Table 1.

Guidelines for the Translational Sciences Clinic. The guidelines are provided to the trainee and mentor before the start of the rotation

Course description

The Translational Science Clinic is designed for TL1 trainees. Trainees will shadow a clinician–scientist in an outpatient clinic that is directly related to the trainee’s dissertation research. The objectives of this course are to create an environment where trainees begin to develop an appreciation for the process of translational research and to introduce trainees to mentors who can also serve as role models. The course consists of a maximum one-half day per week in a clinic with the same faculty member and will count as two credit hours.

Student and mentor expectations

The trainee should

Complete the MyQuest HIPAA training module prior to signing up for the course

Contact the program director at least one month prior to the clinic to discuss possible clinical mentors. The mentor should have an MD or MD/PhD and work in a clinic related to the trainee’s dissertation topic; the program director or associate program director will provide final approval of the chosen mentor.

Gain familiarity with the clinic on the first clinic visit and then begin to see patients with the mentor.

Dress professionally (no shorts or open-toe shoes) and wear a laboratory coat if she/he has one.

Complete the required evaluation.

The mentor should

Assign patients who the trainees will shadow in the clinic.

Introduce the trainees to the staff and expectations of the clinic.

Challenge the trainee’s knowledge of current research literature.

Complete the required evaluation and discuss the responses with the trainee.

Instructional methodologies and activities

Trainees will perform literature searches to discover the latest concepts concerning the patients’ disease and discuss them with the clinician–scientist. They are encouraged to write a review article on a topic germane to their research and clinical observations with their mentor, if appropriate.

At the end of the semester, trainees should be able to

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of the disease.

Demonstrate knowledge of current research literature and provide references.

Grading

The trainee and mentor will both complete evaluation forms at the end of the semester. The final grade in the course (honors/pass/no pass) is determined by the mentor’s evaluation of the trainee. The mentor must share their evaluation with the trainee, but the trainee is not required to share their evaluation with the mentor.