Fourth Year Acting Internship

EM joins an elite group of departments that offer acting internships for the students. Students act as the primary physician for their patients and coordinate all aspects of their care under the direct supervision of the emergency medicine faculty and senior residents.

Students are required to work a total of 15 eight hour shifts during a 28-day period.  Unlike the 3^rd year rotation, they are assigned to work primarily with faculty members and are expected to take complete ownership of the patient’s care from initial evaluation to disposition.  In addition, there are dedicated ICU shifts with an EM / Critical Care trained faculty member.  Dedicated ultrasound lectures and hands-on experience occur under the tutelage of our fellowship trained faculty.  Simulation (adult and pediatrics), procedures based cadaver lab, and an airway clinic are also part of their education. 

Like the 3^rd year students, there are assigned lectures and advanced readings.  Unless clinically working, they are expected to attend the EM residency conference.  A case based presentation is delivered in Power Point format by the end of the rotation.  As we are no longer keying in on their knowledge base and more on their ability to apply their knowledge to clinical care, the 4^th year students take an oral board style final exam instead of a multiple choice test.

Fourth Year Acting Internship Objectives:

Patient Care
Interviewing Techniques
Directed Physical Examination
Developing a differential diagnosis
Initiate resuscitation and stabilization
Procedural and wound care
Proper disposition and follow-up

Medical Knowledge
Identification of acutely ill patient
Developing an evaluation plan
Test Interpretation
Developing a therapeutic plan
Treatment of common acute problems 

Practiced Based Learning and Improvement
Self Directed Learning Project
Use of information technology
Evaluation of literature

Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Establishing Rapport
Effective presentation
Interaction with consultants

Professionalism
Respect
Ethical behavior
Sensitivity to cultural issues

Systems based Practice
Assessment of Undifferentiated Patient
Appropriate referral
Primary Care for the uninsured and those without PCPs
Understanding of emergency procedures