MDC 7600
Surgical Care Clerkship
84102 001.765
MCOM 2026-2027 Academic Year
MDC 7600
Surgical Care Clerkship
84102 001.765
MCOM 2026-2027 Academic Year
This eight-week surgical clerkship is designed to develop the fundamental principles of surgery that all medical students should possess at the time of graduation with an M.D. degree. Basic surgical principles and procedures will be taught, with an emphasis on the management of common surgical diseases, performance of common procedures, communication, and altruism. The course consists of both outpatient and inpatient experiences. The inpatient experience includes the initial assessment of acutely ill patients, as well as observation and participation in a variety of advanced surgical procedures and the management of patients on the wards. The outpatient experience includes clinic exposure and observation of common surgical procedures that do not require hospital admission. At the completion of the clerkship, students should be able to identify and understand the management of basic surgical problems and demonstrate competency in performing basic surgical procedures.
Professionalism
Patient presentation
How do you prepare for a case?
Operating room etiquette
Rounding
This 8-week clerkship consists of two 3-week rotations in Core Surgery and 2 weeks on an Elective that is coordinated with the registrar’s office and graded outside of the clerkship. The clerkship includes didactic sessions and simulation activities with faculty surgeons on most Mondays and one Tuesday during each rotation.
Core Surgery | Elective |
| One 2-week elective is held during your 8-week clerkship; however, this is coordinated entirely by the Registrar’s Office. It will not factor into your clerkship grade. |
Below you will find a description of the different services that comprise the Surgical Care Clerkship’s rotations, including what hospital(s) they are based in.
Core Surgery Rotations:
Both the clinical rotation schedule and the didactic schedule for the clerkship can be found on Canvas in the module titled “Clerkship Schedules.” All clerkship didactics will be scheduled and recorded via Microsoft Teams within each rotation’s specific Teams group. It is highly recommended that you download the Teams app on your phone and enable notifications.
All correspondence regarding the clerkship will take place through Microsoft Teams, Canvas announcements, and/or your official @usf.edu email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check their email, Outlook calendar, and Teams group regularly to ensure they remain up to date on any changes to the clerkship.
An example weekly schedule for a core or subspecialty surgery rotation is provided below:
5:30am: Rounds
7am – 9am:
9am – 10:30am:
10:30am – 12pm Professor’s Hour
12:30pm – 6pm: | 5:30am – 6pm: Clinical Rotations | 5:30am – 6pm: Clinical Rotations | 5:30am – 6pm: Clinical Rotations | 5:30am – 6pm: Clinical Rotations | Weekend Rounds |
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday/Sunday |
|---|
Working Hours:
MCOM students are held to the same work hour guidelines as residents, per ACGME guidelines:
Holidays
Where to Report/Who to Contact
Details regarding where to report and whom to contact will vary by rotation and week. This information is available on dedicated Clinic Specific Information and Onboarding Instruction pages within the course Canvas site. It is the student’s responsibility to review this information carefully and initiate contact with the appropriate team at least one week prior to the start of each rotation. Please ensure you are using the correct contact sheet for your specific rotation dates, as these are updated regularly. In most cases, you will be reaching out to the senior resident on the service. It is recommended that you email, call, or text one week in advance; and follow up with a call or text a few days later if you have not received a response. At that point, you may also consider paging the chief resident. If you are still unable to establish contact, please notify the clerkship coordinator promptly. Do not delay in reaching out to your clinical team, as timely communication is essential for a smooth start to your rotation.
Dress Code and Scrub Wear
Clerkship students are required to dress professionally, either in professional dress attire or in professional looking scrubs, always. When in the operating room, surgical scrubs will be provided by the hospital. Professional attire for men includes dress shirts, ties, slacks, belts, and closed-toe dress shoes. Professional attire for women includes dresses or blouses with either dress pants or skirts and closed-toe dress shoes. Jeans, shorts, short skirts, T-shirts, sandals, and tennis shoes are not acceptable at any time. These dress code requirements are mandated without exception by the Clerkship Director, regardless of any other allowances by residents, preceptors, or faculty.
Obtain a focused and complete patient history appropriate to the clinical setting, including chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, medications, allergies, family and social history, and relevant review of systems. | 1.2
| 3 Observed History and Physical form completion |
Perform an accurate, hypothesis-driven physical examination relevant to the patient’s presentation and clerkship discipline. | 1.1, 1.2 | Logbook completion, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Synthesize clinical data to develop and prioritize a differential diagnosis following a patient encounter. | 1.4, 1.5 2.2, 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Recommend common diagnostic tests and accurately interpret basic laboratory, imaging, and other diagnostic results with guidance. | 1.4, 1.5 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Propose initial patient management plans, including preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies, that reflect patient preferences and clinical context. | 1.5, 1.6, 1.9 2.3, 2.4 6.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Recognize patients requiring urgent or emergent care and promptly notify supervising clinicians while initiating basic evaluation steps. | 1.3, 1.5, 6.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Counsel and educate patients and families using clear, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate language. | 1.7 4.1, 4.7 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Observe, assist, and perform basic procedures as appropriate. | 1.1 | Logbook completion |
Independently conduct and manage multiple patient encounters within a clinical session, demonstrating the ability to gather relevant history, perform a focused physical exam, develop a prioritized differential diagnosis, and contribute to clinical decision-making within a time frame commensurate with the clinical environment. | 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Apply foundational basic and clinical science knowledge to explain disease mechanisms and clinical reasoning during patient care activities. | 2.2, 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills by forming relevant clinical questions and applying evidence-based principles to patient care. | 2.1, 2.3 3.6, 3.10 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Incorporate epidemiologic and social-behavioral factors into assessment and management of patients and populations. | 2.4, 2.5 3.10 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps, Professor Hour presentation during clinic rotation |
Identify personal strengths and learning needs and establish specific learning and improvement goals through self-reflection and feedback from supervising clinicians. | 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 8.1
| Mid clerkship evaluations |
Locate, appraise, and apply scientific evidence to answer clinical questions encountered during clerkships. | 3.6, 3.7, 3.10 | Professor Hour presentation during clinic rotation, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Incorporate feedback into daily clinical practice to improve performance and patient care. | 3.5 | Mid clerkship evaluations |
Participate in the education of patients, families, and members of the health care team by clearly explaining clinical information, contributing to case discussions, and sharing relevant evidence or learning points appropriate to the clinical setting and level of training. | 1.7 3.8 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Use information about individual patients, patient populations, and community contexts to inform clinical decision-making, recognize patterns of disease, and identify opportunities to improve patient care during clerkship experiences. | 3.9 | Professor Hour presentation during clinic rotation, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Communicate effectively with patients and families across all backgrounds, demonstrating empathy and cultural humility. | 4.1, 4.6, 4.7 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Deliver concise and organized oral presentations of patient encounters to supervising clinicians. | 4.2 | 3 Observed History and Physical form completion, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Document clinical encounters accurately and in a timely fashion in the medical record, including histories, physical exams, assessments, and plans. | 4.5 | 3 Observed History and Physical form completion |
Accurately and efficiently document patient encounters in a clear, organized, and timely manner, ensuring notes meet the standards for clinical decision-making, and interprofessional communication while adapting to the documentation systems used in different clinical settings commensurate with the clinical environment. | 4.3, 4.5 6.1, 6.6 7.3, 7.4 | 3 Observed History and Physical form completion, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Participate in safe and effective patient handovers under supervision. | 1.8 4.2, 4.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Engage patients, families, and members of the health care team with empathy, respect, and emotional insight, demonstrating appropriate self-confidence that puts others at ease. | 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.7 5.1, 5.5 8.7 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Adapt communication to support trust, shared decision making, and effective teamwork in routine and high stress clinical situations. | 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 4.7 8.4, 8.5, 8.7 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Consistently integrate principles of integrity, accountability, and respect into clinical decision-making and professional behaviors, demonstrating reliability, preparedness, and follow-through across clinical settings. | 5.1, 5.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Analyze patient needs and clinical contexts to prioritize compassionate, patient-centered responses that appropriately supersede self-interest. | 5.2 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Apply ethical principles and legal standards to safeguard patient privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent in clinical care and documentation. | 5.3, 5.6 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Evaluate the impact of personal worldview and systemic factors on patient care and adapt behaviors to ensure culturally responsive and equitable treatment of all populations. | 5.5 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Synthesize feedback from multiple sources to modify professional behaviors and improve clinical performance. | 3.5 5.4 | Mid clerkship evaluations |
Identify, assess, and appropriately address ethical dilemmas and professionalism lapses, including escalating concerns through established institutional channels when necessary. | 5.6 | Mid clerkship evaluations, Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Describe the roles of health system resources and demonstrate awareness of cost, access, and patient safety considerations in care delivery. | 6.1, 6.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Participate in care coordination activities, including referrals and discharge planning, under supervision. | 1.8 6.2, 6.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Identify and understand timing and flow while in the clinical environment and make adjustments to appropriately interact in this environment. | 1.3 4.3 6.1, 6.6 8.4, 8.8 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Demonstrate respect for the roles and expertise of the members of interprofessional health care teams and other professionals. | 7.1, 7.2 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Communicate patient care information clearly with other health professionals to support safe and effective care. | 1.8 7.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Participate in different interprofessional team roles under supervision by contributing to patient care activities, engaging in team discussions, and adapting responsibilities as appropriate to support safe, timely, effective, and patient-centered care. | 7.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
Demonstrate self-awareness of emotional, cognitive, and performance limitations by appropriately seeking feedback, asking for help when needed, and using constructive coping strategies to manage stress, uncertainty, and clinical workload. | 8.1, 8.2, 8.8 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps, Mid clerkship evaluations |
Demonstrate professional maturity and emotional intelligence by responding constructively to feedback, adapting behavior in changing clinical environments, managing conflict respectfully, and contributing positively to team function and the learning climate. | 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps, Mid clerkship evaluations |
Identify and appropriately address conflicts between personal and professional responsibilities by communicating concerns, seeking guidance when needed, and prioritizing patient care, team responsibilities, and professional obligations during clerkship activities. | 8.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps, Mid clerkship evaluations |
| Clerkship Objective | MCOM Program Objective(s) | Assessment |
|---|
| Apply the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, patient autonomy, and justice to the analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in real patient cases and justify management choices using ethical reasoning. | 1.5 5.3, 5.6 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps, Professor Hour presentation during clinic rotation |
| Integrate artificial intelligence tools into clinical workflows to enhance diagnostic reasoning, care planning, while safeguarding patient safety, data integrity, and ethical practice. | 1.5 2.1, 2.3 3.7. 3.10 5.6 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Differentiate between acute and chronic pain using patient history, physical examination, and available data to guide appropriate treatment selection. | 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Select pain management plans that balance symptom control, functional goals, and patient safety using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies. | 1.5, 1.6 2.3 6.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Communicate with patients and families about pain, expectations, and treatment options in a clear, compassionate, and realistic manner. | 1.7 4.1, 4.6 5.1 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Clerkship Objective | Mapped MCOM Program Objective(s) | Assessment |
|---|
| Nut 2 | Elicit, synthesize, and interpret a comprehensive nutrition assessment including dietary history, anthropometric measurements, physical examination findings, and relevant laboratory data to diagnose nutritional risk, deficiency or malnutrition. | 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 2.1, 2.3 3.9 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Nut 4 | Analyze how pathological conditions, medications, and drug–nutrient interactions alter nutritional requirements and adjust nutrition management plans accordingly. | 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 2.1, 2.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Nut 7 | Critically and empathetically evaluate and address obesity, eating disorders, emotional eating, and metabolic risk using evidence-based strategies. | 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 2.3, 2.5 4.1 5.1, 5.2 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Nut 8 | Screen for, interpret, and respond to food insecurity and nutrition insecurity by initiating appropriate referrals and leveraging community and public health resources. | 1.2, 1.8, 1.9 2.4, 2.5 6.2, 6.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Nut 9 | Collaborate and coordinate care with dietitians and other health professionals through timely referrals and effective participation in multidisciplinary nutrition care teams. | 1.8 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Nut 13 | Explain, select, and manage indications for oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition by evaluating risks, benefits, and complications in appropriate clinical contexts. | 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 2.3 6.2, 6.3 | Combination of student evaluations and personal insight from observed H&Ps |
| Objective # | Nutrition Objectives | Program Objectives | Assessment |
|---|
MCOM Program Objectives
1.1 Perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential for the area of practice
1.2 Gather essential and accurate information about patients and their conditions through history-taking, physical examination, and the use of laboratory data, imaging, and other tests
1.3 Organize and prioritize responsibilities to provide care that is safe, effective, and efficient
1.4 Interpret laboratory data, imaging studies, and other tests required for the area of practice
1.5 Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and
preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
1.6 Develop and carry out patient management plans
1.7 Counsel and educate patients and their families to empower them to participate in their care and enable shared decision-making
1.8 Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between
providers or settings, and following up on patient progress and outcomes
1.9 Provide health care services to patients, families, and communities aimed at preventing health problems or
maintaining health
1.10 Provide appropriate role modeling
1.11 Perform supervisory responsibilities commensurate with one’s roles, abilities, and qualifications
2.1 Demonstrate an investigatory and analytic approach to clinical situations
2.2 Apply established and emerging bio-physical scientific principles fundamental to health care for patients and
populations
2.3 Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care
2.4 Apply principles of epidemiological sciences to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment
strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations
2.5 Apply principles of social-behavioral sciences to provision of patient care, including assessment of the impact of psychosocial and cultural influences on health, disease, care seeking, care compliance, and barriers to and
attitudes toward care
2.6 Contribute to the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of new health care knowledge and
Practices
3.1 Identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise
3.2 Set learning and improvement goals
3.3 Identify and perform learning activities that address one’s gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes
3.4 Systematically analyze practice using quality improvement methods, and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement
3.5 Incorporate feedback into daily practice
3.6 Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
3.7 Use information technology to optimize learning
3.8 Participate in the education of patients, families, students, trainees, peers, and other health professionals
3.9 Obtain and utilize information about individual patients, populations of patients, or communities from which
patients are drawn to improve care
3.10 Continually identify, analyze, and implement new knowledge, guidelines, standards, technologies, products, or services that have been demonstrated to improve outcomes
4.1 Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of
socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
4.2 Communicate effectively with colleagues within one’s profession or specialty, other health professionals, and
health related agencies
4.3 Work effectively with others as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group
4.4 Act in a consultative role to other health professionals
4.5 Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records
4.6 Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations, including those about death, end of life, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics
4.7 Demonstrate insight and understanding about emotions and human responses to emotions that allow one to
develop and manage interpersonal interactions5.1 Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others
5.2 Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest
5.3 Demonstrate respect for patient privacy and autonomy
5.4 Demonstrate accountability to patients, society, and the profession
5.5 Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation
5.6 Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of care, confidentiality,
informed consent, and business practices, including compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations
6.1 Work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to one’s clinical specialty
6.2 Coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to one’s clinical specialty
6.3 Incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or population-based care
6.4 Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems
6.5 Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions
6.6 Perform administrative and practice management responsibilities commensurate with one’s role, abilities, and qualifications
7.1 Work with other health professionals to establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity,
ethical integrity, and trust
7.2 Use the knowledge of one’s own role and the roles of other health professionals to appropriately assess and
address the health care needs of the patients and populations served
7.3 Communicate with other health professionals in a responsive and responsible manner that supports the
maintenance of health and the treatment of disease in individual patients and populations
7.4 Participate in different team roles to establish, develop, and continuously enhance interprofessional teams to
provide patient- and population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable
8.1 Develop the ability to use self-awareness of knowledge, skills, and emotional limitations to engage in
appropriate help-seeking behaviors
8.2 Demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms to respond to stress
8.3 Manage conflict between personal and professional responsibilities
8.4 Practice flexibility and maturity in adjusting to change with the capacity to alter one’s behavior
8.5 Demonstrate trustworthiness that makes colleagues feel secure when one is responsible for the care of
patients
8.6 Provide leadership skills that enhance team functioning, the learning environment, and/or the health care
delivery system
8.7 Demonstrate self-confidence that puts patients, families, and members of the health care team at ease
8.8 Recognize that ambiguity is part of clinical health care and respond by utilizing appropriate resources in dealing with uncertainty
Clerkship Requirements: Overview
By the end of this clerkship, you are expected to have uploaded to Canvas:
By the end of this clerkship, you are expected to have participated in:
Clerkship Educational Sessions & Simulations
Monday Mornings
All students are expected to report for Monday morning Department of Surgery conferences, clerkship didactics, and Professor’s Hour.
Department of Surgery Morbidity & Mortality Conference
7am – 8am
The purpose of this educational conference is to focus on patient safety improvement, effective communication and teamwork, epidemiology of patient injuries and medical errors, medical injuries, vigilance, attention and fatigue, checklists and inspections, automation, technological processes, and the psychological factors in human error and reporting systems. It is an integral part of the surgical teaching program. Clerkship students are expected to listen and learn during M&M.
Department of Surgery Grand Rounds
8am – 9am
This conference is designed to help the department keep up to date in evolving areas of surgery and medicine. Presentations will be given about various current topics and often members from other departments or disciplines are invited to lectures. Clerkship students are expected to listen and learn during Grand Rounds.
Clerkship Didactics and Quizzes
9:00am – 10:30am
All students are expected to attend all lectures in person and actively participate. Professional dress is required for all sessions. Students must also complete all associated lecture quizzes in Canvas by the specified due dates and times. Lecture schedules, including dates and times, are available on Canvas. These sessions are designed to cover foundational topics in surgery and support your clinical learning. If a lecture or quiz is not scheduled, students are expected to attend their assigned clinical rotations during that time. Required weekly readings are posted within each module on Canvas. Quiz details, including deadlines, are also available on Canvas.
Professor's Hour Presentations
10:30am – 12pm.
This medical conference–style session is held on most Monday mornings following clerkship didactics and is designed to enhance student presentation skills while promoting peer-to-peer learning. Each student is responsible for selecting a patient with a surgical condition and preparing a concise 10-minute PowerPoint presentation. Presentations should include the patient’s pertinent history, physical examination findings, diagnostic workup, management plan, underlying pathophysiology, and one NBME-style question for group discussion. Students are also expected to review and incorporate guidance from the article “Presentation Skills Amongst Surgical Trainees at a National Conference” when developing their presentations. Presentation topics must be posted in the Teams “Professor’s Hour” channel by Friday afternoon of the preceding week, and presentation slides must be uploaded to the same channel by Sunday afternoon. All clerkship students are expected to actively listen, participate in discussions, and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback to their peers.
Overnight Trauma Calls
All students are required to take two overnight trauma calls (Friday and Saturday) with Tampa General Hospital’s Trauma Service. Students scheduled for Trauma as one of their 3-week CORE rotations are exempt from this as they will meet this requirement while on service. Please consult the “Overnight Trauma Call” section on Canvas to find additional information and instructions about reporting for your trauma call.
Wise-Surgery Modules (formerly Wise-MD)
Wise-Surgery is a series of web-based modules for surgical education, jointly developed by the NYU Department of Surgery and the Division of Educational Informatics, with the support of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the Association for Surgical Education (ASE). This curriculum is meant to enhance the intellectual link between the classroom and patient care. Wise-Surgery currently has 22 surgery case modules and 16 skills modules available, several of these are required at the beginning of clerkship. The others are available for your review. When you have finished completing the required modules, please export your progress report or take a screenshot showing your name alongside all completed modules. You can then upload this proof of completion to Canvas, due midnight the Sunday following orientation.
Logbooks / Required PxDx
Students are required to keep a complete record of all clinical encounters throughout the rotation. The primary tool for entering, maintaining, and tracking accurate records will be One45. For the Clerkship Director to monitor and facilitate your clinical experience, it will be necessary for you to keep your logbooks up to date. At a minimum, students are required to update their logbooks at least once a week. Your ability to keep timely records will directly affect the professionalism component of your grade. Students who fail to maintain timely, complete, and accurate records of their patient encounters might not receive a passing grade for the clerkship.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have met all logbook requirements. Towards the end of this clerkship, if you realize will likely not encounter one or more of the logbook requirements, please contact the clerkship director and coordinator immediately for assistance with meeting the requirements.
Detailed instructions for how to record your experiences in your logbook can be found on Canvas. If students have technical difficulties with One45, they should reach out to the College of Medicine’s Evaluation Team evalsupport@usf.edu.
Clerkship Required Textbooks
Essentials of general surgery and surgical specialties
Lawrence, Peter F., editor.; Smeds, Matt (Matthew), editor.; O'Connell, Jessica Beth, editor.; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019; Sixth edition.
Clerkship Recommended Reading
Essentials of surgical specialties
Lawrence, Peter F., editor.; Bell, Richard M., editor.; Dayton, Merril T., editor.
Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007; Third edition.
*Note: all required textbooks are held on course reserve at the Shimberg Health Sciences Library on USF campus. Please consult with the librarians at the front desk to check out. Required and recommended textbooks are also available on the course Canvas site.
Clerkship Recommended Study Materials
Clerkship Recommended Resources for the Surgery NBME:
| Acute abdomen (perforated ulcer, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, appenditis, diverticulitis, abdominal abscess) | 2 | IP | C |
| Cancer (breast, lung, skin, thyroid, colon, prostate, or any intra-abdominal or intro-thoracic cancer) | 1 | IP | F |
| Trauma evaluation, initial | 2 | IP | O |
| Undifferentiated patient/New consult | 2 | IP | C |
| Diagnosis | Minimum Requirement | Clinical Setting | Level of Responsibility |
|---|
| Abdominal surgical procedures (includes bowel surgery [small bowel, colon, rectum], cholecystectomy, hernia repair [umbilical, ventral , incisional, and inguinal]) | 8 | IP | O |
| Urgent/Emergent abdominal operation | 2 | IP | O |
| Communication between attendings and residents with consultants, patients, and patient families. Must include at least one difficult discussion (i.e. cancer, death, complication) | 5 | E | O |
| Endotracheal Intubation | 2 | IP | A |
| H&Ps completed on a patient you have seen | 3 | E | P |
| Insertion of foley catheter | 2 | IP | P |
| Nasogastric or OR tube (Insert) | 1 | IP | A |
| Post-op Note | 5 | IP | P |
| Proper Patient Positioning | 5 | IP | P |
| Sterile Technique, scrubbing in the OR | 20 | IP | P |
| Surgical wounds dressing change | 5 | IP | P |
| Suture/staples (Removal) | 3 | E | P |
| Suturing, knot tying, and closure of surgical incisions/lacerations | 3 | IP | P |
| Procedure | Minimum Requirement | Clinical Setting | Level of Responsibility |
|---|
KEY
Clinical settings:
IP = Inpatient
OP = Outpatient
E = Either inpatient or outpatient
Level of Responsibility for Patient Type/Clinical Condition:
C = Required as part of a comprehensive patient evaluation (e.g., initial H&P, Transfer acceptance note)
F = Required as part of a focused patient evaluation (i.e., limited to organ system or problem)
O = Required as part of an observed team patient evaluation where student participated in the
evaluation and/or discussion (e.g., initial evaluation, patient rounds)
Level of Responsibility for Procedures/Skills:
O = Observe
A = Assist
P = Perform with supervision
EZCheckMe Attendance Requirements
The Surgical Care Clerkship maintains rigorous attendance standards to ensure that all students fully benefit from the clinical and educational experiences offered. Consistent attendance is a key component of professionalism, accountability, and patient care. Your active participation in all assigned clinical duties, didactics, and required activities is essential to your development as a future physician. Full engagement is not only a requirement but also enhances your learning and demonstrates respect for your patients, peers, and supervising faculty.
The clerkship utilizes the EZCheckMe system to track attendance. Students should already be familiar with this platform from Years 1 and 2. Each clinical site (e.g., TGH, JAHVA, Moffitt, etc.) has its own unique EZCheckMe QR code, which can be found on Canvas and in the Surgical Care Clerkship Teams group → EZCheckMe channel. All clinic sites are geo-fenced within the system.
Please note that assigned QR codes may change periodically throughout the clerkship, and it is your responsibility to ensure you are using the most current QR code. There are also apps available (e.g., Google Lens) that allow you to scan digital versions of QR codes directly from your screen, rather than requiring a printed copy.
Attendance Expectations:
EZCheckMe data is used not only to ensure attendance compliance, but also to monitor student work hours and prevent work-hour violations.
EZCheck.me Attendance Procedures and Guidelines
Students will have 24/7 access to self-monitor their course attendance record using their EZCheck.me app. Students are responsible for monitoring daily their attendance record to ensure it accurately reflects their attendance at all assigned mandatory course sessions. Submitted online Absence Requests that are approved by the Course Director will be updated in the students’ EZCheck.me attendance record by the course coordinator. Students who experience technical issues with their EZCheck.me app are required to immediately contact the course coordinator to troubleshoot and have the technical issue corrected, and then report the issue using the online Absence Request form to seek credit towards the mandatory session that they attended but weas not correctly recorded in the app. Forgetting to scan the QR code to record your attendance will only be permitted for a single occurrence per course, and must be reported within 48-hours using the online Absence Request form providing other evidence of attendance. For all attendance disputes, changing a recorded absence from unexcused to excused requires approval from the Course Director.
The students’ EZCheck.me attendance record at the end of the course will serve as their final official record of attendance for the course. Challenges to unexcused absences after the course has ended will not be accepted.
Unexcused Absence Grade Penalty Policy
Course Grade Penalties apply only to courses that are H/PC/P/F graded:
In the case of an unexcused absence for any course, no penalty will be applied for the single occurrence. In the case that two (2) unexcused absences are recorded, the student will not be eligible for an Honors (H) grade within that course. If three (3) unexcused absences are recorded, the student will not be eligible for a Pass with Commendations (PC) grade for the course. If a student has more than (3) unexcused absences within any course, the Assistant Dean, Preclinical Curriculum, and the Associate Dean, UME, will be consulted. Additionally, a professionalism report will be filed, and the student will be at risk for a remediation (R) grade.
Clerkship Grading Overview
Grades for the Surgical Care Clerkship will be assigned after a review of performance across multiple assessments and assignments, including but not limited to the following four components:
Based on Curriculum Committee requirements, the following grades will be used in all clerkships during the third year: Honors (H), Pass with Commendation (PC), Pass (P), Incomplete (I), Remediation (R), and Failure (F). The following should be noted:
Pass Eligibility
To be eligible for a grade of Pass, a student must achieve ALL the following:
Pass with Commendations
To be eligible for a grade of PC, a student must achieve ALL the following:
Honors Eligibility
To be eligible for a grade of Honors, a student must achieve ALL the following:
A student who receives an overall R/I/M average of 3.57+ and the 50th percentile or higher on the NBME may be considered for a higher grade.
Incomplete
A student will receive an incomplete grade if any of the following occur:
Remediation
Any student who has a subpar performance in a particular clinical area will be considered for remediation. This includes but is not limited to:
Fail
A student will receive a grade of fail if any of the following occur:
Any student who receives a remediation or failing grade will be referred to the Academic Performance Review Committee.
GRADE NOTIFICATION
Students failing an NBME exam should be notified in 24 to 48 hours. All students are to be notified by the Clerkship Director when final grades have been submitted to the Registrar. Any students who receive an F or R final grade should be notified individually within 24 hours of the grades being submitted to the registrar and of the appeals process.
GRADE APPEALS:
See the MCOM Student Handbook for the most up to date procedure and further details of the process.
Basis for appeal
A student may appeal a grade if the student has evidence that the grade was assigned in an erroneous manner (i.e., does not match the description of grade assignment by the course syllabus). This is not a process to appeal established course/clerkship grading guidelines which are approved by the Curriculum Committee.
Appeals related to external circumstances impacting test or clinical performance not previously
communicated to faculty do not constitute formal grounds for appeal. Established cut lines must be met
and will not be changed on appeal. The following procedure provides guidance for the appeal process.
All persons involved in this process should make every attempt to adhere to the time schedule outlined in
the following description.
Appeal to the Course Director
Within five (5) business days after the receipt of the course grade, the student may appeal in writing to the course director regarding any assigned grade in dispute. The appeal should include a description of how the student believes the grade was assigned in an erroneous manner. The course director will review the course grading guidelines with the student to ensure that the process is understood and has been followed. If it is found that the assigned grade is incorrect in the judgment of the course director, the appropriate change will be initiated. If the change is made to the students’ satisfaction, at this point, the matter is concluded. The course director will respond in writing with the proposed resolution of the matter (in favor or not) to the student within five (5) business days of the student’s request for review.
If the course director is no longer with MCOM, the student should confer with the new course director (or the assistant dean for the preclinical or clinical curriculum, depending on which is applicable, if a replacement has not been identified) who will then make every effort to receive written input concerning the matter from the former course director. If it is not possible to receive information from the former course director regarding the grade, then the student may appeal the grade as described above and the new course director (or the assistant dean for the preclinical or clinical curriculum, depending on which is applicable) will represent the interests of the course director who issued the grade.
Appeal to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education
If the appeal decision by the course director remains in dispute, the student may appeal in writing to the Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education. This appeal must be made within five (5) business days following the initial course director’s decision. The student must include all relevant information relating to the grade appeal within the written appeal including an explanation of why the student feels believes that the grade assigned does not match the grading protocol outlined in the syllabus. After receiving such an appeal in writing from the student, the Senior Associate Dean for UME will review the substance of the student’s appeal with the course director and seek to determine its validity.
If the Senior Associate Dean for UME determines in their judgment that the assigned grade is inappropriate, the Senior Associate Dean for UME can authorize that the grade be changed. The Senior Associate Dean for UME will notify the student in writing within five (5) business days of receipt of the appeal, whether the assigned grade will be changed. If the grade is changed to the student’s satisfaction, the matter is concluded. If the grade is not changed, the Senior Associate Dean for UME will advise the student of the right to appeal to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs. If the student elects to appeal to the Vice Dean, copies of all written communication mentioned above will be sent by the Senior Associate Dean for UME to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs.
Appeal to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs
If the appeal decision by the Senior Associate Dean for UME remains in dispute, the student may appeal the assigned grade, in writing, to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs . This appeal must occur within five (5) business days of receipt of the decision of the Senior Associate Dean for UME. The student will prepare an appeal, in writing, which should be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs as to form and sufficiency (satisfactory structure). The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs may discuss the case with the student, the course director, the Senior Associate Dean for UME , and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Following these discussions and reviewing all available information relevant to the appeal, the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs can make a grade change determination. The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs may, if deemed necessary, appoint an ad hoc grade appeal committee. The appeal will be handled as expeditiously as possible.
Please see the MCOM Student Handbook for further details of the appeals process.
Mid-Clerkship Feedback
As delineated in the Formative Assessment and Feedback Guideline, students will receive formative feedback during this clerkship. Feedback will be provided no later than the mid-point of the clerkship to allow students sufficient time to take corrective action, if needed. All assignments, quizzes, and exam scores are posted in the Canvas learning management platform so that students always have access to their most up-to-date grades and assessments.
The Clerkship Director ensures the following occurs:
In the clinical phase of the curriculum, all synchronous learning sessions are mandatory unless specified by the clerkship/course director. All sessions where students are working in the clinical environment are mandatory. The specific procedure for communicating an absence will be described in the syllabus. The consequences for unexcused absences are addressed in the syllabi for each clerkship/course. Recognizing that situations will arise requiring students to miss time from their course/clinical responsibilities, the online absence request procedures presented below must be followed. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate their absence in a timely manner.
EZcheckme: if EZcheckme is being used to track attendance, students are responsible for self-monitoring their EZcheckme attendance app to ensure the accuracy of their attendance (see course syllabus for details). If students believe there is an error in the recording, they must address this concern with the course director within 48 hours of the session.
During the clinical years, the student’s responsibilities lie within the individual clerkship or course. Attendance within a given clerkship or course is a demonstration of attitude and professional behavior. This behavior impacts all members of the healthcare team, including fellow students and patients. Any absence from the clerkship or course may have a direct impact on student performance, the clinical experience, the evaluation of professionalism, the overall grade, and the successful completion of the clerkship or course.
The clerkship or course director will respond to the student’s absence request in writing with a copy to the Office of Student Affairs. The student must provide any supporting documentation requested to the clerkship or course director and the Office of Student Affairs addressing their absence. Students who miss scheduled hours are expected to acquire the same level of competency and do a similar number of clinical shifts as other students in the clerkship or course.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled clerkship and course activities including but not limited to didactic conferences, lectures, workshops, and daily patient rounds. Please see the syllabus/course schedule for details. Mandatory sessions and participation requirements in the clinical years are determined by the individual clerkships. Recognizing that situations arise such that students miss time from their lectures/clinical responsibilities, the procedures presented below will be followed when an unplanned absence is necessary. All decisions regarding absences are at the discretion of the clerkship director. The clerkship director will use the following guidelines when determining if the absence is excused. Please refer to the specific course/clerkship syllabus for any additional absence protocols. Relying on other students on the rotation to pass on information regarding the absence is not an appropriate communication mechanism.
UNPLANNED ABSENCE REQUEST – EMERGENCIES, PERSONAL AND FAMILY ILLNESS, ETC.
The student should contact the direct supervising preceptor and resident/intern/rotation or section head AND the clerkship director and clerkship coordinator to report their absence on the first day of being absent. They should indicate the nature of the unexpected illness or emergency. The Office of Student Affairs must be notified of all absences by e-mail to the associate dean for student affairs Tampa campus (christopherjackson@usf.edu), or on the USF-Lehigh Valley campus, Dr. Melissa Brannen (Melissa_L.Brannen@lvhn.org). It will be at the discretion of the clerkship director, following consultation with the student, to excuse the absence or request additional information about the absence. This may include requesting a physician’s note or other documentation. Online absence requests must be submitted within five business days of the absence for the absence to be excused. The absence report in Archivum must be completed by the student.
PLANNED ABSENCE REQUEST
In order to be excused from a mandatory clerkship event, the student must submit an absence request in Archivum. The request must be submitted 8 weeks in advance or as soon as the student knows of the scheduled event PRIOR to the start of the clerkship. Requests received after the start of the clerkship will require supporting documentation as to why the request is being submitted on short notice. The clerkship director will make the determination to grant or deny a request in addition to any required remediation. Excused absences may require remediation of missed clerkship activities, including additional clinical days and/or make-up work, and may proportionally affect the final grade of the clerkship. The decision to grant or deny the request and determine subsequent action will be at the discretion of the clerkship director. Students are expected to make up all unexcused and excused (but required) clerkship time. Such remediation should be completed at the earliest time available but should not interfere with other scheduled coursework.
UNEXCUSED TARDIES / ABSENCES AND LATE OR MISSED ASSIGNMENTS
The following applies to any student who is:
Absent from a session, and the absence is not excused by the course director.
Arrives tardy to a session, and the tardy is not excused by the course director.
Late or Missed Assignments
All mandatory assignments must be completed by the stated deadline unless an extension has been requested and approved by the clerkship director in advance. This includes but is not limited to procedures and diagnoses logs, H&Ps, modules. Students with any unexcused late assignments will not be eligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations. Students with two or more unexcused late assignments will have a professionalism behavior report completed and will be considered for Remediation.
Tardies
On time arrival to all clerkship activities including clinical sessions, didactics, scheduled meetings, and assessments is a reflection of professionalism.
Tardy definition: A tardy is defined as arriving more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start of a session without prior approval.
Tardy that is unexcused but appropriately communicated
• A first late arrival (tardy) that is unexcused but appropriately communicated will result in completion of a professional behavior report.
• A second tardy that is unexcused but appropriately communicated will result in the student being ineligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations. In addition, a professional behavior report will be completed, and the student will need to complete an additional clinical assignment [for example: an extra shift or call].
• A third tardy that is unexcused but appropriately communicated will result in a maximum grade of Remediation.
Tardy that is unexcused and inappropriately communicated
• A first tardy which is unexcused and not communicated appropriately will result in the student being ineligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations. In addition, a professional behavior report will be completed, and the student will need to complete an additional clinical assignment [for example: an extra shift or call].
• A second tardy that is unexcused and not communicated appropriately will result in maximum grade of Remediation.
Unexcused Absences
Being present for clerkship activities including clinical sessions, didactics, scheduled meetings, and assessments is a reflection of professionalism.
Unexcused absence that is appropriately communicated:
• A first absence, which is unexcused but appropriately communicated, will result in the student being ineligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations. In addition, a professional behavior report will be completed, and the student will need to complete an additional clinical assignment [for example: an extra shift or call].
• A second absence that is unexcused but appropriately communicated will result in maximum grade of Remediation.
Unexcused absence that is inappropriately communicated:
• A first absence which will result in a maximum grade of Remediation.
• A second absence will result in a Failing grade.
Exam –Tardiness and Unexcused Absence
Students who arrive late or have an unexcused absence for a scheduled exam will not be allowed to enter the testing room and take the exam. Students who arrive late must contact both the course director by e-mail or telephone (see specific course syllabus) and the Office of Student Affairs by e-mail or telephone, (813) 974-2068. The student must also complete and submit an absence request in Archivum. Arriving late for an exam will be considered an unexcused absence pending review of the circumstances provided. Exam rescheduling will occur as noted below.
The consequences for exam tardiness across the clinical phase of the curriculum are as follows:
First incident: Student will make up the exam. Five percent will be deducted from the affected exam grade and referral to the associate dean for student affairs via a professional behavior report.
Second incident: Student will make up the exam. Ten percent will be deducted from the affected exam grade, a professional behavior report will be filed, and the student will be referred to the APRC for professionalism remediation. The student will be ineligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations in their current course.
Any subsequent incidents: Student will make up the exam, but the student’s score or the minimum passing score, whichever is lower, will be entered, in lieu of the score obtained. A professional behavior report will be filed. The student will receive a maximum of a Remediation grade in the course they are currently taking.
Unexcused Exam Absence
The consequences for unexcused exam absences across the clinical phase of the curriculum are as follows:
First incident: Student will make up the exam, but the student’s score or the minimum passing score, whichever is lower, will be entered, in lieu of the score obtained. A professional behavior report will be filed, and the student will be referred for professionalism coaching. The student will be ineligible for Honors or Pass with Commendations in that course.
Any subsequent incidents: Student will make up the exam, but the student’s score or the minimum passing score, whichever is lower, will be entered, in lieu of the score obtained. A professional behavior report will be filed. If the student’s grade is in the passing range, they will receive a maximum of a remediation grade for the course they are currently taking.
Exam Rescheduling
Students who miss an examination for any reason are required to contact the clerkship director to determine the date and time of the make-up examination. Dates and times of make-up examinations are determined by the senior associate dean for undergraduate medical education in consultation with the director of assessment and evaluation and the course director. In general, exams will be retaken on the universal make up day.
Clinical Phase Guidelines - Excused and Unexcused Absences
Absence approval remains at the discretion of the course director, however, to support consistency and transparency, the table below outlines the standard definitions of what is typically considered excused or unexcused. The course director may make exceptions when justified by individual circumstances, but any decision outside the standard categories must be documented with a clear rationale. All absence requests (excused and unexcused) are logged and tracked by the Office of Student Affairs. It is at the discretion of the course director to excuse an absence. In certain circumstances, such as curricular events that are difficult to replicate, the course director may choose not to excuse a student, even if the guidelines below state that the absence is potentially excused.
All absences to mandatory sessions require submission of an absence request form in Archivum, except Year 4 SELECT students – who will need to submit requests in this Qualtrics form.
* All ‘Events’ (see below) require submission of the appropriate Request Form. Events indicated below by an asterisk (*) are to be submitted at least 8 weeks in advance.
The maximum number of excused absences allowed per course for Clinical Phase courses is:
2 week courses: 1 day per course
4 week course: 3 days per course
6+ week course: 5 days per course
+ Events indicated below by a plus sign (+) are to be submitted:
In general: prior travel being arranged and a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the course beginning
Conference presentations: when work is submitted for presentation.
All absence requests (excused and unexcused) are logged and tracked by the Office of Student Affairs. It is at the discretion of the course director to excuse an absence. In certain circumstances, such as curricular events that are difficult to replicate, the course director may choose to not excuse a student, even if the guidelines below state that the absence is potentially excused. A student’s request to excuse an absence may be denied if the absence is not submitted with the proper notice as described above.
Please note that all sessions for Professions of Health, MS 2 Orientation, Introduction to the Clerkships, Introduction to Doctoring 4, Transition to Residency, and all SELECT Prologues and SELECT Epilogue are mandatory unless otherwise specified by the course director.
Event | Absence Excused? Make Up Time Needed? | Course Exams Absence Excused? (Yes/No) |
Student health issues, illnesses, including infections that could put patients, staff, or others at risk. This includes any necessary health services including mental health services (e.g., medical and dental appointments). | Yes Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible to reschedule missed experiences. | Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes |
Illness or death of a close family member or close friend | Yes Yes, if > 1 days missed. Student responsible to reschedule missed experiences. | Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes Make-up arrangements coordinated with the course director when circumstances permit. |
*Birth of a child (student is the mother or father) | Yes Please see parental leave section | Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes |
*Religious Day Observances | Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible for rescheduling missed experiences.
Reasonable accommodation will be made to schedule around requested observed holidays during rotation. | Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes
|
*Wedding – student is the bride or groom
Please make arrangements in advance with the Office of Student Affairs
| Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible for rescheduling missed experiences.
| Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes
|
*Wedding – attending the wedding of an immediate family member or is a member of the wedding party. | Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible to reschedule missed experiences. | Course Exams – No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
+Presenting at a medical conference and the student asked for permission prior to committing to the conference. | Yes Attempts will be made to schedule the student so that the absence is minimally disruptive. Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible to reschedule all missed experiences. | Course Exams – Yes
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – Yes |
+Attending a medical conference and the student asked for permission prior to committing to the conference. | Yes Attempts will be made to schedule the student so that the absence is minimally disruptive. Student responsible to reschedule all missed experiences. | Course Exams – No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
*Participation in a MCOM-sanctioned activity (i.e., IPE Day, , Day at the Capital, Research Day). | Yes, if > 1 day missed. Student responsible to reschedule missed experiences. | Course Exams – No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
*Participation in committee meetings as an elected student representative (i.e., Curriculum Committee, Committee for the Pre-clinical Course Directors etc.). | Yes Student should only miss the minimal time necessary and is responsible to reschedule any necessary experiences. | Course Exams– No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
Residency interviews | Yes Students are expected to schedule residency interviews during months that they are not scheduled to have a clinical course. Students may miss up to 2 days for interviews, but those days must be made up. If more than 2 days are necessary, the student will be asked to drop the course and repeat the course at a later date.
| Course Exams – No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
Birthdays, trips, reunions, and other personal activities | No, absence will impact final grade.
Yes, for all days missed. Student responsible to reschedule all missed experiences. | Course Exams – No
Clinical Practice/Oral Exams – No |
*Significant personal event otherwise unspecified - Students should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to facilitate the process. | Will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Approval must be obtained by the senior associate dean for UME in consultation with the course director. Make-up assignment coordinated with course director. | Will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Approval must be obtained by the senior associate dean for UME in consultation with the course director. Course Exams – |
Please note:
Clinical Practice Exams include ALL non-multiple-choice exams
Documentation may be requested prior to excusing an absence when appropriate
Please note: Students are permitted one excused absence per rotation that does not require make-up time. Any additional absences must be made up.
Example 1: A student is on an 8-week rotation with the following absences:
2 days for illness – excused
1 day for religious day observances – excused
The student would have to make up 2 days
Holidays and Religious Observances
Holidays
Preclinical – Years 1 and 2: the academic calendar mirrors the university calendar in terms of days off for holidays.
Clinical – Years 3 and 4: students are expected to report to their scheduled clinical duties during holidays unless the holiday falls during an academic vacation as described in the academic calendar or otherwise specified by the course director.
Attendance for the Observance of Religious Days
Students are required to attend classes that are part of an academic curriculum.
https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy10-069 
Students may submit a request for a specific excused absence for religious observances for a class or examination on days of customarily observed religious days https://usf.box.com/v/usfregulation3039. The student must submit the request in writing at the start of the academic term for the discretionary approval of the instructor with the student responsible to make up the missed academic work as determined by the instructor.
General religious gatherings, prayer times, vigils, general worship practices or requests for absences for multiple days or times during scheduled academic classes or programs are not considered as excused religious observances.
If a student cannot participate at the times scheduled for an academic course or clinical, the student should not enroll in the course as failure to attend as required may affect the student’s ability to successfully meet the academic requirements.
Professional Behavior
Students must display professional behavior at all times, which includes upholding the Academic Honesty Guideline, USF Honor Code, MCOM Honor Code and Exam Honor Code as described in the MCOM Student Handbook. Students must also be working towards achieving competency as described in MCOM Program objective 8: Personal and Professional Development
Demonstrate the qualities required to sustain lifelong personal and professional growth
8.1 Develop the ability to use self-awareness of knowledge, skills, and emotional limitations to engage in
appropriate help-seeking behaviors
8.2 Demonstrate healthy coping mechanisms to respond to stress
8.3 Manage conflict between personal and professional responsibilities
8.4 Practice flexibility and maturity in adjusting to change with the capacity to alter one’s behavior
8.5 Demonstrate trustworthiness that makes colleagues feel secure when one is responsible for the care of
patients
8.6 Provide leadership skills that enhance team functioning, the learning environment, and/or the health care
delivery system
8.7 Demonstrate self-confidence that puts patients, families, and members of the health care team at ease
8.8 Recognize that ambiguity is part of clinical health care and respond by utilizing appropriate resources in dealing
with uncertainty
Examples of professional behavior include, but are not limited to: maintaining a professional demeanor on service (e.g., white coat, name tag, appropriate attire, neat appearance, respectful speech, sobriety); representing oneself accurately; appreciating and preserving patient confidentiality; responding sensitively to patients' social and psychological issues; understanding social biases and stigmas, and not reinforcing them; developing empathic listening skills; advocating for patients when appropriate; using hospital/clinic resources responsibly; showing up prepared and on time for rounds, lectures, conferences, and procedures; getting advice when handling ethical dilemmas; taking constructive feedback from attending physicians and residents with open- mindedness and the intention to improve; contributing to the effectiveness, efficiency, and collegiality of healthcare teams. Students must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. They must be able to work effectively, respectfully, and professionally as part of the healthcare team, and to interact with patients, their families, and health care personnel in a courteous, professional, and respectful manner.
Examples of unprofessional behavior include but are not limited to:
– Unexcused absence, late attendance in the classroom or clinical activity, late or delinquent assigned curriculum assignments (self-learning assignments, PXDX, etc.), late Absence Request Forms and Absence Report forms.
– The delay in any assignment, activity, or clerkship particular policy is left to the discretion of the Course Director.
– Each participation violation without the approval of the Course Director will be subject to a decrease in the Participation Grade.
Any breach of professionalism as described in the MCOM handbook including but not limited to the professionalism values section and the social media participation guidelines, may be grounds for remediation or failure of the course as determined by the Course Director in consultation with the Assistant Dean for the Clinical Curriculum.
Artificial intelligence tools, including but not limited to generative AI platforms, may be used unless explicitly stated by the course director or individual assigning the work. When permitted, their use must comply fully with the stated guidelines and expectations for the assignment.
Non-Involvement of Providers of Student Health Services in Student Assessment/Location of Student Health Records Guideline
The health professionals who provide health services, including psychiatric/psychological counseling, to a medical student have no involvement in the academic assessment or promotion of the medical student receiving those services, excluding exceptional circumstances. A medical school ensures that medical student health records are maintained in accordance with legal requirements for security, privacy, confidentiality, and accessibility. Please see https://usf.app.box.com/s/u6qz6fz0zsyllx4pj2xlyx0zplqo70wf for details of this guideline.
Mistreatment Guideline and Procedure:
USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine is committed to assuring a safe, encouraging, and supportive learning environment that reflects commitments to professionalism, respect, and virtues such as integrity, compassion, and kindness. All MCOM faculty and staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and contribute to creation of a culture that is supportive of learning. Mistreatment, bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment are prohibited at MCOM. The Student Mistreatment Guideline, in accordance with LCME standard 3.6, ensures that concerns about the learning environment are promptly dealt with and resolutions reached in a fair and just manner. The College forbids any retaliatory action against students who present grievances in good faith.
The MCOM Student Mistreatment Guideline aims to safeguard medical students from mistreatment by any faculty member or staff associated with MCOM, including clerkship directors, attending physicians, residents, and other medical students by:
• educating members of MCOM about student mistreatment;
• prohibiting medical student mistreatment by anyone associated with MCOM;
• encouraging the early identification of medical student mistreatment as a preventative measure;
• identifying individuals to whom medical students can report mistreatment;
• requiring those who receive complaints regarding student mistreatment to report the complaint to the appropriate administrator;
• providing a confidential system for reporting mistreatment;
• assuring confidentiality to the fullest extent possible;
• assuring that all reports of mistreatment will be thoroughly and promptly addressed;
• providing an avenue for corrective action.
Reports of mistreatment will preferably be addressed within an informal framework when appropriate, but formal procedures are available for use when necessary.
MCOM is committed to preventing mistreatment of medical students through education of the MCOM community. The policy and related procedures will be disseminated among MCOM on an annual basis. Additionally, MCOM will periodically use varying methods (e.g., email, workshops, orientations) to inform medical students, faculty, and staff about medical student mistreatment and the MCOM policy on addressing mistreatment.
When students believe mistreatment has occurred, either personally experienced or witnessed, they should follow the detailed procedures outlined in the MCOM Student Mistreatment Guideline. Students are encouraged to report all concerns of physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual mistreatment or abuse without fear of retribution. Students who experience or witness mistreatment or abuse may report their concerns using this Student Mistreatment Report Form.
Anti-Discrimination and Title IX Policies:
In accordance with LCME standard 3.4, the MCOM has a policy in place to ensure that it does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any basis protected by federal law. Mechanisms for addressing and reporting violations regarding discrimination and harassment are provided in the MD student handbook (refer to section “Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures”) but are also found in USF policy 0-007.
USF provides support to anyone affected by gender-based discrimination or violence, including:
• sexual harassment
• sexual violence
• relationship violence
• stalking
• discrimination based on pregnancy
• discrimination based on sexual orientation/identity
Title IX addresses gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment that may deny a person access to educational benefits and opportunities. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides rights to victims, requires USF to have a process to address complaints, and requires USF to provide a variety of programs for students and staff which aim to prevent sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The USF Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment Policy 0-004 can be accessed here.
Students can report gender-based discrimination or harassment by notifying a USF Responsible Employee (all USF faculty), emailing the Title IX Coordinator or Title IX office, mail your report, or walk into the Title IX office, or submit the online report form.
The USF Title IX Coordinator is:
Maggie Denney, M.Ed., LMHC, CCEP
Director, Title IX/VAWA Compliance
4202 E Fowler Ave, ALN 172
Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-8616
The USF Title IX webpage can be accessed here. USF has designated all faculty (TA, Adjunct, etc.) as Responsible Employees, who are required to report any disclosures of sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking. The USF Title IX Office makes every effort, when safe to do so, to reach out and provide resources and accommodations, and to discuss possible options for resolution.
A full list of Title IX resources can be found here. If you are unsure what to do, please contact Victim Advocacy – a confidential resource that can review all your options – at 813-974-5756 or va@admin.usf.edu.
Students may also contact the associate dean for student affairs, Dr. Christopher Jackson at 813-974-2068 for an impartial review and guidance, which may include referral to the USF Title IX Office, USF Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the USF Center for Victim Advocacy and Prevention, USF Counseling Center, USF Student Health Services, or Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
Discrimination or harassment of students based on protected characteristics is prohibited by Title VI, the Florida Educational Equity Act, and USF Policy 0-007. Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, shared ancestry, religion, age, sex, disability, genetic status, marital status, and veteran status. If a student shares an experience of harassment or discrimination with a USF employee (including faculty), that employee will notify the Student Equal Opportunity Office. This allows the Student EO Office to send the student an email with information about support resources and options—if it is safe to do so. Students are not required to respond to this email. The Student EO Office is a private resource. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis to provide students with support measures. For more information about Student EO, available resources, or to make a report, please visit www.usf.edu/student-eo
Protected Self-Directed Learning and Independent Study Time:
In accordance with LCME standards 6.3 and 8.8 and outlined in the MD student handbook (refer to section “Medical Student Hours in Year 1 and Year 2”), the MCOM must balance student academic load, including scheduled instructional activities and required assignments outside of class, with protected blocks of time that allow for independent study, self-directed learning, and other activities. The Curriculum Committee has determined academic load parameters for the pre-clerkship phase of the curriculum to ensure that this balance is achieved. This guideline limits the amount of scheduled time for a given week during the pre-clerkship phase of the curriculum.
The academic load and schedule for this course has been determined to be compliant with this guideline.
Course Session and Exam Recording Policy:
Software will be used to record live class lectures and discussions. Students’ participation in live class discussions will be recorded. These recordings will be made available only to students enrolled in the class, to assist those who cannot attend the live session or to serve as a resource for those who would like to review content that was presented.
Recordings may be used in subsequent semesters for instructional purposes as necessary.
Participation in live sessions is considered consent for recording. In courses in which video of
students might be captured due to online software being used, students who prefer to
participate via audio only will be allowed to disable their video camera so only audio will be
captured. A student’s use of video during the session is considered consent for the video to
be recorded and used as previously described. This option to disable video will not apply to
video proctored exams. Please discuss recording options with the Course Director and Course Coordinator. Students may use the recordings as a resource to review content. Copying or distributing the video recordings by students is prohibited and considered a professionalism violation.
Exams will be recorded to maintain academic integrity. These will only be reviewed in the event of a potential exam integrity problem. The recordings will not be disseminated.
Evaluation Compliance Policy:
As outlined in the MD student handbook (refer to section “Expectations for Completing Course and Faculty Evaluations”), MCOM strives to provide the best possible experience for our students, faculty, and staff. As such, student feedback is an essential component of continuous quality improvement for our teaching faculty and curriculum development. The feedback received from students is vitally important to assess the program’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as identifying opportunities for improvement of the educational
experience for future students.
To improve the evaluation response rate from students and thus ensure MCOM is receiving meaningful feedback, the following guidelines are in place for all enrolled students:
• Students will be required to complete at least 80% of assigned evaluations
• All evaluations should be completed within 25 days upon receipt
• Students may suspend evaluations only under the following circumstances:
o The evaluation was assigned in error
o The student did not work with or spend enough time with an educator (e.g., <1 day at clinic)
o The student did not participate in the activity (e.g., lecture)
• At most, students will be permitted to suspend up to 20% of their evaluations. Once a student exceeds a 20% suspension rate, their completion of evaluations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Comments provided on evaluations should be constructive, thoughtful, and professional
Please note that levels of anonymity are strictly enforced and fail safes are put in place to ensure students cannot be identified from their evaluations. Anonymity may be broken in instances where threats to the safety of others are in the evaluation.
Student evaluation completion compliance rates will be monitored on a quarterly basis and students found to be out of compliance will be required to attend a mandatory one-hour session to complete any pending evaluations and will receive a notice via email from the evaluation team. Failure to complete evaluations and/or attend the mandatory sessions may result in the following disciplinary actions:
The practice of providing quality feedback is an integral part of developing the professional skills students will need as future physicians. It is the college’s goal that students will not only gain more experience giving and receiving feedback but will improve essential professional development skills while providing quality insight into our faculty and curriculum for continuous quality improvement
Student Accessibility and Accommodation
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical).
To ensure access to this class, and program, please contact Student Accessibility Services to engage in a confidential conversation about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings.
Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with Student Accessibility Services as soon as they begin their program. The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine encourages students to access all resources available through Student Accessibility Services for consistent support and access to their programs. More information can be found online at Student Accessibility Services.
USF has a set of central policies related to student recording class sessions, academic integrity and grievances, student accessibility services, academic disruption, religious observances, academic continuity, food insecurity, pregnancy and related conditions, and sexual harassment that apply to all courses at USF. Be sure to review these online:
Health and Wellness
Your health is a priority at the University of South Florida. We encourage members of our community to look out for each other and to reach out for help if someone is in need. If you or someone you know is in distress, please make a referral at www.usf.edu/sos so that the Student Outreach & Support can contact and provide helpful resources to the student in distress. A 24-hour licensed mental healthcare professional, offered through the counseling center, is available by phone at 813-974-2831, option 3. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
Title IX Policy
USF is committed to fostering a safe and respectful learning environment, free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment, in accordance with Title IX and USF Policy 0-004. If a student shares an experience of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence with a USF employee (including faculty), that employee will notify the Title IX Office. This allows the Title IX Office to send the student an email with information about support resources and options—if it is safe to do so. Students are not required to respond to this email. The Title IX Office is a private resource. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis to provide students with support measures. To speak to a confidential resource, students may contact USF Center for Victim Advocacy at 813-974-5757. Confidential resources do not notify the Title IX Office unless the student requests it. For more information about Title IX, available resources, or to make a report, please visit www.usf.edu/title-ix.
Professionalism Policy
Per university policy and classroom etiquette; mobile phones, iPods, etc. must be silenced during all classroom and lab lectures. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom/lab immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned may suffer a reduction in their final class grade.
End of Semester Student Evaluations
All classes at USF make use of an online system for students to provide feedback to the University regarding the course. These surveys will be made available at the end of the semester, and the University will notify you by email when the response window opens. Your participation is highly encouraged and valued.
Food and Drink Policy (for in-campus sessions only).
Please adhere to the firm policy of no beverages (other than bottled/capped water), food, tobacco products, or like items in the classroom. Your understanding of the necessity for this policy and cooperation will be greatly appreciated. This policy will be strictly enforced.
Academic Accommodations
Students with disabilities are responsible for registering with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) in order to receive academic accommodations. For additional information about academic accommodations and resources, you can visit the SAS website.
SAS website for the Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
SAS website for the St. Pete campus.
Academic Support Services
The USF Office of Student Success coordinates and promotes university-wide efforts to enhance undergraduate and graduate student success. For a comprehensive list of academic support services available to all USF students, please visit the Office of Student Success website.
Canvas Technical Support
If you have technical difficulties in Canvas, you can find access to the Canvas guides and video resources in the “Canvas Help” page on the homepage of your Canvas course. You can also contact the help desk by calling 813-974-1222 in Tampa or emailing help@usf.edu.
USF IT Service Support Tampa Campus
USF IT Support St. Pete Campus
USF IT Support Sarasota-Manatee Campus
Center for Victim Advocacy
The Center for Victim Advocacy empowers survivors of crime, violence, or abuse by promoting the restoration of decision making, by advocating for their rights, and by offering support and resources. Contact information is available online.
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center promotes the wellbeing of the campus community by providing culturally sensitive counseling, consultation, prevention, and training that enhances student academic and personal success. Contact information is available online.
Counseling Center website for the Tampa campus.
Counseling Center website for the St. Pete campus.
Counseling Center website for the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Tutoring
The Tutoring Hub offers free tutoring in several subjects to USF undergraduates. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information, email
Tutoring website for the Tampa campus.
Tutoring website for the St. Pete campus.
Tutoring website for the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Writing Studio
The Writing Studio is a free resource for USF undergraduate and graduate students. At the Writing Studio, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you, at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, email: writingstudio@usf.edu.
Writing studio website for the Tampa campus.
Writing studio website for the St. Pete campus.
Writing studio website for the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Student Ombuds Office
Florida Statute 1006.51 and Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.011 require that all public institutions provide ombuds services to students. The Student Ombuds Office at USF is a confidential, impartial, informal, and independent resource for students experiencing challenges related to the university. Ombuds can help students safely explore options, clarify processes, and consider next steps. Learn more or make an appointment at usf.edu/student-ombuds.