Developing a “killer” orientation for medical students WRME 9/25/15 Lisa Grill Dodson, MD Campus Dean, MCW Central Wisconsin
Orientation can serve many purposes Orient Where is the bathroom? Integrate What is your role? What will the students role be Align How do you fit in to the big picture? How can they help? Coordinate Who will the student connect with?
Bad first days No welcome No preparation (send schedule and materials in advance) No schedule No contacts list No space No plan No buddy (think Jr High lunch table) “Busy work” 3
Good orientations Welcoming Structured Appropriately comprehensive Occurs over time (not overwhelming/no fire hoses) Sets expectations, reduces anxiety Saves time Involves the entire staff Active/Not boring Written back up/handbook Mentored, includes values, history Overview of each department/function 4
Generational differences (stereotypes) Four different generations, typically referred to as: Traditionalists “silent generation” (born ), Baby Boomers (born ), Generation X (born ) Generation Y “Millenials” (born ) 5
Millenial students--generalizations Have been described as “Special” or “trophy generation”: sheltered, confident, team-oriented, pressured, impatient, hopeful, narcissistic, entitled, familiar/less hierarchical Helicopter or snowplow parents Less traditional academic literacy (memorization) More media literacy/tech savvy/digital natives Desire authenticity Tolerant, value diversity and change Community oriented (global and local) Need things to be spelled out (Hence, the value of orientation!) 6
NUTS and BOLTS Section 1 7
Orientation as an organizational tool Schedule, schedule, schedule Use checklists Orientation should start the final evaluation process. Evaluation tool front and center Establish checkpoints (schedule time) midterm evaluation final evaluation specific student tasks/competencies 8
Rule number one: Have a plan Day 0: Send ahead of time Consider checklists Welcoming letter Lead contact Paperwork to be completed First day (week) schedule Where to show up, where to park Who to check in with Dress Code Anything else required for first day duties 9
Day 1 plan and beyond Schedule essential functions for day 1 (Arrival day) Security/badge/photo EMR set up (* if not able to do ahead of time) Introductions Schedule other orientation activities for later 10
Rule number two: Involve your staff Frees up your time Staff are better equipped to do some parts Gives staff an investment in the student Demonstrates teamwork to student Gets the job done 11
Nuts and Bolts for staff Preparation Who is responsible for the student? What type of student are they? What is their level? What can they do? Who should the student be introduced to and when? How often and how long will the student be here? 12
Consider having…. Education committee/ lead education staff person Education bulletin board keep photos of each student current student bio/photo staff space, newsletter, front desk Patients involved in key patient “encounters” 13
Preceptor specific orientation Get to know each other Teaching methods Clarify expectations hours, call presentations giving feedback grades (“to achieve an honors grade you must…” social 15
Instant productivity Orientation helps students integrate Authentic experiences To be useful Reduced anxiety Figure out what the student knows how to do Checklists of procedures/conditions Prep for sterile procedures Tasks Writing notes, prescriptions Follow ups, return phone calls 16
Make it active Scavenger hunt (practice and/or community) MapQuest Newlywed game approach (guess how the other person will answer) Jeopardy Match game Simulated practical experiences Prep for sterile procedures, prescriptions, notes “Leave a legacy” projects (for students, patients, staff, docs)
Specifics Cheat sheet of jargon or terms specific to your organization Do’s and don’ts EMR access and rules Dates/times for grand rounds, conferences, meetings Community and clinic activities 18
What to do when you are busy (that isn’t just busy work) Designate a scheduler Designate a back up preceptor Develop a case library “Top 10” diagnoses: reading, cases Lab, radiology, ekg interpretations Schedule students to work with staff (MA, billing, front office) Assign student presentations (present to staff, patients or physicians)
THANK YOU.