medicinalchemistry

One of the key features of clinical learning in the University of Sydney Medical Program (USydMP) is the SCORPIO sessions (SCORPIO apparently stands for “structured, clinical, objective, referenced, problem-orientated, integrated and organised”). With the exception of a few pseudo-SCORPIOs during haematology block, I’ve generally found SCORPIOs to be great learning experiences and I’m quite fortunate that Concord Clinical School, where I’m based, reputedly organises more SCORPIOs than the other USyd clinical schools.

Each SCORPIO session generally starts with a short introductory session to outline the session, after which students divide into small groups and rotate around several teaching stations. Each station features either a patient with a certain clinical presentation to solve/discuss – e.g. a young lady with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) – or known clinical signs to elicit – e.g. a gentleman with a pronounced aortic valve ejection systolic murmur and carotid bruits.

For endocrinology block, Concord Clinical School has organised a SCORPIO each week in lieu of clinical diagnostic skills tutorials. By coincidence our postponed neurology SCORPIO was also held this week, which meant that we had two SCORPIOs today.

Neurology SCORPIO

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• L5 sensorimotor radiculopathy
• Brachial plexopathy secondary to radiotherapy

Endocrinology SCORPIO 1 (thyroid disorders)

• Graves’ disease
• Toxic multinodular goitre
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

After enduring the frustration of most of this week, today’s double SCORPIO clinical day provided a welcome breath of fresh air.