How to Succeed in Clinical Rotations: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Ohio Association of Physician Assistants Student Professional Development Conference

Columbus, OH February 17-18, 2012

Presentation by:

Millie Roach, PhD, PA-CAssociate Professor

Kettering College PA ProgramKettering, OH

millie.roach@kc.edu

Be prepared

• Medical equipment

• Tablet computer, electronic device, or smart phone, etc. to access electronic databases (up-to-date, epocrates, …)

• Small notebook

Be prepared

• Syllabus

• learning objectives

• patient logs

• procedure list

• Evaluation forms

Get preceptor feedback

• Mid-rotation

• Final evaluation – Do NOT leave rotation without it!

Be helpful• Be prepared and willing to do small things, use

idle time wisely:

-Review charts

-Re-check vital signs if abnormal

-Re-examine patient as necessary

-Call in prescriptions if needed

-Make calls for patient consults/referrals

- Put patient in room if staff extremely busy

Oral Presentations

• Brief

• Accurate

• Thorough

• Include pertinent positive and negative ROS

• Positive PE findings

• Assessment or Dx plus DDX

• Plan

Know your limits• Be aware of your PA state laws

• Learn preceptor’s practice and protocols:

-patient population

-rounds

-satellite offices

-most common procedures performed-DO NO HARM

Communicate effectively

• With patients, families, significant others

• Use common terminology for most patients

• Patient education

• Instructions for follow up

To be or Not to be

• Be enthusiastic, not aggressive

• Be pleasant to all, not assuming

• Be assertive, not arrogant

• Be empathetic, not sickeningly sweet

• Be confident, not slow

• Be flexible, not defensive

• Be friendly, not too familiar

To be or not to be

• Be a team player, not selfish

• Be organized, but not overly so

• Be on time – arrive before the preceptor and Do not leave before the preceptor

• Be reliable – be present for all clinical rotation days

Take charge of your learning

• Know the most common disorders for each rotation

• Attend grand rounds, CME conferences

• Offer to see patients

• Offer to perform office labs

Take charge of your learning

• Discuss clinical topics as time allows

• Ask to be called in for special cases if possible (surgical, OB-Gyn, etc.)

• Admit if you don’t know the answer

• Read, read, read!

Inform • Your preceptor of any lateness, absence

• Your clinical office of the following:– Any absences

– Change in schedule – preceptor vacation, preceptor at conference away from office

– Concerns with preceptor or staff

– Personal difficulties

– Other clinical issues

• Millie.Roach@kc.edu

Put your best foot forward

• Always do your BEST WORK: with patients, preceptors, on written assignments, end-of-rotation exams, assignments from preceptors

• Make time for families and loved ones

• Look for learning opportunities

• Have fun while learning

• Remember: Each preceptor is a potential employer!