University of Virginia School of
Medicine
Curriculum Committee
Minutes 05.17.01
Surgery Conference Room, 4:00 pm
Present (underlined) were: Reid Adams, Robert Bloodgood,
Victoria Camerini, Anita Clayton, Al Connors, Gene
Corbett, Donald Innes (Chair), Nelle Linz (David
Shonka), Jerry Short, Howard Kutchai, Bill
Wilson, Debra Reed (Secretary)
- Grading Issues. The subcommittee working on grading issues
such as pass/fail versus letter grades will report to the committee by
October 2001. The subcommittee has met three times to date. Bob
Bloodgood has begun a literature review on the merits and pitfalls
other institutions have experienced when altering grading policies. A
proposal to pilot a P/F first year with an evaluation mechanism is
being discussed at the subcommittee. The pilot program could be
initiated in 2002 at the earliest. A shift in grading policy should be
determined prior to the beginning of the admissions process. The effect
on residency program selection and student stress levels would be
evaluated.
- Dr. Robert Bloodgood was congratulated on his selection for
the 2000-01 Deans Teaching Award.
- 1st and 2nd Year Schedules. The first and second year class
schedules are nearly complete. Final copies will be sent to course
directors.
- Clerkship Grade Distribution. A graph of the 1999-2000
clerkship grade distribution was distributed to the Committee. The
Committee discussed means to further an evolution toward more uniform
standards for grading among the clerkships. Bill Wilson will forward a
copy of the grade distribution graph to the clerkship directors and
report back to the Committee.
- PoM-2. A copy of the letter sent to Brian Wispelwey and
Darci Lieb with the Committees recommendations for revisions to the
PoM-2 course was distributed to the Committee. Don Innes will meet with
Dr. Wispelwey and Darci Lieb to discuss the recommendations. Funding
needs for the proposed changes will be discussed with the Deans
Office.
- Course Self-Assessments. Courses not evaluated by the
Curriculum Committee this year include (Physiology/CT&S,
Neuroscience, Human Behavior, Medical Genetics, Pathology,
Pharmacology, PoM-1 and PoM-2, Psychiatric Medicine) will be possible
candidates for the self-review 2001-02. The Committee would also like
to review outcomes of suggestions made for courses evaluated in
2000-01. Neuroscience, Human Behavior, and PoM-1 were selected for June
review.
- Cultural Issues. The Committee discussed the recent cultural
awareness curriculum proposal. It was agreed that trying to legislate
sensitivity is tough. Students should be aware of differences; however,
there is danger in stereotyping patients. Lessons learned in the
incorporation of women's issues into the curriculum might be applied to
cultural issues. Cultural competency must be incorporated into existing
programs without the addition of hours to the curriculum.
- -Don Innes
-dmr
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