Premedical Students and Pre-clinical Observers

• A Premedical Student is defined as someone enrolled in an institution of higher education following a course of studies designed to lead to a career in medicine. A description of the parameters governing the behavior of students/trainees who are not enrolled in a medical school curriculum is described in the University Medical Associates policy labeled Pre-clinical Observers In The Clinical Setting (dated 6.25.99)

Pre-Doctoral Trainees (Medical Students, Physicians-In-Training)

• A pre-doctoral trainee (a.k.a. medical student or physician-in-training ) is defined as someone enrolled in a formal graduate level medical education curriculum intended to lead to a terminal degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine.

• To engage in learning activities that involve patient care in a clinical setting, a pre-doctoral trainee must be under the direction and supervision of a licensed and credentialed member of the clinic/hospital medical staff (preceptor).

• All physicians serving as preceptors must have completed and have on file in the Unit of Academic Affairs a Personal Information File (PIF).

• Professional expectations of confidentiality will govern all interactions of students with patients.

• In all patient encounters, the pre-doctoral trainee must be presented to the patient as a medical student and the patient must express consent to his/her presence and observation of medical activities.

• Pre-doctoral trainees may examine the records of patients of the preceptor and other staff members, as appropriate.

• With the permission of the patient and under the direction of the preceptor, the student may interview the patient in order to obtain a medical history and perform physical examinations as part of physical diagnosis training.

• Pre-doctoral trainees may observe the practice of any staff member upon invitation.

• Pre-doctoral trainees may participate in rounds with the preceptor or with other staff members upon invitation.

• Pre-doctoral trainees may attend medical staff meetings with the consent of the committee's chairman.

• Pre-doctoral trainees may observe and participate to a level commensurate with his/her level of training in surgical, obstetrical or other specialized procedures under the supervision and direction of a designated preceptor.

• Record keeping by pre-doctoral trainees is governed by the policies delineated by the specific site in which the clinical training is conducted.  (In the University Osteopathic Medical Center, this policy is entitled OU-COM And UOMC Pre-Doctoral Trainee Charting.)

Last updated: 09/24/2009