Family Medicine Acting Internship - Mercy Health
Title of Clerkship: Family Medicine Acting Internship - Inpatient
Elective Type: Acting Internship
Department: Family Medicine
Course Site: Mercy Health – St. Luke’s Family Medicine Residency Program
Course Number: FMMD 728
Blocks available: Variable
Number of students per block: 1
Faculty: Megan Cranor, DO; John Hanna, MD; Suchitra Nair, MD; Anna Nelson, MD; David Oram, MD; Chris Zona, MD
Elective Description/Requirements:
The goal of the inpatient experience is to allow the fourth year student to accept
responsibility for the planning and execution of ongoing care of hospitalized patients.
Evaluate patients in the emergency room to determine if hospitalization is necessary
and to perform the duties of a Family Medicine Resident. Students will be expected
to work five days per week and some weekends. Each acting intern must complete two
on-line modules to prepare the acting intern for their role as teachers of junior
medical students.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Educational Course Objectives and Links to EPOs:
- Perform the initial assessment/evaluation for selected patients admitted to the Family
Medicine service through the Emergency Department. Â Plan and execute the ongoing care
of hospitalized patients admitted to the Family Medicine inpatient service. Â Prepare
a complete discharge plan (EPOs:Â MK-2, MK-4, MK-6, PC-2, PBL-1, Â PC-6, IPC-1 PC-1, PC-6, PC-7, PC-8, PC-9, PB-1,
PB-2, PB-3)
- Interpret patient labs, radiographs, and other diagnostic tests throughout hospital course. (EPOs: MK-4, PC-6
- Identify alternative options and approaches for patient care. (EPOs: PC-7)
- Select, request and arrange for appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic and patient education services. (EPOs: PC-6, PC-7)
- Discuss consequences and possible outcomes of care options with the patient, patient’s family, attending physician, and referring physician. (EPOs: PB-2, IPC-1, IPC-2)
- Explain rationale for management with the senior resident and attending physician. (EPOs: MK-4, PC-7, IPC-1)
- Consult appropriate physician and non-physician specialties. (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2, SBP-5)
- Demonstrate appropriate patient interview, physical exam, and counseling techniques. (EPOs: PC-1, IPC-1)
- Document daily assessment of patients on the inpatient service. (EPOs: PC-1, PC-6, PC-7)
- Document daily results of diagnostic procedures and the results and findings of the therapeutic procedures in progress notes on all assigned patients. (EPOs: PC-1, PC-6, PC-7, IPC-1)
- Present the patients’ problems and results of care to resident or faculty supervisors at rounds, conferences, seminars, or an individual consultation. (EPOs: IPC-1)
- List discharge medications. (EPOs: MK-6, PC-6)
- Develop a post-discharge care plan. (EPOs: PC-7)
- Compile a list of special and community services that the patient will require. (EPOs: PC-7, PC-9)
- Counsel patient and family as to appropriate care, possible problems, and follow -up. (EPOs: IPC-1)
- Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
- Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)
Professionalism: UT/COM students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.
Instructional Methods:
- Inpatient rounds
- Lecture - Patient session/case studyÂ
Assessment Methods:
- Acting Internship Assessment
- Case/presentation
Prerequisites: Successful completion of third year required Family Medicine clerkship.
Special Requirements:
- As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience. Â This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
- Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities. Â This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care.
Clerkship Director: Alex Tyson, MD
Clerkship Coordinator: Lindsey Brillhart
Phone Number: 419-383-5557
Email: Lindsey.Brillhart@utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026