Hints for Success in the Medicine Clerkship
DO -
- Get involved, work hard. What you get out of it greatly depends on what you put into it.
- Be honest about what you know and don't know.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
- Behave professionally.
- Remember to launder your white coat.
- Be proactive. Do phone follow-up on patients recently discharged from your service or between clinic appointments.
- Be prepared. Read ahead for planned lectures, pre-round, and obtain outside records.
- Practice your presentations. Do not read your write-up!
- Take advantage of opportunities to be taught. Ask to review x-rays, physical exam, gram stains, etc.
- Ask for feedback.
- Call us if you are having a problem or concern.
- Ask us if you have a scheduling conflict and don't know what to do.
- Enjoy yourself; medicine is great fun!
- Click here for Power Point Presentation Thriving during the Clerkship
DON'T -
- Be late.
- Bring coffee or food into a patient's room on rounds or in clinic.
- Assume everyone else knows what you don't (they usually don't).
- Put off reading until the last 3 weeks.