|
Surgery Conference Room, 4:00
p.m.
Present (underlined) were: Reid Adams, Eve Bargmann,
Robert Bloodgood, Anita Clayton,
Gene Corbett, Carl Creutz, Donald Innes
(Chair), Vern Juel, Howard Kutchai, Chris Peterson,
Jerry Short, Linda Watson, Bill Wilson,
Brian Wispelwey, Maria Meussling, David Shonka,
Ryan Zaklin, Debra Reed (secretary), Guest: Meg
Keeley
-
Electives Program. Meg Keeley, Director of the
Electives Program, briefed the Committee on the current state of the
Electives Program and future plans for improvement. The fourth
year program is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the
many and varied segments of medicine. Students must have 32 credits to
graduate, of which 28 are elective/selective – of these
electives/selectives 8 must be at UVA, 16 must at an accredited
AAMC/LCME approved U.S.-Canadian institution, and 4 must be designated
ACE.
Since becoming Director, the objectives of each elective have been
newly reviewed; ACE electives has been determined by reviewing the
criteria set forth by the Curriculum Committee; and each student’s
elective schedule is reviewed to make sure the student has developed a
well-rounded, productive elective schedule. There are 50
electives deemed to fit the criteria for ACE this year – this list will
be re-reviewed and modified after student evaluation data is
received.
An ACE elective is, by definition, an intense clinical responsibility,
and under the direct supervision of an attending physician. When
students participate in an ACE elective, they are treated as an
intern. It is difficult at times to get the nurses on the floors
to call the medical student before the resident.
Timing of the ACE electives is influenced by resident interviews as
students are not permitted unexcused absences during an ACE
elective. Many students prefer to have their ACE elective early
in the year and in their chosen professional field in the hopes of
gaining letters of recommendation. While these limitations make
scheduling difficult, few problems were encountered this year.
Sixteen electives designated as ACE take place outside UVA but it is
likely that next year all ACE electives will be at UVA so they can be
more closely monitored.
ACE
Description and ACE Criteria
If faculty believe an elective should become ACE, they should
apply to the Electives Board for review. All features of the
elective will be considered in determining the ACE designation.
The attendance policy for all electives has been “tightened up” this
year and it seems to be working well. The objectives/requirements for a
research elective are also closely monitored.
The elective programs set up by most students this year were judged to
be of good quality by the director. None of the
scheduling/organization would be possible without the services of Liz
Clarke who does the scheduling and reviews all student schedules
initially for deficiencies.
A tracking computerized database is in the works for elective
scheduling. Web-based student evaluations of electives as well as
on-line faculty evaluation of each student are being developed and
should be in use next year.
- Career Practice Enhancement Team. Anita Clayton
reported on the team’s progress. The team has met once and was
very enthusiastic. They would like a firm commitment from the
Curriculum Committee as to when implementation is planned. A
pilot program could be made ready for next spring (2004) but 2005 is a
more likely start-up date. Suggested topics included the American
health care system, legislation affecting medicine, case law, public
health, international public health, and professionalism. This program
would be a required part of the medical school curriculum. The
initial plan is for a program immediately prior to match day since all
students return to Charlottesville at that time. Although a
concern was expressed over the “required” nature of the program, it was
agreed that the program is to be required of all 4th year students
beginning in the spring of 2005. And that it is to be presented in
March, the week before The Match, and Monday - Wednesday of the week of
The Match (which is on Thursday) providing 8 days for the course.
The committee was enthusiastic and wanted to ensure that the course
would be interesting and exciting for the students. Student(s) must be
involved with the subcommittee planning. The proposed mix of
lectures and small group discussions (emphasis on small group) met with
approval. A presentation/discussion from a senator/congressman or
aides, or someone from a federal or state regulatory agency was also
suggested. Prior discussion or communication with students might occur
in the Exploratories or in the 3rd year Clinical Connections. The
D&D team is urged to keep in mind the goals from the Career
Practice Enhance 1.7 document:
Primary Goal: Prepare our students to meet the economic, social, legal
and political realities and responsibilities of medical practice for
their patients and themselves.
Secondary Goal: Foster health care leadership roles for our graduates
in the community and the nation.
Donald Innes/dmr
|
