ISP Academic Program Committee
Minutes
April 28, 2010
Members Present: Doug Danforth, Melissa Stahr, Jodi Skinner, Spero Cataland, Dick Nuenke,
Rada Kuperschmidt, Russell Legg, Jennifer McCallister, Howard Werman, Mary Beth Fontana,
Dale Vandre
ISP Professor of the Year Award
Dr. Kenneth Jones (Histology/ Blood and Lymph modules) was voted 2010 ISP Professor
of the Year by the Med 2 class.
NBME Customized Assessment
The NBME now offers a customized assessment tool. The COM and faculty can create
customized exams based on organ system(s) using all NBME approved items. All
questions in their item bank have been used on STEP 1 exams and are board approved.
The COM administration is considering this tool for use within the new curriculum. The
advantages are: Faculty would not have to write any more exam questions, and all exam
questions will be NBME style which the students prefer. The disadvantages are: cost.
There is a $1500 annual fee, plus the cost per exam per student.
NBME Faculty Option
Any ISP faculty who are interested in taking a copy of the NBSE may do so. There will
be a specific date set for faculty to take the exam and see how the material covered
compares to their respective modules. An e-mail will be sent from Doug Danforth or
Susan Moffatt-Bruce asking for faculty participation.
Professionalism
Dr. Danforth is putting together guidelines for establishing a standard of professionalism
for the ISP students. Some areas that we can evaluate professionalism are: Evaluation
compliance, appropriate/ inappropriate evaluation comments, evaluation luncheon
participation, and exam canceling/ repeated rescheduling/ tardiness. These guidelines will
continue to be discussed and set for next year.
Cluster Leader Report
Doug Danforth presented his cluster leader report for the Repro/ Endo block (see
attached).
Endocrinology/Reproduction Cluster 2010
Module 12 – Endocrine/Metabolic Systems Jeff Kuret, Ph.D., Ken Jones, Ph.D.
Module 21 – Endocrine Pathophysiology Raheela Khawaja, M.D.
Module 13 – The Reproductive System Douglas Danforth, Ph.D., Ken Jones, Ph.D.
Module 23 – Reproductive Pathophysiology William Ackerman, M.D.
Drs. Danforth, Ackerman, and Khawaja met on December 2, 2010 to discuss the cluster. Dr.
Kuret was unable to attend.
Goals of the meetings were to discuss and review each module with respect to style, format,
content, and overlap and integration with the correlate module(s). In addition, coverage of
USMLE content outline topics for each module was assessed.
Module 12 – Endocrine/Metabolic Systems
This module has separate histology and physiology sections, similar to many other
modules in the curriculum. The module is comprehensive and adequately prepares the students
for Med 2. Content amount seems appropriate. There is some overlap with the Med 2 Endocrine
Pathophysiology module and with the Reproductive Systems Module (13) however both are not
excessive and seem appropriate. Twenty practice questions are provided. The exam contains 50
questions, most of which are in USMLE format. Appropriate clinical case scenarios are included
in this module.
Reommendations from 2008: Modify exam questions so all are USMLE format - DONE.
Perhaps add additional exam questions so total number of questions = 50 - DONE. A new edition
of the textbook will be used next year so page numbers will need to be modified - DONE.
Recommendations for 2010-2011: Provide report to Cluster Leader detailing coverage of
USMLE content outline topics.
Module 21 – Endocrine Pathophysiology
This is a self contained module with 9 submodules. The module is comprehensive and
content amount seems appropriate. There is overlap with the Med 1 Endocrine/Metabolic
Systems Module in that submodule 1 of this module is a review of normal endocrinology.
Feedback from students indicates they appreciate the review. Overlap with the Reproductive
Systems Pathophysiology Module is generally appropriate. Eighty practice questions are
included throughout the module. The exam consists of 50 questions most of which are in
USMLE format. There are several “except-type” questions and a few modified True-False style
questions. Recommendations from 2008: The module needs revision as to format so that the
material is presented in a consistent manner and the important points easily identifiable by the
students - DONE. Objectives need to be revised to avoid passive terms like “know”, and
“understand.” - DONE. After considerable discussion, it was felt that submodule 1 was
probably a useful review for the students as long as it was clearly identified as such. It should be
set in different type, font or otherwise clearly identifiable as “separate” from the remainder of the
module - DONE. Submodule 9 “Male Gonadal Disorders” is redundant with material covered in
Modules 13 and 23 and should be deleted - DONE. The corresponding questions on the exam
should be removed and replaced with additional questions, bringing the total number of exam
questions up to 50 - DONE. The case studies are useful but answers to the associated questions
should be made available to the students - DONE.
Recommendations for 2010- 2011: Update exam to conform to USMLE guidelines removing
most except type questions. Update module to correct grammatical and typographical errors.
Provide report to Cluster Leader detailing coverage of USMLE content outline topics.
Module 14 – The Reproductive System
This module has integrated the histology and physiology throughout the module. A
significant amount of supplementary material is available for the students on Carmen. The
module seems to be comprehensive and adequately prepares the students for Med 2. Content
amount seems appropriate. There is minimal overlap with the Med 2 Reproductive
Pathophysiology Module. Overlap with the Endocrine/Metabolic Systems Module (12) is
minimal and appropriate as well. Approximately 60 practice questions are provided on Carmen
as well as via the iPhone app gFlash+. The exam contains 50 questions, all of which are in
USMLE format.
Dr. Danforth has reviewed the USMLE content outline and identified the following topics that
are not covered in the Reproduction Module:
Reproductive System
Normal processes
• organ structure and function
– intercourse, orgasm
– the puerperium,
• reproductive system defense mechanisms and normal flora
Recommendations from 2008: Add clinical cases to the module – Virtual patients were
implemented in 2009 for students to review selected clinical scenarios. A new edition of the
textbook will be used next year so page numbers will need to be modified - DONE.
Recommendations for 2010 - 2011: Expand virtual patients to include additional cases.
Incorporate interactive learning modules as a pilot for the 2012 curriculum. Revise exam to
include more case-based scenario questions. Add content on missing USMLE content and
coordinate with Dr. Ackerman to ensure appropriate overlap.
Module 23 – Reproductive Pathophysiology
This module has been completely revised by Dr. Ackerman from an objective based
module to a self-contained module. The module is very comprehensive and content amount
seems appropriate. There is appropriate overlap with the Reproduction Module and Endocrine
Pathophysiology Module. The exam consists of 50 questions, all of which are in USMLE format.
Appropriate clinical case scenarios are included throughout this module.
Dr. Ackerman has reviewed the USMLE content outline and identified the following topics that
are not covered in the Reproductive Pathophysiology Module:
Reproductive System
Abormal processes
- intercourse
- orgasmic dysfunction (some male orgasmic dysfunction is discussed in the module,
mostly relating to ED)
- gestational diabetes and thyroid disorders (these might be more appropriately discussed
in the context of the Endocrine/Metabolism or the Endocrine Pathophysiology modules
- fertility drugs
- oral contraception, barrier methods, etc.
- stimulants/inhibitors of labor (e.g., pitocin, tocolytics)
Recommendations from 2008: Addition of reproductive histopathology to the module seems
warranted (DONE) , as is the inclusion of a section on gestational diabetes, which is lacking –
INCLUDED IN MODULES 14 and 23. Passive objectives should be replaced - DONE.
Additional exam questions should be included, bringing the total to 50 - DONE. Addition of
appropriate clinical cases should also be considered - DONE.
Recommendations for 2010-2011 – Add content on intercourse missing USMLE content and
coordinate content on fertility drugs, OC, labor, etc with Dr. Danforth.