Family Medicine

The course provides an overview of fundamental concepts and principles related to public health, epidemiology, clinical ethics, and medical jurisprudence. Core concepts necessary for the practice of evidence-based medicine will be presented in addition to examining topics related to the legal and ethical aspects of medicine frequently encountered in clinical practice. In addition to preparing students for board examinations, completion of the course will provide students with the foundation needed to practice evidence-based medicine, provide compassionate and humane patient care, and ensure compliance with the law and standards of professional conduct.

The course provides an overview of fundamental concepts and principles related to public health, epidemiology, clinical ethics, and medical jurisprudence. Core concepts necessary for the practice of evidence-based medicine will be presented in addition to examining topics related to the legal and ethical aspects of medicine frequently encountered in clinical practice. In addition to preparing students for board examinations, completion of the course will provide students with the foundation needed to practice evidence-based medicine, provide compassionate and humane patient care, and ensure compliance with the law and standards of professional conduct.

The Family Medicine I rotation consists of a four-week experience in third year, which is primarily preceptor-based, but may include both ambulatory and inpatient settings, some of which include residency-based opportunities. This clerkship will expose the student to various aspects of the diagnosis and management of patients in a family medicine practice, including the incorporation of osteopathic principles. This experience is supplemented by small group tutorials, online cases, and reading objectives. There is a nationally standardized post-rotation examination at the conclusion of this rotation.

The Family Medicine II rotation consists of a four-week experience in third year, which is primarily preceptor-based, but may include both ambulatory and inpatient settings, some of which include residency-based opportunities. This clerkship will expose the student to various aspects of the diagnosis and management of patients in a family medicine practice, including the incorporation of osteopathic principles. This experience is supplemented by small group PICO project presentations, online cases and reading objectives. There is a nationally standardized post-rotation examination at the conclusion of this rotation.

Students may arrange for a third-year elective rotation at established Midwestern University/AZCOM rotation sites. Any out-of-state site must be approved by the appropriate Department Chair. Rotations are subject to the current Department of Clinical Education Rotation Training Policy Manual. Rotations may be done in any department-approved specialty. No rotations with family members are permitted. There is no examination for this rotation.

OMM Clinical Elective Rotation will be taken during rotation block 3 in the AZCOM rotation schedule. Students will be scheduled to do an OMM rotation in the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic with the clinical faculty in the Department of Osteopathic Family and Community Medicine to better develop osteopathic palpatory diagnostic and treatment skills. Students will work with patients in the clinic, under supervision and learn to apply their osteopathic manipulative medicine skills and to properly document findings. The rotation will be 4 weeks in length and students are eligible to receive credit for an elective AZCOM rotation as well.