Medical Student Education
Third Year Clerkships - Internal Medicine
Third Year Clerkships - Core Clerkship in Medicine - MED 30000
The Department of Medicine sponsors up to six third year medical students from UT Memphis for their mandatory eight week block Internal Medicine Core Clerkship. Core Clerks are welcomed as an integral part of a team consisting of two interns (PGY-1), one upper-level medicine resident (PGY 2 or 3) and one medicine attending. The students are assigned new patients from the Emergency Department following them throughout the hospitalization to discharge. Students also see patients who are transferred from the intensive care units to a medical unit. The student is expected to see his/her assigned patients on a daily basis. Patient assessments lead to the development of a differential diagnosis. Students learn proper evaluation and therapeutic plans while actively caring for patients. Close supervision allows one on one learning with mentoring physicians while adequate autonomy allows the student to develop skills needed that can only be learned via independent study/experience.
Students are scheduled for learning time in the Patient Simulation Center beginning with "Sterile Technique". "Basic Skills Lab" includes learning proper technique for canulation of peripheral veins for IVs/INT or phlebotomy; Lumbar Puncture; Ultrasound guided-CVL; Arthrocentesis; Arterial line and Para/Thoracentesis. Students are encouraged to perfect basic skills of phlebotomy, arterial punctures and IV needle placement during this time. The third lab is "Ultrasound Guided Central Line Placement." The student is taught hands on operation of an ultrasound machine for noting proper landmarks prior to placing internal jugular vein catheter. The student is able to practice not only Internal Jugular but also subclavian vein insertion if time permits. The fourth regularly scheduled lab is for lumbar puncture.
The Housestaff Medicine call schedule is presently twelve hours shifts every other day for each team. Students are assigned new patients corresponding to their assigned interns call schedule. Once a student has completed their H&P, the student is expected to follow the intern and/or resident throughout the remainder of the call period enhancing their learning through this experience. Students are required to remain in house during their assigned shift. Students follow work hours rules as established by UTHSC and UTGSM. One well-crafted history and physical should be given to the attending each week. Emphasis is placed on the history, physical and assessment including a detailed differential diagnosis.
Third Year Clerkships
Contact Information
Janet L. Purkey, MD
Clerkship Director
jpurkey@utmck.edu
Phone: 865-305-9340
Dr. Tyler Coombes
Student Liaison
Tcoombes1@utmck.edu
Deanna Porter, Administrative Assistant III
dkporter@utmck.edu
Phone: 865-305-9340
Visit the Department of Medicine for information about our residency program, faculty, and research.
Contact The Office of Medical Student Education
865-305-9618 or students@utmck.edu
News
Tweets by utgsmWhat Our Students Are Saying:
"The Internal Medicine Core Clerkship at Knoxville is an amazing experience unlike any other rotation. Having access to the skills lab has improved my confidence with relevant procedures. The attendings and residents are inviting and invested in learning. I truly felt like part of the team here."
-Benson Arnett, Class of 2021
"My time on my internal medicine rotation was second to none. From residents that were always willing to answer questions or take a little extra time to explain a concept to attendings encouraging me to further step into my role as a team member, the internal medicine rotation at UTMCK is exceptional. I left my 8 weeks with a knowledge of medicine greater than I ever expected as well as people who now serve as role models and mentors for my career. The highlight of the rotation for me was getting to spend time with Dr. Purkey in the free clinic on Mondays. She really encourages us to step in to our “doctor” shoes and help provide care for the community of Knoxville, and it is truly fulfilling."
-Caroline Rader, Class of 2023"The internal medicine clerkship at UTMCK offers an excellent student experience. Residents and faculty provided me with a medley of informal teaching, clinical pearls, and helpful feedback, all while giving me significant autonomy in the care of my patients. Some of my favorite experiences include serving one afternoon each week at the East Knoxville Free Medical Clinic, admitting patients from the ED, and spending my elective week in gastroenterology. The clinical experience was complemented each week by excellent formal lectures, conferences, and simulation labs that prepared me well not only for the internal medicine shelf exam, but also for day-to-day patient care and decision making."
-Drew Wofford, Class of 2023
Medical Student Overview of Facilities
