Academics

Foundations in Clinical Medicine

The Foundations in Clinical Medicine (FICM) elective course is a five day immersive experience designed to prepare second year students for the transition into the third year. The course uses lecture, case discussion, and problem-based learning discussion to expose students to common pathology and various specialty topics in preparation for the clerkship experience.

This course is packed with content and is intended to prepare students for a typical clinical day. Students are expected to arrive on time for each session and to remain in class throughout the day (or afternoon.) Other than an hour for lunch, there are no scheduled breaks. Students should expect periodic homework assignments.

The FICM course has six components:

1. Clinical Thinking: In case discussions, you will learn to reason through a clinical case, incorporating the history, physical examination and laboratory testing into the differential diagnosis and management plan.

2. Data: In small group sessions, you will learn to understand and interpret common tests such as electrocardiography and chest radiography.

3. Didactics: Faculty members, residents and medical students will speak to you about important topics and resources for the third-year of medical school and beyond.

4. Management: In didactics and small group sessions, you will learn how to manage common medical emergencies including hypotension, hypoxia and advanced cardiac life support.

5. Presentations: Faculty members from surgery, pediatrics, gynecology and internal medicine will discuss techniques on how to succeed on specialty rotations.

6. Simulation: Working in small groups with case simulation, you will explore the art and science of history taking, physical examination, differential diagnoses and management of common clinical scenarios.