The UNM School of Medicine has gained international recognition for its evolving curricular innovations that have addressed community health needs and have adapted adult learning theory to medical education. Physicians throughout New Mexico have participated in the education of medical students, offering real life experiences in the community settings. Students learn skills they need to be effective life-long learners. Current educational initiatives are aimed at improving the integration of the basic sciences and clinical medicine; broadening the content of education beyond the biological to include behavioral and population perspectives; shifting teaching and learning to ambulatory and community settings; integrating problem-based learning throughout the curriculum; and emphasizing computer literacy and information management skills.
The four-year curriculum is organized into three phases.
In Phase I, scheduled from August of the first year to December of the second year, learning methods featuring a variety of approaches including small group problem-based tutorials, lectures, seminars, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum is organized around organ systems, each incorporating three perspectives: biological, behavioral, and population.
Hands-on experience is gained through weekly clinical skills and laboratory sessions. Students have the opportunity to apply these skills in weekly Continuity Clinics throughout all four years, beginning in the first year.
Continuity Clinic Phase I, during the first year, begins in January and is scheduled from January through April. Students participate one afternoon per week. Continuity Clinic Phase I continues from September until December. Students may stay with the same preceptor or change at six-month intervals.
After the initial nine months of medical school, students participate in a nine (9) week clinical Practical Immersion Experience (PIE), either in a rural or urban community.
During Continuity Clinic Phase II, scheduled from September of the second year to February of the third year, students spend time in ambulatory and inpatient clinics. Students continue to work in small group tutorials focusing on problems presented by the patients seen in those clinics. Students continue to integrate their study in basic sciences with clinical rotations. They continue their Continuity Clinics.
During Phase III, 15 months in duration, students are involved in a variety of intensive clinical experiences. Students have opportunities to further develop their skills and broaden their understanding of medicine and its sub-specialties, including the three perspectives; biological, behavioral and population. One month is spent in a community Preceptorship, which allows to create working relationships with practicing physicians who can serve as role models and mentors.
Community and university physicians participate in all phases of the curriculum; Clinical skills, Tutorials, Seminars, Continuity Clinics, the Practical Immersion Experience, and the Phase III Preceptorships.
