Clerkship Policy and Requirements

                                                         CLERKSHIP POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS

Be Punctual: Students are expected to be on time to work. Tardiness will not be favorably looked upon. If you are going to be late, call those expecting you in advance.

Be Professional: Remember you will need to earn the respect and trust of your patients. You are expected to be polite and behave and dress professionally. Be empathetic of your patients’ needs and respectful of their privacy. Be careful not to discuss patient cases in public settings as their illness and history are confidential. In addition, drape patients appropriately during exams and request a chaperone when necessary. You are the “ambassador” of Penn State College of Medicine; be courteous to all you come in contact with including preceptors, residents, staff and peers.

Be Careful: As a student, you should not act independently or without the knowledge of those legally responsible for the care of the patients. If you are uncertain about a situation, it’s best to ask your preceptor.

Emergencies/Illness: We encourage the request for time off to be kept to a minimum, as this is a very short rotation. However, if an absence is necessary, prior approval is required from the clerkship director. In the event of unexpected emergencies/illnesses, the student must telephone the preceptor/site director and the clerkship director to report the absenteeism on the first day of being absent and the nature of the emergency/illness. Time off from the clerkship must be made up whenever possible.

                                                                         CLERKSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The student will:
¦ Attend an orientation session and procedure workshop at Hershey on the 1st day of the clerkship.

¦ Attend an orientation session on the first day at your site and share the pre-clerkship self-assessment, pages 21-22 with your preceptor.

¦ Participate in providing care to patients in a family medicine practice at least 8-9 half days per week.

¦ Interview, examine, and formulate a management plan for each patient encounter.

¦ Share findings with a physician supervisor who will be a faculty member or a senior level resident.

¦ Write SOAP notes during each of your clinical sessions.

¦ Be directly observed taking a history.

¦ Be directly observed doing a back exam and have your preceptor complete and sign the Faculty-Observed Back Examination form (pages 9-10). Return the form on the last day of the clerkship.

¦ Complete the 15 REQUIRED computer cases at http://www.med-u.org/.

¦ Visit a community agency (e.g. Hospice, shelter, rehabilitation program) and complete the Agency Summary Information form (page 23).

¦ Meet with the site director for a mid-rotation interview and assessment. Have your preceptor complete and sign the Mid-Clerkship Formative Evaluation from (page 11). Return the form on the last day of the clerkship.

¦ Participate in an exit interview with the site clerkship supervisor in regards to the clerkship experience.

¦ Complete the post-clerkship self-assessment (on the right side of the same form as the pre-clerkship self-assessment), page 22.
¦ Log Core Topics requirements for patient encounters on New Innovations.

¦ Log Duty hours on New Innovations.

¦ Complete the required assignments and readings as listed on pages 13-16.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS, FORMS, DUTY HOUR AND CASE LOGGER REPORTS ARE DUE AT THE DEBRIEFING SESSION, WHICH IS HELD ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CLERKSHIP.

¦ Attend the final evaluation session (beginning at 7:45 AM) on the last day of the clerkship and pass the final examination.