Jefferson's Weaknesses?

[smq123]

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I work with a few Jefferson MS-1's and the main complaints I get are:

1) Drilling of interprofessional experience is a tad excessive. They really are emphasizing collaborative practice vs. learning in "silos." There is a program in place where MS-1's are paired up with P-1, nursing, OT, PT, etc... students in small groups and assigned a patient you follow for 2 years.

This can be a pain if you're used to strict didactic methods + clinical experience now and again. The program is full of a lot of fluff (ie reflection papers, somewhat useless on campus meetings spread throughout the year). Also, some MS-1's have complained of crappy groupmates, and vice versa. There have also been isolated complaints of annoying pt's. YMMV with this program.

This is pretty par for the course for most med schools - they're all getting these kinds of "fluffy" courses worked into the curriculum. <sigh> Useless, but the LCME and the public are both clamoring for it, so....

Hmm. As for its biggest weaknesses....

- I remember that the anatomy course used to be too long and too detailed, with a focus on weird things. I used to feel like the anatomy practicals were more designed as a punishment than an actual testing tool, and there was an almost archaic approach to what things were being taught. That has most likely changed now, with Dr. Armenti as the new head of anatomy. (Dr. Armenti was a transplant surgeon, and probably has a more pragmatic view of the subject.)

- I also felt like there was a lot of extraneous crap in the biochem course, but that seems to be biochem everywhere.

- The student activities office is way too bureaucratic for its own good. Mandatory meetings for student leaders, piles of paperwork, weird channels you have to go through to get basic crap done, bizarre rules....being a student organization leader can be a bit of a pain, when all is said and done.

That being said, I can't think of any other weaknesses that are Jefferson specific. I think the reason why its ranking is so low is really research. That's mostly it. I've had excellent clinical training, with easy access to senior residents and attendings. They teach you a lot, let you do a lot, and often seem to genuinely listen when you have problems. All in all, a pretty good place to go to school. 🙂

 

[RoadRunner17]

You also have to watch out for the daily harassment that you will undergo from the PPA. They live to terrorize Philadelphia residents.

I'm glad that I don't have a car in Philly. It just never really made much sense to have a car that I would rarely drive. Most stuff is accessible via public transportation, and for the increasingly rare times that I need to go to KOP, I have access to the PhillyCarShare cars that are littered all over the city. When I leave to go back to the midwest though, I know I'll need to get a car.. just tack that onto my student budget please!

 

[maestro1625]

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