Herbert S. Waxman Clinical Skills Center
Registered Media Can Get a Firsthand View of Physicians and Medical Students Learning and Fine-Tuning Procedure, Examination, and Assessment Skills
The Herbert S. Waxman Clinical Skills Center is a dynamic collection of educational activities that offers physicians hands-on activities and simulation models focusing on office-based procedures, examination skills, and assessment and interpretation skills. Internal Medicine 2009 even has a simulated patient, “Harvey,” who can replicate 40 different heart sounds -- helping participants improve their cardiac diagnostic skills.
Participants learn a number of different suturing techniques by practicing on pigs' feet.
The Clinical Skills Center offers good visuals and interesting story angles. Highlights of activities are below.
Note: Press office staff escort is required for reporters to visit the Clinical Skills Center. Photography and videography may be permitted, but reporters must first ask for the subject's approval.
The Clinical Skills Center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
| Office-Based Procedures | Examination Skills |
| Assessment and Interpretation Skills | Evolution of the Clinical Skills Center |
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Office-Based Procedures
Ankle-Brachial Index by Doppler
This workshop focuses on the protocols and techniques for performing the ankle-brachial index. Participants learn tips on wrapping cuffs, finding the arteries with the Doppler probe, testing accuracy, and interpreting test results.
Arthrocentesis and Bursal Injections
Participants learn the anatomical landmarks used to identify injection sites as well as the steps for performing arthrocentesis and bursal injection by using joint models for practice.
Central Venous Line Placement
Using ultrasonography equipment and training models, participants learn to how to find vessels and practice line placement technique.
Incision and Drainage of Abscesses
Using simulation models, participants learn how to incise, drain, irrigate, and pack abscesses.
Skin Biopsy and Cryosurgery
Participants learn how to perform a variety of skin biopsy and cryosurgery techniques by practicing techniques on pigs’ feet.
Soft Tissue Injections
This workshop concentrates on the most common type of localized musculoskeletal conditions that affect tendons, bursae, and soft tissue compartments. Participants practice on models.
Suturing Skills
Participants learn a number of different suturing techniques by practicing on pigs’ feet.
Toenail Removal
Participants learn the indications for toenail removal. By using a realistic model and actual surgical instruments, participants practice a digital block, wedge resection and removal of an ingrown toenail, and wound care.
.Examination Skills
Examination of the Abdomen
Participants learn how to palpate the abdomen, perform proper percussion of the liver and spleen, and identify where to listen for abnormal abdominal sounds.
Neurological Examination of the Comatose Patient
Participants work with expert faculty and standardized patients to learn the proper assessment of the patient with altered mental status.
Physical Examination Tutorials
Under the guidance of professional patient-instructors, participants perform examinations in the following clinical skill areas:
- Pelvic examination
- Breast examination
- Male urogenital examination
Musculoskeletal Examination
In these intensive, three-hour workshops, participants pair off and practice a focused musculoskeletal examination. The focus is on recognizing abnormalities of the joints of the upper and lower extremities.
.Assessment and Interpretation Skills
“Harvey” Cardiac Simulator
This workshop teaches participants the most important bedside cardiac findings by using “Harvey,” the cardiopulmonary patient simulator.
Cardiac Auscultation Self-Guided Tour – Basic and Advanced
Participants refine their knowledge of cardiac auscultation by listening to heart sounds while viewing corresponding phonocardiograms in a self-directed learning environment. Short pre- and post-tests give participants immediate feedback on their auscultation skills. Basic- and advanced-level heart sounds and visuals are available.
.Evolution of the Clinical Skills Center
Originally dubbed The Learning Center, the Herbert S. Waxman Clinical Skills Center was launched in the mid-1990s and started simply as a small collection of hands-on activities and learning resources designed to update physicians’ examination techniques and knowledge of electronic resources. Word quickly spread about the Learning Center and the opportunity it provided to update skills that physicians learned years ago.
Under the guidance of Herbert Waxman, MD, FACP, former Senior Vice President of ACP’s Medical Knowledge and Education Division, the Learning Center expanded each year beyond simply “refreshing” techniques, going from a small collection of activities held in a conference room to a premier educational event.
New activities were added and capacity was increased to keep pace with demand. Workshops in a variety of office-based procedures were added, giving physicians the opportunity to learn skills that would expand their ability to care for their patients.
In 2001, a one-day ACP Pre-Annual Session Course, modeled after the Learning Center, earned the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education’s award for the “Most Outstanding Certified Live CME Activity.”
To honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Waxman after his passing in 2003, the ACP Board of Regents approved changing the name of the Learning Center to the Herbert S. Waxman Learning Center.
By 2006, over 2,500 participants were taking part in the various Learning Center offerings and the emphasis on procedural skills continued to grow. The Learning Center also underwent another name change, becoming the Herbert S. Waxman Clinical Skills Center to reflect the center’s focus on hands-on training.
