University of Chicago Gastroenterology Fellowship Curriculum
Weiss Memorial Hospital Rotation
Directors: Dr. Heidi V. Huck and Dr. Michael Uzer
Educational Mission
The Weiss Memorial Hospital Gastrointestinal Rotation provides University of Chicago
GI fellows with exposure to a consultative gastrointestinal practice in an urban,
community hospital. The rotation provides training in ambulatory and inpatient care of
patients with gastrointestinal and hepatologic disorders typical to a community hospital.
Training includes primary management of gastrointestinal patients, consultative services
and endoscopic training.
Goals of Rotation
GI fellows are expected to:
1. Refine history taking and physical examination skills.
2. Expand expertise in the formulation of a comprehensive differential diagnosis,
generation of instructive progress notes and treatment plans for GI disorders.
3. Develop skills inherent in consultation: working with referring physicians,
patients and their families to deliver optimal care to the patient and instruction to
referring staff.
4. Expand and refine endoscopic skills: Fellows will receive one-on-one instruction
of endoscopic procedures, indications, findings and outcomes. Procedures will
derive from patients on the consult service and ambulatory referrals to the GI
service.
5. Provide instruction and leadership for medical students and residents rotating on
GI consult service.
Objectives of the Rotation
During each four week rotation, the GI fellow will:
1. Perform detailed consultative history and physicals on GI patients in ambulatory
and inpatient settings.
2. Generate appropriate differential diagnoses, diagnostic and treatment plans for GI
patients.
3. Discuss with referring physicians and associated housestaff the recommendations
generated from the GI service’s assessment and plan.
4. Solidify knowledge of endoscopic indications, preparation of the patient for
endoscopy, obtaining informed consent and appropriate documentation.
5. Perform endoscopies under the direct supervision of the GI attending including:
upper and lower endoscopies with (as dictated by clinical setting) biopsies,
polypectomies, placement of gastrostomy tubes, dilation, banding of vessels,
hemorrhage control, retrieval of foreign bodies. Fellows with advanced
endoscopic skills will have the opportunity to assist in ERCPs, papillotomy, stent
placement and other technically advanced endoscopic procedures. All fellows will
observe advanced procedures and understand the clinical settings in which these
procedures are indicated.
6. Increase skills in endoscopic, radiologic and pathologic interpretation of GI
disorders.
7. Provide instruction and mentorship for medical students and residents rotating on
the GI consult service.
8. Develop skills in the delegation of responsibility to other members of the service
while maintaining close supervision of all patients followed by the GI consult
service.
Evaluation Process:
1. The GI fellow will receive instruction regarding the goals, objectives and
expectations at the initiation of the four week rotation.
2. Mid way through the rotation, progress toward the above objectives and goals will
be discussed with the GI fellow. The GI fellow’s personal goals and objectives
will also be addressed.
3. At completion of the rotation, formal evaluation of the GI fellow’s performance
will be assessed and reviewed with the fellow. The fellow will be given the
opportunity to evaluate the rotation and provide feedback to the rotation directors.