Use this checklist to prepare for clinical, stay organized during the day, and close the loop after clinic. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to arrive prepared, participate professionally, recognize safety concerns, and keep improving each clinical day.

Before Clinic

Review:

• Clinic schedule, location, and start time

• Dress code and badge requirements

• Parking, building entry, and login needs

• Site expectations and communication process

• Basic documentation template used at the site

• Common diagnoses you may see that day

• Common medications used in that setting

• Any assigned patients, if available

• Safety procedures and emergency workflow

• Personal notes from prior clinical feedback

Bring or have access to:

• Notebook or secure clinical note-taking system

• Pen

• Laptop/tablet if allowed

• Required ID badge

• Stethoscope or basic supplies if site requires

• Medication reference

• DSM-5-TR or diagnostic reference if available

• Clinical hour tracking method

• Questions for your preceptor

Prepare yourself to:

• Introduce yourself clearly

• Ask before entering sensitive discussions

• Stay within your role

• Protect patient privacy

• Present cases concisely

• Ask for help early when safety or uncertainty arises

During Clinic

Focus on:

• Observing the preceptor’s flow

• Asking permission before participating

• Building rapport with patients

• Practicing psychiatric interviewing

• Completing MSE observations

• Assessing mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, substances, trauma, function, and safety

• Listening for diagnostic clues

• Watching how medication decisions are explained

• Noting patient education language

• Tracking monitoring needs

• Identifying red flags

• Practicing concise case presentations

• Drafting documentation if allowed

• Asking for feedback during natural breaks

Always escalate immediately for:

• Suicidal ideation

• Homicidal ideation

• Psychosis

• Mania

• Abuse or neglect concerns

• Substance intoxication or withdrawal

• Medication toxicity concern

• Serious adverse reaction

• Pregnancy/postpartum emergency concern

• Eating disorder instability

• Medical instability

• Any situation beyond your role or comfort level

After Clinic

Complete:

• Clinical hour tracking

• Required school documentation

• Any note drafts or learning assignments

• Reflection on what went well

• Reflection on what felt difficult

• List of diagnoses, medications, or topics to review

• Follow-up questions for your preceptor

• Feedback notes

• Review of one high-yield clinical topic from the day

Ask yourself:

• What did I learn today?

• What did I miss or need help understanding?

• What safety issue did I observe or assess?

• What medication or diagnosis should I review?

• What feedback did I receive?

• What is one thing I can improve next clinical day?

Questions to Ask Your Preceptor

Before or early in the rotation:

• “How would you like me to present patients?”

• “How much of the interview would you like me to lead?”

• “What should I do if a patient endorses suicidal or homicidal ideation?”

• “How do you prefer I handle documentation drafts?”

• “Are there common medications or diagnoses I should review for this setting?”

• “What safety situations should I escalate immediately?”

• “How should I ask questions during clinic without disrupting flow?”

• “What would make me most helpful during the day?”

During clinical learning:

• “What findings supported that diagnosis?”

• “What were the main differentials you considered?”

• “What made you choose that medication?”

• “What side effects or monitoring are most important for this patient?”

• “What would make this patient need a higher level of care?”

• “How would you document that risk assessment?”

• “What should I review before next clinical day?”

After clinic:

• “What did I do well today?”

• “What should I improve next time?”

• “Was my case presentation clear and concise?”

• “Are there questions I should have asked the patient?”

• “Is there anything I should study based on today’s cases?”

Quick Clinical Day Reminder

Be prepared. Be professional. Stay curious. Ask direct safety questions. Do not practice outside your role. Use supervision early. Document carefully. Review what you saw so each clinical day builds your confidence and judgment.