Course Lead
Tanner Bartholow, MD
Department of Pathology
bartholowtl2@upmc.edu
Course Lead
Barton Branstetter, MD
Department of Radiology
branbf@upmc.edu
Course Description
The Diagnostics course is a required, longitudinal course consisting of six sessions spanning the first 12 months of the Bridges Phase. This course reinforces the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate the appropriateness, value, utilization, interpretation, and limitations of common diagnostic tests, and to apply test results to personalize patient care. Students will also develop clinical acumen to establish appropriate thresholds for specialist consultation and deepen their understanding of value as it applies to health care.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Appropriately order common diagnostic tests
- Interpret and utilize test report results to personalize clinical care of the patient
- Know the limitations of diagnostic tests
- Understand the role of artificial intelligence in medical testing
- Establish an appropriate threshold for consulting specialists in diagnostic testing
- Describe how social determinants of health influence access to diagnostic testing
- Explain the impact of Radiology and radiologic testing on climate change and the environment
- Understand the cost/value relationship of diagnostic tests in medicine
Format
All students, at the conclusion of their core clerkships, will be excused from their rotations for one afternoon every two months. The course will last for one year (6 sessions), with the first session in March and the final session in January.
Students will assemble at Scaife Hall for two hours of large- and small-group activities. The Diagnostics Course will be paired with other SOM activities.
No virtual or hybrid option
Assessment
Grading will be Pass/Fail, based on attendance and participation.
Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.