MAKING STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE ON ROTATIONS Katie Vogel Anderson, PharmD VAMC Gainesville, FL

Objectives  Provide a description of the Pharmacotherapy Clinic at Gainesville VA Medical Center  Discuss reasons that students feel uncomfortable  Describe activities which make students feel comfortable

Description of Clinic  Anticoagulation service  230 patients managed in clinic and by phone  Computerized patient record  Other clinic responsibilities:  Hypertension, Heart Failure, Diabetes  Other rotation requirements:  Journal Club, Final Presentation, Drug Information

Why are students uncomfortable?  New environment  Rigorous schedule  Different method of learning  Intimidating patients/preceptors/places  Fear of being wrong/looking “stupid”

How to Make Students Comfortable  Answer  Students should ~4 weeks prior to starting  Use a template to copy and paste for your response Include date and time to report Describe exactly where to meet List readings to do ahead of time Attach syllabus  Be careful! Pay attention to special requests Time off for: Weddings, interviews, doctor’s appointments

New Environment  Tell students exactly where to go  Where to park, what to wear, what to bring  Ensure that students have proper identification  Show students where to work/put their things  Describe local rules: No open toe shoes/cropped pants No food/drink in the pharmacy No cell phones/phone calls longer than 15 minutes

Rigorous Schedule  Advise students of their “shift”  What time is lunch?  Provide a calendar/schedule of events  Disclose policy for time off during rotation  Ideal times to make appointments  How/when to make up time missed  Federal holidays vs. UF holidays

Different Method of Learning  Make time for discussion  Include the students in development of treatment plan  Topic discussions  Quizzes  Correct bad habits early  Allow the student an opportunity to shine

Intimidating Patients/Preceptors/Places  Choose patients carefully  Some just don’t like students (sad but true)  For those patients who do enjoy students: Let the student do the talking  Meet the student personally  Arrange for someone to fill in while you’re away  Give a tour of the area  Library  Bathroom  Clinic area

Fear of Being Wrong/Looking Stupid  Do an end-of-first-week evaluation  Followed by a mid-point evaluation  Allow students to fix their mistakes  Provide positive reinforcement  Give credit where credit is due  Be honest

Hello_____. Thanks for your . Please see the following, to answer your questions: On _______, you will report to the inpatient pharmacy office for orientation, at 8AM. The best way to describe how to get to the inpatient pharmacy office is to … You will fill out paperwork and go for a tour of the VA all morning. Then, you will break for lunch. You won't actually come to the Coumadin Clinic until 1PM; at that time, I will go over your syllabus and calendar. There are not any forms for you to fill out ahead of time since all of that will be taken care of during orientation. Currently, drug screening is not routine, however, there is always the possibility of random drug screening when you are at the VA. In regard to parking, if you have a UF decal, you can park in the commuter lot off Archer Road, next to the helicopter pad. You will not be able to park in the parking lot at the VA. There is parking available at the Days Inn Hotel, off 13th Street. There is a shuttle that will take you to the VA from the parking lot; however, if you park there, you need to allow plenty of time to get to work, since the shuttle service isn’t always reliable. Dress is professional - the lab coat is not required, but you are welcome to wear it if you like. There is no need to bring a computer. As far as review before you get here - I would recommend that you look at the CHEST Guidelines, ATP III and JNC 7. Please call/ if you have any further questions. The clinic phone number is , ext I have voic , so you can always leave me a message.