An emphasis is placed on basic knowledge, critical appraisal of evidence, clinical skills, and learning skills. Major themes include reproductive health, child and adolescent health, geriatric health, dermatology, and nutrition. Students have an opportunity to consolidate their clinical skills, learning skills and critical appraisal skills in anticipation of the clinical clerkship. There are opportunities to study clinical problems in a variety of health care settings and agencies. In this component of the program, students participate in the direct care of patients, and the management of health and illness.
All prior objectives apply, but the 'health care problems' are actual patients.
The third year puts students into clerkships of 7 weeks each of family practice, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry, and 11 weeks in internal medicine. Twice weekly small-group tutorials, and weekly colloquium series extend throughout the clinical clerkships. In 1992-1993, the School of Medicine began a pilot run of an interdepartmental clerkship geared to prepare the generic physician for continuity of care. This half-year long program for six to twelve selected students provided them with experiences in the care of well patients and patients with chronic and acute health problems largely in an ambulatory setting. The fourth year consists of 35 required weeks of course work and allows the students to prepare for their preferred careers beyond medical school.