Medical Student Handbook

Medical Student Education

Medical Student Work Week: Clinical Curriculum

Policy 530.20

Policy Statement

The Larner College of Medicine, Clinical Medical Student Work Week policy is informed by the ACGME Common Program Requirements for residency. Medical students on clinical rotations must work no more than 80 hours per week when averaged over a four-week period (unless on a service with an institutional GME-approved higher limit.) Work is defined as direct clinical care, time in the clinical setting and required educational activities. Work hours do not include travel or independent study time.  In addition, students on clinical rotations should meet the following:

• An adequate rest period, consisting of 8-10 hours of rest between duty periods. 
• A 24-hour limit on continuous duty. Students may choose to remain up to a maximum of four additional hours to provide clinical continuity of care or for educational activities. Student will not exceed a total of 28 hours on service.
• At least one day in seven, when averaged, over a four-week period, free from patient care and educational obligations.
• Overnight call, in addition to clinical responsibilities, in the hospital setting, is limited to no more than once every three nights.
• There may be circumstances when students choose to stay to care for their patients or return to the clinical environment with fewer than 8-10 hours free for rest between duty periods.   This must occur within the context of the 80 hour and the one day off in seven requirements.

Applicability of the Policy

Clinical Curriculum Levels (Clerkship Level and Advanced Integration Level Students)

Related Larner College of Medicine Policies

• 630.00 Positive Learning Environment and Mistreatment Prevention
• 630.10 Procedure for Reporting Violations of the Positive Learning Environment and Mistreatment Prevention

Related University of Vermont Policies

Not Applicable

Related Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Standard(s)

• 6.3 Self-Directed and Life-Long Learning
• 8.8 Monitoring Student Time

History

• 5/20/2014 Policy Adopted/Affirmed [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 9/18/2018 Policy Revised [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 3/17/2020 Policy Revised and Number Changed from 530.00 [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 2/16/2021 Policy Edited [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 1/16/2024 Policy Revised [Medical Curriculum Committee]

Policy Oversight

Level Director of Clinical Clerkship

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