ROTATIONS PREP
New orientation sessions focus on Clinical Phase

In order to better prepare students for their clinical rotations, OUM rolled out three orientation sessions in November focused on the clinical phase, with the final installment focused on rotations in Australia and New Zealand and scheduled for early December.

“Too much time passes from the time of New Student Orientation for busy students to remember the details of preparing for their later years of medical school,” says Chris Dudley, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Student Affairs, “so we created an online orientation series for students entering the system-based modules and the clinical phase.”

The orientation series kicked off in August with a session focused on system-based modules, including a look at the SBM curriculum, the steps to securing a physician mentor, tips for preparing for the mini-case discussions and for getting the most out of the academic advisors, the research requirement and Journal Club, USMLE prep, and more. To download a recording of that session, click here.

All aspects of clinical curriculum covered

The clinical portion of the orientation series debuted in November, with a two-hour overview session that covered the structure of the clinical curriculum; readings, lectures, quizzes and exams; getting the most from the clinical student advisors; professionalism in the hospital; international placements; and strategically planning electives. The overview session also detailed the clinical skills course. To download a recording, click here.

The second installment of the clinical series featured rotations in Samoa. Vice Chancellor Dr. Lameko and Veronika Wong, Administrative and Student Affairs Assistant in Samoa, outlined the rotations available at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTM) as well as the logistics of travel, immigration, fee payments, and accommodations. OUMSA President Leigh Cattin, currently completing clinical rotations at TTM, provided a student’s perspective of living and working in Samoa, and Dr. Brown provided a check-up of where students should be with their research project during the clinical phase. To download a recording, click here.

Clinical rotations in North America were covered in the third installment, with North American Dean Dr. Ghazi and Student Affairs Coordinator Melody Calvert providing the how and where. The session also covered preparation for both parts of USMLE Step 2 and the Final Clinical Exam, and two graduates offered their tips for clinical rotations and residency match. To download a recording, click here.

Coming up — rotations in Australia/New Zealand

In the final session, Drs. Meshach and Benjamin and Joe Korac will cover clinical rotations in Australia and New Zealand, as well as information about the Final Clinical Exam and OSCEs at the following time:

• USA: Wednesday, December 5, at 6:00 pm ET
• Australia: Thursday, 6 December, at 10:00 am Sydney Time
• New Zealand: Thursday, 6 December, at 12:00 noon
• Samoa: Thursday, 6 December, at 1:00 pm

While many students attended the live orientations, recordings of all sessions are found in the University-Wide Meetings classroom in Moodle. They will be updated periodically to ensure that students have the latest information.

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