Preclinical Education
If a student is unable to attend a required academic event (e.g., quiz, exam, lab, ELS, etc.), the student must request an excused absence approval from the Office of Student Affairs, through the appropriate online form prior to the required session, except in cases where proactive communication is not possible. Repeated excused absences will be investigated on an individual basis to determine a breach in professional behavior.
Examples of situations which would generally be approved for an excused absence include but are not limited to death
of an immediate relative, birth of a student's baby (including absence due to pregnancy as medically necessary), pre-approved
professional conference, jury duty, or any medical emergencies.
Examples of situations which would generally not be approved for an excused absence include, but are not limited to family
weddings, graduations, and cultural holidays.
Procedure for Seeking an Excused Absence
The Excused Absence Form is found online on the RVU iNet site.
If a student starts but is not able to complete a required activity due to illness or other emergency, they should submit a
request for excused absence as soon as possible that explains the circumstances surrounding their inability to complete
the activity. Excused absences in these circumstances will be evaluated and granted on a case-by-case basis.
Examinations are stressful; stress/nervousness/panic does not qualify as a medical emergency and will not be approved for an excused absence to reschedule an exam.
If a student is absent from a required event or assessment and does not receive approval through this process, the
student will receive a grade of zero for that event. If an absence is appropriately excused, a student may be allowed to
make-up the required activity or participate in an equivalent session at the discretion of the Course Director and/or
Program Leadership (Director of Preclinical Education, Assistant/Associate Dean of Preclinical/Clinical Education,
Program Director, or designee).
A student who is excused from attending a required lab or other required learning session will not be penalized any
grading points. However, that student should not expect faculty to recreate the lab or learning session experience. The student is responsible for all missed educational material and experiences. Hence, it is critical for students to attend all such event, whenever possible.
Clinical Education
Subject Exams
The subject examination is a key component of the core clinical clerkship course grade and is administered toward the end of the clerkship. Any requests to take an exam at any time other than the originally scheduled time (initial attempt) or any requests to delay a confirmed retake exam attempt, must seek an excused absence request by completing the Clinical Education Excused Absence Request Form in iNet.
The absence is not excused until approved by the Clerkship Director. Examples of situations that would generally be approved for an excused absence from the exam include significant mental or physical illness (documentation from the treating licensed healthcare provider may be required), emergency, or presentation at a professional conference (if eligible). If a student believes that the basis for their excused absence request is eligible for consideration for ADA accommodation, the student should follow the procedure outlined in the Disabilities and Academic Accommodations section of this handbook.
If the absence is appropriately excused, a student will be allowed to make up the required exam. If the student is absent from an exam and does not request an excused absence in advance or if the request is not approved by the Clerkship Director, the student will receive a grade of zero for the exam.
Clinical Clerkship Days
The focus of the clinical experience in years 3 and 4 is patient care and interaction. One hundred percent attendance is, therefore, required to be sure that continuity of care is maintained. It is understood that certain situations may arise that will result in an absence from required daily participation. In such instances, the following policies will be observed:
- Absences for any reason must be approved by both the Preceptor and Clinical Dean.
- Preplanned absences - Submit the Clinical Education Excused Absence Request form in iNet for preplanned absences as soon as event dates and details are known.
- Emergency absences - Submit the Clinical Education Excused Absence Request form in iNet the same day as any emergency absence
Consequences of Excused and Unexcused Absences
Students with two unexcused clinical absences and/or four or more total clinical absences (excused or unexcused) per semester are required to meet with an appropriate dean of clinical education. If a student is believed to be abusing the absence policy, they may be evaluated for a breach of professionalism. If a student is found to have a breach of professionalism, the findings may become part of the permanent record of the student as reported on the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
If an agreed-upon make-up activity is not completed, not completed within the agreed-upon timeframe, or not completed with satisfactory quality, the student may be referred to the Student Performance Committee (SPC).
Didactics and Simulations
In order to gain knowledge and skills to complete the core clerkship successfully and to show professionalism in your professional identity, consistent attendance and participation in didactic and simulation sessions (includes OGP and Fundamentals of Surgery) is essential.
Attendance is required unless approved by the Clerkship Director.
- Absences or partial attendance must be directly related to clinical clerkship direct patient care requirements, significant mental or physical illness (documentation from the treating licensed healthcare provider may be required), emergency, or presentation at a professional conference (if eligible) to be approved by the Clerkship Director.
- Requests for absences or partial attendance should be submitted directly to the Clerkship Director before the didactic/simulation session or as soon as possible after the session when prior notification is not practicable. The Clerkship Director may assign make-up assessments for approved absences only.