Standards for Medical Student Supervision

Supervision - Refers to the oversight and monitoring provided by a faculty member or resident/fellow of a medical student.

Record Entries - Refers to entries of any patient information in an electronic, paper or other system to maintain patient health information.

Supervising Provider - a licensed attending physician, or midlevel provider functioning as a clinical instructor per the clinical rotation’s established practice, or resident physician who is moonlighting and functioning as a Supervising Provider.

Counter-signing or counter-signature - Refers to attesting to the validity of a document already signed by another.

Hospital Rules - Refers to the processes and procedures that students must abide by in the hospital setting.

 

     

4.1.1 The primary responsibility for patient care is vested with the appropriately credentialed and privileged clinical faculty attending or medical staff member and may not be delegated to a

student. Medical students require supervision in every aspect of patient care.

4.1.2 Residents and fellows may participate in overseeing the medical student educational process under the supervision of the clinical faculty who functions in a teaching role.

 

4.2.1 Identification of student status: Students must be clearly identified as such in all interactions with patients, families, and healthcare personnel. When being introduced, the phrase "student physician" or "medical student" is recommended.

 

4.3.1 In accordance with the University of South Alabama Hospitals Medical Staff Rules and Regulations, Medical students when working at USA Health hospitals and clinics in the course of their educational curriculum may take patient histories, perform physical examinations, and enter findings in the medical record of the patient with the approval of the supervising clinical faculty member and with the authorization of the hospital or clinic where they are assigned.

4.3.2 When working at non-USA Health hospitals or non-USA Health clinics, students may perform the items noted in 4.3.1 in accordance with course policy.

 

4.4.1 When working at USA Health hospitals and clinics, a student may enter patient information into the medical record in accordance with the USA College of Medicine Student Provider Electronic Medical Record Documentation Policy.

     

4.4.2 When working at non-USA Health hospitals or non-USA Health clinics, students may enter patient information into the medical record in accordance with course policy. When applicable, it is the supervising provider’s responsibility to adhere to federal and state laws, rules, and regulations applicable to teaching physicians.

 

4.5.1 Subject to hospital or clinic rules: Students’ authority to write orders in a patient record is governed by the hospital or clinic where they are assigned.

4.5.2 Required co-signature: All student orders require co-signature by the students’ supervising resident or attending clinical physician, again as prescribed by the hospital where they are assigned.

 

4.6.1 Requires direct supervision: Medical students may be assigned and directed to provide additional patient care services under the direct in-person supervision of a clinical faculty member or authorized resident or fellow.

4.6.2 Supervisors must be authorized: The supervising provider or resident/fellow must have privileges or be credentialed by the hospital/clinic to perform the procedure being supervised.

4.6.3 Required considerations: The level of supervision (resident/fellow or supervising provider) must take in to account the complexity of the procedure (e.g., blood draw vs. chest tube or drain removal), the potential for untoward effects (e.g., pneumothorax, retained drain), and the demonstrated competence, maturity, and responsibility of the student in order to ensure the safety and comfort of the patient.

4.6.4 Additional requirements: The level of medical student supervision (resident, fellow, or supervising provider) may be separately delineated or prescribed by the sites or clinical departments where the University of South Alabama College of Medicine students are assigned.