Clinical Educators Faculty Development Module (On-Demand)-Students' Perspective on Clinical Experiences

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session was a panel discussion featuring three PCOM fourth-year medical students sharing perspectives on clinical rotations and precepting. Moderators Dr. Marla Golden and Dr. Michael Becker introduced the students and outlined goals: to better understand learners’ experiences and improve orientation, teaching, feedback, assessment, and overall clinical education.<br /><br />The students described what they enjoyed most about rotations: applying preclinical knowledge to real patients, building relationships, and seeing patients improve over time. They also discussed common anxieties, including fear of making mistakes, uncertainty about logistics, and feeling unprepared in unfamiliar clinical settings. Many said good first-day orientation and clear expectations helped ease those concerns.<br /><br />A major theme was teaching style. Students preferred preceptors who explained procedures and topics in context, set aside time for teaching, and gave focused learning assignments tied to actual patients. They disliked being “thrown in” without guidance or being asked overly difficult questions too early. Students also emphasized that they sometimes felt in the way during busy clinical moments, and that teaching should be adapted to the learner’s level.<br /><br />Feedback and grading were another focus. Students valued timely, specific, constructive feedback—especially verbal feedback during the rotation. They disliked comparisons between students and vague end-of-rotation comments. They also noted that rotation evaluations affect residency applications through the MSPE, so preceptors should be thoughtful and precise.<br /><br />The panel also discussed letters of recommendation, the impact of COVID-19 on clinical learning, and the importance of preceptors as both teachers and mentors. Overall, the students urged preceptors to be available, intentional, respectful, and supportive while helping them grow into future physicians.

Asset Caption

Students' Perspective on Clinical Experiences Recording

Keywords

clinical rotations

precepting

medical students

feedback

orientation

teaching style

preceptors

assessment

residency applications

letters of recommendation

clinical education