Medical Toxicology (Clinical Elective)

4 units

This rotation offers practical experience in the evaluation and management of the acutely ill, poisoned, envenomated, or intoxicated patient. Students will gain familiarity and experience evaluating and treating patients who have intentionally and unintentionally overdosed on medications or illicit drugs, have substance use disorders, have been envenomated, or have been exposed to toxic substances. Students will also gain experience in prescribing antidotes and learning to properly decontaminate patients after an ingestion or exposure. There are no overnight or weekend shifts. While not required, students are welcome to participate during off hours to see new consults and enhance their experience and learning. A core content of lectures will be provided. The students will also be assigned small projects during their rotation. Students will be able to rotate in the outpatient toxicology and addiction medicine clinic if desired. Students desiring a letter of recommendation from a toxicology faculty member or those interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine or Medical Toxicology should take this elective. Also, students considering specialties such as Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Neurology, Critical Care Medicine or Internal Medicine should consider this rotation as they will be responsible for evaluating toxicologic conditions as part of their inpatient or outpatient practice.