UC Davis Health
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

OBG 470: Gynecologic Oncology Acting Internship | Medical Student Education Program | Obstetrics and Gynecology | UC Davis Health

OBG 470: Gynecologic Oncology Acting Internship

Description

The goal of this AI is to learn more about the subspecialty of Gynecologic Oncology. The elective involves inpatient management of women admitted to the Gynecologic Oncology service for surgery, chemotherapy, and complications of gynecologic cancers and their treatments. Students will also gain experience with outpatient work up and follow up for gynecologic malignancies at our Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Learning Opportunities

Inpatient Rounding and Patient Care: 5 days/week
Surgery: 2-3 days/week
Cancer Center Clinic: 1-2 days/week

Didactics/Conferences

Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: 1 hour/week
Gyn Onc Fellow Didactics: 1-2 hours/week
Resident Didactics: 2 hours/week
Grand Rounds: 1 hour/week
Formal Gyn Onc Team Teaching: 30 min/week

Objectives

  1. For each of the gynecologic cancers (e.g. ovarian, endometrial/uterine, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, GTD), describe:
    • Risk factors
    • Signs and symptoms
    • Diagnosis
    • Initial approach to staging and treatment
  2. Compare the differential diagnosis and work up of an adnexal mass in a premenopausal vs. postmenopausal woman
  3. Name the layers of the anterior abdominal wall that are cut when making a vertical midline incision
  4. Discuss the anatomic landmarks used and steps taken to enable safe laparoscopic entry into the peritoneal cavity
  5. Identify the tissues that are cut during hysterectomy/BSO and describe the critical structures they contain (e.g. the round ligament which contains Sampson’s artery)
  6. Explain the potential complications of open and minimally invasive hysterectomy/BSO and begin to recognize these complications in patients for whom you are providing care
  7. Describe the expected post-operative course after open and minimally invasive hysterectomy and begin to recognize when your patients are deviating from this course
  8. Start to anticipate the associated complications that a patient with various co-morbidities (e.g HTN, DM, COPD, obesity, etc.) might experience perioperatively
  9. Demonstrate proper placement of a Foley urinary catheter
  10. Practice performing speculum exams under supervision
  11. Discuss safe positioning of a patient in lithotomy
  12. Use interrupted and subcuticular stitches to close a skin incision
  13. Perform a safe “handoff” of the patients on service to the night team
  14. Practice clear communication with consulting teams and ancillary service providers
  15. Appreciate the importance of working as part of an interdisciplinary care team

Call

No overnight or weekend call is required for the Gynecologic Oncology Acting Intern. Students may elect to take up to two weekend call shifts (~12 hours) to gain exposure to Labor and Delivery and to work with a larger pool of house staff and faculty.

Evaluation Process

Student evaluations are compiled by the IOR after receiving feedback from the residents and attendings on service. To receive Honors, the student must receive excellent clinical feedback, give a strong oral presentation, AND complete an academic exercise. Examples include:

  • Patient education tool
  • Quality improvement project
  • Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) development
  • Case report
  • Research project