MD-PhD Principal Clinical Experience (PCE)
Heath Sciences and Technology
HST students complete 3 months of the PCE at the end of their 2nd year of medical school prior to entry into the graduate phase of training. Students participate in one of three PCE hospital sites (BIDMC, BWH, MGH) and can rank preferences among the variety of clinical rotations offered. This experience helps to solidify clinical knowledge attained in the first and second years of medical school, inspire thinking about the potential clinical translation of graduate research, begin visioning a dual career that blends clinical care and cutting edge research, and provides a critical sense of familiarity with the clinic to ease the transition back to third year of medical school. After completing 3 months of the PCE, students will have 4-6 weeks to prepare for Part I of the Boards, which is taken prior to starting graduate school. Upon returning to medical school after successfully completing their PhD thesis defense, HST students will complete the remaining 9 months of the PCE and then continue on to the fourth year of medical training.
Pathways students complete 9 months of the PCE starting in October of their 2nd year of medical school prior to entry into the graduate phase of training. Students participate in one of three PCE hospital sites (BIDMC, BWH, MGH) and can rank preferences among the variety of clinical rotations offered. This experience provides thorough exposure to hospital and outpatient clinical settings, inspires thinking about the potential clinical translation of graduate research, enables visioning a dual career that blends clinical care and cutting edge research, and establishes a critical sense of familiarity with the clinic to ease the transition back to third year of medical school. After completing 9 months of the PCE, students will have 4-6 weeks to prepare for Part I of the Boards, which is taken prior to starting graduate school. Upon returning to medical school after successfully completing their PhD thesis defense, Pathways students will complete the remaining 3 months of the PCE and then continue on to the fourth year of medical training.
For more questions, please contact Amy Cohen at amy@hms.harvard.edu.