Clinical Training for MD/Ph.D. Elective
Title of Clerkship: Clinical Training for MD/PhD Elective
Elective Year(s): Clinical Elective Rotation during Graduate Research Years
Department: Various
Type of Elective: Clinical
Clerkship Site: The University of Toledo Medical Center and affiliated sites
Course Number: INDI 745
Blocks Available: N/A
Number of Students/ Block: N/A
Faculty: Various
Elective Description/ Requirements:
The MD/PhD clinical elective is a longitudinal required elective for all MD/PhD students
during the PhD phase of the program. Students are paired with a clinical preceptor
that offers a clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The clinical
faculty mentor will be responsible for the clinical training of the student and provide
formative and summative feedback. The purpose of this course is to keep students engaged
in the clinical setting while conducting lab research.
MD/PhD students will identify a clinical mentor. The process for selection of the mentor and approval of the MD/PhD Student Clinical Training Agreement will be under the direction of the MD/PhD Program Director. The Clinical faculty mentor will be responsible for the clinical training program for the student, and will provide formative and summative feedback concerning the development of clinical skills and a foundation for subsequent clinical clerkship training. The clinical mentor may change during the course of the student’s graduate school years, but any changes should occur after the end of the semester. Students may choose a clinical mentor from any department, and the following specialties may be particularly suited to training MD/PhD students who have limited prior clinical training and restricted hours of availability.
Student time commitment:
Students are expected to spend 8 hours per month in clinical training. This can be
divided into weekly 2:hour sessions, biweekly 4 hour sessions or an 8 hour day per
month. Students are encouraged to discuss the most appropriate schedule with their
laboratory mentor to ensure that the clinical experience does not interfere with graduate
coursework or research progress. The program should be formalized in writing, and
the MD/PhD Student Clinical Training Agreement submitted to the MD/PhD Director for
approval. Student should see about one patient per hour of training. Students should
keep a log of their patients, their diagnoses, and any procedures performed.
Credit:
Upon completion of 3 years of graduate training, assuming 40 weeks per year of participation,
students will have accumulated about 300 hours of clinical experience. This is approximately
equivalent to 2 months of clinical electives (8h/d X 5 d/w x 4= 160 h/mo) and students
will be awarded 2 months of 4th year clinical elective credit for this training upon
re-enrolling in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. This credit should allow
further flexibility in 4th year elective scheduling, enabling additional research
months, off site rotations, etc. If students require more than 3 years of graduate
work, continued participation in the clinical training program is strongly encouraged,
but no more than 2 months of electives will be awarded.
Length of Clerkship: See above
Links to Core Competencies/Educational Course Objectives
- Develop history taking and physical examination skills. (PC-1, PC-2, PC-3, PC-4)
- Describe how to present a cogent history and physical to an attending. (IPC-1, IPC-2)
- Present the differential diagnosis, diagnostic work-up and management for common medical problems. (PC-6, PC-7)
- Relate patient presentations and treatments to basic pathophysiology and pharmacology (MK-2, MK-3, MK-4, MK-5)
Professionalism:
UTCOMLS students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism
as stated in the current educational program.
Instructional Methods:
Student interviews and examines patients, followed by presentation to faculty and
clinical teaching on each case. Additional reading or write-ups at the discretion
of the clinical mentor.
Evaluation Methods:
Students are expected to keep a log of their patients, their diagnoses, and any procedures
performed. Students are also required to document their educational hours. This log
can be viewed by the Course Director and Clinical Preceptor. Clinical preceptor faculty
will evaluate students on their clinical performance. Students will undergo formative
evaluations each month. Summative evaluations will occur at the end of each semester.
This will assess Cognitive/Performance Skills (ability to perform history and physical
and present cases to an attending) and Professionalism (promptness and consistency
of attendance, appropriate attire, etc.). Students lacking repeatedly in these areas
will not receive elective credit for their rotation. Students will be provided a copy
of the summative evaluation and are encouraged to discuss results with their clinical
preceptor.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all preclinical coursework, including Bridge to Clerkship Course and passing Step 1 of the USMLE examination.
Clerkship Director: Rob Smith, MD., PhD
Clerkship Coordinator: Allison Spencer
Phone Number: 419-383-4148
Email: Allison.Spencer@utoledo.edu
Special Requirements: Clinical Elective is required for all MD Dual Degree students
Course materials: An online introduction module will be provided to be completed by the end of the first week of the clerkship
ECC Approved/January 2023