SGU has a formal administrative and academic structure for overseeing clinical training at affiliated hospitals. This structure includes directors of medical education, clerkship directors, clinical department chairs and associate chairs, site visits, and SGU administrative and academic support offices.
Directors of Medical Education
A director of medical education (DME) is located on site at each clinical center and affiliated teaching hospital. The DME is a member of the SGU faculty and oversees the SGU medical student experience at that site. The DMEs, in coordination with the Clerkship Directors, provide support for scheduling rotations, determining the scope of student activities, delineating holidays and vacation time, addressing student concerns, and responding to acute medical problems that students might develop. The DME regularly reviews the overall student training experience with the senior associate dean of clinical studies. The DME is accountable to both the hospital administration and the SOM. In the US, DMEs report to the senior associate dean of clinical studies (US); in the UK, they report to the associate dean of clinical studies (UK).
Clerkship and Departmental Oversight
In addition to the DME, a clerkship director (CD) is appointed for each core rotation in which SGU students participate at each affiliated hospital. The CD is responsible administratively to the DME and academically to the appropriate departmental chair of SGU. Six clinical departments represent the six clerkship specialties. SGU appoints a chair for each department to supervise the educational content of the rotation at all hospitals. The School also appoints associate chairs in the UK and elsewhere, where necessary, to help coordinate and supervise the educational experience at all sites. Department chairs and associate chairs as well as DMEs, CDs, and others who teach SGUSOM students are appointed to the clinical faculty. All clinical faculty are available to students for advice on medical training and career planning, including choosing electives, specialties, and postgraduation training.
Site Visits
Site visits are conducted by administrative and academic members of the SOM to affiliated hospitals. The purpose of these visits is to ensure compliance with SGUSOM standards, curriculum, and policies; review the clinical educational experience; elicit ideas for programmatic improvement; and discuss any problems that arise on site. In addition to meetings with the students, site visits may include meetings with the DME, CDs, and administrative staff. Each site visit results in the completion of an electronic site visit form (Appendix H). The chairs document the important features of the clerkship, including the strengths and weaknesses of the educational experience, feedback to clerkship directors, and suggestions for the future.
Student Support
Along with hospital administrative staff, additional SGU personnel are available through the Office of the Dean; Office of Clinical Education Operations; Office of Student Affairs; Clinical Academic Advising, Development, and Support; Office of Career Guidance; and Office of Financial Aid to help improve students' quality of life in and beyond the hospital setting. These personnel provide academic advice, career counseling, health and wellness support, and assistance with problems involving finances, housing, and visas.