1. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine M. Renee Prater, DVM, MS, PhD Spring, 2014 An Overview of the Preclinical Curriculum

2. The mission of VCOM “…is to prepare globally minded, community-focused physicians for the rural and medically underserved areas of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and the Appalachian Region, and to improve human health especially of those most in need.”

3. Years 1 and 2: Blocks vs. Semesters Our main goal is to provide an integrated pre-clinical curriculum to prepare our students for a career in osteopathic medicine, with primary care focus. To accomplish this, we use interdisciplinary blocks based on body systems, rather than semesters based on disciplines.

4. Most Med Schools teach by discipline in Semesters This makes “connecting the dots” difficult

5. We have developed an integrated preclinical curriculum, based on the organ systems Block 1: Foundations Biochemistry Microbiology Immunology Genetics Pathology Professionalism and Ethics Introduction to Principles of Primary Care This helps get the whole class “on the same page”, despite their undergraduate training

6. Blocks 2-7: Integrated Systems Blocks This helps the student learn how to clinically apply medical knowledge 2: Musculoskeletal 3. Neuropsychology 4. Cardiopulmonary 5. Gastrointestinal and Renal 6.Obstetrics, Gynecology, Endocrine 7.Hematology, Oncology, Dermatology

7. Blocks 2-7: Teaching/Learning Strategy Each topic is carefully sequenced and integrated for better interdisciplinary assimilation by students: Anatomy/Histology/Physiology  Pathology, Radiology/Diagnostics  Principles of Primary Care, Clinical Med  Pharmacology, Surgery, OMM

8. Blocks 2-7: Teaching Formats, Testing We also use a variety of teaching formats: Small group discussions / clinical cases / independent learning modules / clinical skills labs / simulations And a variety of testing formats: Medical knowledge: multiple choice exams (ExamSoft) Clinical competency: procedural skills labs, simulations, SP encounters, osteopathic manipulation labs, etc.

9. Block 8: Bringing it all together Comprehensive Board Review

10. Additionally, we integrate opportunities to work real patients, physicians, and other health care professionals in the 2 nd year: Clinical Experiences Free Clinics EMS ride-along Clinical Skills Labs Surgical Scrub Lab Suture Lab Mini Medical School Remote Medical Screenings Appalachian Medical Missions Resident Shadowing Day with an athletic trainer Day with ICU nurse Day with hospital pharmacist Day with geriatrician in a nursing home Virtual Radiology Simulation Med Lab OB/GYN pelvic model Disaster Training

11. Years 3 and 4 Clinical Rotations

12. Clinical Rotations Year Three Ten 4-week rotations. 4-5 days per week as an active participant in patient care. Experiences occur in both the ambulatory and hospital settings. 50% of rotations are in urban or large community hospital sites. 50% of rotations are spent in rural hospitals & ambulatory practices.

13. 3rd Year Curriculum: Focus on Primary Care Family Medicine x 2 Underserved Care Internal Medicine Surgery Obstetrics/Gynecology Pediatrics Psychiatry Medical Selective Geriatrics

14. VCOM 3 rd Year Core Rotation Sites Southwest Virginia Region Core Hospital Training SitesMountain States - Johnston Memorial Hospital Abingdon, VA Mountain States - Russell County Medical Center Lebanon, VA Mountain States - Smyth County Community Hospital Marion, VA Bluefield Virginia Region Core Hospital Training SitesBluefield Regional Medical CenterBluefield, WV Carilion Tazewell Community HospitalTazewell, VA Clinch Valley Medical CenterRichlands, VA New River Valley Virginia Region Core Hospital Training SitesCarilion New River Valley Medical Center Radford, VA LewisGale Hospital at MontgomeryBlacksburg, VA LewisGale Hospital at PulaskiPulaski, VA Wythe County Community HospitalWytheville, VA Critical Access HospitalsCarilion Giles Community HospitalPearisburg, VA Roanoke Valley Virginia Region Core Hospital Training SitesLewisGale Hospital at AlleghanyLow Moor, VA Carilion Roanoke Memorial HospitalRoanoke, VA LewisGale Medical Center at SalemSalem, VA Salem Veteran's Medical CenterSalem, VA Southside Virginia Region Core Hospital Training Sites Danville Regional Medical Center Danville, VA Halifax Regional Health System South Boston, VA Southside Community Hospital Farmville, VA Critical Access HospitalsPioneer Community Hospital of Patrick Stuart, VA Eastern Virginia Region Core Hospital Training Sites Riverside Regional Medical Center Newport News, VA North Carolina Region Core Hospital Training Sites Blue Ridge HealthcareMorganton, NC Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Fayetteville, NC Mountain Area Health Education Center Hendersonville, NC W.G. "Bill" Hefner Veterans Hospital Salisbury, NC Armed Forces and Veterans Administration Affiliated Sites Core Hospital Training Sites 633rd Medical Group Langley Air Force Base Langley, VA Kenner Army Health ClinicFort Lee, VA Naval Medical Center at Portsmouth Portsmouth, VA Womack Army Medical CenterFayetteville, NC

15. Teaching Hospital Affiliates

16. 4 th Year curriculum: More student-driven 1 month ER rotation 2 medicine rotations 2 surgery rotations 4 elective rotations Electives can be as short as 2 weeks Electives often conducted as residency auditions

17. And before you know it…. Graduation = D.O.

18. What questions do you have for me?