CENTER FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH

MEDICAL STUDENTS

Medical Student Opportunities in Adolescent Health

Electives

For the past 10 years, the medical students have had the option of a "Type A" elective in Adolescent Health, now spearheaded by Dr. Rina Lazebnik. Offered to first and second year medical students, the course comprises a wide array of lectures that cover medical, psychosocial, and developmental topics salient to teens. Topics covered include growth and development as part of the life cycle, mental health issues including depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, substance use/abuse, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, aspects of chronic illness, nutrition, violence in the family, date rape. A short didactic presentation is followed by group discussion and case presentations are included. Students taking this course earn one credit hour toward completing their M.D. degree.

Elise Ellick, Sexuality Educator for MetroHealth Medical Center and Director of the Adolescent Consortium, now conducts a family clinic elective for first year medical students who are paired with teens and follow them one-on-one through thier entire pregnancy.

Noon Options

The second medical student course is offered during the fall or spring and is part of a larger elective that focuses on different defined patient populations. Our series of lectures represents an eclectic grouping of topics pertinent to adolescent health from CWRU faculty and professionals from our local community with expertise in this particular area. The lectures take place during the noon hour (hence the term "Noon Options"); lunch is provided. Students taking this course can, with supplemental reading selected by staff at the Center, earn one credit hour toward completing their M.D. degree. Dr. Peggy Stager is organizing this series of lecture for the next academic year.

Area of Concentration

The objective of the Area of Concentration in Adolescent Health is to expose the student to issues of adolescent health both in the office setting and in the community. The 5 required Type A electives are designed to give the student a foundation in the principles of adolescent health, and include electives such as Sports Medicine; Chemical Dependency; Developing Clinical Skills; Putting Prevention into Practice; Guns and Teens; Clinical Approaches; and many others. Type A electives can also include MAPs (medical apprenticeship program) Advance Studies in Urban Public Health, and learning to be an HIV Intervention Specialist or a Women's Health Educator at the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland. Also required are two Type B electives, one of which must be an Adolescent Medicine rotation. This AoC is perfect for anyone interested in family medicine, women's health, public health, pediatrics, and internal medicine, as its topics are pertinent and timely for anyone entering those fields. Scholarly research and independent projects are not required, but opportunities for research and mentorship are encouraged and available.