title: Dimensions of clinical medicine: an interclerkship program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the 3rd year of medical school, clerkships provide essential clinical experiences. However, other aspects of patient care may be overlooked during this critical phase of medical education. Faced with the challenge of integrating "orphan" topics central to effective and compassionate medical practice, medical schools have begun to develop interclerkships or intersessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Dimensions of Clinical Medicine (DCM) interclerkship series at Creighton University included evidence-based medicine, sexuality in clinical medicine, palliative care, professionalism, cultural sensitivity/awareness, complementary and alternative medicine, bioterrorism, and clinical ethics. Each interclerkship comprises 2 half-day sessions conducted at the end of each clerkship rotation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students approved of the interclerkship format and valued the active learning strategies employed in the course. Many students felt the time allotted for each program was excessive. We describe educational issues and practical concerns that are central to an effective intersession program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interclerkship format is a viable approach for incorporating orphan topics into the clinical curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA. hsakow@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Henry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sakowski
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Markert
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Jeffries
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Bruce L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: Sade
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kosoko-Lasaki
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Eugene C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015510:Clinical Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D009329:Nebraska; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D016730:Program Development