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Curriculum: Phase 3

Phase 3, in the fourth year, consists of three components: Advanced Clinical Experience (ACE), Selective experience, Electives, and four weeks of vacation. Students may customize this phase of the curriculum by taking any one of the components in any sequence. The schedules are made in four-week block increments, and students do not have to schedule all rotations in a particular component in sequence. The Student Continuity Practice may be continued throughout phase 3 as a longitudinal elective.

The four rotations in this ACE course include four-week rotations in Emergency Medicine, Advanced Inpatient Experience, Critical Care and a new, two-week radiology course which was introduced in 2010-2011.

The Advanced Clinical Experience is designed to build upon the clinical experiences of phase 2. Students must complete an advanced inpatient experience (sub-internship) in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or surgery. In the emergency medicine rotation students select the setting, which can range from a level-1 trauma center to a community hospital emergency department. Students also choose the critical care setting, which can be a medical, surgical, medical/surgical, or pediatric ICU. UConn is one of the few schools requiring both critical care and emergency medicine.

The radiology course emphasizes not only the ability to increase ability student’s skill to interpret x-rays, but also helps a student assess what tests are indicated for a given condition. Students feel the ACE course prepares them well for residency.

The Selective experience provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project, in the areas of education, research or community health. Students develop and carry out independent projects under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Many students use this opportunity to develop a specific expertise, or to explore an area of particular interest. For example, students with an interest in international health issues, often use the Selective project to pursue health-related projects in other countries. Among the significant contributions made through Selective projects are new curriculum materials. Student feedback has indicated that their Selective project was a critical factor in obtaining their desired residency position.

The electives offered in phase 3 are wide ranging and include rotations in all specialties and subspecialties of medicine, pediatrics and surgery. In addition, students may take elective time to serve as a co-facilitator in the Principles of Clinical Medicine (PCM) course for phase 1. This teaching opportunity allows them to reinforce knowledge in a specific area and to improve teaching skills. Students may take their electives within the UConn system, or at any other medical school. Based on surveys sent to residency program directors who train our students, the school is confident that the educational and training experiences offered by UConn prepares students to excel in their chosen field.