Vanderbilt University School of Medicine accepts visiting students from other accredited medical schools. Applications are made through the Visiting Student Application Service (VSLO).
Applications are processed and offers extended no more than 8 weeks prior to each elective. Due to the mandatory orientation and related trainings on the first day, we are unable to be flexible with regards to rotation dates.
In order to rotate at Vanderbilt, your school must have an affiliation agreement with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. We recommend that institutions sign on to the AAMC Uniform Clinical Training Agreement, as we have.
Send an email with any questions. No phone calls, please.
Eligibility Requirements:
In order to be a visiting student at Vanderbilt, you must:
- 4th year of medical school
- Attend a university that has an affiliation agreement with Vanderbilt.
- Have either BLS or ACLS training that has not expired.
Advanced Clinical Experience (ACE) – 4 Week Course
MED 5655 - Geriatric Medicine
4th Year Medical Students
Course Administration:
Director: Dr. James Powers
Co- Directors: Ralf Habermann, Kiffany Peggs, Parul Goyal. Victor Legner, and Mariu Duggan
Course Description:
The intent of this course is to provide students with an advanced educational experience in geriatric medicine. Students will gain familiarity with multiple geriatric syndromes: polypharmacy, gait instability, dementia, fragility, pain management, pressure sores, incontinence, osteoporosis; appreciation for continuity of care across different levels of care; and the ability to differentiate between normal aging and disease processes. Students' knowledge of ethical issues will also be enhanced including patient autonomy, driving, and elder abuse. Students will also be able to identify and use community resources effectively, assess and treat multiple geriatric syndromes, organize management of multiple acute and chronic diseases simultaneously, and communicate sensitively and effectively with older persons and caregivers.
Course-Specific Learning Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
- To identify and use community resources effectively
- To assess and treat multiple geriatric syndromes
- To organize management of multiple acute and chronic diseases simultaneously
- To communicate sensitively and effectively with older persons and caregivers
Common ACE Learning Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
- Perform situation-appropriate (problem-focused or complete) history and physical examinations and interpret clinical information to formulate a prioritized differential diagnosis that guides the creation of a patient-specific management plan (PC1a.2/PC1b.2/PC2b/PC2c/PC7b)
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the science for the ACE course specialty (MK2b)
- Exhibit clinical judgment that is safe and commensurate for the level of training (PC7b)
- Model a sustainable approach to continuous self-regulated learning as evidenced by the collection, analysis, interpretation, and implementation of newly acquired information (MK7b/MK7c/PBLI3c/PBLI3d)
- Display professional demeanor and duty while demonstrating compassion and respect for all persons, utilizing effective communication strategies (honesty and transparency) with patients, families, and healthcare colleagues, regardless of their cultural background (PR1b/IPCS7b.1)
- Function as an effective member of the patient care team, including effectively managing interpersonal conflict and the incorporation of constructive feedback (PBLI3a/SBP2d)
First - Day meeting location:
Students start with Dr. Powers on Monday morning at 9 AM in the Village at Vanderbilt, Suite 3000, 1500 21st Ave South (Hillsboro Medical Group). The course director will orient and guide students thorough the elective.