Pre-Clerkship Career Exploration (PCE) Program

General Description

The PCE program at the HMSOM is a short-term, optional component of the Clinical Skills curriculum, structured to allow students additional exposure to clinical medicine and specialty exploration during Phase 1. Allowed activities consist of observation of doctor-patient interactions and medical procedures, and are used to inform and support career planning activities. A student may observe for a few hours to observe a particular procedure or return to observe the same physician over a brief period of time. PCE experiences may turn into mentoring relationships, which are broader and consist of meetings and conversations outside of clinical practice. Students should notify their advisor if this becomes desirable so that they can initiate the mentoring procedure. PCE/shadowing does not include any hands-on interaction or activities with patients (beyond a verbal introduction).

When can I start PCE activities?

PCE/Shadowing may begin after the following events have occurred:

1. All compliance requirements (i.e. immunizations, BLS, MySuccess modules) are up to date
2. MCP grade is posted.
3. Meeting with advisor to review academic standing and PCE procedures.
4. Inpatient shadowing at hospital locations may have additional requirements such as location-specific IDs, or trainings that need to be completed before shadowing can take place onsite.

What to do if/when you would like to shadow a physician

Meet with your advisor! You may request to shadow any HMH physicians who teach or facilitate groups in the School of Medicine, and additional physicians on faculty at the SOM may be available. If you don’t have a physician in mind, your advisor can connect you with other HMH physicians on faculty. Once your advisor has given approval, please review and follow the specific procedures available in the SAW Shared Student Google Drive, in the Advising Folder.