SIU M1 here.
The PBL medical curriculum works at SIU because we invented it. SIU is nationally recognized for its medical education advances. Check out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois_University_School_of_Medicine. Also, the LCME loves our school. Read this:
http://www.siumed.edu/pubs/aspects/AU07/s3.pdf . As you can gather from the probation issues going on at other schools, the LCME basically wants other schools to be more like us.
An example of how we learn the basic sciences:
"40 year old woman presents to the ER complaining of severe chest pain."
This is the statement we are given initially and from there develop a list of differential diagnoses. We work in groups of 6-8 and have a computer system which lets us "ask" the patient questions in order to take a full history. We can also get physical exam and another other diagnostic test results from this program. Throughout working through the case we develop questions that we will then study in depth to incorporate the basic sciences. For example, with a case of MI we will work backwards to study CAD, then atherosclerosis, ,then the cholesterol synthesis pathway. We do have about 3 hours of lectures per week that are optional (so you don't have to go if you don't learn well through lectures) which help guide us through the basic science topics we need to cover. On average we probably have only four hours of required activities each weekday. This gives us a lot of time to work on what WE, personally need to study, versus sitting through a lecture where we maybe already understand half of what they are teaching.
We also are integrated and systems-based. So, for the first unit in first year we cover everything related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems. This includes studying the anatomy and histology related to these systems. I think this is much better than studying all the anatomy of the whole human body and then being done with anatomy and then studying all the medical biochemistry and then being done with it, etc. It's much better to learn the body as a system since, well, it is a system.
We also have a doctoring component to our curriculum. This includes working on standardized patients and spending time with a physician mentor in the field. It helps you start thinking like a doctor earlier and to develop solid clinical skills. I have heard from residents that they feel extremely prepared for residency through the high emphasis placed on clinical skills. I believe our Step 2 CS pass rate is 100%. I know even as a first year I am greatly improving in my abilities to talk to patients and my history taking skills are getting pretty good.
If SIU SOM has any poor reputation is from pre-meds because they don't like the location and it doesn't have a high research ranking. I admit, Carbondale sucks but it's just the first year. Springfield is a great place to learn medicine because there is a large and well-respected medical community there which serves much of the downstate area. We are also the only medical school in the area so our hospital affiliations are solid. There is a burn center, Trauma 1 center, major surgeries, etc. Stuff goes on. Also, we have almost every residency program you could want which really helps if you want to specialize. This includes SIU SOM ortho, urology, dermatology, plastic and reconstructive, etc programs.
As far as research, I think SIU decided that it's going to focus more on advancing medical education instead of research. This is obviously in part because the school is small and not connected to a large university in Springfield. However, there is a program for students to do research between first and second years which provides funding. Students can also spend time at other institutions. I know there are a good number of people that conduct research at Wash U over the summer.
Our average incoming student stats are lower because the population from which SIU selects its students is smaller. We don't have anyone coming from out of state which would drive up the competition. SIU also selects for "good doctor" personal characteristics (from what I've gathered). There are literally no socially awkward people in our class and our class is very active and there are always fun things planned. Also, our class is CLOSE. There is not one person that I would not recognize. And if we have a party or event, most people come.
So, overall, I would agree that SIU is underrated in the pre-medical world. However, I know we have a good reputation in the professional world. We are very well-trained. Our graduation student satisfactory rating is consistently 100%. That's impressive.
