In the clinic setting, students assess and manage acute and chronic medical problems frequently encountered in the family practice setting, however, the importance of establishing physician-patient relationships, and understanding the therapeutic role these relationships confer is also emphasized. The clerkship begins with a one day orientation and concludes with a final half-day for a written exam and evaluation. The orientation involves various speakers from the Department and affiliated family medicine sites. The topics are continually updated and take into account the students growing experience from prior rotations. Mid-rotation, students return to the Loyola campus to present a biopsychosocial project and to review their experience and evaluation.
Students receive a clerkship manual which outlines expectations, projects, and resources.
Students complete several assigned projects including a log book of patient encounters, a procedural checklist, a biopsychosocial project, and an evidence-based medicine project. These are incorporated into the assignment of a final grade, which relies most heavily on clinical performance. The final exam is also figured into the final grade. The textbook required for the course is Fundamentals of Family Medicine by Taylor. A director at each clerkship site is responsible for the students' educational experience.