Formats for Learning:

For years the pediatric clerkship has utilized a variety of learning formats. We believe that this serves to unify our curriculum and provide exposure to areas of pediatric medicine that cover critical competencies but are not always seen during traditional patient care. We are developing and revising our current methods, and integrating new formats to meet the needs of the newly defined competencies. Our curriculum will include:

• Clinical experiences in hospital and ambulatory settings (as described above).
• LIVE cases: These web-based cases are based on theory of problem-based learning. Students are able to work in small groups, virtually and face-to-face with a faculty facilitator, to investigate and discuss clinical cases for complex health concerns including, child abuse, fever in infancy, anorexia, syncope, developmental and growth delays, genetic syndromes, childhood obesity, depression, adolescent confidentiality, and other objectives. We plan to require 4 cases to completed during the clerkship. (see above for integration)
• Web-based cases: We are currently investigating the implementation of other web-based cases that will allow us to meet additional objectives. These are written and developed by different sources including the American Academy of Pediatrics, members of the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) who have contributed to the development of computer-based cases (CLIPP cases), and other resources. These will be considered supplementary cases for self-guided study and will be discussed in small groups with faculty facilitators when possible.
• Student manual and Block Website: This is compiled by and provided to all students during their clerkship/block. These written materials include all curriculum competencies, self-study guides, charts, books and website references, as well as information about logistics for the clerkship, grading and professionalism policies, and guides for considering a career in Pediatrics. All information in the manual will also be available on our website.
• Didactics/Case discussion series: Settings for these sessions will include morning report, noon lecture series for house staff, attending rounds, Chief rounds (for students only), bedside teaching with Dr. Silverman (for students only), Grand Rounds. All sessions are taught or facilitated by full-time faculty, fellows and house staff.
• Small group case discussions: Debriefing of web-based cases or presentation of cases and content to cover areas previously taught in large group lecture series. Whenever possible, this will be debriefed by a pair of facilitators of differing specialties to offer an interdisciplinary approach to reasoning around a presenting concern or chief complaint.
• Reflective writing: Experiential learning is often best discovered when reflecting on an experience. Brief writing assignments are part of LIVE cases and will be part of intrasession discussions to allow students to self assess competency and understanding before and after the learning experience. This is also an opportunity to consider complex issues of family dynamics, communication, child advocacy, and threads issues such as psychosocial impact of genetic diseases, and cultural sensitivity and health disparities.
• Simulator for exam skills: To be developed with the assistance of the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE). Goal is to provide a uniform approach to the pediatric physical exam, especially for infants and young children. This will be incorporated into the first day of the clerkship for all students.