Mercer University (School of Medicine)


Mercer University (School of Medicine) FIRST AND SECOND YEARS

The curriculum in the first two years is designed to facilitate the students' acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills as well as to develop behaviors appropriate to the practice of community responsive medicine. The education programs include the Biomedical Problem Program, Biomedical Ethics Program, the Clinical Skills Program, Community Office Practice Program, the Epidemiology course, the Biostatitics course, the Evidence Based Medicine/Research Design Course, the Grassman Seminar Series and the Community Science Program.

COURSES :

* Biomedical Problems Program : In this program the basic medical sciences are learned through the study of clinical problems. This occurs in small group tutorial sessions. Groups of seven to eight students meet three half-days per week with a tutor from the faculties of the basic or clinical sciences. The tutors are responsible for maintaining positive group dynamics and keeping the discussion relevant and at an appropriate depth. During the tutorials, the students define and discuss the basic and clinical science issues fundamental to the case under consideration. Outside the tutorials, the students study independently and/or in small groups, utilizing appropriate resources from the Library, the Learning Resources Center, and the faculty.
The student-oriented approach to the study of medicine is interdisciplinary and the array of biomedical problems is chosen very carefully to insure that students are challenged to master the basic science concepts requisite to medical practice. Each unit of the program is accompanied by a Study Guide and a list of learning objectives for the unit. These objectives and the suggested references provide a guide for student learning. The first two years of this program are divided into units the basic theme for which is the molecular, cellular and organ bases for health and disease. First-year units and their lengths in weeks are: cells & metabolism (6), genetics & development ( 6), host defense (6), hematology (4), neurology (7), brain & behavior (5), and musculoskeletal (6). For the second year the units are: cardiology (6), pulmonology (6), gastrointestinal (6), renal (5), endocrinology & biology of reproduction (7), and infectious disease (4).

* Biomedical Ethics Program : In this program medical students begin thinking about bioethical issues in their future practices as well as discussing the importance of ethics and professionalism to the social science of medicine. During the fall of the first year, each new medical student participates in group biomedical ethics discussion sessions. These sessions introduce students to ethical theory, issues in biomedical ethics, and the relationship of bioethics to clinical practice. Using a combination of required readings & writings, personal experiences, and case analysis, students discuss and analyze ethical issues which commonly arise in the practice of medicine.

* Clinical Skills Program : In this program students learn the basic skills necessary for interaction with patients. These skills include interview/medical history and physical examination techniques. Students interview and examine actual and "standardized" patients. The latter group is comprised of persons who have been trained to portray specific medical problems and behavioral roles, and to give constructive feedback to the students. Students often videotape their encounters with the standardized patients for self-evaluation and improvement.

* Community Office Practice Program (COPP) : The COPP Curriculum provides medical students with the opportunity to practice their clinical skills and observe experienced practicing physicians as they provide care in their office practices. The clinical aspects of a community-oriented, primary care practice are emphasized.

* The Grassman Seminar Series : Students attend a series of seminars held throughout year one. The seminars feature local, state, and national speakers on topics pertaining to public health, community medicine, community health needs, and current topics in population based medicine.

* Epidemiology : The epidemiology course is delivered during year one in the small group learning format. Groups of students and tutors discuss and learn about the science of population based medicine with an emphasis on the unique problems and needs of Georgia. Disease prevention and health care systems are also emphasized in this course.

* Evidence Based Medicine : This course is designed to teach students to critically evaluate the scientific and medical literature in the context of determining the best care for patients and populations. Students learn to apply their knowledge of statistics and research methodology to interpretation of scientific research.

* Biostatistics : The biostatistics course is delivered primarily through a series of web-based learning modules during year 2. Students complete the learning modules at their own pace and convenience within a specified time frame. Faculty with expertise in biostatistical methods are available to answer questions and provide further instruction.

* Community Science Program : This population-based program is designed to familiarize students with community medicine in a primary care medical practice in rural Georgia. In addition to exposure to clinical practice and patient care in rural Georgia, students complete assignments in the disciplines of disease prevention, health promotion, basic epidemiology, clinical biostatistics, research design evidence-based medicine and business aspects of practice. The program is longitudinal with components in years 1,2, and 4.
Approximately 6 weeks of time is protected at the end of year two to allow students to prepare for and take the USMLE Step 1 examination.

THIRD YEAR

Year three covers a 48 week period in which students are involved in direct patient care activities on primary care at the affiliated hospitals and clinics. The clerkships include a blend of ambulatory and hospital-based patient care to provide the students with a comprehensive clinical experience reflective of that which they ultimately will encounter in practice. The clerkships include Internal Medicine (12 weeks), Surgery (8 weeks), Psychiatry (6 weeks), Pediatrics (8 weeks), Family Medicine (8 weeks), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 weeks). Concurrently, there are ongoing seminars in radiology, information technology, and ethics. While rotating on the services, the students function as part of a health care team and learn patient care directly from attending physicians and resident physicians. Didactic sessions, workshops, and encounters with simulated patients are included in the educational activities of the clerkships. Students remain �on call� with their team for a few of the nights and weekends while rotating on each clerkship.
Students choose between two main clinical campuses � the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, or the Memorial Health and University Medicial Center in Savannah, for the majority of their year three and year four experiences. Students may also elect to take the Family Medicine clerkship at the affiliated residency programs in Albany, Columbus, Morrow, and Rome.

FOURTH YEAR

The final year includes courses in emergency medicine (4 weeks), a selection of courses in acute/critical care, surgical subspecialties, and substance abuse (12 weeks total), the final community science course (4 weeks), and electives (20 weeks). A number of electives are available within the MUSM system on the affiliated clinical campuses, or students may take electives at other accredited teaching institutions with approval of both MUSM and the host institution. Approximately 4 � 5 weeks of unscheduled time is available for residency interviews and vacation. Up to two weeks of elective time may be taken to preparation for and take USMLE Step2.

MEDICAL SCHOOL PHOTOS

Mercer University (School of Medicine)   Mercer University (School of Medicine)

MEDICAL SCHOOL INFORMATION


School name: Mercer University (School of Medicine)
Address: 1550 College St
Zip & city: GA 31207-0001 Macon
Phone: 478-301-2542
Web: http://medicine.mercer.edu


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