Present:

Amber Barnhart, MD

Peter T. Borgia, PhD

Gregory J. Brewer, PhD

Linda H. Distlehorst, PhD

Gary Dunnington, MD

Charles E. Eberle, MD

Carl L. Faingold, PhD

Randy A. Kienstra, MD

Regina A. Kovach, MD

Jerry A. Kruse, MD

Theodore R. LeBlang, JD

Earl L. Loschen, MD

David S. Resch, MD

Sandra L. Shea, PhD

David E. Steward, MD

David R. Wade, PhD

Clint Farris, Class of 2002

Absent:

Ronald A. Browning, PhD

J. Kevin Dorsey, MD, PhD

Jaime A. Estavillo, PhD

Victoria Nichols, MD

Don E. Ramsey, MD

William Robinson, Class of 2000

Richard Markiewicz, Class of 2001

Matthew Lavery, Class of 2003

 

 

1.         Review of Minutes

The minutes were unanimously approved.

2.         Announcements

2.1.    The LCME had fairly positive comments regarding the curriculum; overall the exit interviews were positive; any negatives mentioned were previously identified in the institutional self-study. These issues will be distributed at EPC for future discussion.  The administrative/governance structure was of particular interest, due to the collegial atmosphere they encountered.  A final report should be available in the summer.

2.2.    The Dean announced at the Executive Committee that the current proposed State budget includes several initiatives that would be extremely beneficial to the School.

3.         Updates

3.1.    Curriculum Reports

3.1.1.    Freshman Standard Curriculum Committee

Dr. Shea reported via Dr. Distlehorst that the Freshman Standard Curriculum was more than halfway through the Cardiovascular/Respiratory Block.  This is the last block in which Dr. Hurley Myers will teach, since he is retiring next fall.

3.1.2     Problem-Based Learning Curriculum Committee ‑ Carbondale

Dr. Shea reported via Dr. Distlehorst that the students are in the ninth week of the twelve-week Sensorimotor Unit.  Students have asked for and received additional practice with the neurological exam, and have had several sessions with a neurosurgeon.

3.1.3     Sophomore Standard Curriculum Committee

Dr. Borgia reported that the Sophomore Standard Curriculum Committee did not meet in January, and the curriculum seems to be going smoothly.  The integrated Central Nervous System block began January 14.  Students have expressed concern about the Radiology streamer and also have concerns about possible conflicts between CNS sessions and Radiology sessions.  This issue will be explored.

3.1.4     Problem-Based Learning Curriculum Committee ‑ Springfield

Dr. Loschen reported that students have nearly completed the third unit of the second year and will begin the final unit in a couple of weeks.  Tutor/student roles have recently been discussed.

3.1.5     Committee on Clerkships and Electives

Dr. Kovach reported that the Committee on Clerkships and Electives have been discussing the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire data and clerkship feedback reports from departments.  The group also dealt with the concept of students taking clinical electives from family members.  It was determined that, as long as the elective meets school expectations, it will be approved.

3.1.6.    Physician Attitudes and Conduct Curriculum

Dr. Barnhart reported that her efforts to date have been involved with developing PAC activities, rather than developing evaluation activities.  In Curriculum 2000, PAC activities will be included in the Doctoring Streamer, but will be identified as PAC Activities.  The Doctoring assessment activities will include PAC activities.  Peer review will be a part of that process.

Dr. Constance added that peer assessment is used during the Medical Humanities course.  Dr. Kovach reported that peer assessment is used in the Internal Medicine Clerkship and that it is has been an extremely valuable experience.  Student comments are insightful and often add depth to faculty perceptions.

Dr. Distlehorst reported that the American Board of Internal Medicine had done a great deal of research and publication regarding peer assessment. 

This area is to continue to be developed in the Curriculum 2000 Doctoring Group.

3.1.7.    Curriculum 2000

Dr. Resch reported that the Steering Committee met on February 8 and had made two major decisions:  1) the third-year clerkships have developed a schedule that, in duration is similar to the current clerkship schedule, but will have content changes in keeping with Curriculum 2000 recommendations; and 2) created an operational structure that includes Curriculum Year Directors working with the Associate Dean and the Curriculum Segment Chairs to operationalize each year of the curriculum.  Funding is available to offset the administrative time necessary for this function.  This does not affect the EPC role in the curriculum.  In response to a question regarding the status of the Curriculum Segment Chairs, it was suggested that Segment Chairs who do not wish to continue to serve in that capacity let their preferences be known.

4.         AAMC Graduation Questionnaire

The comments and objective data from the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire related to diversity and student "mistreatment" were distributed. 

§         It was suggested that the EPC ensure that these issues be covered in the new curriculum. 

§         The importance of training residents to teach, work with, and assess students was also stressed.  It appears that some residents do not know how to handle supervisory roles, and additional training might resolve some of these issues.  It was suggested that some of these issues might be traced via other documentation and be specifically addressed with the appropriate faculty and residents.

§         It was noted that some students reported that they did not know where to go to report student abuse issues or felt that it was not "safe" to report the issues.

§         It was suggested that fourth-year students be given more training regarding teaching and assessment.

Dr. Constance made a motion, seconded by Dr. Barnhart, to:  1) ask the GMEC to deal with the issue of medical student mistreatment by continuing to offer training sessions for residents as teachers, 2) request that C2000 include teaching and assessment skills, 3) request that the C2000 Faculty Development Group include this issue in its plan for faculty education; and 4) identify with the hospital nursing structure the mechanisms for intervening in the student perception of mistreatment by some of the nursing staff.  The motion passed unanimously with one abstention.

Dr. Constance made a motion, seconded by Dr. Barnhart, that a request be sent to Curriculum 2000 that diversity issues be incorporated into Curriculum 2000.

It was pointed out that, while students may not retain it, issues of ethnic medicine are currently covered in the curriculum.  It was also suggested that faculty working within the C2000 Curriculum Segments might bring about the same results, and that the issue was bigger than a curriculum issue.

The motion passed unanimously, with one abstention.

5.         Educational Value Units

This issue was not discussed due to time constraints.

6.         Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Educational Policy Committee will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2000, in the Lincoln Conference Room in Springfield and Lindegren Conference Room 310 in Carbondale.  Please note the change in date to accommodate the University Spring Break holiday.