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What do you need for clinical rotations?
A Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is a ten-semester program divided into two parts. Clerkship, widely known as clinical rotations, is the second phase of four-year medical school. Clinical rotations mark the jump right into practice from theory. During clerkships in medical schools, prospective physicians are rotated across several public and multi-specialty hospitals to obtain clinical experience and learn to treat patients.
That’s not all. A medical student practices medicine as a member of a core medical team under the supervision of a health practitioner during clerkships to achieve recognition of basic sciences taught in the initial five semesters of the MD program.
Clinical rotations duration at top Caribbean medical universities
Clinical rotations last for 72 weeks in top-tier Caribbean medical schools with curricula aligned with the medical universities in the USA and Canada. In the 72-week medical training, the first 42 weeks deal with the required core rotations in Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. In contrast, in the next 30 weeks of elective clerkships, medical students have the choice of preference to specialize in any medical field based on their interests. Medical students can specialize in disciplines like Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Anatomy, Anesthesiology, Clinical Pathology, Biophysics, Forensic Medicine, Health Administration, Dermatology, ENT, Public Health, Microbiology, and so on.
Medical schools have a rigorous curriculum to become successful physicians. Thus, clerkships will test your medical acumen and ability to treat patients. Since clinical rotations require medical students to work with other physicians and patients in the clinical setting, they must demonstrate the necessary set of skills and professional etiquette to thrive as a doctor.
Tips to prepare for clinical rotations in 2022
Many medical students are unsure how to prepare for clinical rotations as they are a crucial part of medical school to earn a medical degree. Read on to know how to prepare for clinical rotations to get the most out of their experiences.
- Medical school students must commit themselves to every clinical rotation.
- It would be best if they developed bedside manners.
- During clinical rotations, students get assignments, course material, and lab work as healthcare team members to learn from real patients in practice settings. Do not forget to balance your responsibilities as a student.
- Always be prepared for uncertainties.
- Develop professional etiquettes and follow them.
- Do not forget to make time for self-care, as it is crucial to succeeding in the clinical rotations by staying active and without affecting your health.
Skills required for clinical rotations
A prospective physician must possess the following skills during clinical rotations:
- Peer-to-Peer learning
- Strong communication skills
- Professional etiquettes
- Patience
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Passion
- Commitment
- Hard-working attitude
Clinical rotations at Caribbean medical schools
Studying an MD program at a top-tier Caribbean medical school enables you to practice medicine in the US. If you want to apply for clinical rotations in the US, you must take the USMLE and TOEFL besides building a competitive resume. Apply now!
