Maximum number of students admitted to elective-2. Offered each quarter. Genetic components have been identified for common disorders such as cancer, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, and mental illness. Thus, genetic diseases represent an increasing portion of the chronic care seen in both pediatric and adult inpatient and outpatient settings. Students who choose this elective should learn an organized approach to recognition, diagnosis, and management of patients with genetic disorders.
Students work with the inpatient consultation service and attend outpatient clinics.
The majority of consultations are at Texas Children's Hospital and Ben Taub General Hospital on the Pediatric or Newborn services. Additional patients, including adults, are seen at The Methodist Hospital, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Women's Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital. Didactic sessions are organized for students on the rotation during which faculty review general topics in clinical genetics including Mendelian principles, principles of ctyogenetics, metabolic emergencies, and topics in molecular medicine. There are additional teaching conferences held each week to review patients and topics of clinical relevance. Students should also learn the appropriate use of specialized diagnostic laboratories for diagnosis and management of patients with genetic problems.