Clinical Skills

Clinical mentoring is a great way to gain experience in clinical environments without being formally assessed or graded. Throughout M1 year, each student is paired with an M4 mentor to see real patients in the hospital. We are tasked with taking a detailed medical and social history and physical exam, and then submitting a formal note. The best part is that we receive constructive feedback from our M4 mentor that helps us during our immersions!

Of all the classes I look forward to, clinical skills sits at the top. Every other week we get an exclusive two hours of the “Tim and Jon show” led by Dr. Timothy Yau & Dr. Jonathan Mullin. Their energy is infectious and their dynamic is unmatched. Our lecture-oriented sessions are a mix of interactive and engaging activities where we learn more about history-taking and the art of effective patient communication. We also sometimes have small-group workshops in the weeks between the “Tim and Jon Show” where we practice taking vital signs and conduct physical exams. All of this culminates in standardized patient sessions where we take histories and do physical exams on actors. What I love most about these clinical skills sessions is the opportunity to integrate our theoretical knowledge with the essential interpersonal skills required to interact with patients. It’s a unique blend of science and human connection that makes these classes not only educational but also deeply rewarding.

Grand Rounds are an excellent way to explore nuances in your specialty interest and become familiarized with faces in the department you’re interested in! While most Grand Rounds center around M&M (Morbidity and Mortality) discussions, sometimes it can feature guest speakers from visiting institutions or provide updates on the current state of the field. Lastly, but perhaps more importantly, Grand Rounds provide free breakfast for attendees (disclaimer: some Grand Rounds, like plastic surgery, might reserve the food for expected attendees only, and not medical students — it’s always a good idea to ask before taking the food)! 

Most department grand rounds occur weekly and last for an hour. You can find information on the specific time and location by searching “Grand Round *insert department* WashU Medicine” Alternatively, you can always ask a resident/attending in the department as well!

Shadowing a variety of physicians has been one of my favorite parts of M1 so far. Through the different specialty interest groups, I signed up to spend much of my extracurricular time shadowing in diverse settings, where I’ve gotten to witness a C-section up close, sit in on oncology post-op visits, and more! I definitely recommend taking advantage of the slow(er) pace of earlier units to explore different specialties!

Procedural events are an exciting opportunity to learn hands-on skills that you probably would not otherwise be exposed to until clerkships or residency! At the OBGYN procedural night, students spend two hours rotating through various stations including simulated IUD insertions, pelvic exams, and vaginal deliveries. Or if bones are more your style, you can practice a tibial fracture reduction and a hip replacement at the orthopedics procedural night. Whether you’re just beginning to consider procedural medicine or already set on surgery, these procedural events are fun, valuable experiences!