Both the core and advanced Emergency Medicine rotations at HCMC are essentially 4 week sub-internships. The G1and G2 residents, PAs and students are the primary medical providers (PMPs) of the emergency department (ED). It is your responsibility to evaluate and manage patients in an assigned area in consultation with the ED supervisors. This includes conducting the H and P, performing procedures, interpreting diagnostic tests and determining diagnoses, therapies, dispositions and follow-up plans on your patients. Not least among these duties is documenting the patient’s ED visit. 

As PMPs you are expected to perform professionally and responsibly.  This includes being prompt and prepared to provide patient care at the beginning of each shift.  You will be responsible for the care of our patients which we all take very seriously at HCMC.  We feel that our environment is very conducive to your success in this role. If at any time you need help supervision will be close at hand in the form of an ED attending and or Senior resident (pit boss).  The flip side of this responsibility is opportunity!  All patients other than those in the stabilization room are available for your care as are all the procedures requisite to their management.  We hope you will take away as much experience as you can possibly fit into a single rotation.

As course director I have tried to remain true to the principle that the student should have the same role in their patient's care as the first year residents rotating in the department.  There are three exceptions to this rule.

1. All orders placed into EPIC need to be electronically cosigned or "unpended" by a pit boss (senior resident) or attending
2. Students do not provide direct care as part of the Stabilization room team but function in the role of Stab room Recorder.  
3. Students are excused from patient care to attend lectures on Tuesday and  Mornings.

If requested you will be assigned a specific staff member to be a mentor during your rotation.  This means all things being equal that you will work with this faculty member at least 4 times during your rotation. This should allow at least one member of our staff to know you well enough to provide input towards a letter of recommendation at the end of your rotation should you desire one.  If you are going to want a letter be sure to identify yourself and this desire to your mentor when you first work with them. Also of note is that all students who rotate in the Emergency Medicine Department at HCMC are invited to interview with us for residency.  Out state students should be sure to let our student and residency coordinators know if you are planning to interview during your rotation so that one can be scheduled.

Questions or problems regarding this document should be directed to Richard O. Gray MD.
Copyright © 2007 HCMC Emergency Medicine. All rights reserved.
Last modified: Monday September 17, 2007.