Along with learning to think like a physician, students develop the interpersonal skills necessary to becoming a caregiver. These skills include exhibiting the attributes of an exemplary professional, applying ethical principles to patient management, appreciating the value of team interactions, and developing and refining communications skills. Factors that may play a role in expression of disease, seeking treatment, or acceptance of treatment, including gender-related issues, socioeconomic issues, and issues related to ethnic diversity are also emphasized. Physical skills needed for such functions as diagnosis and therapeutic interventions are also gained through direct patient contact. The extensive facilities of The Mount Sinai Hospital and the other institutions affiliated with the School are used for clinical teaching.
Students rotate through various specialties and disciplines in clinical and community medicine.
The curriculum in the third year is composed of four twelve-week modules of clinical clerkships in a variety of disciplines, which expose the student to the incredible breadth of the practice of medicine. The modules allow flexibility and afford students the opportunity to interact with different groups of their peers on clerkships. New and innovative clerkships cross departmental lines to provide integrated learning experiences. For example, gynecology, obstetrics, nursery, and pediatrics are combined in one module. Hence patient care experiences from conception through birth and the neonatal period are integrated.