This conference is held approximately biweekly on Friday mornings. Dr. Chaitowitz is the Case Discussion Leader.
Educational Purpose
There are two objectives for this conference
- To supplement our fellows’ clinical experience with cases that represent diseases or complications of hematological diseases that are rare enough that they will be seen only several times during a hematologist’s career.
- To use “Case Method Teaching” as a “learner-centered” teaching technique, providing fellows with the case to analyze and medical references to read prior to the conference.
Principal Teaching Method
A case study - ‘clinical problem solving’ format is
utilized. Initial data regarding a real clinical scenario, as well as several
relevant ‘learning objectives’, are distributed prior to the conference, and
fellow are asked to prepare a discussion of the case in the form of a
‘consult’. The fellows then meet to discuss the case, with Dr. Chaitowitz
serving as the discussion leader.
Most Important Educational Content
Each of these cases represents an example of an unusual
hematological disorder presenting as a common hematological clinical problem.
Fellows are expected to read up on the general topic, and will be challenged to
demonstrate their analytical and diagnostic skills, to present an appropriate
differential diagnosis, and a practical and rational plan of investigation and
management. These cases have been selected to encourage participants to recall
that while common things occur commonly, rare things will go undiagnosed if not
considered in the initial evaluation of a problem.
Site’s Resources
Dr. Friedman has a series of patients that she has cared for which are used for these conferences. Blood smears, bone marrow samples, and a variety of other primary materials have been saved and will be part of the case materials used for the conference.