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MS-3

Clerkships

Clinical Clerkships 

Ten required clerkships form the core of the combined clinical years. The overall aim of the clerkship experience is to provide students with the essential experiences where they will apply their knowledge and skills as they develop competence in the care of patients. Together, the clerkships, and all other clinical experiences, share a fundamental set of objectives. 

Overall, the objectives of the required clerkships are for students to become able to:

  • Integrate basic science concepts with clinical reasoning.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate therapeutic relationships with patients.
  • Obtain a sensitive and thorough medical history.
  • Perform a sensitive and accurate physical examination. 
  • Perform general clinical procedures. 
  • Participate in discussions and decision-making with patients and families.
  • Clearly communicate medical information in spoken and written form.
  • Develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice the basic principles of prevention.
  • Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning.
  • Appropriately assess patients with common signs and symptoms.
  • Appropriately use testing to guide diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
  • Diagnose and demonstrate basic understanding of common diseases and conditions.
  • Describe therapeutic options and participate in the care of patients with common problems.
  • Recognize acute life-threatening medical problems and initiate care.
  • Develop the knowledge and exhibit the skills necessary to assist in the management of chronic diseases.
  • Participate in care in a variety of settings.
  • Develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to provide culturally competent care.
  • Recognize and develop approaches to mitigate bias, social inequities, and systemic racism that undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at individual, organizational, and societal levels
  • Use information and educational technology to facilitate research, education and patient care.
  • Incorporate ethical and legal principles in clinical practice and research. 
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors.
  • Work effectively with others as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group.
  • Develop an understanding of the impact of nonmedical determinants of health on health outcomes and health equity.

Clinical Focus Courses 

The third year is punctuated by three one-week learning experiences, spread over the 48 weeks of the third year. 

  1. The Preclerkship Course is an introduction that is presented immediately prior to the start of the third year. It includes aspects of clinical, humanistic, and administrative preparation for clinical experiences.
  2. Clinical Skills Enhancement Week is conducted at the time of transition from third to fourth year. Students complete a series of structured assessments and participate in focused review sessions. Together these activities provide students with timely and specific formative feedback about their progress toward the objectives of the curriculum.