Sub-Internship (Sub-I)
As a fourth-year medical student, we recognize that your time on an away rotation is valuable. Our four-week Family Medicine Sub-Internship is intentionally designed to provide a comprehensive and realistic experience that reflects the breadth of family medicine.
The rotation includes:
- One week on the inpatient Family Medicine service
- One week on the Obstetrics service
- Two weeks in the Family Medicine Center
Throughout the rotation, students function as valued members of the healthcare team and work closely with our residents and faculty. This structure provides meaningful exposure to inpatient, obstetric, newborn, and outpatient care while allowing students to experience the collaborative culture, educational environment, and clinical breadth that define our residency program.
Inpatient Service
During the inpatient week, students work alongside a team that typically includes two interns, two second-year residents, one third-year resident serving as chief, and a faculty attending.
Students function as sub-interns and assume supervised responsibility for patient care, including evaluating patients, developing treatment plans, presenting on rounds, completing documentation, and communicating with the healthcare team.
Our inpatient service cares for patients admitted to several areas across the OU Health campus, including Oklahoma University Medical Center and Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health. The service also accepts unassigned adult admissions on a rotating basis with our Internal Medicine and Pediatrics colleagues.
Obstetrics
During the Obstetrics week, students work directly with residents and faculty in the evaluation and management of obstetric patients. Experiences may include obstetric triage, labor management, vaginal deliveries, postpartum care, and newborn care.
Students are encouraged to participate actively in all aspects of the service while developing a greater understanding of the family physician's role in providing comprehensive maternity and newborn care.
Clinic Sessions
Students spend two weeks in the Family Medicine Center, where they are paired with upper-level residents and faculty physicians during each half-day clinic session. Rotating with a variety of physicians allows students to experience different clinical approaches, areas of expertise, patient populations, and teaching styles.
Students evaluate patients with a broad range of acute and chronic conditions and participate in preventive care, continuity care, women's health, pediatric care, behavioral health, and office-based procedures. Responsibilities may include obtaining histories, performing physical examinations, presenting patients, developing assessment and treatment plans, and completing clinical documentation.
The outpatient experience also provides students with an opportunity to become familiar with our residents, faculty, clinic team, and supportive learning environment.
The Sub-Intern Experience
Sub-interns participate in resident educational activities and are integrated into the daily work of the residency program. By the end of the rotation, students will have gained firsthand experience with the full spectrum of family medicine and a better understanding of what it means to train at OU Family Medicine.
Additional Elective Opportunities
Students interested in exploring other areas of Family Medicine may also choose from additional fourth-year elective experiences.
Sports Medicine
Our Sports Medicine elective serves as an introduction to musculoskeletal and sports medicine for students pursuing careers in primary care or sports medicine. Working alongside our Sports Medicine faculty, students gain experience in the evaluation and management of common musculoskeletal injuries, concussion care, fracture management, and ultrasound-guided procedures while refining their physical examination skills and developing confidence in diagnosing and treating athletic and overuse injuries.
Geriatrics
The Geriatrics elective provides an interdisciplinary approach to the care of older adults across multiple care settings. Students participate in geriatric clinic at the OU Family Medicine Center, physician rounds at The Fountains at Canterbury nursing home and assisted living facility, and hospice experiences. Additional opportunities may include home visits and rounds on the geropsychiatric unit at OU Health Edmond. The rotation is individualized to align with each student's interests while emphasizing comprehensive geriatric assessment, functional evaluation, cognitive health, polypharmacy, and team-based care.
For more information on the Family Medicine clerkship, please contact Dr. Brian Coleman or Lindsey Rinaldi prior to rotation
405-271-8818.