This four-week clerkship offers instruction in the diagnosis and management of an acutely ill or injured patient. Students select a rotation from a variety of clinical settings, including intensive care units, critical care services and emergency departments.

The selection sites for this clerkship include Parkland Memorial Hospital’s burn ICU, critical care unit, emergency department, neonatal ICU, surgical ICU and trauma service; Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s cardiovascular anesthesia and surgical ICU; and Children’s Medical Center Dallas’ emergency department, pediatric ICU and pediatric cardiac critical care unit.

During this clerkship the student functions as an integral member of the medical team providing a high level of care to acutely ill or injured patients. Under the supervision of residents, fellows and attending physicians, the student may gain an enhanced knowledge of stabilization, resuscitation and management of such critically ill patients.

Students spend one month in outpatient clinics or private physicians’ offices for internal medicine, family medicine or women’s health. Students are expected to interview patients and obtain vital information for patient care, interpret data and discuss the treatment plan with the patient and family, promote general health maintenance and disease prevention, and consult with specialty services to coordinate care. Students should demonstrate knowledge about a wide variety of medical illnesses and apply this knowledge to patient care. Students also should be able to assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care.