Emergency Medicine Advanced Elective Clerkship

Throughout the rotation, students participate in a variety of educational experiences beyond the emergency department, including weekly resident core conferences, monthly journal club, faculty-led case discussions, and hands-on sessions in bedside ultrasound, laceration repair, and other procedures.

Early in the rotation, students complete a dedicated simulation at Stanford's Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning to help guide individualized learning goals. The clerkship concludes with a final written examination.

Students complete 14 eight-hour clinical shifts, including adult and pediatric emergency medicine, nights, weekends, and one Emergency Critical Care shift. As integral members of the care team, they lead initial patient assessments, perform focused histories and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, and create management plans under attending supervision.

Students also serve as the primary liaison between patients, families, consultants, and the healthcare team, building essential communication skills while taking increasing responsibility for patient care.

The Stanford EMED 313A Coaching Program pairs EM-bound medical students with junior faculty mentors to enhance the clerkship experience and support their transition into Emergency Medicine. Coaches are intentionally selected from outside the clerkship and residency leadership to provide a confidential space for feedback and growth. Meetings before, during, and after the rotation focus on clinical skills, presentations, feedback, and interesting cases.