University of Virginia School of Medicine
Curriculum Committee
Minutes 09.09.99

Pediatric-Pathology Conference Room 4:00pm

Present (underlined) were: Reid Adams, Robert Bloodgood, Anita Clayton, Al Connors, Gene Corbett, Donald Innes (Chair), Steven Meixel, Jerry Short, Susan Squillace (Generalist Scholars Program), Munsey Wheby, Bill Wilson, Robb Williams (Mark Mikkelsen), Debra Reed (Secretary)

1) Susan Squillace reviewed the Generalist Scholars Program (GSP). The GSP was initiated with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Generalist Initiative with a goal of attracting students who are 1) scholars and 2) interested in primary care medicine. The program includes a combination of mentoring, research and curriculum enhancement. During the summer before first year, GSP students are given a three week (mini DPI) course and a week long preceptorship. This program generates a high level of enthusiasm going into medical school. The students are paired with a physician mentor, who also becomes their DPI instructor and fourth year thesis advisor. Biweekly GSP luncheon meetings held for all students and mentors keeps the student's level of enthusiasm for medicine burning brightly. The success of the GSP relies on the close relationship developed with faculty mentors and senior student mentors.

The Physical Diagnosis course directors attempt to schedule the GSP student activities in a community setting. The program also works with the student to schedule electives in a community rather than in a tertiary care setting. During the fourth year, the students take a humanities course, Literature in Medicine, and advanced Physical Diagnosis. In addition, a month is devoted to a thesis project in the form of literature research, clinical practice, or a lab project. The thesis paper is presented during a research day program held shortly before graduation.

Six students from each class have been enrolled in the GSP for the last several years. Three students each year were accepted during the first few years of the project. Students are selected after being offered admission to medical school. GSP students are provided with scholarship funding of $5000 per year. Students are required to maintain at least a B average and must agree to complete at least 3 years of residency and then 3 years in a primary care field or refund the scholarship funds.

Dr. Squillace suggested that the placement of students into an office (more natural) setting was beneficial; the opportunity for a fourth year "tune-up" was valuable, and that the 4th year humanities elective allowed GSP students to get "out of the white coat" and into reading and thinking which helps round their experience. In addition the GSP summer program would appear to be beneficial for all incoming medical students. All students might also benefit from faculty and upper class student mentoring as demonstrated in GSP.

Although too early to have complete data on the GSP, feedback from students and mentors has been positive.

2) Dr. Corbett presented the revised research objective #2.

Competence in the human sciences:

a. in the understanding of current clinically relevant medical science

b. in scientific principles as they apply to the analysis and further development of medical knowledge.

With one modification, "expansion" of medical knowledge replacing "development" of medical knowledge, this objective was approved by the committee. Dr. Corbett was asked to flesh out the details of this objective over the next week or two for presentation to the committee.

3) The letter to the faculty proposed at last weeks meeting has been reviewed by Dean Carey and Dr. Wheby with only minor modifications suggested and incorporated.

4) The 09.16.99 meeting will feature 1) Gary Owens, Director of the MD Ph.D. program discussing the M.D./Ph.D. program interface with the general medical school curriculum and 2) discussion of the governance document.

5) FYI:

a) The Web site for the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry is well done and includes information regarding their curriculum. The address is http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/SMD/admiss/MedEdu.html

 

b) The Web site for the University of University of Sydney Medical Program includes information regarding their new curriculum. They are promoting a "Open House" offering an opportunity to see how they modified their curriculum and how it might be translated for others. The address is http://www.medfac.usyd.edu.au/showcase/intro.htm

Donald J Innes, M.D.