The Required Clerkship Curriculum Committee, which is composed of clerkship directors, students, and members of the Dean’s Office, developed the following policy related to absences from clinical coursework. These guidelines are also on the Web, will be provided to you as part of the Clerkship Track Scheduling material in the fall of the second year, and are included as part of each clerkship’s syllabus.

Students should not expect to take time off during a clerkship.  Students should anticipate personal events (such as weddings and reunions) and academic events (such as presenting papers at meetings) before scheduling clerkships whenever possible, i.e. do not schedule a required clerkship during this time.  With permission from the Clerkship Director, students may be excused for 2 days (including travel time) from a required clerkship for such events.  Students needing time off should consult with the appropriate clerkship director 4 – 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the clerkship.  Such absences should not be planned during orientations or final examinations. In two-week clerkships, no time off will be approved.  Students should not regard this policy as a guarantee of time off.  If more than 2 days off are needed during a clerkship, the clerkship should be rescheduled.

During a clerkship, if a student must miss time due to illness or personal emergency, he or she must speak with the clerkship director as well as the attending or resident in charge. The specific person and his/her contact information are available on the individual clerkship websites.  It is not acceptable to leave only a phone or email message or to contact only administrative staff.  The Clerkship Director will determine if make-up time is needed for unintended absences.

If a clerkship exam must be postponed, the student should contact the Clerkship Director to determine if the exam should be rescheduled as soon as possible or delayed until the next time the exam is given.  Progress in other clerkships may be interrupted until the examination is taken depending on the situation surrounding the delay.

Students absent without permission may receive a Fail grade and may be required to repeat the clerkship.  In addition, students may also receive an Unacceptable professionalism grade. 

Students should plan time in their schedule for residency interviewing and not have clinical courses schedule(d) during that time.  If interviews are offered during times when students are already scheduled for required or elective clerkships in the fourth year, students should work directly with the Clerkship Director in advance of the clerkship regarding absences for residency interviews.