Clinical Observation Syllabus

BIOL 4931-01 Clinical Observation
Spring
Course Syllabus

Objective: To pursue observational experience in a clinical setting under the supervision of physicians or other health care personnel. The student will learn by observing, by journaling their observations, and by defining personal learning outcomes from their experience.

Christian Leadership Distinctives:

• Discovering Purpose - The student will be immersed as an observer of human and environmental interactions in a clinical setting helping them to discover and evaluate their own compatibility with the healthcare vocations.
• Grounding Values - Students will be in clinical situations observing how healthcare professionals apply values to moral dilemmas that they face while providing healthcare to a diverse population. Many times the student is challenged by their own empathetic character to personally resolve the moral dilemma in their own mind, thus examining and applying their own beliefs and values.
• Broadening Knowledge - Students will see healthcare professionals access and apply knowledge rapidly as well as make rapid decisions to request additional investigation on which to base future medical orders or recommendations for patient health improvement. Observation of a diverse set of healthcare professionals allows better understanding of the roles that wisdom, experience, and discernment play in providing healthcare and the necessity for the student to be a lifelong learner who is constantly broadening knowledge of the human condition.
• Deepening Skills - The student should expand their skills of perception and analysis as related to clinical information gathering, critical thinking, and decision making.
• Collaborative Service - Students will observe healthcare providers collaborate to provide effective healthcare.

Note: The writing of the required journal entries and the "Learning Outcomes Essay" in this course are directed exercises intended to help the student mentally process (reflection) the various elements of the Christian Leadership Distinctives.

Instructor:Dr. A.G. Jarstfer (j ärst-f ür), Professor of Biology
Office: Glaske O141
Telephone: 903-233-3951 (office)
Email: AmielJarstfer@letu.edu

Office Hours: T F 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., R 1:30 to 2:30 a.m., OR by appointment.

Locations: Meeting places and times are at the discretion of the supervising physicians.

Expectations
Arrangement of observation experiences. At the beginning of the semester the instructor will provide the compiled list of times and dates that the medical personnel have volunteered. This list will be available on Blackboard and you will receive specific instructions on how to use the list. By signing for specific times and physicians, students are agreeing to be present and professional in appearance and behavior. If the student is providentially hindered from meeting the physician at that time by personal sickness or death in the immediate family, the student is responsible to call the physician and Dr. Jarstfer to let both know the circumstances. It is not sufficient to call Dr. Jarstfer alone or to call Mrs. Austin.

Journal: Each Student should purchase and keep a bound notebook to mark progress, time spent, details of the protocol, and observations. This should be signed by the student for each block of time and initialed by the supervising physician. No names or other specific confidential identifications may be recorded in the journal. At the end of the semester you will give your complete journal to the instructor for grading; this journal is due April 24 with your Learning Outcomes Essay. RESERVE the first few pages to create a summary of observation dates and clock hours.

Mid-Term mile-marker – 4:41 p.m.  February 18. You are required to submit your journal with the record of shadowing times to the instructor. To receive a passing grade at mid-term you must have completed at least 12 clock hours of shadowing by this date in the spring semester.

Learning Outcomes Essay: A 3-5 page report will be submitted by April 24 at 3:47 p.m. This paper should answer the question: “What did you learn?”, and “How did these experiences help you accomplish the Christian Leadership Distinctives outcomes?”  NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT ADDRESS THE LEADERSHIP OUTCOMES IN YOUR ESSAY, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN UNSATISFACTORY (FAILING) GRADE IN THIS COURSE.

Grading: Your grade will be based on the completed journal, learning outcomes essay, and responsible participation. You must complete the required 36 clock hours to pass this course. Grading is Pass/Fail.

Appearance. No blue jeans are allowed. Each student will be provided a white laboratory coat and ID badge. These coats should be worn unless otherwise instructed by the supervising physician or their staff. Your ID badge must always be displayed unless otherwise instructed by your supervising physician or other preceptor. Scrubs are approved but must be provided by the student. Closed-toe shoes are recommended and in some clinical settings will be required for safety.

Certain immunization and orientations requirements must be met prior to participation. In event the student misses the arranged orientation times, it is the responsibility of the student to arrange for their fulfillment. If additional testing is necessary to verify TB status, this expense is to be paid by the student. We will seek the most cost-effective manner to complete this requirement.

Students enrolled in an institution of higher education are required to self-identify if they would like to request academic support services on the basis of a disability. LeTourneau University encourages a student with a disability to self-identify after admission and to provide required documentation to Student Services. Through self-identification and the utilization of appropriate academic services, it is assumed that academic progress must be made. Students needing facility adjustments must also notify the Office of Student Services at 903.233.4460.