Thread: how are we tested in clinicals??

i am simply wondering...after basic sciences on the island...the rotations are in the US!! How are exams held and who grades them??? also, are there any books we are required to read in clinicals!!! One more thing - howz the attrition rate in clinicals if any....i mean is clinical part of the medicine coursework easier than basic sciences comparitively or is it a different ballgame....I would really appreciate any answers to my queries.

Thanks

Good questions; I'm just finishing up clinicals; so I'll answer them the best way I can.

As far as grading clinical coursework goes, there is an evaluation form that you provide to your preceptors with which they can provide you a number grade in certain categories (very arbitrary). Sometimes, the rotation itself has a written exam (either midterm and final, or just a final) attached to it; and the preceptor will take that exam grade into account while figuring out your final grade on your evaluation form.

However, MUA is pilot-testing a new clinical shelf exam scheme whereby at the end of each of your core rotations, you would take a 2-hr shelf exam (USMLE-style) at a prometric or other similar testing center. I'm not sure how this will affect your score; but it's a good idea IMO. Not sure when it's going to be required, but it isn't right now.

As far as electives go, you are graded by your preceptor on how well you perform on the rotation itself; no exam usually.

I don't think there is any attrition in clinicals; you'd have to be pretty incompetent to fail a clinical rotation. Whether it's easy or not depends on where you go, and how much you want to get out of it. Some people just cruise through rotations doing the minimum amount of work needed, and some work harder to learn more. If you really want to learn, I'd spend atleast the first 2 weeks of the rotation hitting the books for that topic, and then applying it in the hospital.

Let me know if you have any other q's.

HL

Thanks hyloran..You have answered them right on...couple more if i may ask - How much time do you have off between rotations?? And lastly, How are the hours during rotations.Are they very regular or are they very much similar to residency like..36 hr. shifts. I only heard about such shifts as hearsay...I don't personally know any doctors so can't say.
Thanks so much for your time and answers for the others...Helps out a lot!!!

Originally Posted by taare

Thanks hyloran..You have answered them right on...couple more if i may ask - How much time do you have off between rotations?? And lastly, How are the hours during rotations.Are they very regular or are they very much similar to residency like..36 hr. shifts. I only heard about such shifts as hearsay...I don't personally know any doctors so can't say.
Thanks so much for your time and answers for the others...Helps out a lot!!!

Obviously, scheduling time off between core rotations is mostly dependent on how the clinical coordinator assigns the rotations to you.
But time off between elective rotations typically depends on how YOU schedule them; some ppl like having a week or two off between rotations and some just want to plow through them all as quickly as possible. I scheduled 3-4 months of rotations, with 2-3 weeks off in the middle.

Hours during rotations: depends on what rotation you're on and what hospital you're rotating at it; for me, IM was 40-60hrs; surgery 70-80; peds generally 40-50, ob/gyn 50-60, psych 40; but others have different experiences. For electives, surgical electives and ICU electives typically have call and more hours; whereas consult months are usually between 40-50hrs.

Shifts are exactly like residency; generally you will be assigned to a specific intern/resident/team or attending, and you will follow that person's schedule (with time off for lectures, etc.)

thanks hyloran. This has been a great help. Appreciate your time very much!!!

Great input.I was just curious which semester did you start your basic sciences in.Also, when do expect to finish with these?

How are these preceptors towards MUA students?Do they only teach us or teach other local students as well?Is there alot of sucking up?And finally,how are the local/U.S. students towards MUA students?
i saw a friend of mine overseas do 30 hrs straight once a week,it seems its the same in the U.S.!

Did MUA ever implement a standardized exam at the end of each core? Is there an exam for each rotation? Basically can anyone tell me what the testing situation is for clinicals these days and how one obtains their grade? Thanx in advance.

Yes, there is an exam at the end of every core. It is written by Saba/MUA people. Is the test fair? No. It's a poorly written test. You get graded by your preceptors during the rotation, and that is combined with your test grade, giving you your overall grade for the rotation. Electives- no testing!

Stookie..or anyone else who may be able to answer.. is this exam separate from the shelf exam? So we have this exam in addition to the NBME shelf? Also, what grade do we need to obtain on this exam to pass the rotation? If one fails this exam or the NBME shelf exam.. are they required to repeat the rotation or take the exam over again? Thanks..

We do not take any of the NBME shelf exams. We have to take that test that is written by MUA/Saba at the end of each core.