Department of Pediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
The Department of Pediatrics

Genetics - Clinical Activities

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of all infants, children, and adolescents.


Medical Genetics Specialty Clinics Rotation (MGSCR) – 1 month.

Overview:

The Medical Genetics Specialty Clinics Rotation (MGSCR) is a one month required rotation for the Medical Genetics Residents/Fellows (MGR/F).  The MGSCR is designed to introduce the resident to utilization and value of multi-specialty clinics in the practice of Medical Genetics.  Over the one month period of the rotation, the resident will attend the following multidisciplinary clinics:

  1. Craniofacial/Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP)-third Monday all day at Suite 1400 in University of Texas Professional Building (UTPB)
  2. Hemophilia/Thrombophilia-every Wednesday PM at 5th Floor Pediatric Clinic in UTPB
  3. Shriners Hospital Metabolic (Rickets)-fourth Friday PM at Shriners Hospital Outpatient Clinic (SHOPC)
  4. Shriners Hospital Cerebral Palsy (CP)-2-3 half days/week; day varies; SHOPC
  5. Shriners Hospital Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)-fourth Friday PM at SHOPC
  6. Shriners Hospital Spina Bifida Meningomyelocoele (SBMM)-third Friday all day at SHOPC
  7. Shriners Hospital Arthrogryposis-fourth Monday all day at SHOPC
  8. Shriners Hospital Screening (General)-1-2 times/month all day on Thursday at SHOPC

The clinics are designed around:  single gene disorders (rickets, OI, hemophilias/thrombophilias); common, complex birth defects (spina bifida meningomyelocoele); a combination of single gene disorders and common birth defects (craniofacial/cleft lip and palate, arthrogryposis); or a mixture of genetic and non-genetic conditions (CP, screening).  There are subtle nuances between these clinics depending on the patient group.  The MGF will learn the role of the Medical Geneticist in a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors from other specialties (pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, plastic surgery, hematology, pediatric endocrinology, orthopedic surgery, pediatric neurology, and pediatric neurosurgery) as well as nurses and other health care professionals (genetic nurses, genetic counselors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, speech pathology, dentists, etc.).  For all of the clinics, the MGR/Fs will perform literature searches regarding conditions considered as diagnostic possibilities or observed in patients who are evaluated.  The MGR/Fs will also learn to order specific genetic tests as appropriate for patients with suspected conditions versus patients with unknown diagnosis.  Each clinic is described individually followed by a listing of Goals and Objectives for all of the clinics.  Adherence to the 80-hour work week is mandated.