Specialty Practice Ambulatory sub-iNternship (SPAN) - University of California San Francisco

Program Details

Degree: Bachelors
Major: Medicine | Nursing | Public Health
Area of study: Health
Course Language: English

Program Overview

Introduction to the Specialty Practice Ambulatory sub-iNternship (SPAN)

The Specialty Practice Ambulatory sub-iNternship (SPAN) is a required, longitudinal outpatient preceptorship during Career Launch that allows fourth-year students to develop advanced ambulatory patient care skills in a specialty/subspecialty of their choice. By working longitudinally in the outpatient clinic setting, SPAN students can explore a field that interests them, gain knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen career path, and begin residency training well prepared to care for patients in the ambulatory environment.

Goals of SPAN

To provide senior medical students with a longitudinal, in-depth ambulatory experience in a specialty/subspecialty of their choosing
To develop students’ understanding of the role of ambulatory clinical practice in the SPAN specialty/subspecialty
To build on core outpatient clinical skills developed during core clerkships and develop advanced, specialty/subspecialty-specific ambulatory skills and knowledge relevant to the next steps in the student’s training
To develop longitudinal clinical coaching and mentoring relationships between the student and the SPAN preceptor with the goal of continuous improvement and professional development
To ensure graduates of the UCSF School of Medicine enter residency training prepared to provide quality, compassionate, patient-centered care in the ambulatory setting in their chosen specialty/subspecialty

Objectives of SPAN

Describe the specific role ambulatory care plays in the care of patients in the chosen SPAN specialty/subspecialty
Apply understanding of the longitudinal process of workup, diagnosis, and treatment in the SPAN specialty/subspecialty to patients’ medical/surgical problems encountered in the outpatient environment
Demonstrate the ability to conduct all elements of an ambulatory patient visit in the SPAN specialty/subspecialty with appropriate supervision
Describe the role of the interprofessional team in the SPAN specialty/subspecialty and collaborate effectively with physician and non-physician members of the healthcare team in the ambulatory environment
Reflect on feedback provided by the SPAN preceptor, create personal learning goals, and monitor personal growth and improvement

The SPAN Experience for Students

SPAN is a purely outpatient experience – SPAN sessions must occur at ambulatory sites, and students must see patients during clinic visits
SPAN students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of ambulatory patient care
SPAN students are encouraged to be involved in interprofessional care and to participate in communication and collaboration with all care team members
Students have the option of recruiting their own SPAN preceptor, though this is not required
SPAN students are responsible for managing all the scheduling aspects of their SPAN sessions
SPAN students are responsible for monitoring and tracking completion of SPAN requirements

The SPAN Experience for Preceptors

Host a fourth-year medical student in your outpatient clinical practice for 12 longitudinally scheduled half-day sessions spread over a 10-month period
Discuss student’s learning goals and self-assessments periodically
Facilitate student involvement in patient care with appropriate supervision and graduated independence
Directly observe students with patients
Provide feedback and coaching on clinical skills
Provide mentorship and support for student growth

SPAN Requirements

12 half-day outpatient sessions
Student-Preceptor Agreement
4 Bridges Brief Observation Tool (BBOT)
2 Self-Reflections
MedHub midpoint and end-of-course evaluations and assessments

SPAN Grading

To receive credit for each quarter of SPAN enrollment, students must complete the following requirements by the end of that quarter:

Summer Quarter: Students must complete and turn in their SPAN Student-Preceptor Agreement
Fall Quarter: Students must complete and log at least 4 SPAN sessions, at least 1 BBOT, and at least 1 self-reflection
Winter Quarter: Students must complete and log all 12 SPAN sessions as well as 2 required self-assessments and 4 required BBOTs

SPAN Schedule

Scheduling guidelines:
- Schedule sessions during Advanced Elective Skills & Deep Explore rotations
- Scheduling sessions during PIF weeks is acceptable
- Students must schedule sessions longitudinally – the equivalent of one half-day per week
Timeline:
- Mid-April – preceptor assignments distributed
- May 1 – SPAN begins
- June 1 – SPAN Student-Preceptor Agreement Form due
- September 1 – deadline to request change in SPAN preceptor
- October 1 – strongly recommend you have completed at least 1 session
- November – mid-point evaluations
- Mid-December (Fall Quarter end) – deadline to complete at least 4 sessions
- January – recommend you have completed at least 6 sessions
- March 31 – SPAN ends

The Specialty Practice Ambulatory sub-iNternship (SPAN) provides a unique opportunity for fourth-year medical students to gain hands-on experience in a specialty or subspecialty of their choice, preparing them for residency training and a successful career in medicine. By working closely with experienced preceptors and participating in all aspects of ambulatory patient care, SPAN students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in the ambulatory setting.

About University

University of California San Francisco

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University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is a renowned public research university located in San Francisco, California. It is a leading institution in the fields of health sciences, biomedical research, and patient care. UCSF is known for its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and its dedication to improving human health.

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