FMHS.MEU.SMLTC.M.04.1
D R A F T
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES
MINUTES of
A meeting of the School of Medicine Learning & Teaching Committee was held on Wednesday, 24 th March 2004 at 3.00 p.m. in the Boardroom, Whitla Medical
Building.
_____________________________________________________________
Present: Dr K McGlade
Professor M Savage
Chair
Ms M Boohan
Miss A Stockman
Mrs G Carse
Dr M Shields
Dr M Cupples
Dr M Armstrong
Dr B McDermott
Dr S McCullough
Professor F Kee
Dr M-F McMullin
Dr AEW Gilliland
Mr J Glenn (Year One Representative)
Miss J McConaghy (Year Three Representative)
Mr C Bleakley (Intercalated Degree representative)
2.
1.
In Attendance:
APOLOGIES:
Ms B Shannon
Mrs N Swenarton
Mrs E O’Hara, Mrs S Kilgallen, Dr P Watson
MINUTES (FMHS.MEU.SMLTC.M.03.2
The minutes of the last minutes were approved.
3. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising.
4. CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS
Dr McGlade stated, that with the Committee’s leave, he intended to set up ad hoc groups to consider the content of papers that he occasionally receives from central university which require comment. Since these papers often cover a wide range of issues the members agreed that this would be an
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5. appropriate strategy. The School Learning and Teaching Committee would be kept informed and the committee ’s advice sought as necessary. Dr
McGlade drew attention to a document he had recently received in relation to the University’s proposed ‘e-learning’ strategy. He pointed out that any elearning strategy would need to be sustainable and would require constant updating and supplementation. He added that he was preparing a draft school strategy on E-Learning which would be cirulated to all members for comment. Student representatives were asked to what extent they make use of Queen’s Online at present. Ms McConaghy (3 rd year representative) stated that students currently access Pathology teaching material from this system.
Mr Bleakley (intercalated degree representative) commented that he felt the system was currently underused. Professor Kee stated that students may need to be made more aware of what is available in terms of teaching material. All members agreed that it is important to strike a balance in relation to the amount of teaching material made available to students on the system. ( Action Dr McGlade )
REPORTS FROM THE PHASE TEACHING COMMITTEES
5.1 Phase One
5.1.1 Cell & Molecular Biology (110 Med107)
Dr McCullough stated that students had expressed general satisfaction with the course but continue to feel that it has a heavier workload than the other two concurrent modules. Staff were satisfied with the minor alterations made to the course. Following the Phase 1
Exam Board in June 2003 Dr McKinley (external examiner) had expressed concerns regarding the issue of over inflation of marks in the MCQ paper. Dr McCullough stated that steps will be taken to address this issue for next year. Dr McKinley had also commented that Cell & Molecular Biology does not currently have an external examiner. Dr McCullough stated that this is currently being organised.
Dr McCullough stated that the issue of student evaluations was raised at a recent Phase 1 Teaching Committee meeting. Student evaluations contained personal comments relating to staff that were notconstructive and occasionally abusive. Dr McGlade asked the student representatives to convey to the student body the importanceof these evaluations, that they are taken seriously and that students should be more circumspect in the manner in which their comments are phrased. The student representatives agreed to bring these observations back to their respective groups.
5.1.2 Science, Society & Medicine (110Med109)
Two new seminars were introduced to demonstrate the relevance of the module to students’ future careers. Epidemiology teaching was delivered by an increased range of teachers and an epidemiologist contributed to the teaching as a facilitator throughout the module.
This has appeared to address difficulties in relation to this teaching.
Last year’s external examiner’s comments in relation to reviewing marks at the top of the range was addressed by double marking this year’s examination scripts for students in the top 10% of scores.
Patient demonstrations were introduced whereby patients with clinical problems participate in seminars to demonstrate the relevance of the
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FMHS.MEU.SMLTC.M.04.1 theory being taught. Mr Glenn (1 st year representative) commented that patient demonstrations had been well placed within the ethics section of the course. Overall the course was well received by students although there were requests for more course material to be made available on the web. All students who attended passed the module which was a marked improvement on last year. The external examiner, Dr McKinley, was entirely satisfied with the organisation and arrangements for this module.
5.1.3 Microanatomy and Development (110Med111)
Microanatomy and Development has replaced the module ‘Cells and
Patients’ that had run in previous years. Students were generally satisfied with the course although some experienced difficulties with the embryology section. Logbooks were introduced into practical classes to encourage more active participation and completion of the summary tasks. Students continued to request lists of answers and labeled diagrams rather than “learning by doing”. Dr McCullough stated that this will be re-emphasised next year. Students experienced some dissatisfaction due to the lack of demonstrators. Dr
McCullough commented that this is a perennial problem. He stated that difficulties have arisen in relation to the recruitment and retention of demonstrators. Most of them are postgraduate students and in recent years they have not been allowed by their research supervisors to take on demonstrating because of its potential to interfere with their research time. Dr McCullough pointed out that if class sizes are to increase this will present a major problem in the future. Dr McGlade agreed to write to Professor Hay regarding this issue. (Action Dr K
McGlade) .
The pass rate for the module was 98%.
5.1.4 Family Attachment Scheme
Dr McGlade is currently reviewing the delivery, duration and assessment of the Family Attachment Scheme.
5.2 Phase 2
In keeping with recommendations in the Hayes’ report an integrated cased-based MEQ paper will be introduced in June 2004. Students will be given the opportunity to review some sample questions and model answers on 31 st March 2004.
A review of the balance of content and assessment in the Systems
Course has been commissioned from three external assessors: Dr
Mark Gormley (Mater Trust), Dr Andy Nelson (a general practitioner) and Dr Ian Bickle (recent graduate, SHO) will meet with Professor Kee and Ms Boohan to carry out this review before the end of the current semester.
Professor Kee stated that some confusion had arisen as to the assessment of the new Mechanisms of Disease course run by
Professor Hall. Professor Hall had expressed a desire for the course to be assessed separately. Professor Kee pointed out that this had not been the decision of the majority of members of the Phase 2
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Teaching Committee and cited two main reasons; a) students already have a heavy assessment load, and, b) the thrust of Phase 2 teaching is on integration across the curriculum. Professor Kee had canvassed the opinions of teachers in Phase 2 prior to the meeting who agreed that Mechanisms of Disease should be assessed within Systems and should be allocated “component“ status which would be subject to the
40% rule. Professor Kee proposed that adjustment to the weightings of other components within the systems course assessment would need to be made to accommodate the inclusion of Mechanisms of
Disease. Professor Kee stated that Professor Hall had agreed to this compromise but further consultation would be needed. Mrs
Swenarton commented that if this proposal were to go forward it would result in a specific change to the general regulations for Phase 2. She stressed that any proposed changes would need to be tabled at a
Phase 2 Teaching Committee and Phase Quality Assurance
Committee and students would need to be informed prior to implementation. The Committee agreed that Professor Kee should arrange appropriate meetings to ensure the proposed changes are fully discussed and agreed in time for the proposals to go to the
Faculty Courses and Regulations Committee in May 2004 and the last
University Courses and Regulations Committee in June 2004. The
Committee realized that there would be no opportunity for the final proposal to be considered by the School Learning Teaching
Committee but agreed to delegate approval to the Phase 2 Teaching
Committee. (Appendix 1)
5.3 Phase 3
Dr McMullin stated that Phase 3 continues to be busy with a heavy teaching load and frequent repetition for the involved teachers. The
Pathobiology of Systems course was introduced in the current academic year and the first examination in this subject will be held in
June 2004. Dr McMullin stated that there had been some problems with student attendance. She stressed that it in order to maintain the goodwill of NHS colleagues who go to some lengths to arrange teaching sessions for this course, full attendance must take place. A change to regulations will be made from next year which will require students to have 75% minimum attendance on this course. Professor
Hall has agreed to monitor attendance rates. Sanctions will be imposed for those students who do not meet the required attendance level. They will be recorded as ‘R’ (referred) and required to attend remedial tutorials.
In General Medicine the changes recommended in the Hayes’ report have been introduced and students now undertake a Minor Clinical
Examination at the end of their Medicine attachment on the unit.
In relation to proposed expansion of the Medical School Dr McMullin pointed out that in its current form Phase 3 could not accommodate -
80+ additional students. She stated that if student numbers are to increase the Phase 3 course will have to be completely restructured.
Dr McMullin stated that Professor Kee would like to introduce elements of his “Framework for Clinical Reasoning and Critical
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6.
Thinking” course into Phase 3. Dr McMullin agreed to discuss this possibility at the Phase 3 Teaching Committee meeting in June 2004.
(Appendix 2).
5.4 Phase 4
As a result of problems encountered with the delivery of the fractures course in some hospitals last year Dr McGlade was asked to reconvene a meeting of the Fractures Review Group. This meeting took place on 11 th December 2003 and included Professor Marsh,
Professor Nixon and specialist registrars from the Royal Victoria and
Ulster Hospitals as well as student representatives. Dr McGlade,
Professor Marsh and Professor Nixon also met with staff at Altnagelvin
Hospital. The main problems discussed were that students are being turned away from clinics because staff are too busy and that there is no-one to meet and guide them on their first day of attachment. Dr
Gilliland stated that there was a willingness on all parts to address these problems. It was concluded that a designated specialist registrar should be identified in each unit who will act as a mentor for students. Dr Gilliland stated that he will continue to monitor this situation. A Phase 4 Quality Assurance Committee meeting will take place in April when the Fractures Course will be reviewed.
In the past, due to a shortage of child psychiatry units, teaching time in this area had been very limited. Dr Gilliland reported that from next year this subject will be incorporated into the Healthcare of Children block.
Dr Gilliland stated that a potential problem had arisen in relation to subject review in that written documentation for 4th year end course assessments is incomplete. He stated that Professor Hay had asked him to convene an urgent meeting of fourth year co-ordinators to address this. Members agreed that Phase 4 assessment does not fit readily with current University regulations.
Dr Gilliland pointed out that difficulties have arisen in finding sufficient places for clinical attachments in relation to the current cohort of students and that additional students will compound these problems.
5.5 Phase 5
Dr Watson was unable to attend the meeting but submitted a short report. (Appendix 3)
REPORT ON BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREES
Changes to module proformas including 110TPU307 (Neuropsychopharmacology), are outlined in Appendices 4 and 8. The Research Project and Thesis module has been split into two modules to reflect the different forms of assessment used.
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Dr Armstrong noted that Subject Review for the Biomedical Science degrees will take place in May 2005. She stated that the Science Education
Committee will act as the organizing committee for this and will visit the
Medicine base room on 5 th May 2004.
Dr Armstrong stated that the Science Education Committee is continuing to investigate the introduction of a degree pathway for Med Laboratory Scientific
Officers.
REPORT ON INTERCALATED DEGREES 7.
Professor McDermott submitted a full report arising from a meeting of the
Intercalated Degree Committee held on 11 th Feburary 2004 (Appendix 5)
Mr Bleakley (Intercalated Degree student representative) expressed concern that the number of Health Foundation studentships appeared to have been reduced and that a lack of funding may put students off undertaking an intercalated degree. Professor McDermott pointed out that at least five studentships will be available for next year. She reported that it had been possible at the Student Fair in November 2003 to include a brief talk by a few academic staff members who had completed an intercalated degree. As well as course co-ordinators, former intercalated students were also available to talk to potential students. As a result a higher response than in the past had been received from students interested in the course. Dr McGlade commended Professor McDermott for the continued increase in numbers of students undertaking intercalated degrees.
8. REPORT ON POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT DEGREES
Ms Boohan stated that there are three postgraduate part time taught courses running this year:
PG Diploma in Mental Health
PG Cert in Education for the Health Care Professions
Masters in Medical Science in Education for the Health Care Professions
Changes to regulations for the postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health are outlined in Appendix 6. The two education courses are running well at the moment. However the course co-ordinator does on occasions find it difficult to always provide timely feedback on course work to students due to their increasing numbers. The University Validation Committee has approved the new distance learning course in Medical Education with the Irish College of
General Practitioners (ICGP). This approval is for a period of three years.
Both organisations are working on the memorandum of understanding. A copy of the regulations and programme specifications for this new course were tabled, (Appendix 6).
9. REPORT FROM SUMDE
Mrs O’Hara and Mrs Kilgallen were unable to attend the meeting. They submitted a full report. (Appendix 7)
10 UNIVERSITY SUBJECT REVIEW
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Ms Boohan stated that the School is in the final stages of preparation for subject review. The advance documentation including the self evaluation document has been sent to Academic Council. Ms Boohan thanked staff that had contributed to the preparation of this document. Ms Boohan stated that most of the material is now in the base room. However there may still be a small number of items outstanding and co-ordinators will be contacted shortly to supply these .
11. CHANGES TO REGULATIONS
Mrs Swenarton tabled 3 documents. They contained a detailed breakdown of changes to regulations within BSc modules, Medicine modules and Taught
Postgraduate Courses, and draft regulations for Fourth Year 04-05 and Final
Year 05-06 respectively (Appendices 8, 9 & 10).
Mrs Swenarton stressed the need to be specific when making changes to module descriptors. She emphasised the need to use correct terminology including the use of learning outcomes. She added that any proposed changes to modules should first be brought before the relevant teaching committee and phase quality assurance committee for student consultation before being tabled at the School Learning & Teaching Committee for final
“signing-off”. Mrs Swenarton stated that she had produced a guide entitled
“ Guideline on Change in Regulations or Creation of New Modules/Courses” to assist those wishing to make changes to module proformas via Queen’s
Online. This document also includes instructions for completing new pathway proformas.
The changes to regulations were approved as outlined. The Committee expressed their thanks to Mrs Swenarton for her efforts and commitment in amending regulations for Medicine and Health Sciences modules.
12. ARRANGMENTS FOR MODULE AND PATHWAY REVIEW
The university is producing new module and pathway review forms. It is likely that these forms will have to be used for the next round of module and pathway reviews. Ms Boohan reminded the Committee that she will be contacting course co-ordinators in June with details of the deadline for submission of module reviews for the 2003-2004 academic year.
13. PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Ms Boohan is currently revising the programme specification for the undergraduate medical course. It is being reviewed in light of the 2003 edition of Tomorrows Doctors.
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
14.1 Quorum for Exam Boards
Miss Stockman drew attention to a section from the Framework for the
Assessment of Students, (Precept No 4) which requires that a quorum
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FMHS.MEU.SMLTC.M.04.1 be set for Exam Boards. Mrs Swenarton pointed out that in many cases such a quorum does not exist at present within Medicine.
Following discussion it was agreed that in some phases of the course a set quorum would present logistical difficulties and it was felt that quorum size should be set according to the module or course. It was proposed that a policy should be drawn up for each phase of the course. (Action Miss Stockman, Professor Savage)
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