Preceptors
FAQs : Education Opportunities : Orientation Module : Your Role as a Preceptor : Benefits : Clinical Web Resources : Regional Contact Information : ATSU Portal Login : Clinical Preceptor CME Credit Request
Your Role as a Preceptor
Regional Policies and Problems
Students on clinical rotations are expected to abide by the following policies and procedures. To see a policy in its entirety, clarify any aspect of the summaries provided herein, or inquire about another policy, please consult the Regional Assistant Dean.
Academic Difficulty on Rotations
Performance on rotations is evaluated by a numerical rating of 1 through 6, with an average score of 2.7 or below representing failure, 2.71 to 3.8 representing pass, 3.81 to 4.9 representing high pass and 5.0 to 6.0 representing honors.
A repeated performance rating of less than 2.71 in any one of the areas of clinical knowledge, professional skills or attitudes will be reason for remediation at the discretion of the Regional Assistant Dean or the Associate Dean of Regional Affairs.
Rotations with an overall rating of less than 2.71 will require a repeat of the rotation; result in an extended program and tuition for the repeated rotation. Overall performance failure on two rotations per year will result in academic probation.
Attendance/Hours of Duty [See also Excused Absence]
Clinical duties: The student is responsible to the assigned preceptor and the Director of Medical Education of the institution during clinical duty hours. S/he is expected to comply with the general rules and regulations established by the preceptor, regional hospital(s) and any other individuals or facilities associated with the rotation. The average student clinical day begins at 7am and ends at 7pm. However, the student is required to keep the hours expected by the preceptor. If house call is required, the student should not be on duty for greater than thirty (30) continuous hours. Students may be required to work weekends but should have two weekends per month free.
Didactics: Students are required to attend institution didactics as scheduled by the hospital DME's office. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of this schedule and attend all required activities. Responsibilities to the preceptor do not take precedence over required didactics. Additionally, KCOM provides Education Days, oral presentations, and journal clubs in each region. Attendance at these College-supported undergraduate sessions is mandatory; no other duty takes precedence over this requirement.
Clinical Grading for Years Three and Four
Beginning with the class of 2001, individual scores for the following clinical assignments will become part of the student's permanent record, included on their official transcript, and utilized to calculate their GPA and class rank.
- Rotation Evaluations: results posted as Honors, High Pass, Pass, Fail.
- Post-Rotation Exam: results posted as a number score (24 total contact hours credit).
- Core Exam: results posted as a number score (3 contact hours credit).
- Written Case Studies #1: results posted as a number score (12 contact hours credit).
- Written Case Studies #2: results posted as a number score (12 contact hours credit).
- Journal Club: results posted as a number score (12 contact hours credit).
- Oral Case Presentations: results posted as a number score based on the average of the two best case presentation scores (12 contact hours credit).
- Pre-Rotation OSCE: results posted Pass/Fail/Honors.
- Post-Rotation OSCE: results posted pass/Fail/Honors.
- CPX Cases: results posted Pass/Fail/Honors.
Difficult Student Problems/Issues
If a preceptor suspects/identifies problems with a student's progress or performance they should contact the Regional Assistant Dean. Examples of such problems may include, but are not limited to:
- Poor interpersonal skills (i.e. personality problems, etc.)
- Deficient clinical skills
- Below average academic performance
- Unexcused absenteeism
- Medical or psychological illness
- Suspected substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs)
- Suspected illegal behavior
- Suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Excused Absence Policy
Students may request excused absence for personal, health-related or professional, reasons during MS3-4 clinical rotations. Students may be granted up to 3 days excused sick leave per academic year, following completion of proper paperwork (e.g. Medical Excuse Form verified by student's physician). Up to 3 days professional leave to attend conferences may also be granted at the discretion of the Regional Office. Students must submit the proper paperwork a minimum of 30 days in advance of the proposed dates. No excused absence will be granted after the fact, except in emergencies, as verified by the Vice President and Dean of Students.
History and Physicals
In addition to other activities required on a rotation, students may be asked to perform up to three history and physicals (H&P's) per day, either in a regional hospital site or at some other location assigned by the preceptor or rotation coordinator (e.g. physician's office, nursing home). The preceptor, house officer, or attending must review, comment, and sign all H&P's performed by the student doctor. It is the student's responsibility to request and receive feedback from supervising physicians about history taking and physical examination skills so that performance of H&P's becomes a beneficial learning experience.
Liability & Health Insurance
Student doctors currently enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing at KCOM and who are expected to graduate with the degree Doctor of Osteopathy, are covered by the liability coverage provided by the College. Please consult the Regional Coordinator for a copy of the insurance binder.
Student doctors will be subject to the Institution's (assigned training site) rules and regulations and the Institution will have the right to terminate any student whose health or performance is detrimental to patient well-being. The Institution will retain full responsibility for its patients and will maintain administrative and professional supervision of the student at the Institution in regard to the operation of the Institution and the direct and indirect care of patients.
Students are responsible for their own personal health insurance coverage.
Medical Records/Charting
The responsibility given to students for medical records varies among the regional site hospitals and clinics. Some sites allow students to write full progress notes and orders directly into the patient's chart. When this is allowed, notes must be immediately co-signed by the supervising physician. Some other hospitals/clinics have separate pages in charts set aside for "Student Progress Notes." These should also be reviewed and co-signed by the attending physician. Notes are usually written in the SOAP format. If dictation is allowed by students at a particular hospital or clinic, the resulting notes must also be reviewed and approved by the attending. The student is responsible for obtaining charting instructions from the preceptor or rotation coordinator.
NOTE: The student is responsible for knowing proper procedure and must sign and date all entries on the medical record by name and educational status (e.g. John Doe, MSIII).
Missing Rotation Evaluations
It is the student's responsibility for ensuring that all clinical evaluation forms are turned into the Regional Office within 14 days of the completion of the rotation. The regional staff may assist the student in this process if a preceptor is negligent in his/her responsibility. It is the student's duty to expediently inform the Regional Office of any difficulty in obtaining an evaluation.
Regional Assistant Dean Role
The Regional Assistant Dean or designated coordinator has the authority to evaluate, establish, and arrange for clinical rotations at hospitals/clinics within the region that are felt to be high quality. This responsibility includes decisions relative to rotation schedules, preceptors, services, etc.
The Regional Assistant Dean, or designee, may require attendance at scheduled conferences, grant leave of up to six days per year under the excused absence policy, and assign additional requirements, such as written papers, attendance at special events, presentation at rounds, etc. The Regional Assistant Dean has the authority and responsibility to enforce the academic policy of the College in the region.
In the event that the Regional Assistant Dean determines that a student may constitute a threat to the welfare of himself/herself, fellow students, staff, or patients, the s/he may suspend the student or place the student on leave.
Student Professional Conduct
KCOM students are expected to dress and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times while on rotations. High professional standards are expected to be consistent with those of the osteopathic medical profession. The student on rotations is working in both the academic community and the health care team—honest, integrity, and patient confidentiality are expected in all situations. In addition, compliance with institutional rules and regulations, and city, state, and federal laws is required. Inappropriate conduct will be handled by the means described in the Code of Academic Conduct and the Code of Behavioral Standards in the College catalog.
Supervision of Students
A student on clinical rotations must be supervised throughout all patient care situations. Supervision involves a responsible licensed physician:
- being physically located in the facility where patient care is rendered,
- granting authorization of services provided by the student doctor;
- examining patients seen by the student doctor,
- witnessing procedures performed by the student doctor, and
- documenting the patient's medical record appropriately.
Students on clinical rotations are expected to abide by the above policies and procedures. To see a policy in its entirety, clarify any aspect of the summaries provided herein, or inquire about another policy, please consult the Regional Assistant Dean.
