Medical Education
Third-Year Clerkship

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to blue chip Family Medicine if I want Indianapolis.
A: Yes. Indianapolis is a very popular site and always fills up before all students are assigned. Blue-chipping Family Medicine DOES NOT GUARANTEE you will receive your 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd choice. When too many students request one specific site, the students are selected with a lottery system.

Q: I have small children and need to stay in Indianapolis for my Family Medicine rotation. What should I do?
A: First, you will need to use your blue chip. Second, you need to attach a letter to the clerkship director explaining why you need to stay in Indianapolis or any other selected site.

Q: I have a disability that requires me to stay in Indianapolis. What should I do?
A: This situation applies the same as having small children. You must use your blue chip to stay in Indianapolis. You must also attach a note to your request stating your reasoning for needing Indianapolis.

Q: My wife is pregnant and due during my rotation. Can you assign me to Indianapolis?
A: This situation applies the same as having small children. If you or your spouse is pregnant and due near the time of the Family Medicine clerkship, you should blue chip Family Medicine and write a letter to the clerkship director explaining the situation.

Q: I didn’t fully complete my site preference form. What will happen with my assignment?
A: If you are not selected for the site you requested, your preference form will be placed at the bottom of the stack REGARDLESS of your blue chip. You will be assigned to the last spot available.

****Q: Where do I report on the first day of the clerkship?
A: Most sites have an orientation on the first day of the clerkship. If you do not receive a letter explaining when and where to report on the first day, you should contact your student coordinator at your assigned site.   Click here to review site contact list.

Q: My family physician has agreed to be my preceptor. What does he need to do to receive clerkship materials?
A: Students may not make their own assignments for the clerkship. However, if there is a physician you would like to rotate with during the Family Medicine Clerkship, you will be provided an opportunity to request that preceptor. The preceptor must be approved by the department and site. Preceptors MUST be board-certified (or board-eligible) family physicians.

Q: I have not been assigned to the site I requested. Can I be reassigned to the site requested?
A: All sites must have an equal amount of students. We will not move students unless a student is dropped or added to the rotation. Students are welcome to call and request to be added to the wait list for that rotation. Students must speak to the clerkship coordinator to make this request. Requests are honored on a first-come, first served basis.

Q: I have not been assigned to the site I requested. Can I be reassigned if I find my own preceptor?
A: No. Students should not seek their own preceptors or contact sites to be added. All site assignments are completed by the clerkship coordinator at the Department of Family Medicine.

Q: Whom do I call if I am having difficulties with my preceptor?
A: Your first step is to notify the site director. While preceptor conflicts do not happen often, there are times when students should be reassigned. Your site director will help facilitate this process. However, he/she can only do this if you let them know there is a problem. Sometimes the site director only needs to relay to the preceptor the problem and the situation is resolved. If you are not satisfied with the site director’s attention to this problem, you should contact the clerkship director immediately. We want to make this experience positive for both you and the preceptor. The clerkship director will work with all parties to resolve the issue.

Q: I received a card in my mailbox regarding the exam. What does it mean? Did I pass?
A: Sometimes it takes preceptors and site directors some time to return the evaluations on students. We like to inform students of the exam scores so you have some feedback. The score listed is your final score on the exam. We also provide you with the highest and lowest grades, as well as a mean score. The lowest passing score for the exam is 60. Students receiving a grade lower than 60 will be contacted by the student coordinator to schedule remedial work.

Q: When will I receive my final grade and comments?
A: While we make every effort to submit final evaluations within 30 days from the end of the clerkship, sometimes preceptors and site directors do not send forms in a timely manner. We continue to work on this situation and will submit all evaluations for any given rotation at the same time.

Q: What my preceptor told me was different than what was reflected in my evaluation. May I review his evaluation of my performance?
A: Yes. Students should call the student coordinator or the administrative secretary to copy the evaluation forms. Students must come to the office to pick up the evaluations. You may be asked to present picture ID.  Keep in mind that preceptors do not determine the final grade. Your exam will count for 25% of your final grade.

Q: I have reviewed my evaluation and disagree with my grade. Who do I call?
A: Your first step is to call the clerkship coordinator. The coordinator will review your score and give you the cut off for specific grades.  If you still disagree with your grade, the coordinator can set up an appointment with the clerkship director. The clerkship director will review the file prior to the appointment. If necessary, she will contact the preceptor and/or site director to request further feedback.

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