advanced medical practice 3. Mentor and guide first and second-year students in clinical skills and reasoning Structure: Collaborative Learning - CSTAs typically work in pairs, mentoring groups of six students and fostering an interactive learning environment Training: Preparation: CSTAs receive training in small group teaching, standardized physical examination, and organ-based POCUS exams. Additionally, CSTAs will receive a detailed teaching guide and email updates. Goals and Objectives: . Apply history-taking and physical examination skills, including POCUS, and critically evaluate their effectiveness. . Synthesize diverse teaching methodologies and demonstrate their application in medical education
Where To Report Volker Hall, Room to be determined
Requirements Participation:
• Actively participate in training sessions on small group teaching and physical examination techniques.
• Review required readings and physical examination demonstration videos.
• Consistently attend sessions, including orientation and training sessions
Evaluations:
• Complete mid-year and final evaluations of students’ performance and provide formative feedback
• Complete MEDMap assignments.
Evaluation Grading: Pass/Fail.
• Grading is based on active participation, timely completion of coursework, and adherence to the course syllabus and deadlines. Note that failure to meet expectations may result in dismissal from the elective.
Criteria:
• Regular attendance at all scheduled activities.
• Timely completion of MEDMap assignments.
• Evaluation of performance as a small group leader from students
Notes Schedule:
• Expect 2-3 small group meetings and 1 training session each month.
• Weekly meetings with students during assigned weeks, typically in afternoons.

Flexibility: Meetings can be moved to any day of the week, based on mutual convenience.
Policy: There are no restrictions on concurrent UAB rotations. Per SOM policy, students can enroll in only one Teaching Associate course at a time.
Course Roster: The final course roster is subject to approval by the Course Directors following an academic review.