They were transferring control over the courses to a central planning group, which is in charge of coordinating the best teaching concepts to students. They have all worked very well together. While change at UConn was stimulated by a site visit in 1989 by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, former dean Eugene Sigman, MD, started the ball rolling in 1990. Priorities were developing research programs and producing clinical income. Despite initial faculty reluctance, a new curriculum was introduced in 1999.
Freshmen get the message quickly.
During their first month, students are assigned to a private-practice physician with whom they work a half day each week, Dr. Koeppen said. But the teaching hospital and clinics were not able to restructure as quickly as hoped, so plans have been delayed, Dr. Koeppen said. Huge financial losses incurred at academic teaching hospitals slow change at many medical schools. In 1996, LCME cited UCSF School of Medicine for lack of curriculum oversight. The citation led to curriculum changes that began in July 2000 for third-year students.