Honors Tracks

Purpose and objectives

The choice of the tracks to be activated is based on the specialist medical areas (residencies and centers) of the University and the associated hospitals, as well as on topics of special relevance to global health issues, primary care and family medicine. The Honor Tracks’ purpose is to support students in making a more informed choice of their residency school after graduation by helping them to understand their aptitude for a specific specialty area.

In activating the HTs, Humanitas University also takes into account the fact that access to postgraduate programs in many countries begins with an initial evaluation of the CV of the young doctor, therefore, making the acquisition of additional credits a valuable asset in the selection process.

Organization

HTs are organized differently according to the topic/area. They may include intensive periods from June to September or from January to February and/or activities during the first and second semester.

Depending on the track, the type of activities include seminars, simulation, outpatient activities, ward activities, operating room activities, multidisciplinary meetings, clinical case discussions, and journal clubs.

Each student selected for the HTACI will be assigned to a tutor for each intensive period for assistance and guidance during the activities.

The contact email for administrative issues is honorstracks@hunimed.eu.

Final acknowledgements

HTs are designed to provide 10 CFU that are recorded in the student’s career in the diploma supplement. To obtain these extra credits, students of HTs need to pass a final exam related to the track and to complete all exams of the Degree programme in Medicine and Surgery or MEDTEC.

Upon accomplishment of the Medicine and Surgery/MEDTEC Degree Program, the Honors track will be reported in the Diploma Supplement. Furthermore, the University will issue upon request:

• a specific Honors Track certificate;
• a recommendation letter signed by the coordinator of the track and by the Dean.

Honors Track Africa

Purpose and objectives

With this track, students can experience a medical training in a different context where it will be possible to learn to manage a variety of clinical and surgical cases. The student might be asked to scrub into surgeries or assist the local doctors and nurses with daily tasks to help care for those who are in need. 

The student will also learn how to adapt clinical and technical skills in a setting where only a lower level of medical equipment is available.

This experience also allows to gain a deeper understanding of practising medicine in a different cultural frame increasing communication and interpersonal skills.   

Types of activities

Selected students will be required to attend preparatory training:

• Simulation training;
• Humanitas Hospital attendance for gynecological training; 
• Lab Attendance and training.

After the training, students can join one of our partners for a 4 weeks field experience.

Honors Track Africa – Nursing

Purpose and objectives

With this track, students can experience a nursing training in a different context where it will be possible to learn to manage a variety of cases. Students will assist local doctors and nurses with daily tasks to help care for those who are in need. 

Students will also learn how to adapt clinical and technical skills in a setting where only a lower level of medical equipment is available.

This experience also allows to gain a deeper understanding of being a nurse in a different cultural frame, increasing communication and interpersonal skills.   

Types of activities

Selected students will be required to attend preparatory training. After the training, students can join one of our partners for a 4 weeks field experience.

Call for Applications Honors Track Africa – Nursing

Honors Track – Physiotherapy

Purpose and objectives

For the academic year 2023-2024, Humanitas University offers its students the opportunity to apply for Africa Honor Track (hereinafter Africa HT).

The program will be held in cooperation with: Changes Onlus operating in the Medical Center St.Paul in Andasibe-Ampefy, Madagascar.

Purpose:

• Offering students the opportunity to make an experience in rural settings, acquiring knowledge on managing diversified cases correlated with the local prevalent epidemiology which involves rehabilitation procedures;    
• Offering students the opportunity to learn how adapting clinical and technical skills in a settings where a lower level health care equipment is available; 
• Raising awareness of social and ethical aspects of the medical profession in a different cultural frame;
• Understanding the organization and work of healthcare facilities in the specific context;
• Supporting students in making a more informed choice for developing a future career as medical doctor in the international organizations operating in rural areas with a lower level of clinical and technical resources;
• Improving the curriculum vitae: in many countries the selection process for postgraduate programs begins with an initial evaluation of a young doctor’s curriculum vitae, therefore, making the acquisition of additional credits is a valuable asset in the selection process

Types of activities

Africa HT will imply the compulsory participation in the following activities:

• attendance of preparatory training (to be scheduled);

• a direct field experience of 4 weeks in one of the partners’ clinical facilities with the supervision of a tutor (Table 1)

Call for Applications Honors Track Africa – Physiotherapy

Honors Track in ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (IMMUNOTRACK)

Purpose and objectives

The knowledge acquired during the Honors Track in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Immunotrack) is intended to allow the students to understand how the major allergic and immuno-rheumatological diseases are diagnosed and managed and to provide tools for continuous scientific update through the literature. The course should help the students understand their vocation towards the practice of allergy and clinical immunology,

Organization

The track will be organized as follows:

1. Intensive period #1: 2 weeks during the summer of the fourth year for medical students and of the fifth year for MEDTEC students (at the Allergy Unit and Rheumatology Unit)
2. One monthly lecture/seminar on hot topics over the two semesters of the fifth year
3. One bimonthly assignment for independent student work and subsequent evaluation during the two semesters of the fifth year
4. Two activities at the Simulation Center during the two semesters of the fifth year
5. Participation at two scientific events (one about Allergy, and one about Rheumatology) during the two semesters of the fifth year
6. Intensive period #2: 2 weeks during the summer of the fifth year for medical students (at the Allergy Unit and Rheumatology Unit) and before graduation for MEDTEC students

Each year, the students must attend all proposed clinical activities, in-class lectures/seminars/journal clubs/scientific events, and simulation activities.

Types of activities

During the intensive periods, students will participate in Allergy and Clinical Immunology/Rheumatology activities:

• Outpatient clinics
• Seminars/Lectures
• Journal Clubs
• Scientific events
• Simulation

In total, the student is required to carry out a four-week clinical rotation at the Allergy and the Clinical Immunology/Rheumatology units made available by the University. During the clinical rotations, the student will be supervised by a tutor and will complete a weekly diary on a daily basis including reflections, questions, and take-home messages. At the end of this period the students will ensure that the diary is signed by their tutor and delivered to the coordinator of the track.

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will acquire the following knowledge:

• Diagnostic procedures and guidelines for allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Phenotypic characterization and treatment of main allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Novel therapeutic approaches to allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Principles of management of allergic and immunological/rheumatological emergencies.
• Multidisciplinary approach to the main allergological and immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Principles of clinical trials participation in allergy, clinical immunology and rheumatology
• Principles of translational clinical and research in allergy, clinical immunology and rheumatology 

Application of knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Identify the clinical features of the main allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Understand and critically evaluate the phenotypic characterization of the main allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Perform and interpret the main diagnostics tests in allergy, clinical immunology and rheumatology
• Understand the process to decide the most suitable treatment (including biological and other innovative drugs) for each single patient affected by main allergic and clinical immunological/rheumatological diseases.
• Actively collaborate in clinical trials.
• Actively participate in clinical and translational research projects.
• Write and critically revise scientific articles.

Assessment

At the end of the first intensive period students will be evaluated on:

• Professionalism: overall professional behaviour during the period considering attendance, readiness, punctuality, diary completion, and critical interaction with physicians and scientists;
• Knowledge acquired: discussion of clinical cases;

Progression from the first intensive period to the rest of the track will be based on successfully passing the first evaluation.

Activation of the Track

The Immunotrack will be activated with a minimum number of 2 students.

Honors Track in EMERGENCY AND INTENSIVE CARE MEDICINE

Knowledge acquired during the Honor Track in Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine (EICMe) is essential to reach an overview of emergency practice, understand the differences between the specialties of Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, and to have a solid basis as possible future resident in both Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine. The course should help the students to understand their attitude for clinical emergencies management.

Prerequisite for application

Students are required to have completed the scheduled 4^th year exams and practical activities.

Organization

The track will be organized as follows:

1. July-September (4^th year) in ED (Emergency Department)–Emergency Medicine: 4 weeks, 6 hours/day per 5 days/week+ 2 night-shifts
2. July-September (5^th year) in Intensive Care : 4 weeks, 6 hours/day per 5 days/week+ 2 night-shifts
3. December-February (6^th year) in ED–Emergency Medicine or Intensive Care: 2 weeks, 6 hours/day per 5 days/week

Types of activities

During each period students will be exposed to the ordinary ward clinical activities.

In addition, during the last four semester of their School of Medicine they will attend different lectures and more specific practical activities as follows:

• Students will be partially embedded into the induction program for Residents attending the 2^nd year of the Intensive Care Medicine Residency program
• Students will be partially embedded into the induction program for Residents attending the 1st year of the Emergency Medicine Residency program
• Emergency medicine procedures in the Simulation Centre, as follows:
• BLSD
• Mask ventilation
• Laryngeal mask positioning
• Radial artery positioning using the  Seldinger technique

In total, the student is required to carry out a ten-week clinical rotation made available by the University. During the clinical rotations, the student will be supervised by a tutor and will be required to fill in a weekly diary on a daily basis including reflections, questions, and take-home messages.

At the end of this period students must ensure that the diary is signed by their tutor and delivered to the coordinator of the track.

Facilities

The EICMe Honor track will take place in the following Hospitals facilities:

• Hospital Humanitas Rozzano
• Hospital Gavazzeni Bergamo
• Hospital Mater Domini Castellanza (VA)
• Hospital Gradenigo Torino 

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the track the student will acquire adequate knowledge about:

• Main features and organization of the ED – Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine wards (e.g., architectural, functional,…).
• Basic functioning of the most-frequently used equipment and devices in the aforementioned wards
• Clinical Protocols of critical patients followed in the aforementioned wards.
• Principles of management of medical emergencies in the ED and in the Intensive Care Unit.

Activities for application of knowledge and understanding

As far as the ED and Emergency Medicine are concerned, by the end of the track the student will be able to:

• Perform standalone readings of at least 5 normal and 11 pathological ECG, signed by the Tutor
• Perform standalone readings of 5 normal and 11 abnormal chest x-Ray, signed by the Tutor
• Obtain 10 standalone arterial sampling for blood gas evaluation, interpret results and clinical implications under the supervision of the Tutor.
• The student will be fully acquainted with the risk management and procedures of the ED

As far as the Intensive Care Medicine is concerned, by the end of the track the student will be able to:

• Understand the different etiology and pathophysiology of various types of shock and prepare a case report to be discussed with the Tutor.
• Address the non-invasive ventilation principles by following one cPAP and one NIV clinical case
• Take part in an inpatient emergency management
• Interpret the Early Warning Score (EWS) parameters
• Take part in an intubation manoeuvre and discuss intubation indications with the Tutor
• Take part in a central venous catheter (CVC) placement and be aware of the indication for CVC setting.
• Obtain 10 standalone arterial sampling for blood gas evaluation, interpret results and clinical implications under the supervision of the Tutor.
• Perform standalone readings of 1 normal and 3 abnormal chest CT scan, signed by the Tutor
• The student will be fully acquainted with the risk management, procedures and organization of the Intensive Care ward

Assessment

At the end of the track, the student will be evaluated on:

• Professionalism: overall professional behaviour during the period considering attendance, readiness, punctuality, diary completion…)
• Knowledge acquired: discussion of clinical cases

Activation of the Track

The EICMe will be activated with a minimum number of 4 students/year.

Honors Track in GLOBAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

The Honors Track in Global and Occupational Health (GOH)  aims to provide students with an overview of the global epidemiology, including occupational epidemiology, preventive options, public health policies for some of the major infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases that are the leading causes of death and disability in Italy and globally. Students will learn measures of disease burden applied at the individual and population levels, including cost of illness, years of life lost due to mortality, and health adjusted life years. The effects of social, environmental and occupational determinants of health are emphasized. Key methodological considerations for the execution or interpretation of studies of each disease will be highlighted. The Honors track will be entirely organized based on a case-based methodology, with the selection of global health cases which will be discussed with the instructors at the onset of the program.

Organization

The track will be organized as follows:

1. Workshop (2-hours in June) at the end of 4th Year course to meet the selected students, introduce the contents and structure of the HT.
2. Intensive period of formal training focusing on case-based learning: 1 week (4 hours/day)
3. Bimonthly lecture/seminar (2 hours) during the two semesters of the fifth year.
4. Monthly discussion on the progression of the work on the individual case chosen by the student.
5. Participation in one scientific event in the area of Global Health, Environmental Health, Occupational and Public Health during the two semesters of the fifth year. Namely the two suggested conferences will be: the European Public Health Annual Conference and the International Congress on Occupational Health.
6. Intensive period abroad: 3 weeks during the summer of the fifth year to be spent in one of the suggested academic institutions, including the Western University in London (Ontario, Canada), and affiliate Joint Clinical Research Centre in Kampala

Types of activities

During the intensive periods students will participate to the following activities:

• Case-based learning and student-led small team discussions (entire program)
• Workshop
• Intensive periods on site (1 week) and abroad (3 weeks)
• Seminars/Lectures
• Journal Clubs
• Scientific events

During this intensive program, the student will be supervised by a tutor and will complete a weekly diary including reflections, questions, and take-home messages.

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will acquire the following set of skills and knowledge:

• Describe the epidemiological characteristics and relative impact of major infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases including the emerging occupational diseases, both nationally and globally and their relationship with the broader social and environmental context.
• Explain approaches to the prevention and control of these diseases from a public health perspective, including health promotion programs both in community settings and workplace.
• Identify methodological challenges associated with epidemiological studies of each condition.

Application of knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Identify the clinical and public health relevance and application of global health cases, including the role of the environmental characteristics and occupational exposures to the potential field of specialization.
• Writing a final thesis based on the selected case, which may include publication of scientific articles.

Assessment

At the end of each semester students will be evaluated based on:

• Professionalism: overall professional behaviour during the period considering attendance, readiness, punctuality, diary completion, and critical interaction with peers and instructors.
• Knowledge acquired: discussion on cases and results of the independent student work.

Activation of the Path

The GOH will be activated with a minimum number of 3 students.

Honors Track in ONCOLOGY

The purpose of the track is to provide students with and in-depth knowledge of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the most relevant solid tumors. The track also aims at helping students to discover their aptitude for oncology and related fields of interest.

Organization

The track will be organized as follows:

1. Intensive period one: 2 weeks during the summer of the fourth year
2. One weekly activity along the two semesters of the fifth year.
3. Intensive period two: 1 week during the winter of the fifth year

At the end of the track, students will have acquired 10 formative credits (10 CFU/ECTS) that will be certified on the Diploma Supplement.

Type of activities

During the intensive periods students will be exposed to different areas of the Cancer Center participating in the following type of activities:

• Seminars
• Clinical case discussions
• Multidisciplinary meetings
• Journal clubs
• Outpatient clinics
• In-patient clinics
• Simulation labs

During the 1st and 2nd semesters of the fifth year, students will be asked to participate in weekly 1-hour meetings/journal clubs. Students must attend at least 10 of these events.

During the HTO, students must fill in a daily diary of the activities including reflections, questions, and take-home messages. At the end of each intensive period the students must ensure that their diary is signed by their tutor and delivered to the coordinator of the honors track.

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

• General overview of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy: illustrate the clinical approach to cancer patients, the importance of the multidisciplinary approach, and of personalized medicine.
• Breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancer: the big killers. Describe the clinical presentation, radiological, pathological aspects, and treatment. Discuss clinical trials and published papers.
• Difficult communication and conversations: discuss the importance of the psycho-oncologist in the patient journey from diagnosis to treatment and prognosis.
• From theory to clinical practice: from basic clinical activities of the Cancer Center to advanced clinical activities, including discussion of complex cases, management of emergencies in oncology, and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures (e.g. biopsy, thoracentesis, paracentesis).

Application of knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Describe the pathognomonic signs and symptoms of the most relevant solid tumors, including breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer.
• Produce a differential diagnosis according to identified signs and symptoms; choose the correct diagnostic imaging work-up and bioptic procedures in order to obtain the proper diagnosis.
• Illustrate the main oncologic and radiotherapy treatments for each discussed tumor, from the mechanisms of action to the different therapeutic aims.
• Learn how to communicate with an oncologic patient, with a particular focus on difficult situations including disease progression and poor prognosis.

Assessment

At the end of the first and second intensive periods, students will be evaluated on:

Professionalism: overall professional behaviour during the period considering attendance, readiness, punctuality, diary completion… )

• Knowledge acquired: discussion of clinical cases
• Progression from the first intensive period to the rest of the track will be based on successfully passing the first evaluation.

Activation of the Track

The HTO will be activated with a minimum number of 5 students.

Honors Track in ORTHOPAEDICS

Purpose and objectives

Knowledge acquired during the Honors Track in Orthopaedics (HTO) is essential to reach an overview of orthopaedic practice, understand the differences among orthopaedic sub-specialties, offering solid bases to aspire to residency programs in any of these sub-specialties. The course should help the students to understand their aptitude for surgical practice and their main field of interest among different orthopaedic fields.

Organization

The track will be organized as follows:

1. Intensive period one: 2 weeks during the summer of the fourth year
2. One monthly activity over the two semesters of the fifth year
3. Intensive period two: 1 week during the winter of the fifth year
4. Intensive period three: 2 weeks during the summer of the fifth year

Each year, the students must rotate in different orthopaedic sub-specialties, attend in-class lectures, attend simulation activities.

Types of activities

During the intensive periods, students will be exposed to the different surgical areas participating in the following type of activities:

• Operating theatre
• Seminars
• Clinical case discussions
• Simulation

In total, the student is required to carry out a five-week surgical clinical rotation made available by the University. Students will be exposed to the following surgical areas: Hip Surgery, Knee Surgery, Hand Surgery, Shoulder and Elbow surgery, Trauma Surgery.

During the clinical rotations, the student will be supervised by a tutor and will be required to fill in a weekly diary on a daily basis including reflections, questions, and take-home messages.

At the end of this period the students must ensure that the diary is signed by their tutor and delivered to the coordinator of the track.

Learning objectives

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will acquire the following knowledge:

• Main features of the surgical theatre (open versus arthroscopic surgery set-up)
• Most-frequently used equipment and devices of the surgical theatre and of their basic functioning
• Protocols for the perioperative management of orthopaedic patients
• Risks of the surgical context (infection, physical, and chemical agents)
• Quality and medico-legal principles in orthopaedics
• Basic surgical skills in different orthopaedic sub-specializations
• Principles of management of basic traumas in an ER setting, including closed reduction and plaster positioning

Application of knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

• Prepare a sterile surgical field, including hand washing, dressing, and draping.
• Perform surgical sutures and wound dressing.
• Identify different surgical tools and choose the most adequate one for basic procedures.
• Perform basic movements during a minimally invasive procedure (arthroscopy and, if available, robotic procedures).
• Perform some surgery-related invasive maneuvers, i.e. intra-articular injections, braces, plasters and simple wound sutures.
• Interpret the commonest imaging modalities in orthopedic patients

 Assessment

At the end of the first intensive period students will be evaluated on:

• Professionalism: overall professional behaviour during the period considering attendance, readiness, punctuality, diary completion)
• Knowledge acquired: discussion of clinical cases

Progression from the first intensive period to the rest of the track will be based on successfully passing the first evaluation.

Activation of the Track

The HTS will be activated with a minimum number of 5 students.