Faculty of Medicine

What is LIC?

What is Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC)?

Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LIC) is a model for third year that allows you to participate in the comprehensive care of patients while learning multiple disciplines simultaneously within a community setting.  Instead of rotating through several core clerkship specialties in blocks, you experience care longitudinally, building relationships with preceptors, patients and communities.

Students participate in comprehensive, continuous patient care across multiple disciplines simultaneously over 12 months (48-week unit)— rather than sequential block rotations.

WHY LIC WORKS

LIC students develop a 'doctor-like role' with patients, demonstrated through deeper preceptor relationships, greater patient-centered attitudes, and longitudinal continuity.

The Dalhousie LIC model is:

  • Objective-based (meets all the same objectives of the traditional clerkship model)
  • Focused on building clinical skills and responsibilities through continuity of educational experience in the same community
  • Student/patient-centered learning
  • An integration of curriculum and learning experiences
  • Community-based student engagement
  • Designed to encourage student to become self-directed learners
  • Focused on continuity of preceptorship and building relationships for career planning

3 CONTINUITIES

Continuity of patients, continuity of preceptors/supervisors, and continuity of curriculum — the defining pillars of LIC design