Indiana University (School of Medicine)

FIRST AND SECOND YEAR The first and second years of medical school are a combination of classroom and clinical experiences. Small group discussions and problem-based learning are used to help students translate basic sciences into practical clinical applications. The number of hours spent in classroom instruction varies from campus to campus, but the average is about 27 hours of instruction a week during the first year and 26 hours a week during the second year. First-year students also have the opportunity to participate in end-of-life care for patients, which includes home visits to patients in a hospice program sponsored by faculty and through Wishard Health Services, a nearby public hospital affiliated with the School. In the second year, students develop clinical skills by taking patient histories and engaging in physical diagnosis sessions with patients under the direction of physician preceptors. By the end of the year, students perform record and present a full patient history and physical findings, an assessment and basic treatment plan. The internal medicine preceptor program in the second year splits each eight-member group into two groups of four. A preceptor assigned to each four-member group reviews students' written evaluations of patients and physical diagnoses. Your preceptors will probably trade groups of four back and forth, so each of them will get to know each of you. This program is rated the highest preceptor experience by students at all nine of campuses, according to a 2001 poll conducted by the IU Medical Student Council. FIRST YEAR COURSES * Concepts of Health and Disease : A multidepartmental, interdisciplinary course which integrates concepts of the first-year medical curriculum using the problem-based learning approach. Students work in small groups facilitated by faculty to interpret clinical cases and integrate basic science and clinical science concepts. Designed to assess the proficiency at Level I for portions of the competencies. * Cell and Molecular Biology : Cellular and molecular biology that emphasizes the structural organization, biochemistry and molecular biology of cells. Includes cellular processes, development and differentiation and their relationship to medicine. * Immunology and Microbiology : For prenursing, allied health sciences, and dental hygiene students; others by consent of instructor. Consideration of immunology and host-defense mechanisms, and pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites in human disease. Laboratory exercises include microbial biology, microscopy, asepsis, pure culture, identification, antimicrobial agents, viral hemagglutination, representative immunological reactions. There are 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory exercises each week in a 15-week course. * Evidence-Based Medicine : A part of the Freshman Core Curriculum. EBM is a short introduction to the principles of integration of evidence, experience, and values in clinical decision making. * Biochemistry : Biochemistry for medical students. Structure and function of biological molecules, regulation of cellular processes by nutrients and hormones, biochemical and molecular basis of disease. Designed to develop the knowledge base for Competency III "Using Science to Guide Diagnosis, Management, Therapeutics and Prevention. * Gross Anatomy : Study and dissection of entire body, using regional approach. Frequent conferences and discussions with members of staff. Series of lectures on radiographic anatomy and clinical application of anatomy. * Histology : Lectures and laboratory study of the microscopic structure of cells, tissues, and organs of the human body; correlation of structure and function. * Physiology : introductory biology, organic chemistry, and physics. Graduate-level course in human physiology designed for students with no prior exposure to the discipline. Emphasis on basic physiological mechanisms of control with regard to membrane, neural, endocrine, reproductive, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, and multisystems physiology. * Introduction to Medicine I: Patient-Doctor Relationship : A multidepartmental, interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to the patient-doctor relationship through interactions with faculty and patients in variety of settings. In small groups facilitated by primary care and behavioral science faculty, students direct their learning toward the complexity of the context from which a patient seeks medical care. In order to achieve this, students examine normal human behavior and development throughout the life cycle. Issues addressed include communication skills, normal human growth and development, medical ethics and professionalism, sexuality, cultural diversity, minority health issues, the role of communities, religion and spirituality, family dynamics, and death and dying. SECOND YEAR COURSES : * Pharmacology : Lectures, quizzes, laboratory. Required for sophomore medical students. Drugs classified as to site and mechanism of action; representative members of each class of drugs discussed; rational clinical uses emphasized; basic statistical techniques and their application to medical problems are introduced. The laboratory experiments illustrate typical actions of drugs. Student projects may be approved in lieu of part of laboratory. * General Pathology : Introduction to mechanisms of disease through demonstrations, lectures, laboratory, and conferences; emphasis on basic concepts and principles of disease processes. * Medical Genetics : Required for sophomore medical students. A comprehensive course in human genetics, emphasizing the principles of genetics and their application to clinical medicine through the family history, clinical findings, and laboratory studies. Examples of specific problems, their evaluation, and genetic counseling will be used to supplement didactic material. * Systemic Pathology : Presentation of pathology by organ systems with emphasis on etiologic factors, evolution of lesions, pathologic physiology and clinical correlations. * Introduction to Medicine II: History Taking and Physical : An interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to clinical medicine. Includes medical interviewing and physical examination skills learned at the bedside with direct patient contact. Clinical medicine is surveyed with emphasis on pathophysiology and diagnosis. Problem-solving skills are stressed, including synthesis and interpretation of medical data. * Neuroscience and Clinical Neurology : A multidisciplinary consideration of structural, functional, and clinical features of the human nervous system. THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS In year three, student learning in the competency areas is furthered through the medical care programs of the hospitals. During clinical clerkships students assume increasing responsibility for all aspects of patient care. Clerkship opportunities range from preventive medicine and outpatient care through emergency services, general hospital ward work, and specialized medical services. The annual graduation questionnaire indicates that students value the exposure to a wide variety of hospitals, patient populations, and clinical experiences that is available in Indianapolis. Fourth-year students widen their experience through three required clerkships, advanced level projects in three of the nine competency areas, and six months of elective study. Students may choose from electives in basic and clinical science departments, hospital systems in and beyond Indianapolis, private practice preceptorships, or foreign study. The formation of a physician's professional identity is not accomplished solely through the formal curriculum. Learners also assimilate patterns of relating that they experience in the social environment, or informal curriculum, during their training. In 2003, IUSM began a three-year process of self-study and organizational development known as the Relationship-Centered Care Initiative. The School is working to transform the informal curriculum to foster relationship in all aspects of medical school and practice. The desired outcome is a culture that consistently reflects the ethical, professional, and humane values expressed in the formal curriculum. THIRD YEAR COURSES : * Surgery : General surgery clerkship and assignment in neurologic, plastic and pediatric surgery, ward rounds, clinics, and conferences. * OB/Gyn : Junior year, clinical clerkship. Application of physiologic and pathologic principles of pregnancy. Application of physiologic and pathologic principles of female reproductive biology. Clinic and hospital patient experiences. * Surgical Subspecialties * Medicine : Students are assigned to medicine teams that care for patients with problems related to general internal medicine and/or related subspecialties in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Participation in patient care is the primary teaching device; conferences and workshops provide complementary educational modalities. The clerkship is an 8-week rotation. Vu and Staff * Neurology : Students examine at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Wishard Memorial Hospital, or Indiana University Medical Center, participate in ward rounds with residents and staff, and attend established daily conferences. * Psychiatry : Core experiences in techniques of patient evaluation and management within an inpatient, as well as an outpatient, setting. This four-week clerkship includes chemical dependency. Adult as well as child and adolescent psychiatry experiences are offered. Clinical assignments include the following facilities: Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Riley Children's Hospital, Roudebush VA Medical Center, University Hospital, University Adult Psychiatry Clinic, and Wishard Memorial Hospital/Midtown Community Mental Health Center. * Family Medicine : Core clerkship will provide the student with basic knowledge and skills to assess common medical problems present in and ambulatory community setting. This course provides principles of family medicine, focusing on biopsychosocial aspects of medical problems, health promotion, and disease prevention. * Pediatrics : The clerkship in pediatrics for third-year medical students is divided into approximately three-and-a-half-week rotations on inpatient and outpatient rotations. Inpatient rotations are offered at Riley, Methodist, and Wishard hospitals. Outpatient rotations are with general pediatricians including private pediatricians throughout Indiana, and may include one week in the normal newborn nursery. Study and care of patients is augmented by daily lectures or conferences for students, by attending physician rounds and resident physician rounds, and by attendance at departmental conferences. FOURTH YEAR COURSES : * Radiology :An interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to clinical medicine. Includes medical interviewing and physical examination skills learned at the bedside with direct patient contact. Clinical medicine is surveyed with emphasis on pathophysiology and diagnosis. Problem-solving skills are stressed, including synthesis and interpretation of medical data. A component of the course focuses on the role of diagnostic imaging in clinical care. * Internal Medicine Sub-Internship : This core rotation is designed to provide students an experience that closely resembles the internship year. Students are assigned to inpatient medicine teams that care for patients in the medical intensive care unit, the medical ward setting, or both. Students are given primary patient care responsibilities with a closely guided experience in decision-making and in diagnostic and therapeutic management of typical medical conditions related to general internal medicine and/or related subspecialties. Students take overnight calls with the team to admit new patients and cover their own patients. The primary method of teaching is participation in patient care activities with daily teaching attending rounds; daily conferences and morning reports provide a complementary educational venue. The course is a one-month rotation. Vu and Staff * Emergency Medicine : A part of the Senior Core Curriculum. EM gives students the opportunity to learn the fundamental approach to evaluation and treatment of the undifferentiated patient with urgent or emergent conditions. Students will be assigned clinically to one of five area hospitals. * Electives : Electives are offered in general medicine and related subspecialties throughout the year. Specific information on each elective is available in the Senior Elective Program Course Listing, which is updated and published in January of each year. These electives are offered in the Medical Center facilities and in approved programs at clinics and hospitals throughout the state.

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School name: Indiana University (School of Medicine)
Address: 1120 South Drive, Fesler Hall 302
Zip & city: IN 46202-5114 Indianapolis
Phone: 317-274-5000
Web: http://www.medicine.iu.edu

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