medical scientist training program

MD-PhD Clinical Connections

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Goal:
The clinical connections program has been designed for MD-PhD students in the graduate phase of the program. Students are matched with a physician-scientist clinical preceptor in an area of interest to them. The goals of the program are 1) to help the student to stay in touch with his/her clinical skills and knowledge base, 2) to pair the student with someone who can offer insight into physician-scientist career paths in a clinical area of interest to him/her. Experiences on the wards of a busy teaching hospital offer only a small glimpse of the life of a faculty physician-investigator. Clinical Connections is a way to see the bigger picture.

How it works:
The student and preceptor are to set up a mutually agreeable schedule which totals anywhere from 4 to 8 half days over the course of the semester. (This can be done in any way that works for both parties, ie it could be one or two half days per month over four months or two solid days in a row at some time during the semester or anything in between. The total number of hours should be at least 16 and no more than 40). As soon as a schedule is determined the student should report it to the Combined Degree Office. (The CD office must be given some schedule information within two weeks of the start of the term, even if all the details are not finalized). Students must have the permission of their thesis advisor to participate.

At the end of the experience, the student must complete a questionnaire, which appears below.  

Please fill out the form then click on "SEND" button.

MD-PHD CLINICAL CONNECTIONS PROGRAM EVALUATION

 Name:  
 Preceptor Name:  
 Field:  

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL BY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

(Some of the questions are not applicable to disciplines like pathology - for those modify the scope of your answers appropriately).
1. How many times did you meet with your preceptor?
  For how long each time?
  In what clinical setting?
2. How much direct contact did you have with patients?
  Did you take histories and do physical exams? Yes No
  Approximately how many in each session? 
  Do you feel like this experience met the goal of helping you stay in touch with your clinical skills and knowledge? Yes No
3. Did the preceptor generally talk with you about the patient before you saw him/her? Yes No
  Did you generally discuss the case with the preceptor after seeing the patient? Yes No
  Did you get feedback from your preceptor? Yes No
4. Did you talk with the preceptor about his or her experiences as a physician-scientist in this particular field? Yes No
  Do you feel like you learned more than you already knew about what it would be like to be a practicing physician-scientist in this area? Yes No
5. Do you think the program is designed well to meet the goals of helping a bit to maintain clinical skills/knowledge and providing an avenue for exploring career options... all without taking too much time away from research? Yes No
  Would more or less time be better? More Less
6. Do you have any suggestions for improving the program?
7. How would you rate your experience overall? 

Outstanding Excellent Good Fair Poor