Creating a longitudinal integrated clerkship with mutual benefits for an academic medical center and a community health system.

The longitudinal integrated clerkship is a model of clinical education driven by tenets of social cognitive theory, situated learning, and workplace learning theories, and built on a foundation of continuity between students, patients, clinicians, and a system of care. Principles and goals of this type of clerkship are aligned with primary care principles, including patient-centered care and systems-based practice. Academic medical centers can partner with community health systems around a longitudinal integrated clerkship to provide mutual benefits for both organizations, creating a sustainable model of clinical training that addresses medical education and community health needs.

Diabetic polyneuropathy. Risk factors, patterns of presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Diabetic symmetrical distal neuropathy or diabetic polyneuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy and a leading cause of neuropathy in the United States. Complications include pain, loss of ambulation, and risk for amputation. Recognizing the typical pattern of presentation and risk factors for diabetic polyneuropathy is essential for making the correct diagnosis and determining appropriate workup and need for neurologic consultation.