FUNDNAMENTALS OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE, LEARNING BASIC SCIENCE CONCEPTS IN A STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT: MEDICAL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS

Julie M. Tebo, Ph.D.*, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44195 U.S.A.

PURPOSE: The Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine (FMM) course is a first year course where medical students learn fundamental concepts in cellular and molecular biology and biochemistry in small group, faculty facilitated sessions. The primary objectives for FMM are two-fold: 1) Students understand and apply their knowledge of cell and molecular biology and biochemistry to solve clinically relevant questions; 2) Students develop skills in small group, interactive student-centered learning. To determine if the course accomplished these two major objectives, we surveyed three separate medical student classes.

METHODS: An end-of-course electronic survey of undergraduate medical students in classes matriculating in 2005-2007 was administered to all students. The percent of responses were calculated on a three or four point scale.

RESULTS: The vast majority of students agreed or strongly agreed that FMM contributed to their learning of basic science concepts (88 %), helped link clinical symptoms to underlying basic science concepts (86%), and helped students develop skills working in small groups (93%). Similar numbers were obtained when asked other specific questions that addressed these two major objectives.

CONCLUSION/FUTURE DIRECTIONS:The majority of students confirmed that the two major objectives of the FMM course are being met. The faculty facilitator writes mid-term and end-of-course assessments regarding medical knowledge, professionalism and communication competencies for each student. As a next step, these assessments will be examined to determine if the facility assessments match the overall students’ perceptions.