BIOL3660 Doctoring III builds upon the fundamental skills taught in the 1st year Doctoring courses of medical school. Second year medical students develop more advanced physician-patient communication skills such as screening and counseling for intimate partner violence and depression as well as navigating difficult conversations such as delivering bad news and disclosing a medical error. Students continue to master the complete physical examination including the genitourinary, gynecological, cardiopulmonary, and abdominal exams. A major component of Doctoring III is refining oral presentation and written documentation skills including prescription writing, with a focus on using clinical reasoning to tailor their clinical skills for each individual patient presentation. The course format includes small group sessions, lectures, clinical skills practice with standardized and real patients, self-study modules, reflective writing field notes, and patient case write-ups.

BIOL3670 Doctoring IV completes medical students’ pre-clerkship preparation by honing clinical reasoning skills for common clinical presentations using a combination of small group and self-study modules that allow students to independently apply their clinical skills. Advanced topics such as navigating end-of-life conversations and family meetings are also covered to prepare students for the clinical environment. Doctoring IV culminates with a final assessment that tests students’ ability to interview, examine, present, and diagnose a patient independently, while starting to think about applying principles of medical management.  The course format includes small group sessions, lectures, clinical skills practice with standardized and real patients, self-study modules, reflective writing field notes, and patient case write-ups.