Loma Linda University School of Medicine has launched a new capstone clerkship focused on Whole Person Care. The clinical experience is designed for fourth-year medical students to apply the principles of whole person care into a variety of clinical settings, practice providing holistic care to patients, and reflect on their personal journey.
In recent years, the school’s curriculum has evolved to further integrate Loma Linda University Health’s approach to whole person care.
“This clerkship is the culmination of years of thoughtful curriculum development,” said Tamara Thomas, dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine. “It gives students a chance to bring together what they’ve learned—about themselves, their patients, and what it truly means to practice whole person care. Our hope is that it shapes how they practice medicine for the rest of their careers.”
The two-week clerkship builds upon the foundation of what the medical students have learned during their Christian Physician Formation courses, Social Determinants of Health curriculum and community engagement experiences. Students will engage in small group rotations across various specialties, participate in simulation exercises, and apply advanced whole person care techniques in patient interactions.
A key component of the clerkship is the introduction of a Whole Person Care Note within Epic, the electronic health record system. Students will be trained to conduct thoughtful, patient-centered interviews, and the goal of the note is to capture each patient’s unique story and highlight what matters most to them.
Students will learn how to introduce themselves, conduct interviews with the intention of understanding the patient’s life context, and document the encounter in the Whole Person Care Note. These notes will not include medical decision-making and will be reviewed and co-signed by the Whole Person Care Clerkship Director, Paige Stevens, MD, prior to being added to the official medical record.
“We hope this new note in Epic inspires not only our students but also our faculty, residents, and fellows to further engage with patients—understanding their whole story and not just the medical aspects of their illness,” added Thomas.
Learn more about the curriculum at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.