WR2 IQ+: A RECIPE FOR INTEGRATING A BASIC SCIENCE CURRICULUM INTO CORE CLERKSHIPS

Amy L. Wilson-Delfosse*, Daniel R. Wolpaw, James P. Bruzik, Mary Jane Esber, Kathy Cole-Kelly, Robert Stern, Melissa Cappaert, Terry Wolpaw, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106 U.S.A.

PURPOSE: To weave the scientific foundations of medicine and health with clinical experiences throughout the four-year Western Reserve2 (WR2) medical education curriculum.

METHODS: Experience dictated that a successful integration of basic science into the third year clerkships would require a curriculum that was highly engaging and relevant to clinical care situations. Faculty and students collaborated to develop guiding principles, key features and a sample template for "pull-out" sessions that would take place at the medical school on Friday afternoons during the core clerkships.

RESULTS: A curriculum was developed based on guiding principles that focus on 1) basic science and emerging basic science knowledge in the practice of clinical medicine, 2) reflection, feedback, and team interaction in professional growth and development and 3) advanced skills in communication, physical examination, clinical reasoning, and critical appraisal/evidence based medicine. The curriculum emphasizes interactive, self-directed learning in small-groups building on the Case Inquiry (IQ) groups that are a central feature of the WR2 curriculum. Four-hour sessions were designed to be entirely self-contained with integrated time for reflection, clinical problem solving, research, expert consultation and didactics, and related simulation exercises. Facilitation by faculty and senior students was incorporated to provide guidance and perspective.

CONCLUSION: A curriculum development process that utilized balanced input from faculty and students along with clear guiding principles has facilitated the creation of a session template that allows for reflection, integration of clinical and basic sciences, acquisition of new emerging basic science knowledge and clinical skills development.