Summer Camp for Kids with Diabetes *

ELEC860 / PMDN 619

Department
Internal Medicine

Clinical or Non-Clinical Course
Clinical

Physician Assessed Patient Facing
Yes

Prerequisites
Successful completion of 2 of the following: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine clerkships

Goal

Camp Granada is a week-long summer camp for kids ages 8 - 16 who have diabetes. Active participation in all camp activities will give each medical student valuable firsthand experiences in the acute and chronic management of insulin-dependent diabetes, with emphasis on interplay between physical activity, diet, and insulin dosage. Close supervision by a competent and experienced medical staff provides the background for a variety of recreational and educational activities for campers during the week.

The two-week rotation for qualified medical students consists of one week of orientation and preparation, followed by the week at camp itself (which begins on Saturday). Students are required to attend all scheduled didactic and planning sessions during the week of orientation. Introductory lectures will include Camp Orientation, Medical Concepts of Diabetes Management and Treatment (glucose monitoring, shots, and insulin pumps), Survey of Camp Medical Guidelines, Procedural Skills in Diabetes Management, and Dietetic Concepts of Diabetes Management (food exchanges and carbohydrate counting).

At camp, students will serve as live-in "cabin clinicians" for approximately 150 children with diabetes (6-10 per clinician), providing direct supervision and care to assigned campers in the cabins. The extensive Camp Staff Manual and additional handouts will serve as the text for the course and as a reference while at camp.

Students who wish to take USMLE Step 2 during this elective are encouraged to schedule that examination for the Friday in the first week of the elective.

Objectives

Upon completion of this elective, the student will be able to:

  1. Monitor campers’ blood sugars on a daily basis.
  2. Maintain accurate medical records for each assigned patient.
  3. Adjust daily insulin doses.
  4. Treat acute medical problems in children with diabetes, including hyper- and hypoglycemia.
  5. Provide first aid to campers.
  6. Identify the basic principles by which diet, exercise, insulin, and psychosocial issues influence blood sugar control.
  7. Communicate effectively in educating patients with a chronic illness.
  8. Participate as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Method of Assessment

  • Standard Clinical 2wk Elective Evaluation - Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Director
Brian Bostwick, MD

Course Coordinator
Kate McIntyre
kamcint2@uic.edu
309-655-3863

Location
Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

Setting
Outpatient

Night Call
Yes

Laboratory
Yes
Please Specify
Clinical lab work

Weekends
Yes

House Staff
Yes

Number of Learners per Block
4-6 females, 4-6 males

Duration
2 weeks

Who is this elective available to
M4s (in Phase 3)

Blocks Available
Block 3b only