The creation of a mandatory Emergency Medicine clerkship: a model for implementing the Josiah Macy Foundation Report recommendations

Abstract

During the academic year 1994-95, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine created a mandatory four-week clerkship in Emergency Medicine for all fourth-year medical students. The first week of the clerkship begins with didactic lecture, skill stations and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). During the remaining three weeks, the students experience l00 hours of clinical exposure in an Emergency Department and an eight-hour EMS shift. Students either have their clinical rotation at the university hospital or a community hospital. Course data indicate that students encountered similar types of patients at both the university and community hospital. According to 83% of medical students, at least 20-50% of their clinical experience in an Emergency Department was new to them. The medical students have rated the Emergency Medicine clerkship higher than any other third- or fourth-year clerkship. It is possible to successfully implement a clerkship in Emergency Medicine which provides medical students with an introduction to basic emergency care.