How to Succeed in Clinical Rotations:
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Ohio Association of Physician Assistants
Student Professional Development Conference
Columbus, OH
February 17-18, 2012
Presentation by:
Millie Roach, PhD, PA-C
Associate Professor
Kettering College PA Program
Kettering, OH
millie.roach@kc.edu
Be prepared
• Medical equipment
• Tablet computer, electronic device, or smart
phone, etc. to access electronic databases (upto-date, epocrates, …)
• Small notebook
Be prepared
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Syllabus
learning objectives
patient logs
procedure list
Evaluation forms
Get preceptor feedback
• Mid-rotation
• Final evaluation
– Do NOT leave rotation without it!
Be helpful
• Be prepared and willing to do small things, use
idle time wisely:
-Review charts
-Re-check vital signs if abnormal
-Re-examine patient as necessary
-Call in prescriptions if needed
-Make calls for patient consults/referrals
- Put patient in room if staff extremely busy
Oral Presentations
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Brief
Accurate
Thorough
Include pertinent positive and negative ROS
Positive PE findings
Assessment or Dx plus DDX
Plan
Know your limits
• Be aware of your PA state laws
• Learn preceptor’s practice and protocols:
-patient population
-rounds
-satellite offices
-most common procedures performed
-DO NO HARM
Communicate effectively
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With patients, families, significant others
Use common terminology for most patients
Patient education
Instructions for follow up
To be or Not to be
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Be enthusiastic, not aggressive
Be pleasant to all, not assuming
Be assertive, not arrogant
Be empathetic, not sickeningly sweet
Be confident, not slow
Be flexible, not defensive
Be friendly, not too familiar
To be or not to be
• Be a team player, not selfish
• Be organized, but not overly so
• Be on time – arrive before the preceptor and
Do not leave before the preceptor
• Be reliable – be present for all clinical rotation
days
Take charge of your learning
• Know the most common disorders for each
rotation
• Attend grand rounds, CME conferences
• Offer to see patients
• Offer to perform office labs
Take charge of your learning
• Discuss clinical topics as time allows
• Ask to be called in for special cases if possible
(surgical, OB-Gyn, etc.)
• Admit if you don’t know the answer
• Read, read, read!
Inform
• Your preceptor of any lateness, absence
• Your clinical office of the following:
– Any absences
– Change in schedule – preceptor vacation, preceptor
at conference away from office
– Concerns with preceptor or staff
– Personal difficulties
– Other clinical issues
Put your best foot forward
• Always do your BEST WORK: with patients,
preceptors, on written assignments, end-ofrotation exams, assignments from preceptors
• Make time for families and loved ones
• Look for learning opportunities
• Have fun while learning
• Remember: Each preceptor is a potential
employer!