Integration
The main integrative thrust is the interrelation between the Rural and Community Care and the Adult Ambulatory Care clerkships in the block. There is both common and complementary curriculum and summative assessment. One method of integration is with what can be considered thread material which is described above and other thread content described in the learning objectives for each clinical problem and/or symptom & sign. Integration with Foundations occurs through emphasis of the readiness to change model (smoking cessation exercise) and ILS model of communication which is evaluated through standardized patient testing. Little true redundancy is present since the rotation emphasizes care of problems in the community rather than the setting of the academic health center.

Translational basic science will occur through individual “Basic Science Corner” online exercises related to each learning objective and during a 4 hour common orientation given at the beginning of each 8-week block.

Nutrition is woven in the curriculum as many of our problems’ learning objectives need an understanding of nutrition in order to competently manage these problems. Radiology content is demonstrated by requiring students to demonstrate an understanding of decision rules as they apply to imaging studies in common conditions such as headache and ankle injuries.

In the entire 8-week block we calculate over 16 hours of “intra-session” type material. In the common curriculum and Rural and Community Care clerkship alone there will be 9-10 hours of this type of material.

• Orientation didactics and small group learning (threads & basic science): 4 hours.
• Online “Basic Science Corner”: 2-3 hours
• PowerPoint assignment (small groups) on access to CVD care and community CVD resources in rural vs. urban settings (threads): 3 hours
• An additional 8 hours a week will be devoted to basic science and threads material in scheduled small group activities in the Adult Ambulatory Care clerkship.