Not all of Ohio University’s cameras are used for security.
Students enrolled in OU’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine are observed by a camera as part of their standardized patient symptoms laboratory — the first of its kind in the state.
The program began soon after OU-HCOM’s opening in 1975. Similar programs have since been instated in other state medical schools, including Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University, said Maureen Clothier, clinical assistant professor of geriatrics.
The Clinical Training and Assessment Center has mock patient rooms where students diagnose patients while faculty observe the process from the control room.
“Everything is timed,” said Pam Henderson, clinical training and assessment center supervisor. “These are timed like the proctor exams, like the boards will be.”
Students have 15 minutes to examine and diagnose patients, a role fulfilled by compensated Athens area residents given a script of symptoms.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to see that they really are sick,” said Linda Tomc, OU-HCOM assistant professor.
Students are required to complete a Subjective Objective Assessment Plan note, outlining the patient’s symptoms and diagnosis.
Students have 20 minutes to present to faculty members who will give feedback, along with “patients.”
“That’s what we expect from our residents,” Clothier said. “They should be able to gather the basic information, conduct a basic physical and come up with a plausible diagnosis.”
The students’ cases take about eight months to write, depending on its difficulty, Clothier said, adding that the cases are pretty standard.
“We don’t use zebra cases,” Clothier said. “Horses are much more common than zebras and that’s what we present to students.”
OU-HCOM students are required to complete other standardized and simulated symptoms laboratories, which include listening to people with real illnesses and performing surgery on dummies that simulate symptoms.
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