News and Updates

Access to Allscripts, EPIC and Up-To-Date from any computer in LRC

Allscripts: Click Allscripts icon from desktop of any computer in LRC. Click the “UTP Clinical Application” link. A new page will open where you need to provide your UT credentials. Once you are logged-in, you will see Allscripts icon at which point you can click on it and log-in to Allscripts using your Allscripts username and password.

EPIC: Log in to Citrix Portal for EPIC from desktop of any computer in LRC with the username and password assigned to you. For log-in issues, contact HCHD Helpdesk at 713-566-4357.

Up-To-Date: Click on EPIC on desktop of any computer in the LRC to open HCHD Citrix Portal log-in page. Log-in to HCHD Citrix Portal using your HCHD username and password. Click on Internet Explorer and in the search box enter “up to date.” The first result that comes up will give you full access to Up-To-Date.

Auscultation Manikin

The SAM (Student Auscultation Manikin) gives medical students practice in listening to the heart, bruit, breath, and bowel sounds. A carotid pulse is also discerned with every heart sound to assist in the identification of the onset of systole. The sounds are accessed through a laptop interfaced with the manikin, and as many as six sounds may be played simultaneously, allowing the heart and lung sounds to be heard by moving the stethoscope as one would on a normal patient. A phonocardiogram of each sound is displayed on the computer screen.

Catalog

The online catalog of the holdings in the LRC can be accessed to browse items of the collection by author, title, course and subject. The catalog also shows which items are already checked-out, the date and time of return, the number of items checked-out to an individual and the overdue fines, if any that may have accumulated. A student also is able to reserve an item for check out at a later time.

Computer Support

The students have access to an extensive array of computer support services from the MSIT in the LRC. These include configuration of personal laptops for compatibility with the UTHSC network, installation of anti-virus software and drivers to enable printing wirelessly from laptops, wireless configuration, provisioning of smartphones for the UT exchange server, etc. A Help Desk Request should be submitted for computer support in the LRC. If you are submitting the Help Desk request for assistance with your personal laptop after-hours or on weekends, please change the department to “LRC – Student Helpdesk” prior to submitting the ticket. The LRC also provides Registration Agent services to members of the Medical School community, which includes verification of the credentials of those who have applied for the issuance of a Digital ID.

Collection Development and Dissemination

The collection is developed in conjunction with the faculty so that it is correlated with the curricular offerings in the Medical School. It is comprised of print, audiovisual, clinical simulation exercises and web-based instructional resources. The required and recommended textbooks complement the online e-book resources accessible from the TMC Library. The LRC holdings also include study aids for preparation for the USMLE, course syllabi, and resources placed on reserve by the faculty. A web-based library management system (Destiny) is deployed for the cataloging, classification, and circulation of the collection as well as compilation and analysis of the circulation data.

Eligibility

Anyone with a valid UTHSC ID badge may utilize the LRC while the staff is on duty, which is typically from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The medical students are the primary users of the LRC, and their ID badges have been programmed to enter the LRC 24 hours a day. All others should ring the bell at the entrance to come into the LRC. The medical students also have borrowing privileges and access to the group study rooms in the LRC. There are no public entrances or exits into or from Medical School Building through the LRC. No food is allowed anywhere in the LRC.

Evidence-Based Medicine Resources

The TMC Library offers a range of Evidence-Based resources identified below. What is evidence-based medicine (EBM)? The most common definition of EBM is taken from Dr. David Sackett. EBM is "the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research." (Sackett D, 1996) Read more at the UNC Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine Tutorial http://www.hsl.unc.edu/Services/Tutorials/EBM/whatis.htm

Gallery

The Gallery showcases the creative and artistic works of the medical students. The displays include a brief background on the subject of the artwork and the students’ motivation for their creation. All medical students are invited to exhibit their works in the Gallery. A committee assists the LRC Director in scheduling and making final selection of artwork for the Gallery.

Lecture video streaming

Interactive Video Services records and broadcasts many classroom events, including first two years’ of course lectures given as part of the Medical School curriculum. The students are able to view these soon after a lecture is given through video streaming either in the LRC or from a remote site. In addition, several special events are also recorded such as the Grand Rounds, Clinical Research Curriculum, guest lecturers for various departments, and special lecture series such as the Dean's Lectures and President's/Dean's Town Hall Meetings.

Mission and Goals

The LRC supports the teaching and learning functions of the faculty, staff, and students of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. It provides an educational environment and a physical space in which to study independently or in a group 24 hours a day. The LRC aims to collect and promote the use of innovative instructional resources in support of the curricular offerings. The LRC also helps students retrieve relevant information from the vast collection of online medical literature and cultivate life-long study habits.

Online resources

A number of online instructional resources are available through the Educational Programs Folder on the desktop of any computer in the LRC. A list of the subjects under which specific titles are listed is as follows:.

Organization and Staff

The LRC is a division of the Office of Educational Programs, headed by Patricia Butler, M.D., senior associate dean for educational programs. Karim Marani, M.Ed., is the director of the Learning Resource Center. The LRC staff includes Nermin Suljic, Cicily Palms, Renata Mackowski and student assistants.

Pager Service and Directory

Each third- and fourth-year medical student is provided with a pager from the LRC to be used while on clinical rotations. The pager features statewide coverage, voicemail, text messaging, etc. The LRC maintains a Pager Directory, which is accessed by anyone with a UTHSC log-on credentials.

Physical Diagnosis Practice Rooms

Two fully furnished rooms are available in the LRC for the practice of physical diagnosis skills. The rooms include an examination bed, various diagnostic equipment as well as manikins for the practice of listening to heart and lung sounds.

Student Advisory Committee

The Student Advisory Committee provides feedback to the LRC Administration on the facilities and services of the LRC and recommends improvements to the same on behalf of the student body. The membership of the committee is comprised of: MS I: Jennifer Lehmberg and Jessamyn Carter; MS II: Vishnukamal Golla and Jenny Kingsley; MS III: Mark Bombulie, Monica Chen and Bennie Rush and MS IV: Airat Agbetoba. Ex-officio: Dr. Allison Ownby, Office of Educational Programs; Nermin Suljic, MS IT Department; MS I-IV Class Presidents: Allen Quinton, Mark Gold, Reem Sabouni and Katherine Lusk.

Study Rooms

Study rooms are available for the medial students to study in small groups (2+students). These may be checked-out on a first-come, first-served basis from the Circulation Desk or after-hours from the Guard Desk in the Main Building.

TMC Library

The TMC Library is a valuable resource for the faculty, staff and students in the medical school. It is centrally located in the Jesse Jones Library Building, adjacent to the Medical School Building. The facilities include space for individual and group study, a well-equipped computer and media center as well as an extensive collection of print and electronic media, including e-books and major databases. The Library is open 89 hours per week, with the reference desk staffed for 53 hours per week.