Students are divided into pairs for these teaching sessions. SPTAs act as both instructors and patients, using their own bodies to demonstrate physical exam techniques by system. Feedback is provided on both technique and interpersonal skills.
- HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat): 70 minutes. This exam involves the use of the ophthalmoscope and otoscope to examine eyes, ears, nose and throat. The head, sinuses, lymphatic system of the head and neck, and mouth will also be examined.
- Cardiovascular: 50 minutes. This exam includes inspection, palpation and auscultation of the anterior chest. Proper draping will be discussed.
- Pulmonary: 50 minutes. This exam includes inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation of the posterior and anterior chest. Proper draping will be discussed.
- Abdomen: 50 minutes. This exam includes inspection, auscultation, palpation and percussion of the anterior and posterior abdomen to examine the liver, kidneys, and other organs. Proper draping will be discussed.
- Neurology: 70 minutes. The exam is organized into five areas: cranial nerves, motor system, sensory system, gait exam, and reflexes.
FEX Sessions are a mandatory part of the Clinical Diagnosis course.
For questions or scheduling conflicts, please contact Course Coordinator Sheri Sund (ssund@tulane.edu)
Students are divided into pairs for these 60-minute teaching sessions. A Male Urological Teaching Associate (MUTA) is a medical educator who uses his own body as a teaching tool. Each MUTA goes through extensive training with a certified MUTA trainer. MUTAs coach learners on clinical and communication skills and give instruction on the focused physical exam. The session is divided into the genital exam, inguinal canal exam, and the rectal/ prostate exam. The sessions are designed to sensitize the student to the psychological and emotional perspectives of the patient during the exam.
The Male Urological Teaching Sessions are a mandatory part of the Clinical Diagnosis course.
For questions or scheduling conflicts, please contact Course Coordinator Sheri Sund (ssund@tulane.edu)
These are 75-minute sessions in which a trained facilitator will guide a small group of students through taking a complex sexual history from a SP in role. Each student will receive a copy of the Sexual History Interviewing outline. Time-outs are allowed. At the end of the interview, the SP may give feedback to the group. The tutorial is designed to increase your comfort in discussing sexual issues.
The Sexual History Taking Small Group Tutorial is a mandatory part of the Foundations in Medicine course.
For questions or scheduling conflicts, please contact the Course Director, Dr. Chayan Chakraborti (cchakrab@tulane.edu).
In the TAPS office, contact Sheri Sund (ssund@tulane.edu).
During these 60-minute sessions, a trained facilitator will guide small groups of students through a complete psychiatric evaluation of a SP in role. These sessions are designed to increase students' understanding of the role of the mental status exam in patient care, improve students' comfort in assessing mental states, and help students move beyond social understandings of human behavior. SPs will provide feedback at the end of the encounter.
The Psychiatry Orientation Small Group Tutorial is a mandatory part of the Foundations in Medicine course.
SCOPE is an eight-station Clinical Skills Assessment taken at the end of second year. This exam uses SP encounters to assess student performance in data gathering (primary history and physical examination) and interpersonal communication. The exam takes four hours, with a break halfway through.
SCOPE is pass/remediate. The data collected is analyzed by TAPS staff and faculty to ensure students' didactic learning experience has fully prepared them for upcoming clerkships and clinical rotations.
SCOPE scheduling e-mails are sent out 4-6 weeks before the exam.
Need to brush up on your physical exam skills before SCOPE? Contact Romy Vargas (rkittrel@tulane.edu) to reserve an exam room where you can practice with your friends (M-F, 9-5, not available on event days) or a SCOPE practice kit which you can use anywhere, anytime.
For questions about SCOPE, please contact Romy Vargas (rkittrel@tulane.edu).
