SCHOOL OF 2012-2013 - St. George's University

integration of each in the practice of medicine. The course
focuses on three areas: the evidence base of practice,
community aspects of practice, and clinical preventive
services and health promotion. Themes running throughout
the course will include the scientific foundation upon
which practice guidelines and recommendations are made,
the role and contribution of both clinical and community
prevention efforts, and the applicability of these topics to
the practicing physician. The principles of community and
preventive medicine will be illustrated using examples from
a wide range of health topics such as child health, health
of the elderly, health disparities, infectious and chronic
diseases, and health topics in the news. The overarching
goal of this course is to demonstrate that community
medicine and preventive medicine can be and should be an
integral part of the practice of medicine.
• Online Course Management System
Student learning is facilitated by an electronic course
management system, where course materials and
supplemental materials can be reviewed online, and
students can take self-assessment quizzes and participate
in discussions for each of the lecture modules.
Selectives
Selectives are offered to basic sciences students during
the first two years of the four-year medical program. The
objective is to provide a structured learning experience
in diverse clinical and scholarly areas. They give students
the opportunity to integrate Basic Sciences knowledge
into clinical areas and may provide a transition into clinical
medicine. Selectives are offered by various departments
and coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Basic
Sciences. There is a cost associated with some of the
following electives.
ELEC 524
Culture and the Practice of Medicine
Diana Stone, MPH, DVM, PhD
Health care practitioners have become increasingly aware
of the significant impact of cultural beliefs and practices
on health, illness and disease. This course is designed for
both human and veterinary medical students. The goal of
this course is to enable students to identify cultural beliefs
and practices that impact disease in human and animal
populations and the practice of human and veterinary
medicine. Students will understand the concept of “One
Health One Medicine” and will incorporate cultural aspects
and interdisciplinary approaches to health care problem
solving. Students will use cultural knowledge, including an
understanding of their own cultural beliefs and practices,
to improve their ability to effectively practice medicine.
SCSK 500
The Prague Experience in Medicine
Walter Kolbinger, PhD
Martin Stransky, MD
This popular two-credit selective takes place in Prague
in the Czech Republic during the last three weeks of July.
Students are introduced to three teaching hospitals and
a private practice clinic with 25 physicians. The students
gain exposure to both adult and pediatric settings, and
participate in team discussions, teaching rounds, lectures,
and direct patient interaction. The thinking process that
clinicians use when examining patients is introduced and
discussed. Students assess the medical, cultural, and
economic forces impacting different medical systems. After
this selective, students will have developed an increased
awareness of the globalization of medicine, expanding their
perspectives and knowledge bases in patient care.
SCSK 501
Speech Skills for Professionals
Bill Blunt, DEd
The selective is an online communication workshop
designed to provide the techniques and concepts needed
to improve students’ communication skills as professionals
in today’s US marketplace. The acquired speaking skills
will improve performance in interviews, presentations, and
interactions with colleagues and peers. Emphasis will be
placed on preparation, body language, and image. Essential
to competing in the US job market today is the ability to
convey information and concepts distinctly without language
barriers. To this end, this workshop will enhance students’
English pronunciation while reducing foreign accents. In
addition, students will learn the factors that influence
their speech qualities, such as verbal debris and volume.
Throughout the one-credit course, each student will have
opportunities to hear his/her voice through recordings and
engage in self-critique in order to become acutely aware of
modifications. Once identified, students will work through
practice exercises and find solutions in online discussions
and resources to rectify errors.
School of Medicine
Course Descriptions
School of Medicine Catalog 2013–2014 | 65