In your first two years, you have built a strong foundation in the basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. The clinical clerkship enables you to:

Integrate Knowledge: Apply foundational science concepts to diagnose and treat patients. For instance, understanding the physiological mechanisms behind hypertension will guide you in managing a hypertensive patient.

Clinical Reasoning: Develop clinical reasoning skills by correlating symptoms with possible diagnoses. This involves formulating differential diagnoses and deciding on the most appropriate investigations and treatments.

Hands-On Skills: Practice essential clinical skills such as taking medical histories, performing physical examinations, and executing basic procedures like venipuncture, suturing, and administering injections.

During the clerkship, you will work in various clinical environments, including community clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices. Each setting provides unique learning opportunities:

Community Clinics: Engage with patients in a primary care setting, where you will manage common health issues and perform routine check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings.

Hospitals: Experience the fast-paced environment of hospitals, where you will be involved in the care of patients with acute and complex conditions. Participate in rounds, assist in surgeries, and learn from emergency room cases.

Specialty Practices: Rotate through different visiting specialties, such as ENT, Urology, Obstetrics, and Orthopedics, to gain a broader perspective on various fields of medicine and understand the interconnectedness of different specialties.

One of the core aspects of the SLIC program is the mentorship and supervision provided by experienced medical professionals. This includes:

Primary Preceptors: Work closely with a primary preceptor who guides your learning journey, provides feedback, and helps you set and achieve personalized learning goals.

Specialists and Allied Health Professionals: Interact with a range of healthcare providers, including specialists and allied health professionals, to gain comprehensive insights into patient care.

Medical Residents: In some settings, you will have the opportunity to work alongside medical residents, learning from their experiences and gaining a deeper understanding of the medical profession.

The hands-on clinical experience emphasizes continuous learning and self-improvement:

Personalized Learning Plans: Develop and follow a personalized learning plan tailored to your interests and career goals, ensuring you gain the most relevant experience and skills.

Feedback and Reflection: Regularly receive feedback from your preceptors and engage in reflective practice to identify areas for improvement and track your progress.

Graduated Responsibility: Take on increasing levels of responsibility for patient care as you gain confidence and competence, preparing you for the transition to independent practice.

Flexible Scheduling: The program offers flexible scheduling, allowing students to work in various settings, including community clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

By applying your theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, you will:

Patient Continuity: Students will be able to follow patients through their medical journeys. You see your own patients for follow up after procedures or changes. Students frequently get to see maternity patients for prenatal care, delivery, and in follow up with their newborns. Sometimes you will diagnose a patient with a surgical issue in the ER and then assist the surgeon in the patient’s surgery.

Enhance Patient Care: Directly contribute to patient care, making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Build Confidence: Develop confidence in your clinical abilities and decision-making skills, essential for your future career as a physician.

Prepare for Future Challenges: Equip yourself with the practical skills and experience needed to face the complexities and challenges of medical practice in diverse settings.

Your work in these diverse settings will allow you to build meaningful relationships with patients and community members. You will gain a deeper appreciation for the trust and rapport required in medical practice, particularly in rural areas where healthcare providers often serve as pillars of the community.

By engaging with patients across these various settings, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of rural healthcare delivery, preparing you for a rewarding career that can make a significant impact on underserved communities.

SLIC has helped students match to many specialties. The clinical clerkship is a transformative experience that solidifies your medical education, preparing you for the next stages of your training and ultimately, a successful career in medicine. Students are typically very independent due to the strong mentorship and get great references. Some of the careers SLIC students have chosen include:

• Family Practice
• Internal Medicine
• Obstetrics
• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Dermatology
• Anesthesia
• Pathology