STUDENT EXPECTATIONS IN MEETING OBJECTIVES

1.  Assume Graduated and Supervised Responsibility for Patient Care. 

To achieve this objective, students are expected to:

  1. See at least three but no more than five new patients each week.

  2. Keep their supervising residents and attending physicians fully informed of the patients' conditions and of their diagnostic and therapeutic plans.

  3. Review all consultations, procedures, and discharge orders with supervising residents and attending physicians.

2.  Acquire a Basic Knowledge of Internal Medicine.

To achieve this objective, students are expected to:

  1. Complete the readings outlined in this syllabus (click here).

  2. Attend the Core Lecture Series (listed on the Clerkship Calendar).

  3. Learn from experiences with patients.

  4. Complete required patient write-ups using material from at least two current journal articles and one medical textbook reference.

While direct patient experience is important to learning Internal Medicine, working with patients comprises only a subset of the practical knowledge necessary for successful completion of the clerkship.  A structured approach to studying core-reading materials in addition to patient care is crucial for a well-rounded education and preparation for the Medicine Subject Examination.  See Appendix E for the "Systematic Reading Schedule."

3.  Perform and Record Thorough, Accurate, and Pertinent Histories and Physical Examinations.

To achieve this objective, students are expected to:

  1. Have supervising residents review all case write-ups.

  2. Submit written patient histories and physical examinations to the clerkship director for critical review.

  3. Perform a clinical exercise (CLEX) in the attendance of the clerkship director, chief medical resident, or their designee during the third or fourth week of the clerkship.

4.  Utilize Correct Clinical Reasoning and Hypothesis-Generation to Study Presenting Problems and Guide Diagnosis and Management.

To achieve this objective, students are expected to:

  1. Attend Core Lectures.

  2. Complete required readings.

  3. Use the clinical laboratory, x-ray, and other testing procedures in an appropriate and effective manner to diagnose patients.

  4. Use every patient encounter as a learning experience.