Medical Education Committee Minutes

November 19, 2002

To:

Members of Medical Education Committee

From:

David W. Nierenberg

Subject:

Minutes - Meeting held Tues., Nov. 19, 2002 - 4:00 -5:30 pm, 758 Borwell

Members Present:

Stephanie Ajudua, Steve Andrews, Katherine Bardzik, Jim Bell, Patty Carney, Duane Compton, Seth Crockett, Leslie Fall, Si France, Bill Garrity, Dale Gephart, Ryan Knapp, Don Kollisch, Petra Lewis, Martha McDaniel, Gene Nattie, Dave Nierenberg, Will Nugent, Deb Peltier, Ginny Reed, and Eric Shirley = 21

Members Absent:

Jim AuBuchon, Todd Burdett, and Kristen Redborg, = 3

Guests:

Steve McAllister = 1

A. Discussion of Year 1 Issues (Based on Suggestion in Witters Report)

I. Dave Nierenberg reintroduced Witters Report and condensed it into the following issues:

  • a. Reading articles;
  • b. Special lectures or rounds;
  • c. CME requirements;
  • d. Hands-on labs (or experiments);
  • e. Quizzes;
  • f. Grading system;
  • g. Format of questions on exams;
  • h. Variety of questions on exams;
  • i. Scientific method;
  • j. Research activities during summer;
  • k. Global sequence of Year 1; and
  • l. Other suggestions.

II. The membership discussed global issues concerning Year 1, after which they voted on the most critical issues in the aforementioned list. The critical issues were prioritized as (in priority order):

  • a. Reading articles (5)
  • b. Grading systems (5)
  • c. Quizzes (1)
  • d. Global sequence of Year 1 (1)

III. The first priority for consideration (Reading Journal Articles) was discussed by the membership with the following result:

  • a. The membership agreed that the reading of journal articles is critical to further the education of basic science education in Year 1 .
  • b. The question was further divided by the following factors:
    • 1. Should the reading of the articles be in addition to the current curriculum as recommended by the Witters Report (i.e., as being discussed in small groups with mentoring by physician/scientists); or
    • 2. Should the reading (and discussion) of journal articles be incorporated into the current curriculum by suggesting guidelines to the Year 1 course directors.
  • c. The group agreed on option #2 (above). At the December meeting, Dave Nierenberg will draft a discussion agenda based on the following points raised by members:
    • 1. Imbedded in course;
    • 2. Evaluated/respected;
    • 3. Ability to recruit faculty;
    • 4. Necessary competency;
    • 5. CECS faculty;
    • 6. Progression of articles as vocabulary increases;
    • 7. Questions to guide reading;
    • 8. Endocrine physiology as model - timing, not overwhelming, basic, important ideas; and
    • 9. In PBL/Year 2, have one critical article per case.

IV. Dave Nierenberg opened discussion regarding priority of grading systems and another vote was taken regarding priorities of subsequents discussions with the following results:

  • a. Reading articles (already under discussion)
  • b. Quizzes and quiz-related issues (6)
  • c. Questions on exams (4)
  • d. Grading system (1)
  • e. Scientific method (1)
  • f. Global sequence of Year 1 (1)

Agenda for next MEC meeting on Dec. 10, 2002, 4 to 5:30 pm, 758 Borwell:

Year 1 issues (cont'd)

  • 1. Reading Journal Articles (final discussion);
  • 2. Quizzes and related issues;
  • 3. Methods for assessment of competencies on exams.

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