26.1. Clerkship Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all clinical clerkships, and students are not permitted to request time-off for personal reasons. Absence from clerkship, except in the case of illness, emergency situations, or religious observances, will be considered unexcused and may result in a grade of “F” for that clerkship.
Students are expected to be in attendance at all clerkships during the hours specified by the clinical facility. In the case of illness or other unanticipated absence, students must contact the preceptor and the clinical facility before the start of the scheduled clinical hours to report the absence. In the case of an anticipated absence, as for religious observance, the student is expected to discuss the absence with the preceptor in advance of the scheduled session. In addition, all absences must be simultaneously reported by the student to the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) by e-mail and the Program by calling (617) 724-4499.
Make-up of one day in any clerkship experience, missed due to illness or other justifiable cause, will be at the discretion of the preceptor and DCE. Absence from more than 2 sessions in any clinical experience will require that all missed time be made up. More than 3 absences for the clinical year will require a meeting with the DCE and a notification of concern will be issued. Any further absences will result in a referral to the Student Development Committee where disciplinary action ranging from remediation to program dismissal may occur.
Plans for make-up of any missed time in clerkship will be determined by the preceptor in conjunction with the DCE, based on the preceptor’s ability to schedule such time. Missed time may be made up following the experience or during it by adding additional hours. Students are expected to be flexible in making up time and must keep the clerkship a priority in their schedules. Missed time not able to be made up within the academic term may result in a grade of Incomplete.