Reviewed and Approved
Approved by the Curriculum Committee on December 15, 2021, for implementation effective January 3, 2022.
Scope
The Clinical and Educational Hours Policy applies to all students on clinical rotations Policy oversight and adherence will be monitored by the Curriculum Committee.
Policy Statement
In an effort to promote student wellness and patient safety, clinical rotations must provide students with adequate time for individual study, sleep and relaxation. Clinical and educational hours are defined as all clinical and educational activities assigned by the rotation. Clinical and educational requirements include inpatient and outpatient clinical activities (including completing clinical documentation) and assigned academic exercises, (e.g., conferences, lectures, and skills sessions). Clinical and educational hours do not include personal study time.
Specific expectations are as follows
- Clinical and educational work hours, including on-call requirements, must not exceed 80 hours per week, averaged over a four-week period, inclusive of required educational activities.
- Clinical work periods (including on-site duty and in-house calls) must not exceed 24 hours of continuously scheduled clinical assignments.
- If students are scheduled for in-house 24-hour call, it must occur no more frequently than every third night.
- Up to four hours of additional time after a 24-hour call may be used for activities such as providing transitions of care and education.
- In no case may a student exceed 28 hours of continuous clinical and/or required educational activities.
- Students will be provided a minimum of one day in seven, averaged over four weeks and (within the specific dates of the clerkship and/or block), free from any required clinical or assigned educational responsibilities.
- Note: The weekend dates in between clerkships and selective rotations are not part of the rotation and are excluded.
Clerkship/selective directors are responsible for disseminating and enforcing this policy. The Curriculum Committee will oversee and centrally monitor compliance.