Pulmonary Medicine Acting Internship – UTMC
Title of Course: Pulmonary Medicine Acting Internship – UTMC
Elective Year(s): Fourth Year
Department: Internal Medicine
Type of Elective:Â Acting Internship
Course Site: UTMC
Course Number: MEDI 827
Blocks Available: Per faculty availability
Number of Students per Block: 1
Faculty: Ragheb Assaly, M.D., Fadi Safi, M.D. and various others
Elective Description / Requirements:
Students will function as acting interns on the Primary Pulmonary (inpatient) Service
(PPS). They will serve as the primary provider for a limited number of patients under
close supervision by pulmonary fellows, residents, and attending physicians. Responsibilities
will mirror those of an intern and include completing admission H&Ps, progress notes,
discharge planning and documentation, and presenting on rounds. Students will gain
experience with the management of complex pulmonary conditions such as COPD, asthma,
interstitial lung diseases, pleural disease, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure.
Students will be expected to participate in and learn from diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including thoracentesis, bronchoscopy, and ventilator management. Didactic and bedside teaching will emphasize interpretation of imaging and pulmonary function tests, management of oxygen delivery systems and understanding non-invasive and mechanical ventilation.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Links to Educational Program Objectives:
After completing the rotation, the student will be able to:
- Interview patients and collect data through history and physical exam tailored to pulmonary presentations (EPOs: PC-1)
- Perform complete or focused pulmonary exams and distinguish normal from abnormal respiratory findings (EPOs: PC-1)
- Use and interpret pulmonary function testing, radiographic imaging, and laboratory studies to assess respiratory conditions (EPOs: PC-6, MK-4)
- Develop and present a differential diagnosis and management plan for patients with pulmonary disease (EPOs: PC-7)
- Create accurate documentation including admission orders, progress notes, and discharge summaries (EPOs: PC-7)
- Recognize and assist in the management of respiratory emergencies, such as acute exacerbation of COPD, asthma, and hypoxemic respiratory failure (EPOs: PC-8)
- Demonstrate effective and professional communication during handoffs, interdisciplinary rounds, and consultations (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2)
- Understand the structure and limitations of pulmonary services within the health care system and contribute to high-value care (EPOs: SBP-1, SBP-2, SBP-5)
- Incorporate feedback and demonstrate self-directed learning to improve clinical reasoning (EPOs: PBL-1, PBL-3)
- Identify and address ethical issues related to pulmonary care, including end-of-life care and decisions about mechanical ventilation (EPOs: PB-1, PC-2)
- Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
- Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)
Professionalism:
UTCOMLS students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and Educational Course Objectives for the sponsoring department. Expectations include timeliness, accountability, respect for patient confidentiality, and sensitivity to diversity.
Instructional Methods:
- Inpatient rounds
- Clinical skills and bedside teaching
- Independent and guided interpretation of lab and diagnostic studies
- Procedure observation and participation
- Lecture and media-based didactics
- Independent study
- Pulmonary-specific case-based learning
Assessment Methods :
- Case presentations
- Clinical documentation (H&P, progress notes, discharge summaries)
- M4 Acting Internship Assessment
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the required Internal Medicine Clerkship
Special Requirements:
- As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience. Â This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
- Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities. Â This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care. Students are expected to be present in the hospital six days per week. Participation in procedures is encouraged based on availability and faculty supervision.
- Students are required to fill out and return two completed R-IDEA forms to the clerkship office.
Clerkship Director: Mani Askari, M.D.
Clerkship Coordinator: Dawn Jagodzinski
Phone Number: 419-383-5022
Email: dawn.jagodzinski@utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026