5.4. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE IN CLINICAL CLERKSHIPS
Updated August 2017
Students on clerkship may earn a final grade of Pass, Marginal Pass, or Fail. Performance in Patient Care, Professionalism and Interpersonal Communication, and Knowledge, as measured by performance on End of Rotation Exams contribute to the final grade.
Clerkship Performance Evaluation Appeals
Students who have questions or concerns about a performance evaluation in a clinical clerkship should contact the Clerkship Director or their Faculty Advisor to request a review. If a student’s disagreement remains unresolved, the student or his or her Faculty Advisor may request a review by the Student Progress Committee by contacting one of the Student Progress Committee chairs. A written request for a review must be received within eight weeks of the date that the final student performance evaluation was submitted.
Upon receiving a request for review, the Student Progress Committee will notify the clerkship team responsible for the performance evaluation and will gather data from the student and the clerkship team. The Student Progress Committee will review the final evaluation and all submitted data, gather additional information as needed, and will generally, though it is not required, reach a decision by consensus. The student and clerkship team will be notified in writing of the final decision. The Student Progress Committee will attempt to complete each appeal within 45 days of the request. The Student Progress Committee decision is considered final. Students with further concerns may choose to pursue the Stanford University student academic grievance procedure:http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin/4988.htm, though they should recognize the limited scope of review inherent in that procedure.
Correction of Deficiencies in Clerkships
During the course of a clerkship, when the Director of Clerkship Education becomes aware that a student’s performance may warrant a marginal pass or failing grade, they must notify the student promptly that, in the absence of improvement, a non-passing grade is being considered. Once the director confirms the decision to assign a non-passing grade, the Director of Clerkship must immediately notify the student about the final grade to be assigned. The Director of Clerkship should also notify the student’s Faculty Advisor, who will arrange a meeting with the student.
Requirements for correcting a marginal pass or failure will be determined by the clerkship director. Students who receive a marginal pass or failing grade are required to meet with the clerkship director to set timely requirements for achieving an unqualified passing grade. Non-passing grades in clerkships, including N or “continuing” grades for failed must be corrected within one year of completing the clerkship. Students failing to correct a non-passing grade within one year will be reviewed and discussed by the Student Progress Committee
Students cannot receive a Stanford MS in PA Studies degree with an uncorrected marginal pass or failure in a clerkship.
Section 5: Assessment of Student Academic Performance
5.1: Health Provider Involvement in Student Assessment
5.2: Evaluation of Performance in Courses
5.3: Exam Policy for Required Pre-Clerkship Courses