General Responsibility as Clerkship Medical Students

Attendance Policy
On Call Policy
Behavioral Expectations
Professionalism
Optional Learning Opportunities  

Medical students assume a dual role in their clerkship.  One is that of a student. As a medical student you are acquiring the skills, experience, and expertise to assume the level of clinical responsibility of a resident and, later, an attending. In the capacity of a student you are offered various educational opportunities (lectures, PCM-3, SPPAM, etc) that are allowed to take precedence to your usual clinical responsibilities. It is up to you to take advantage of these opportunities as you assume responsibility for your medical education.  

The second role in the clerkship is as a member of the treatment team in the care of patients. In this capacity, you are a professional.  As a professional you have an obligation to contribute toward the optimal functioning of the treatment team in the care of the patients.  This requires continual communication with your service (typically your resident) so that your availability for clinical assignments is maximized.  It also may require flexibility in your personal schedule according to what is happening on your service at the time.

Attendance Policy  - Attendance Year 3 and Year 4

Attendance is mandatory in Patient Centered Medicine courses, clinical clerkships, and any other courses or course components where attendance is announced as required. (Note “No Class Days” and “Absences” sections below.)

Absences
Any length of absence from any required activity or course/clerkship component may need to be made up at the discretion of the Course Director according to the form and/or format specified by the department (see additional information below).

Unexpected/Emergency Absences
During years three and four, any unexpected absence due to illness or other serious emergency requires prompt notification by the student to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or designate and to the clerkship/elective director.  This notification constitutes a request for an excused absence due to a legitimate extenuating reason.  Student Affairs will alert the clerkship or elective department of the absence if the student is unable to do so.

Examinations or other required academic activities that are missed may be made up only if the Associate Dean for Student Affairs has granted permission for the absence.  Illness requires written documentation from the Student Health Service and/or the student’s physician.

Non-Emergent Absences
Attendance is mandatory and petitions for approved absences for non-emergent reasons are reviewed and a decision is made to approve the request or not.  A student must have a serious reason for an excused absence in years three and four (e.g. wedding of a sibling, research presentation, etc).   Should a student have a serious reason for wishing to take a day or two off, a written petition must be submitted at least one month prior to the start of the clerkship or elective in which the absence would occur.  The petition detailing the nature of the conflict should be sent to all of the following individuals: 1) clerkship or elective director, 2) the clerkship staff coordinator (if it is during a required clerkship/subinternship) and 3) the associate dean for student affairs or designate. Any available supporting documentation should be attached (such as a copy of a jury summons, invitation to present a poster, etc).   A petition for permission to be absent is a request and requires review and is not automatically approved simply by submission.  By notifying the relevant school offices at least one month in advance, the student's clerkship specialty service and call schedule can be considered or adjusted to minimize the affect of any days off.  The student will be notified if permission has been granted. Non-emergency absences not requested at least a month in advance of the start of the clinical course cannot be accommodated.

No Class Days
Students should refer to the official academic calendar for the dates that these holidays are scheduled at Stritch for a particular year.  Students are excused from courses, clerkships, and electives, except as noted below, on the following days.  Weekends following or preceding a "No Class" holiday are not usually excused or free days for clinical students except as noted in the No Class Day entries or Exceptions section below.

 ** Clinical students will not be on call on the prior Wednesday.

Exceptions
Clinical students could be on duty or on call on the Saturday and Sunday that precedes or follows no class days listed above except as follow:

Special notes:
St. Luke's Day is celebrated in October on a date announced in the official academic calendar.  Class schedules on this day may be modified to permit special events that mark this Loyola tradition.

 Students who need additional interpretation of this policy are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs.

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On Call Policy

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Professionalism

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Behavioral Expectations

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What should medical students do if mistreatment occurs?

Medical students may be reluctant to discuss mistreatment for fear of reprisal; yet they often desire that alleged mistreatment incidents undergo proper investigation.  To address student concerns, Stritch provides informal channels through which students may discuss their concerns and receive counseling.  During the psychiatry clerkship students need to bring their concerns directly to the clerkship director.  Confidentiality will be respected as much as possible and serious efforts will be made to insure the student's grade is not negatively impacted by an incident.  There are also formal reporting mechanisms through which complaints are investigated and appropriate remedies applied  

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