Setting expectations for new clinical learners

Monday morning we have new interns and new 3rd year students. During rounds I will set expectations for their first clinical rotation at these levels. (I also have a new 3rd year resident, but he has had all 2nd year to learn how to be a resident). What should I expect; what should they expect? In setting expectations we should try to remember our own experiences and feelings. They will be very excited and a bit scared. The interns are really doctors now, and feel that responsibility. Many have the impostor syndrome. The 3rd year students really are “newbies”, as the 3rd year of medical school has little in common with the first 2 years. The first thing I tell them is that our job (the resident and me) involves helping them grow. We do not expect them to know how to fit their new roles, and it is our job to help them grow. We are not as concerned with their current state of knowledge as their ability to grow and improve consistently. We will give you immediate feedback. We will teach you how to present so that the listeners know how hard you have worked on the history, physical and understanding the patient. We expect that you will need much feedback to grow. We will ask many questions to gauge your knowledge. The questions will mostly focus on the basics. This month is all about learning the basics and trying to own them. Learning internal medicine is difficult. We all try to learn more even at the PGY42 year (like me). Keep a notebook, or a file i...
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Rants Source Type: blogs