For medical students, learning medicine is about more than understanding textbooks, lectures, and examinations. The clinical phase is where students begin applying their medical knowledge in real healthcare environments, interacting with patients and working alongside healthcare professionals.
At All Saints University School of Medicine, the transition from Basic Medical Sciences to clinical training is an important part of the journey toward becoming a physician. Students complete 72 weeks of clinical clerkships at affiliated teaching hospitals, gaining experience across major medical specialties.
What Are Clinical Clerkships?
Clinical clerkships are a period of medical education in which students move beyond the classroom and become directly involved in the care and study of patients under appropriate supervision.
During this stage, students begin developing the practical skills needed to communicate with patients, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, understand diagnostic processes, and apply their knowledge of disease and treatment.
The clinical phase is particularly important because it provides an opportunity to gain experience in healthcare systems outside the classroom and prepare for the transition into residency training.
72 Weeks of Clinical Training
At All Saints University, the clinical clerkship program consists of 72 weeks of training. The program is designed to give students exposure to a broad range of medical specialties while helping them develop their clinical and diagnostic skills.
Students complete core rotations in:
- Internal Medicine – 12 weeks
- Surgery – 12 weeks
- Pediatrics – 6 weeks
- Psychiatry – 6 weeks
- Obstetrics & Gynecology – 6 weeks
- Family Medicine – 6 weeks
- Electives – 24 weeks
The elective portion allows students to broaden their clinical experience and explore areas of medicine that may align with their professional interests.
Clinical Rotations at Teaching Hospitals
Following successful completion of the Basic Medical Sciences curriculum and the applicable university examinations, students can begin their clinical clerkships.
All Saints University makes arrangements for students to complete clinical clerkships at affiliated teaching hospitals approved by the ACGME and accredited in the United States. Students may also choose to rotate at approved teaching hospitals in other countries of their choice upon prior arrangement with our clinical department.
What Do Students Learn During Clinical Training?
The clinical phase is designed to help students connect the medical knowledge they gained during their pre-clinical education with real patient care.
Depending on their rotation, students may develop experience in areas such as:
- Patient communication
- Medical history taking
- Physical examination
- Clinical reasoning
- Differential diagnosis
- Patient management
- Team-based healthcare
- Professional communication
- Understanding different medical specialties
Students also gain exposure to the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare professionals and learn how different members of a medical team work together to provide patient care.
This experience can help students develop confidence as they prepare for the next stage of their medical careers.
Preparing for Clinical Clerkships
Before beginning clinical rotations, students must satisfy a number of requirements.
Students must successfully complete the Basic Medical Sciences curriculum and relevant university examinations. Additional requirements can include documentation, background screening, HIPAA training, required immunizations and health documentation, OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens Certification, and malpractice insurance.
Students are also expected to begin their clinical clerkships within the required timeframe following completion of Basic Medical Sciences.
Preparing these requirements in advance can help make the transition into clinical training smoother.
Why Clinical Experience Matters
When researching medical schools, prospective students often focus on tuition, admission requirements, curriculum, and campus facilities.
However, clinical training deserves equal attention.
Students should consider questions such as:
- Where will I complete my clinical rotations?
- How many weeks of clinical training are included?
- What specialties will I experience?
- What opportunities are available for elective clinical rotations?
- What types of hospitals are involved?
- How will the clinical phase prepare me for residency?
These questions can help students understand what their medical education will look like beyond the classroom.
At All Saints University, the clinical phase is an integral part of the MD program, providing students with structured exposure to major medical specialties and patient care environments.
Preparing for the Next Step: Residency
Clinical clerkships are more than a graduation requirement. They are an important opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, professionalism, and clinical experience needed for postgraduate medical training.
As students progress through their rotations, they can gain a better understanding of different specialties and begin thinking about the areas of medicine they may want to pursue after medical school.
The clinical phase therefore represents an important bridge between medical school and residency.
Ready to Begin Your Medical Journey?
At All Saints University School of Medicine, students receive a structured medical education that progresses from foundational sciences to clinical clerkships.
Learn more about our 72-week clinical clerkship program and discover what your journey toward becoming a physician could look like.
