Required Clinical Experiences (RCEs)
What Are RCEs?
Required Clinical Experiences (RCEs) define the minimum set of patient experiences every student must complete during Phase 2 clerkships. Each RCE represents a specific clinical situation — either a patient presentation a student must evaluate and manage, or a procedure a student must perform or directly assist with.
RCEs are a core component of LCME accreditation standards. They ensure that every graduating student has encountered a defined breadth of clinical conditions and procedural skills before entering residency, regardless of rotation site or supervising attending.
Two types of RCEs:
DX (Diagnosis Encounter) — The student must evaluate or manage a patient presenting with this condition. Associated skills specify what the student is expected to demonstrate for each encounter.
PROC (Procedural Encounter) — The student must directly perform or assist with the specified procedure under supervision. Each PROC carries a defined Level of Student Responsibility.
Levels of Student Responsibility (PROC):
Active Participation (Full) — Student performs or demonstrates the procedure independently under supervision
Active Participation (Assist) — Student assists the supervising clinician who performs the procedure
Observation — Student observes and subsequently discusses the encounter with the supervising provider
RCEs are tracked and documented through the clinical experience log. Students are responsible for logging each encounter at the time it occurs. Clerkship directors review completion rates at midpoint and end of each rotation.
RCE Summary — All Clerkships
Inpatient Medicine
19
—
19
Neurology
9
—
9
Psychiatry
7
—
7
Surgery-Anesthesiology
4
5
9
Pediatrics
12
—
12
OB/GYN
5
9
14
Emergency Medicine
8
—
8
Palliative Care
5
1
6
TOTAL
69
15
84
RCEs by Clerkship
Inpatient Medicine — 19 RCEs
DX
Abdominal Pain (Adult)
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Acid-Base Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Altered Mental State
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Anemia
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Chest Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Chest X-Ray Interpretation
Interpret pertinent patient data by systematically reviewing a chest radiograph; identify normal structures and major pathological findings
DX
Congestive Heart Failure
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Diabetes Mellitus
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Dyspnea / Shortness of Breath
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Electrocardiogram (EKG) Interpretation
Interpret pertinent patient data by systematically reviewing an EKG; identify rate, rhythm, axis, and major pathological findings
DX
Fever (Adult)
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Fluid or Electrolyte Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Liver Disease / Injury
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Pneumonia
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Renal Disease
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Substance Use Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Syncope or Pre-Syncope
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Thromboembolic Disease
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
Neurology — 9 RCEs
DX
Altered Mental State
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Dizziness
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Gait Dysfunction
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Language Dysfunction / Motor Speech Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Numbness, Paresthesia, and/or Neuropathic Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Review Brain Imaging Systematically (CT Head)
Interpret pertinent patient data by systematically reviewing a CT head under supervision; identify normal anatomical structures and major pathological findings
DX
Seizure / Spell
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Stroke
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Weakness
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
Psychiatry — 7 RCEs
DX
Anxiety (Symptom or Diagnosis)
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Depression / Mood Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Impulsivity
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Mania
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Personality Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Psychosis
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Suicidality
Obtain patient history · Conduct mental status exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
Surgery-Anesthesiology — 9 RCEs
DX
Abdominal Pain (Adult)
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Assess a Surgical Incision for Signs of Healing and Infection
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Assess for Postoperative Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Fluid or Electrolyte Disorder
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
PROC
Demonstrate Appropriate Scrubbing Technique
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Demonstrate Knot-Tying Technique (Instrument Tie, One-Handed Tie)
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Perform Airway Management (Mask Ventilation and Endotracheal Intubation)
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Perform at Least One Dressing Change on a Surgical Wound
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Perform at Least One Technique for Suturing
Active Participation (Full)
Pediatrics — 12 RCEs
DX
Abdominal Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Anemia
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Assess Dehydration Status in a Child ≤ 12 Years Old
Conduct physical exam to assess hydration status using age-appropriate clinical criteria
DX
Assess Growth / Developmental Milestones
Conduct structured developmental assessment using age-appropriate screening tools; interpret growth charts
DX
Assess Immunization Status
Review immunization history; identify gaps per current schedule; counsel patient/caregiver
DX
Assess Nutritional Needs
Obtain nutritional history; assess growth and dietary intake; formulate recommendations
DX
Conduct a HEADSSS / SSHADESS Interview
Conduct structured adolescent psychosocial interview using HEADSSS / SSHADESS framework
DX
Fever (Pediatric)
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Neonatal Jaundice
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Pediatric Ear Exam Pathology
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Rash
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Respiratory Illness (Croup, Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia, or Asthma)
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
OB/GYN — 14 RCEs
DX
Bleeding, Uterine or Vaginal
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data
DX
Cancer History / Staging
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data
DX
Pelvic Mass
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data
DX
Pelvic Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data
DX
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data
PROC
Assist in a Cesarean Delivery
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Assist in a Hysterectomy
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Assist in a Laparoscopic Surgery
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Assist in a Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD)
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Assist in a Vaginal or Perineal Laceration Repair
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Demonstrate Appropriate Scrubbing Technique
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Participate in the Management of a Pregnant Patient in Labor
Active Participation (Assist)
PROC
Perform Indwelling Urinary Catheter Insertion (Female)
Active Participation (Full)
PROC
Perform Obstetric Ultrasound to Assess Fetal Presentation
Active Participation (Full)
Emergency Medicine — 8 RCEs
DX
Abdominal Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Altered Mental State
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Chest Pain
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Headache
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Respiratory Distress
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Sepsis
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Shock
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
DX
Trauma
Obtain patient history · Conduct physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case including differential, assessment, and plan
Palliative Care — 6 RCEs
DX
Complete a VALUES Assessment
Conduct structured values clarification assessment with patient or surrogate
DX
Conduct a Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
Administer the CAM instrument; interpret findings; discuss with supervising provider
DX
Conduct Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) Scale
Administer the ESAS instrument; interpret symptom burden scores; discuss with supervising provider
DX
Neuropathic Pain
Obtain patient history · Physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case with assessment and plan
DX
Nociceptive Pain
Obtain patient history · Physical exam · Interpret pertinent patient data · Present case with assessment and plan
PROC
Observe a Family Meeting on Goals of Care
Observation
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