Clinical Practicum Course

[Careofme]

I was curious to see how other osteopathic medical schools have their clinical practicum courses (generally 1st year - aka intro. to clinical medicine) organized

At NSU-COM we have lecture hours and then a simulated patient experience (SPE) - usually 2/semester. We have simulated patients (paid actors) and are graded one-on-one by a physician who is in the room during the exam. The whole thing can be taped - and appealed but not easily. The SPE's can range from 30 - 60 minutes in length and account for about 20%-30% of our grade. I've found that they can be VERY subjective (depending on who your physician is: technique, styles, etc - 'tis an art).

Just curious to find out how some other places do it....

Thanks,

care

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[sddoc]

At LECOM, the PBL pathway meets once a week in both semesters of the first year. First semester, we work on taking a good history. Second semester we learn various flows, or examination routines (ie neuro, abdomen, chest, heart, vitals, etc) We have 3 tests per semester where we demonstrate a particular flow on one of our fellow students. The examiner has a checklist of points that we have to cover in order to pass the exam. It is a very objective and thorough way of covering the material.