Practice of Medicine
Year 1 (Module 1 - 4)

The Practice of Medicine is a comprehensive course in the medical curriculum that addresses the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are necessary to practice the art and science of medicine in an optimal manner.  In order to obtain these abilities, an excellent physician requires, integrity, compassion, and knowledge.  Thus, the course has been constructed with three integrated components that include: 1) clinical skills and reasoning ability, 2)  understanding of ethical issues, communication skills, and professional behavior, and 3) interest in and ability to conduct life-long learning.

A variety of settings are provided to meet the course objectives.  Students are primarily taught in small groups that meet weekly with a clinician facilitator.  Physical exam and interviewing skills, exercises in evidence-based medicine, and discussions of clinical and ethical/professional issues are accomplished in these settings.  After the first 8 weeks, students are assigned clinical sites where development of their clinical skills are further developed in a supervised setting with real patients.  Multidisciplinary activities with students from the School of Allied Health are integrated and include family home visits and a session on spirituality in medicine. All activities are further supplemented by large group (whole class) interactions and computer-based instruction.

July, 2006