Report from MSEC:
Curriculum Revision
Charge from the Dean
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June 5, 2007 MSEC meeting – Dean
reported that USMLE has begun to plan
for changes in the licensing exams.
Likely outcome is a new single exam to
replace step 1 and step 2 – clinical
knowledge.
Use this change as a catalyst to reexamine our curriculum.
Charge from the Dean
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Condense 4 semesters of basic science into 3
semesters.
Eliminate excessive detail to reduce time
Increase longitudinal presentation and review of
basic sciences by incorporating into clinical
curriculum.
Expand clinical experiences.
Pathophysiology refresher course prior to new
exam.
Charge from the Dean
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Update curriculum in response to changes in
science, technology, society, health care.
Improve teaching methods (including reducing
lecture hours and use of multiple choice exams).
Determine whether exams reflect course goals
and objectives and drive learning (not
cramming).
Enhance student abilities to become life-long
learners.
MSEC Process
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MSEC chair meeting with constituent
groups to discuss process and seek input:
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Basic science course directors
Basic science chairs
Clinical chairs
Departments (Anatomy, Biochem, Micro,
Physiol, Internal Med, Psych)
MSEC Process: Working Group
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Small group committed to spending
significant time examining this process.
Review of curricula from other schools.
Examination of all courses starting with
fall semesters from years 1 & 2.
Examining resource availability and need
Educational methodology
MSEC Process
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Working group:
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Dave Johnson – Biochem
Brian Rowe – Physiol
Jeri Mullersman – Path
Ramsay McGowan – Psych
Kevin Dell – Int Med
Forrest Lang – Fam Med
Ken Olive – MSEC
David Linville – Acad Affairs
Penny Smith – Acad Affairs
Lisa Myers – Medical Education
Examples of Curricula from other
Schools
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Shorter basic science curricula:
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Baylor, Minnesota, Duke, UT, Hawaii
Undergoing major curriculum change:
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Emory, Vanderbilt
Curriculum Mission
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The mission of the curriculum of J H
Quillen College of Medicine is to graduate
well-rounded physicians who are prepared
to practice state of the art medicine
throughout their careers. We aspire to
preeminence in the preparation of
physicians for rural and primary care and
for the comprehensive general education
of physicians.
Vision for Curriculum Change
While our current curriculum has been effective, changes in
science, society, economics and practice patterns are strong
forces that compel significant change in curriculum content
and delivery. Curriculum revision should:
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enhance student abilities in clinical reasoning and
problem solving
increase self-directed learning and promote lifelong
learning
deepen comprehension of the scientific basis of medical
practice by reducing the demarcation between “basic
science” and “clinical training”
cultivate patient centered skills, attitudes and behaviors
Vision for Curriculum Change
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address currently neglected topics essential to effective
medical practice such as professionalism, ethics, health
disparities, prevention and public health
reduce academic overload and increase efficiency in the
educational process
maintain a focus on excellence in the preparation of rural
and primary care physicians
Such revision will entail curriculum additions, deletions and
modifications as well as instructional innovations. A target
of reorganizing the first two years of medical education into
a shorter period while subsequently revisiting the basic
science disciplines during clinical training should promote
state-of -the-art integration and utilization of all facets of
medical education.
Calls for Change from Other
Organizations
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AMA Initiative to Transform Medical
Education – June 2007
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/377/finalitme.pdf
Calls for Change from Other
Organizations
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AAMC. Educating Doctors to Provide
High-Quality Medical Care: A vision for
medical education in the United States.
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee of Deans.
July 2004
https://services.aamc.org/Publications/showfile.cfm?file=version27.p
df&prd_id=115&prv_id=130&pdf_id=27
Calls for Change from Other
Organizations
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AAMC. Implementing the Vision: Group
on Educational Affairs Responds to the
IIME Dean’s Committee Report “Educating
Doctors to Provide High-Quality Medical
Care: A vision for medical education in
the United States”. September 2006.
https://services.aamc.org/Publications/showfile.cfm?file=version72.p
df&prd_id=168&prv_id=198&pdf_id=72
Calls for Change from Other
Organizations
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Blue Ridge Academic Health Group.
Reforming Medical Education: Urgent
Priority for the Academic Health Center in
the New Century. May 2003
http://www.whsc.emory.edu/blueridge/_pdf/blue_ridge_report_7_20
03may.pdf
USMLE Information on
Comprehensive Review
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http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/review.html