Curriculum Pathways ?

[DiverDoc]

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I was curious to find out from Med students about the pathways and options the students have. I am the type of person who never misses class and likes to listen to a lecture and then go home to study. Thus, it seems that LDP would be for me. My question is, if a couple of weeks go by in school and Im totally unhappy with the pathway I chose can one switch to PBL or Ind. study if the school offers it? How common is it and is it a hurdle of obstacles to do so?

Thanks

 

[Boner]

If you go to a school that offers a standard, lecture-based curriculum that does not require attendance, then you are free to attend class at your will. What I've found from my experience in applying to school is that PBL-based curriculums require attendance, so you can't skip out if you find you can use your time in a better manner. To get down to the meat of your question, the only school I know of that offers the three "pathways" you are referring to is LECOM. From what I understand, once you start a pathway, you're pretty much comitted to it. A LECOMer could probably better fill you in on this. From my point of view, at DMU you are free to use your time in a way that's most conducive to learning. That is, if you feel like you learn better by studying biochem at home, but need to attend anatomy lecture to learn, then that's what you do. Find a school that has the resources that support your own way of learning and things will be fine. 👍

 

[Shinken]

I was curious to find out from Med students about the pathways and options the students have. I am the type of person who never misses class and likes to listen to a lecture and then go home to study. Thus, it seems that LDP would be for me. My question is, if a couple of weeks go by in school and Im totally unhappy with the pathway I chose can one switch to PBL or Ind. study if the school offers it? How common is it and is it a hurdle of obstacles to do so?

At Ohio U. we have two pathways. The "traditional" lecture-based/systems-based and the PBL-type curriculum.

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/admissions/curricula.htm

The traditional curriculum also has some elements of PBL, but it's not emphasized. Lectures are optional attendance, labs are mandatory attendance. All lecture powerpoints, notes, handouts and the professor's actual lecture in *.mp3 format are on the intranet so you can either skip lecture and hear it later, or attend lecture and review later in case you missed a point.

The PBL curriculum accepts about 20 students, and you have to apply (no guarantee you'll be taken into the PBL track). You have two weeks to try out the curriculum and if you find you don't like it you can switch to the lecture-based (CPC) path. The PBL track meets three times a week for 2 hours to discuss a case.

Both curricular tracks have labs, group discussions, OMM instruction (of course), and "problem sets" in which a patient's history and physical are presented and a set of questions asked. To answer the questions you have to research and learn independently, and the questions are answered in a group which fosters discussion and Socratic-type learning.

Sorry for the extensive post. I love OU-COM and I'm very proud to be a student here. PM me if you have specific questions about the school and good luck.

 

[Buckeye4life]

I am in independent study at LECOM-Erie. People are able to switch pathways between semesters. However, there is a huge waiting list for PBL and ISP, so you need to tell the administration at the interview that is the pathway that you want and you will more than likely get it. Switching back into LDP is not a problem. With that said, you can pick ISP or PBL and sit in on any or all of the lectures that you want. You always have a permanently assigned seat available to you. Attendance is mandatory if you are LDP.

 

[GreenShirt]

I think curriculum is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a school. Most schools only have one curricular track (w/ the exception of LECOM-Erie, OUSCOM, and perhaps others I'm not familiar with), so pay close attention to curriculum when you interview. PBL gives you a lot more independence in your studies, while lecture gives you more structure. Make sure you know your learning style well. If lectures have always worked for you, then stick with lectures.

Important things to consider in choosing a lecture formats: 1) How many hours of class a day? 2) Is lecture mandatory? You want to make sure that you have time to study, which may mean skipping lecture to go to the library at school that have 8hr lecture days.

If you are curious about PBL, I'd recommend one of two things: 1) Look into schools that incorporate some PBL into their lecture curriculum, so that you get a little bit of each. or 2) If you choose a school like LECOM, start out in the PBL, b/c as mentioned, seats are usually limited in this pathway. Switching out is easier than switching into it. This also has to do with the fact that PBL takes some time to get used to, so if you spend a couple of months in LDP, it may feel like fish out of water changing to PBL.