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Acute Respiratory Infections

OVERVIEW

Acute respiratory infections are one of the statistically most common reasons for people to come to the physician. Students need to develop an organized approach to patients who present with sore throat, earache, sinus symptoms, or cough.

TOPIC LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
(Organized by ACGME Competencies)

Patient Care

GOAL: Students will accurately assess signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Perform appropriate examination of the HEENT and respiratory systems.
• Interpret laboratory data related to acute respiratory infections (e.g., rapid strep test in evaluation of sore throat).

GOAL: Students will appropriately discuss acute respiratory infections with patients.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Explain indicators of complications of acute respiratory infections to their patients.
• Describe to patients the risks of acute respiratory infections and goals of management.

GOAL: Students will be sensitive to individual and cultural differences in their development of treatment plans.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Discuss with patients and families the importance of lifestyle changes in the management of acute respiratory infections, especially avoidance of exposure to tobacco smoke or allergens.
• Develop treatment plans in the context of the patient's life and environment.

Medical Knowledge

GOAL: Students will understand the significance of acute respiratory infections in health promotion and disease prevention.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Discuss the epidemiology of acute respiratory infections, including racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences.
• Describe national guidelines, such as the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections.

GOAL: Students will understand the pathophysiology and risks of untreated acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Describe the complications of untreated acute respiratory infections.
• Describe how to make the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections.
• Discuss and defend the initial evaluation of a patient with a new diagnosis of an acute respiratory infection.

GOAL: Students will understand the rationale for treatment plans for acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Describe the appropriate therapy for acute respiratory infections.
• Discuss the evidence for the role of lifestyle changes: removal of allergens in a patient with allergic rhinitis or removal of tobacco exposure.
• Discuss the side effects and costs of commonly used medications, both non-prescription and prescription, for acute respiratory infections.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

GOAL: Students will understand the role of screening for acute respiratory infections in practice and community settings.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Describe how the approach to acute respiratory infections is monitored in the assigned clerkship site.
• Consider the impact of environment and neighborhood on adherence to treatment plans and lifestyle changes.

GOAL: Students will understand the role of practice-based improvement.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of practice analysis for adhering to national guidelines in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute respiratory infections.

GOAL: Students will bring up-to-date evidence to the point of clinical care.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Identify gaps in their own knowledge and frame appropriate clinical questions in regard to acute respiratory infections.
• Use best evidence to answer clinical questions about acute respiratory infections.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

GOAL: Students will understand the importance of effective communication with patients and families in the management of acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Describe the treatment plans for prevention and management of acute respiratory infections.
• Include patients and families in the development of treatment plans.
• Use effective listening skills and empathy to improve patient adherence to medications and decrease exposure to allergens.

Professionalism

GOAL: Students will demonstrate the ability to care for patients who present with acute respiratory infections from diverse backgrounds and with differing severity of their illness.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness with patients who disagree with the student about the diagnosis and/or plan, or are not adhering to treatment plans.
• Reflect on personal frustrations when patients express views different from the student, and patients do not adhere to the medically recommended plans.
• Demonstrate understanding of the relationship of acute respiratory infections to culture, age, gender, and disabilities.

Systems-Based Practice

GOAL: Students will understand the impact of health care systems and environment on the management of acute respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:

• Describe cost-effective strategies for treatment of acute respiratory infections using different formularies.
• Analyze barriers to effective integrated treatment of acute respiratory infections.
• Consider the role of other disciplines (e.g., pharmacy, nursing, social work, and allied health) in the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections.

Lead Author: Alexander Chessman, MD
Clerkship/Post-Clerkship Workgroup members: Ann O'Brien-Gonzales, PhD (Chair), Alexander Chessman, MD (EC Liaison), Caryl Heaton, DO, Janice Nevin, MD, MPH, Lauren Oshman, MD, Deborah McPherson, MD, Mark. E Quirk, EdD, David Schneider, MD, MSPH, William B. Shore, MD, Richard Usatine, MD

Family Medicine Curriculum Resource (FMCR) Project HRSA Contract 240-00-0107.

Revised November 23, 2003

For questions or comments, please contact Webmaster or Ardis Davis

This page last updated October 17, 2005