Moving Clinical Education to the Community: A comprehensive evaluation of an innovative program

TitleMoving Clinical Education to the Community: A comprehensive evaluation of an innovative program
Faculty/College/UnitMedicine
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2005
Completion03/31/2006
Project Summary

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of the project is to develop and implement a system of program evaluation for an innovative community-based clinical clerkship in the MD Undergraduate Program. Specifically;

  1. Develop and test a clinical experience log using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA);
  2. Develop and test a methodology for on-going assessment of student progress in the community-based clerkship;
  3. Develop and test a database to compare student performance across programs;
  4. Develop and test an instrument to assess students’ learning strategies in the clerkship;
  5. Develop and test a qualitative methodology for assessing impact of the program on student preceptors and community; and
  6. Develop and test an instrument to measure patient care volumes and time commitment for clinical preceptors.

Rationale: The Faculty of Medicine MD Undergraduate Program has committed to investigate and establish community based models of training. A program has been developed for Year 3 clerkship training that will be delivered in an integrated and longitudinal fashion in a community setting outside the traditional academic clinical teaching sites. Such a significant curricular innovation requires comprehensive evaluation and refinement.

Methodology: The Integrated Community Based Clerkship is being piloted in 2004/05 in Chilliwack. An initial evaluation is being developed by a broad based team of medical educators, academic and clinical faculty, community informants and students. The elements of the plan are being revised based on input from the students and faculty directly involved in the program.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2005/2006
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorJoan Fraser
Year 1: Funded Amount29,329
Year 1: Team Members

Joan Fraser, Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine
G. Page, Director, Educational Support and Development
J. Jamieson, Clinical Associate Professor, Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine
George Pachev, Director, Research and Assessment, Educational Support and Development
Tanis Mihalynuk, Research Associate, Faculty of Medicine