Clerkship Shadowing
What is clerkship shadowing?
This is an opportunity for second-year students to get exposure, by shadowing a third-year clerk, to practical skills they will need when they start clerkship. The second-year students will follow the clerk for an hour or so around the hospital and the clerk will instruct them on things like proper charting, reading laboratory/radiology results, discharge summaries, and in general how to function on a day-to-day basis.
The following is a general outline of what is covered but it can be modified to suit individual needs:
- Charting
- Admission History & Physical
- Orders (include admission and discharge)
- Med Orders
- Discharge Summaries
- Transfer Orders
- Off Service Notes
- Rounds
- Chest x-ray
- X-rays
- EKGs
- Being "on call"
- Role of clerk, resident, staffperson
- Meditech & PACS
- Dictation
- Discharge
- Outpatient visit
Who runs the program?
A MED III student volunteers to coordinate the programme and sets up the “Clerkship Shadowing” match. The program coordinator for 2009-10 is Jessica Downing. He will enlist volunteers from his class who agree to have a second-year student shadow them. An email will then be sent to all MED II students to see who is interested in participating. The “match” is then done and it is left to the students to arrange times to meet with their mentor.
What does it involve for the clerk?
The program is purely observational and does NOT involve patient contact. The clerk will NOT be expected to demonstrate or supervise physical exam techniques or invasive skills (for example, IV insertion).
It involves:
- Allowing a second-year medical student the chance to observe a clerk’s daily routine.
- Meeting with a student at mutually convenient times until the objectives of the programme are met.
- The clerk’s participation in the program -- while not financially reimbursed -- is very much appreciated. Contributing to this project is of tremendous benefit in helping students become prepared for clerkship responsibilities.
What are the guidelines that a student should follow?
- If you are interested in shadowing you must let the Programme Coordinator know immediately as other students may be interested in working with the clerk. The clerks are expecting students to contact them to shadow and it would be unprofessional not to notify the clerk or the organizers if you are no longer interested in participating.
- Contact the clerk and arrange a mutually convenient time for you to shadow. You can go as often as you wish if this is possible with both of your schedules (some clerks may be available on weekends…just ask!!).
- If you have arranged a session and can not make it, notify the clerk.
- Please dress appropriately for shadowing and wear your identification badge – if available. All students should wear their clinical skills coats.
- The purpose of clerkship shadowing is to allow you to observe what the clerk does.
If you have any problems or questions contact Dr. June Harris at 777-6747 or Jessica Downing.
You may check your
match at any time by clicking on the following Match List:
Clerkship Shadowing Match List (PDF)
