Medical Education Committee Minutes (word) (pdf)

Thursday, February 21, 2006

To:

Members of Medical Education Committee

From:

David W. Nierenberg

Subject:

Minutes - Meeting held Tues., February 21, 2006 - 4:00 to 5:45 pm, 758 E/W Borwell

Members Present:

Narath Carlile, Brett Chevalier, Rich Comi, Andy Daubenspeck, Dave Nierenberg, Roshini Pinto-Powell, and Eric Shirley = 7

Members Absent:

Jamie Bessich, Barbara Conradt, Leslie Fall, Brent Harris, Horace Henriques, John Hwa, Don Kollisch, Petra Lewis, Gene Nattie, Ben Northrup, Will Nugent, Mike Price, Abigail Rao, Laura Reis, and Joao Tiexeira= 15

Guests:

Paul Beisswenger; Joan Monahan, Alison Rudkin, and Lora Thompson = 4

Scheduled Meetings:

Sept. 27 Oct. 18 Nov. 15 Dec. 13 Jan. 17 Feb. 21 Mar. 21 Apr. 18 May 16 June 13
758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell 758 W Borwell

  • I. Key Metrics: Formal Vote on USMLE Boards Policy

    Dave Nierenberg reintroduced the proposed policy for students retaking the USMLE Boards. Brett Chevalier reported that the new policy was discussed by student government and was accepted by same with little discussion.

    The attending MEC members voted unanimously to accept the new policy.

  • II. Review of the Curriculum: Year 2 Endocrinology Course

    Roshini Pinto-Powell reviewed the information she was given by Dave Nierenberg at the January meeting regarding the SBM/Endocrinology course. She also reported that she had met with Paul Beisswenger, the course director, and discussed the course with him. She reported the following:
    • A. Based on all of the information available, Roshini created the following course summary:
      • 1. The course is very solid;
      • 2. The course has been very highly rated for several years in a row;
      • 3. The course employs a new concept, Team Based Learning (TBL) that is proving to be very effective; and
      • 4. The few weaknesses of the course are already being addressed.
    • B. Based on the student evaluations from last year, Roshini reported the following areas of strength:
      • 1. Small groups and TBL;
      • 2. "Jeopardy" type game show format.
    • C. Based on student evaluations from last year, Roshini reported only one minor area that could be improved - which, according to Paul Beisswenger, is already being addressed: That 40% of the total grade is determined by small group participation makes the groups too competitive.
    • D. Paul Beisswenger, course director for SBM/Endocrinology stated the following strengths of the course as it is presently taught:
      • 1. TBL - combines the advantages of lecture with student participation;
      • 2. He and his staff attempt to respond to all students' concerns within reason;
      • 3. Has created a website that incorporates all of the years of Endocrinology.
  • III. Special Topic: AAMC Graduate Questionnaire

    Dave Nierenberg presented an edited version of the results of the Year 4 AAMC Graduate Questionnaire and reported on the issues that most affect MEC.

  • IV. Review of the Curriculum: Year 2 Oncology Course

    Andy Daubenspeck reviewed the information he was given by Dave Nierenberg at the January meeting regarding the SBM/Oncology course. He reported the following:
    • 1. The course scored below the national mean for AY 04-05, but is now on track;
    • 2. The course covers a lot of material;
    • 3. The course suffers from a lack of specific focus;
    • 4. Variations in lecture notes formats tend to invite student criticism;
    • 5. Student satisfaction has declined from previous years;
    • 6. Making the course more focused and placed earlier in the academic year is essential to improvement of the course.

    Dave Nierenberg stated that the proposed new structure of Year 2 will solve many of the problems with the course.

  • V. Agenda for March 21 Meeting

    To be determined.

Dartmouth Medical School
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
Hinman 7005
306D Remsen
Hanover, NH 03755-3847

Telephone 603-650-7679
Facsimile 603-650-6841

David.Nierenberg@Dartmouth.edu

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