Preparation for the new curriculum has included restructuring the basic science courses students take during their first two years of medical school. Some courses are now designed by topic rather than by department and use a team teaching approach. Students work in small groups, using case studies to learn basic science and clinical concepts through a problem-based learning format. Lesson plans will be structured so students learn related material at the same time in different courses. The challenge is to coordinate course directors and professors from each department.
Clinical faculty face an equally daunting task.
Physiciansand residents will have to become familiar with the competency areas in order to train and assess students. Three scenarios tested students' clinical skills and the fourth tested their communication and sensitivity when delivering bad news to a family member. Standardized patients are trained to prompt and evaluate specific skills and behaviors of students. They were given a checklist to assess students' performance. According to Dr. Leapman, the OSCE ran smoothly and IUSM students tested very well.