University of Virginia School of Medicine
Curriculum Committee
Minutes 12.06.01

Pediatric Pathology 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) 

1. Reconsider "Electives Board"

   -resignation of Margaret Mohrmann
   -Elis Clarke is Electives coordinator
   -integration of 3rd & 4th years
   -connection of clerkships to appropriate advanced training
   -increase efficiency of faculty & staff time

   In light of the above the following proposal was considered:

   That the electives program be designated an official course and be managed as such with a course director (or co-directors) and appropriate budget.
   
   Co-directors: one Clinical (Dr. ? ) & one Research (Dr. Clive Bradbeer). Both would sit on the Clinical Medicine Committee (predominately years 3 & 4) and Principles Committee (predominately years 1 & 2). The Electives coordinator (Elis Clarke) would target those student schedules that are questionable and forward those not meeting preset criteria to the appropriate co-director(s) instead of the current full 14 member board review. Thus the Electives administration would be performed by the two co-directors and the electives coordinator replacing the Electives Board.
   
   The Committee agreed that student representation should be part of the electives administration. [This might be done by moving the current Electives Board student representative to the Clinical Medicine Committee.
   
   The Clinical Medicine Committee will assume an active role as an advisory group for the electives course director(s). The CMC should meet on a monthly basis with a portion of each meeting devoted to electives issues.

   Co-director Shared Activities:

   -Approve late drop/add forms (hear story/counsel)* - 20/period
   -Sign forms if student cannot locate their advisor* - 4/period
   -Run advisor orientation each year (for old and new advisors)
   -Answer questions from supervisors about an elective*
   -Field questions on new electives
   -Evaluate new elective offerings (Principles & Clinical committees as advisors)
   -Work closely with Elis (use email)
   -Be available for student consultation
    

   Clinical Co-director:

   -Approve clinical elective proposals 1 month in advance of elective start
   -Approve educational/teaching proposals 1 month in advance of elective
   -Approve specially arranged clinical electives
   

   Research Co-director:

   -Approve laboratory research elective proposals 1 month in advance of elective start
   -Review final paper (and supervisors evaluation) & determines elective credit
   
   * also performed by Associate Dean for Student Affairs
   

2. Discussion of Clerkship reviews. 
   
   

   A) Common themes.

    

   1) Assuring that all Clerkships are meeting LCME standard for equivalent education at all sites. Standardized tests and student evaluations within each clerkship should also be consistent at all sites.
   
   2) Resident teaching skills need development.
   
   3) Expectations (specific learning objectives) and schedules (documented) for students must be clearly communicated for each clerkship including each clerkship subunit.
   
   4) Teaching responsibilities and expectations of faculty (attendings and residents) must be made clear to faculty, nurses, residents and support staff.
   
   5) Consistent and timely feedback must be given to students in all clerkships.
   
   

   B) Items or programs unique or special to a clerkship that might be shared or avoided.
   
   

   1) Faculty "face" time with students is very important and must be developed, e.g. weekly clerkship breakfasts are held in Surgery and daily Student Morning Report sessions held in Medicine.
   
   2) The lack of sufficient support staff is seen as a real detriment to certain clerkships.

   This subject will be discussed further at subsequent meetings.

    

-Don Innes
-dmr