Information provided by
psychbender, a 2nd year VCOM student
Curriculum
1. Are there any special programs for which this medical school is noted?
VCOM likes to talk about its systems-based blocks. It also likes to talk about its commitment to rural and underserved regions in Appalachia, yet seems to like to talk about international missions even more. Sometimes I have to wonder if the dean has lost sight of the stated mission of this school when trying to set up sites in Latin American nations. By putting bodies into the community hospitals of SW Virginia, we are helping the area re: medical care, but I think more could be accomplished if we focused on problems at home, rather than the looking to build more glamorous international medical mission sites.
We have a number of excellent faculty members, though I do not know if any are particularly well-known in their line of work (honestly, I don't care whether or not the professors are well known, so long as they can teach me what I need to know). There are also some not-so-stellar professors; but that's life, and why we have textbooks.
2. Describe this school's curriculum in the pre-clinical and clinical years. Are there any innovations, like Problem-Based Learning?
Pre-clinical: Divided into 12 blocks (6 each year), you hit each major organ system twice, going through the anatomy/physiology the first time around (yes, we do Anatomy and lab January through September), then doing pathology and pharmacology in second year. First block is filled with all the basic sciences—biochemistry, immunology, genetics, micro (I hear that's going to block 2, for future classes), and epidemiology (not sure where that's going). Histology was previously included in anatomy, but is now its own course. Principals of Primary Care (with OMM) and Clinical Case Correlations are also throughout each year. CCC delves into the various diseases/disorders from a clinician's standpoint (versus a pathologist's or pharmacist's standpoint). We usually go for 5-10 weeks on, one week off; lather, rinse, and repeat. Our summer after first year was three weeks long, but I think it's a whole month for class 2010. We also have five weeks between second and third year (for boards), and a month between third and fourth year (again, for boards). Spring of second year also sees the arrival of Early Clinical Experiences: we spend Fridays either doing clinical skills labs (IVs, sutures, casting/splinting, etc), or spending the day in some part of the hospital or outpatient setting (hospice, free clinic, IM, radiology, pharmacy, etc). These vary greatly in how much they are actually worth doing--but they're all required.
Clinical: All I can say is, each clinical year is divided into 9 one-month rotations. Third year is all core rotations: FM, EM, Surgery, Psych, OB/Gyn, Peds, Geriatrics, Rural PC, and IM. Fourth year is 2 surgical selectives, 3 medical selectives, 4 electives. Can't comment further about rotations, ask me again next year.
3. Are there opportunities for students to design, conduct, and publish their own research?
I'm sure there are, as with any medical school. It's just not laid out there with a big red sign saying "Student Research Here!" you have to go looking for the opportunity. I know of some classmates involved in faculty research projects (and several have presented original posters at some conferences), and we have a DO/PhD program, as well.
4. Is there a note-taking service? If so, is it university-run or student-run?
There is no note-taking service (since we're expected to all show up here with bright, shining faces, eager to learn), but all lectures are required to be made available in powerpoint or word document format (usually ppt) online before class. This usually happens. When it doesn't, those lectures are posted by the end of the day. These lectures then remain online throughout the block. Some people record lectures, and generally let others know that they have them, should anyone really want to listen, for that complete grey-box experience.
5. Is there flexibility in the coursework (the number of electives) and the timing of the courses (accelerating, decelerating, and time off) during the pre-clinical and clinical years?
The extent of preclinical flexibility is that you aren't quite sure what's in the later blocks, as they may change on you (constantly trying to find the best fit). Though, I wouldn't call this ‘flexible' so much as ‘dynamic' (love those spin-words).
As far as the school being flexible, should life get out of hand, admin has been fairly reasonable. If you don't pass a course, you may be allowed to remediate during the break between classes (often consists of retaking the final, or doing some other coursework). If you pass the remediation, you are allowed to continue with the rest of the class. A few students from my class were allowed to remain at VCOM, but are now one class behind us (various reasons as to why). Two other notables were absent for prolonged periods of time due to medical issues, and have been allowed to stay in our class. They just had to make up all the missed work on their own, in addition to all the normal coursework—which can be extensive, as one of them missed an entire block.
In the clinical years, you don't have any electives 3rd year--9 core rotations at many different sites, but you get more than a fair bit of input into what region you go. Fourth year has 5 selectives (2 surgical, 3 medical), and 4 electives, so you can pretty much do as you wish, where you wish.
6. Has this medical school, or any of its clinical departments, been on probation or had its accreditation revoked?
We just got started, and just got accreditation (first class graduated June 2007, so we are now fully accredited).
7. How do students from this medical school perform on the National Board Examinations? How does the school assist students who do not pass?
Too early to tell, as only 2 classes have taken COMLEX 1 so far, and the school won't give us the hard numbers (just gave us some fluffy statistics about them doing ‘well' and that there was a high-correlation between boards score and performance in pre-clinical years…Naw, you don't say?). There was, apparently, a substantial increase in scores (along the lines of 50 points) between the first and second class, though.
Not sure what they do to help those that don't pass (and I hope I never find out). This year, the school decided to give each of us $500 to put toward whatever board prep program we want (most of us chose one form or another of Boards Boot Camp), so that's pretty sweet.
Evaluations
8. How are students evaluated academically? How are clinical evaluations performed?
Preclinically: GPA based on 4-point scale (A = 4, B = 3, etc). This is based on exams, quizzes, pre and post cases, and/or practicals, depending on the class in question.
Clinically: At the end of each month, the preceptor is supposed to fill out an evaluation form for each student. This does not factor into GPA, but decide the whole Pass/Fail/Honor thing. There is also a "shelf" exam of VCOM's own creation that (as of this year) will be graded, and factor in to GPA—or so we've been told (previously, it was just graded as Pass/Fail). I have been told that in previous years, some of the questions on the exam were just plain ridiculous…like WTF was that?! kind of ridiculous. Now that they actually count, I really hope they fix this (let's all cross our fingers).
9. Is there a formal mechanism in place for students to evaluate their professors and attending physicians? What changes have been made recently as a result of this feedback?
Not anymore. We used to have an extensive online questionaire at the end of each block to evaluate each professor using several standard questions, and one large comment section at the end. In order to receive grades, 75% of the class had to submit the evals. Now, each course eval is reduced to just a few general questions about the course as a whole, and no comment section…this does not make me a happy camper. Also, questions from non-final exams may be challenged, and will be dropped if the challenge is accepted. I believe that there is still a student evaluation of each site and preceptor, but I cannot comment on this, as I have not yet started the third year.
There were huge changes made due to feedback (some professors no longer teaching as much, or changing lecture/exam styles). Students were required to sit on at least one Continuing Quality Improvement meeting, where they went through all the feedback for a given class, digested it, and summarized it for the administration. I believe this is still done, but I have not had to take part since the first time (was it something I said?). The biggest example of feedback in action is the change from multiple exams each block to a midterm week and finals week, to take effect 2007/2008 academic year. Gone will be the days of 3+ exams nearly every week. Now, there'll apparently be two weeks of nothing but exams. I'd rather be tested more frequently, but I don't have to put up with the new policy, anyway, so it matters not to me.
Counseling/Student Support10. What kind of academic, personal, financial, and career counseling is available to students? Are these services also offered to their spouses and dependents/children?
I can't speak too much about this, as I haven't used any of them.
11. Is there a mentor/advisor system? Who are the advisors—faculty members, other students, or both?
Each incoming student is assigned two ‘big siblings' in the class above, and two faculty advisors (one academic, one clinical). My big siblings really weren't involved with me, but I give old exams/notes/assignments to my little siblings, when I can. The extent of involvement varies between advisors/mentors. At the end of first year, you are reassigned a new advisor, and involvement varies again. They sometimes try to match you to a clinical advisor that matches your interests—example: most of the EM club officers and active members were assigned the head of the EM department.
12. How diverse is the student body? Are there support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women?
Each class is hugely different. My class was a little bit older than the next, and had a lot of second-career/non-traditional students in addition to those straight from undergrad. I believe over half the class is women, and we have a good number of minorities. Yes, there are student organizations specifically for minorities and women.
Facilities
13. Tell me about the library and extracurricular facilities (i.e., housing and athletic/recreational facilities).
The library is small, but has access to a fair number of texts electronically, which you can access from anywhere. There is also a large room next to the library for study space, with individual computer cubicles (power outlets in each; wireless throughout the grounds). There is no local VCOM housing, and I cannot speak yet for VCOM housing for clinicals (which would vary by site, anyway). There are no VCOM-specific athletic/recreational facilities, though we have grad student privileges at Virginia Tech, and can use their facilities (and go to their games, do intramural sports, etc).
14. Are there computer facilities available to students? Are they integrated into the curriculum/learning?
The library has a half-dozen desktop computers, but it is expected that you use your laptop on campus. Most people use these computers to quickly check email when stopping by, or to print something off in the library (used to be free, now they charge). Each table in the gross anatomy lab also has a computer with VH dissector installed, and instructions for the lab, so that those not involved in actually dissecting can follow along on the computer.
15. What type of clinical sites—ambulatory, private preceptors, private hospitals, rural settings—are available or required for clerkships? Does this school allow for students to do rotations at other institutions or internationally?
VCOM currently has 6 different regions for rotations (each region having several hospitals), with sites varying from outpatient clinics, to VA hospitals, to private hospitals, to rural community hospitals. All students have one required month of rural primary care, but some regions end up having a lot more rural medicine. Fourth year rotations can be just about anywhere (including overseas), but it takes a lot to get third year rotations outside of the standard VCOM regions (can be done, though). However, if you are military, you can do up to 3 months each year at DoD sites which have an MOU with the school (such as Portsmouth, Womack, etc).
16. Is a car necessary for clinical rotations? Is parking a problem?
A car will be necessary for most rotations. For some, VCOM housing is apparently right next to the hospital, so you should be able to walk. Parking will, of course, vary based on the hospital in question.
Financial Aid
I really can't answer these questions. I sold my soul to the Army (HPSP).
Student Involvement
23. What medical school committees (e.g., curriculum committee) have student representation?
Some committees have student representation (Via Wellness Committee comes to mind), but I don't know about any curriculum committees, or anything of the sort. The Council of Presidents (the Presidents of each student organization) also meets regularly to discuss issues that pertain to more than one group.
24. Are students involved in (required or voluntary) community service?
Students can be involved in whatever they want, but no one is holding a gun saying "Sacrifice for the community, or this cute, little puppy gets it!" I volunteer 100+ hours per month serving the town of Blacksburg, but I'm weird, in case you can't already tell (this town has been my home for seven years, and I've been a medic with the rescue squad here since undergrad). Most students aren't heavily involved in community service (though community service of one form or another is common enough). There are a few other sick freaks, though, that can't seem to get enough to do at school, so pile on more and more (yeah, you know who you are…hard working bastards).
25. How active is the Student Council/Government? Are there other student organizations?
Not sure just how active our class officers are. They have a lot of meetings with admin that we are not privy to (but the report back to us fairly regularly). We have a plethora of student organizations, with activity level varying greatly from organization to organization, and year to year. There's an organization for most medical specialties, and others for major areas of interest (SOMA, military medicine, Virginia Rural Health Association, etc).
Policies
26. Is there an established protocol for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases? Is disability insurance provided to cover this exposure?
I'm sure there's a policy, most of us just don't know it off the top of our heads. As for insurance, we all have to have our own health and life insurance prior to matriculation, so I would assume that this comes under one of those headings. I have no idea if the school or hospitals have any additional coverage for exposure.
27. Does this school provide, or does the student pay for, vaccinations against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident?
All students are required to have HepB immunization, along with many others, before coming to VCOM. The school does not pay for this (that I recall). I have no idea about post-exposure prophylaxis, and I really hope I never need to find out.
28. Is there a school Honor Code? Is there a grievance process/procedure? Are the students involved?
Oh yeah, there's an Honor Code, alright. Student-written, and student-run. There are also some peasants with pitchforks and torches ("she turned me into a newt"), but we try not to pay too much attention to those.
Residency
29. May I see a list of residency programs to which this school's recent graduates were accepted?
It's posted somewhere here on SDN, and I don't have a copy readily available, myself.