Obstetrics and Gynecology
Student Clerkship
Purpose / Intent
To understand the structure of the OB/GYN Clerkship on the Texas Tech University El Paso Campus, one must first get acquainted with the purpose, intent, and objectives of the clerkship program.
The Purpose of the OB/GYN 3rd Year Clerkship
The purpose of the clerkship in OB/GYN is (1) to introduce the 3rd year medical student to the science and art of obstetrics and gynecology; (2) to acquaint the student with the female patient (her unique anatomy, physiology, psychosocial make-up, health and illness issues); (3) to initiate training in procedural skills, in treatment modalities, and in preventive medicine that encompasses all aspects of medical care.
The Intent of the Clerkship
The intent of the clerkship in obstetrics and gynecology for the 3rd year medical student is to teach successfully "effect" and "affect". (Educational psychologist indicate that both of these objectives must be met in order to successfully teach a student in a particular discipline of study). To teach "effect" is to encourage, guide, and direct the medical student to acquire and master knowledge and skills in order to meet successfully the challenges of treating female patients in the clinical setting, as well as, to excel above the national norm on both the NBME OB/GYN examination, and steps II and III of the USMLE. To teach "affect" is to create an environment in the OB/GYN department, as well as to create a relationship between students and professors/residents (teachers) that stimulate, within the student, a positive, "good" feeling about his/her total OB/GYN clerkship experience.