Sixth Semester at UTSW
Updated: 08/07/2016
Below is a schedule taken from our program website detailing the clinical rotation schedule. Each student’s rotations are already set up for them (a huge plus), as I learned at the PAEA conference this year that not all PA programs do this. Some programs require that you setup your own rotations. Additionally, I appreciated an increased level of security that our rotations were quality - something not all programs ensure. Our rotations have been vetted before, dropping sites and preceptors who do not meet a high enough standard for our students. Our clinical coordinators have also done a great job of ensuring preceptors provide feedback to our students and that we get the most experience on each rotation, never being left in the shadows.
This year our class also joined the many PA programs utilizing PAEAs end-of-rotation (EOR) examinations, streamlining the examination process and unifying rotation evaluation with an enhanced & secure online experience mirroring the PANCE. After each 120-question exam we received feedback about our performance, including a topic list of each type of question we missed and the task area. The content of the exams is provided by PAEA in a blueprint style and topic list format.
During the spring of 2016, I went through internal and family medicine, which were both 8 week long rotations. I was at Parkland and Zale-Lipshy hospital for my internal medicine rotation and I was in Bridgeport, Texas for my rural family medicine rotation. Both presented great opportunities for learning and included lots of 1-on-1 time with my preceptors as well as lots of procedural learning opportunities. Of note, since I was about 1 hour away from home during family medicine, my PA program located, secured, and paid for housing for all 8 weeks. This is something UT Southwestern does for all of its rural family medicine rotations - we are all very fortunate to have this provided for us.
