Pediatric Clerkship

The purpose of the pediatric clerkship is to provide the medical student with the knowledge and clinical experience necessary to develop basic skills in the evaluation and management of health and disease in infants, children and adolescents. The core pediatric clerkship is an introduction to the care of children and emphasizes those aspects of pediatrics which should be understood and mastered by all physicians, regardless of ultimate career goals.

The clerkship will address issues unique to childhood and adolescence by focusing on human developmental biology, and by emphasizing the impact of family, community and society on child health and well-being. It is within this framework of normal growth and development that the student will learn the mechanism of disease processes and develop the ability to formulate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic plans. Additionally, the clerkship focuses on the impact of disease and its treatment on the developing human, and emphasizes growth and development, principles of health supervision and recognition of common health problems. The role of the pediatrician in prevention of disease and injury and the importance of collaboration between the pediatrician and other health professionals is stressed.

The curriculum contained herein is based largely on the General Pediatric Clerkship Curriculum produced by joint effort of the American Pediatric Association and the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) with significant oversight and input from AMSPDC (Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairmen). COMSEP is a national organization comprised of all the pediatric clerkship directors from U.S. and Canadian medical schools.