The current structure of the basic science curriculum represents a combination of "discipline-oriented" courses and “organ system-based” courses. Ongoing changes in the curriculum are actively managed by the curriculum committees.
The curriculum is educationally equivalent at all of the WWAMI first year sites, and common examinations are given to ensure that all students are achieving the same level of competence. Many courses utilize computer-based information, and almost all communication with students outside of the classroom is through our Web pages and email.
During the first year, students are also introduced to their first organ system-based courses including the Nervous System, Musculoskeletal, and Immunology System courses.
Throughout this first year and continuing into the second year, the student learns clinical skills including interviewing skills, history taking and recording techniques, and the art of the physical examination. These skills are taught in the Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) series.
The University of Washington was one of the first schools to pioneer the small group format that utilizes videotapes of students doing patient interviews and learning from standardized patients. Standardized patients are persons who portray a patient with a particular illness. Those "patients" are trained to give feedback to the students on their interviewing skills. The second-year Introduction to Clinical Medicine course is taught by the College faculty, and includes pertinent lectures, clinical tutorials, and the teaching of clinical skills at the bedside.
The Basic Science Curriculum
For more information contact Michelle Fleming, Manager of the Basic Science Curriculum, at flemingm@uw.edu or 206.543.0922.