Clinical rotations require a full-time commitment. Students are expected to participate in patient care as members of the healthcare team, attend all didactic activities, complete assignments, and engage in self-directed learning.
Participation and engagement are essential components of professional behavior. Students must participate in all educational activities required by clerkship directors, and participation is considered when determining clerkship grades.
Students are required to attend assigned hospital and clinic activities Monday through Friday, and, when scheduled, evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities. Excessive tardiness may result in a failing grade in the professional behavior component, and unexcused absences are not permitted.
Students who must be absent for part of a day or longer must obtain advance approval from the clerkship director. Unauthorized absences from any scheduled rotation, including electives, may result in a reduced or failing grade and/or disciplinary action.
Students unable to participate in a rotation should request a formal Leave of Absence (LOA). LOAs count toward the 6-year maximum timeline; therefore, the leave request may be denied it prevents completion of the MD Program within that period. Extended absences without approval from the clerkship director, DME, and Office of Clinical Education Operations constitute failure to complete required clerkship activities and will result in a failing clerkship grade.
Students are responsible for reporting to the assigned site on the scheduled start date and time and participating in orientation. Students who cannot start as scheduled must immediately notify the Office of Clinical Education Operations and the hospital DME. Core clerkships may be cancelled only for emergencies. Employment is not permitted during clinical rotations.