UMMS Student Handbook 2012/13

SECTION ONE: Academic Programs

MD Program | Requirements for the MD | Transition to Medical School | Preclerkship Years | Prerequisites to Clinical Years | Core Clinical Experiences(CCE) |  Flexible Clinical Experiences | Clinical Competency Requirement (CCCA) | Advanced Studies (AS) | Proposed Education Plan | Interstitials | Transition to Internship | Capstone Scholarship and Discovery | MD/PhD Program |  5 Yr Combined Clinical Investigation Masters Degree Program

  2012/13 UMass Medical School Student Handbook: first posted date: 08/27/12.
* Revisions approved after this date will be noted in RED.

I. MD Degree

Requirements for the MD Degree

Students should be aware that they will be held to the requirements of the grade level that they are in and to the requirements of the graduation year that they are in. Students should regularly check the student handbook to remain abreast of any changes.

1. Successful completion of required pre-clerkship courses.

2. • For graduating classes through 2013: Successful completion of required clerkships (internal medicine, surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, neurology), and an approved subinternship.
   • For graduating classes of 2014 or later: Successful completion of Core Clinical Experiences (CCE).

3. Successful completion of all required interclerkships/interstitials.

4. For the graduating classes of 2016 and later: Successful completion of the four year longitudinal Capstone Scholarship and Discovery course.

5. In addition to the required Sub I and (Neurology clerkship, for students entering clinical experiences prior to May 2012) students must complete *24 weeks of elective time as follows:
   
   Required Electives by Type:
   12 weeks must be Type A or B and at least 8 weeks must be A or B1.
   The remaining 12 weeks can be A, B or C electives.
   8 weeks maximum of clinical International electives can count toward graduation credit.
   12 weeks maximum of Type C electives can count toward graduation credit.
   
   Required Electives by Length:
   Up to 8 weeks can be taken in blocks of two weeks or greater.
   The remaining required electives must be in blocks of at least 4 weeks.
   
   * Students who participated in Core Clinical Experiences during AY 2011-12 must complete an additional 8 weeks of A or B1 electives..

6. •For graduating classes through 2014: Successful passage of Step 1 of the US Medical Licensing Examination. Recording of a score to the Medical School for Steps 2 Clinical Knowledge and Step 2 Clinical Skills of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
   
   •For graduating classes of 2015 or later: Successful passage of Steps 1 and 2 (Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge) of the US Medical Licensing Examinations. 

7. All students must fulfill “competency” performance standards on a clinical skills assessment as a graduation requirement for UMMS. see Comprehensive Core Clinical Assessment/CCCA policy).

8. Demonstration of the ability to perform the skills in the Medical School’s Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Failure to meet these minimum standards may be grounds for possible course/clerkship failure, dismissal from the medical school, or immediate corrective action up to and including removal from the clinical or education setting. Students are judged not only on their scholastic achievement and ability, but also on their intellectual, physical and emotional capacities to meet the full requirements for graduation.

9. Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

10. Completion of Certification for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar and any additional administrative requirements such as payment of all fines including library and parking, returning all books, returning beeper, payment of any outstanding bills, required exit interviews, institutional surveys, etc.

11. Successful completion of the Transition to Internship course.

12. Completion of program evaluations developed by UMMS, such as the summative End of Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 surveys. Other surveys
    developed by organizations outside UMMS may also be required, as determined by UMMS.

13. School policy requires a student take a minimum of eight (8) semesters of enrollment and allows for a maximum of twelve (12)
    semesters of enrollment for completion of the MD Degree. See: Number of Years to Complete the MD Degree Policy.

14. Students MUST be registered for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours (12 weeks during clinical years) for that semester by two weeks before the start of the semester and must maintain a minimum enrollment of 12 credit hours during the semester in order to maintain active student status (eligibility for course credit, malpractice insurance, financial aid, etc.

    * Fourth year graduation requirements:
    As a result of the transition to the LInC clinical curriculum, elective and required fourth year course requirements vary depending on the year in which 24 or more weeks of core clerkships were taken. 

     * ECPS = Emergency Clinical Problem Solver (4 weeks)
    ABTS = Advanced Biomedical Translational Science (2 weeks)
    
    ** Students taking core clerkships during the transition year (AY 11-12) had only 10 mos rather than 12 mos of clinical rotations during the clerkship year.
    
    All students must also pass the CCCA (Comprehensive Core Clinical Assessment; previously named end of third year assessment or EOTYA), ACLS and Transition to Internship.
    
    Before applying for a residency position (Sept 15) students should pass Step 1. Students should plan to take step 2 (CK and CS if possible) by end of December. Students who have not passed Steps 1 and 2CK by the date the rank submissions close (late in Feb, exact date varies yearly) will be withdrawn from the match on that date.
    
    Students up to class of 2014 must pass Step 1 of USMLE and sit for Step 2 (CK and CS) and report a score but passage is not required for graduation. Students graduating in class of 2015 and after must pass BOTH Steps 1 and 2 (CK and CS) in order to graduate.

MD PROGRAM CURRICULUM

A. Transition to Medical School

All incoming medical students are required to participate in the Transition to Medical School Curriculum. The Transitions Course consists of a Pre-Transition day at which students will receive their UMMS laptop and complete required clinical training. This is followed by two full days of orientation as well as other Transition Curriculum that occurs in conjunction with scheduled classes. Some topics covered during the Transitions Curriculum are:

• Standard Precautions/OSHA
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) 
• Professionalism & the Honor Code 
• Learning Strategies 
• Virtual Microscopy 
• UMMS Learning Communities, mentors 
• Student Resources 
• Financial Aid

Student Laptop Requirement

The School of Medicine has a student laptop requirement. Distribution is handled by information services and usually takes place the first few days of school. Students are expected to bring their laptops to classes. Please see Information Services for more details on the laptop program at http://inside.umassmed.edu/is/index.aspx.

N95 Respirator Fitting /Mask FIT Testing (Patients with Respiratory Pathogens)

All entering students are required to have been cleared by Student health Services (SHS) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for either N-95 respirator mask fitting or PAPR mask fitting prior to entering any clinical site. See complete information in Section Nine: Health Related Concerns.

B. Pre-Clerkship Years

Usually comprises the first two years of medical school and consists of education in the basic medical and social sciences of clinical medicine. Early clinical exposure is offered through clinical correlations and a two-year longitudinal preceptorship program (LPP). All students are required to be CPR Level C (“health care provider”) certified. All students must attend BLS Certification even if you are already certified. Successful completion of all Transition Curriculum is required prior to starting LPP1.

C. Prerequisites for Access to Clinical Experiences

I. Basic Life Support (BLS) Current Level C (health care provider) certification.

II. HIPAA Privacy & Information Security Training

The Privacy Regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) have been in effect since April 2003 and the Security Regulations of the Act since April 2005. In general, clinical partners with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) are covered by HIPAA and must comply with all aspects of this complex rule. All medical students are required to complete basic HIPAA privacy and security training presented on-line at the School. This training explains the provisions of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Regulations.

The School also requires that students complete Privacy and Information Security training provided by UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC). This training program explains the requirements of the Privacy and Information Security Regulations and instructs students in the privacy and information security policies and practices of UMass Memorial and its affiliates. Other clinical sites may have similar mandatory privacy and information security training courses. Instruction in privacy and information security awareness is required by HIPAA and is designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of patients’ protected health information. All students are urged to view a 12 minute video called "Keep It To Yourself" hosted by the UMMMC Privacy and Information Security office by clicking on: http:// ummhcweb04.umassmemorial.org/todvd/vts_01_1.wmv; this video is best viewed by using the Media Player application.

Other UMMMC Privacy & Information Security training videos available on current topics include:  

Introduction to Privacy & Information Security

Inappropriate Access

Mobile Devices

Disclosure of Information  

Both training requirements are mandatory for all students and must be completed prior to a student’s first clinical experience. Students will also be required to read and sign the UMMMC Confidentiality / User Access Agreement. Other clinical sites may have similar requirements.

III. Massachusetts’ Identity Theft Law

Students must also be aware of the University’s and its associated providers’ obligation under the Massachusetts ID Theft Law. Under this law, if the University (or a clinical partner) knows or suspects that certain personal information has been improperly used or accessed, it must inform the individual of the breach, as well as various state agencies. The information which triggers this obligation is as follows: 
The individual’s first name & last name or first initial and last name, PLUS any one or more of the following: 

• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number (or state issued ID card number)
• Financial account number
• Debit or credit card number

Students who know or suspect that this information has been compromised, or subject to possible compromise due to a lost or stolen portable electronic device, must immediately call the UMMHC Privacy and Information Security Hotline at 508- 334-5551 (for a breach concerning a UMMMC patient), or the UMMS Department of Public Safety at 508-856-3296 (for all other breaches).

 IV. Standard Precautions 

All medical students are required to complete training on practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the prevention of blood-borne pathogens as part of the preclerkship curriculum.  

V. Clearance by Student Health Service (Tuberculosis testing, vaccinations) 

 All medical students are required to obtain clearance by the Student Health Service (SHS) (e.g.; periodic physical exams, vaccinations, Tb testing etc.) See complete information in Section Nine: Health Related Concerns. VI. Red Flags Rules. 

VI. Red Flags Rules
Students must also be aware of the "Red Flags Rule," enacted by the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from identity theft (and medical identity theft). Under this law, UMMS (or a clinical partner) is responsible for investigating actual or suspected incidences of identity or medical identity theft if it knows or suspects that an individual is using or attempting to use someone’s identity to obtain services or pay for services.

Medical identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of identity theft in the United States and providers and their employees (including students) must be aware of their responsibility to spot and report "Red Flags" to the appropriate people for investigation. Examples of "Red Flags" include:

• Alerts, notices, or warnings from the credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
• Suspicious documents - paperwork has telltale signs of identity theft. e.g. identification, SSN card, or driver’s license that looks fake or forged.
• Suspicious personal identifying information - personal information that doesn’t ring true (e.g. address, phone number or SSN that has been used by someone else.)
• Suspicious account activity. (e.g. Patient receives a bill or Explanation of Benefits for procedure patient didn’t have.)
• Notice from the patient, customer, law enforcement, or victim of identity theft.
• See FTC web site for complete list of Red Flags: New ‘Red Flag’ Requirements for Financial Institutions and Creditors Will Help Fight Identity Theft.

Students who spot a "Red Flag" at UMMMC clinical sites must immediately report this to the UMMMC Privacy and Information Security Department by either calling the Privacy and Information Security Hotline at (508-334-5551) or by email at: privacyandsecurity@umassmemorial.org. Students need to be aware that they are obligated to report Red Flags when assigned to other healthcare provider sites and act accordingly.

For Red Flags suspected at UMMS, Students must report to the UMMS Department of Public Safety (508-856-3296).

VII. Criminal Background Checks (CBC)/ Criminal Offender Records Information Checks (CORI)

National Criminal Background Checks (CBC) or Massachusetts Criminal Offender Records Information (CORI) checks are used as screening tools of all current or prospective staff persons, volunteers, or other applicants to ensure the welfare of patients and children. A Criminal Background Check contains information received from court proceedings, including arrest records as well as convictions and dismissals.

A CBC may be required for participation in certain activities, by one of our clinical affiliates, or by the School. If a CBC reveals some contact with the criminal justice system, the school will review that history and the student’s response. Students beginning classes in August 2010 and later have already been subject to a criminal background check (CBC) as applicants, however a repeat CBC may be required for participation in certain activities, by one of our clinical affiliates, or by the School. If a subsequent CBC reveals some contact with the criminal justice system since the time of the initial CBC, the school will review that history and the student’s response. The school has a process which governs these matters.

Please note: Some clinical site assignments require a Criminal background Check (CBC). If you are assigned to a site which requires a CBC you will be required to participate in any CBC process required by a clinical site to which you may be assigned. 

The Schools Policy for Criminal Background checks can found in its entirety at: http://www.umassmed.edu/cbc.aspx. 

 

 

D. Core Clinical Experiences (CCE)

Usually comprises the third and fourth years and consists of rotations through required core clinical clerkships and electives. This phase involves a greater responsibility for the care of patients under faculty supervision at the UMass Memorial Health Care (UMMHC), Medical School, affiliated hospitals and in ambulatory or community-based settings. Clinical sites are located across Central Massachusetts, generally within a one-hour commuting distance from the campus. Student are responsible for providing their own transportation for these education experiences. Students in the clinical years must follow the holiday schedule at their clinical sites. Overnight call is expected of Core Clinical and fourth year studies students. Students are expected to follow the call schedules assigned to them at their clinical site (see: Student Duty Hours Policy). 

A mandatory clerkship orientation which includes BLS Level C Recertification is scheduled prior to the start of the first clerkship. Several mandatory topic-oriented Interstitials are also scheduled for all third-year students. All students must fulfill "competency" performance standards on a clinical skills assessment as a graduation requirement for UMMS (CCCA). All students are required to have and utilize a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Hardware and software requirements can be found in the Lamar Soutter Library web site : http://library.umassmed.edu/. Year three students are also required to complete a web-based clinical log of patient encounters.  

CREDIT HOURS See: Credit Hours Definition, Section Three

Hospitals for Required Clinical Rotations

Students are required to take their rotations at one of the hospitals indicated below. Exceptions can be made with the written permission of the department chair or  course coordinator and Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Back to top

Assignment to Required Core Clerkships and Advanced Studies Rotations

E. Flexible Clinical Experience (FCE)

This course embodies the spirit of the new curriculum, by expanding the opportunity for individual exploration in a variety of clinical and translational science fields, early in the students’ career. The program allows for self directed learning by allowing students to either choose from a diverse offering of pre-designed electives or to design their own clinical experience. The advantages of early exposure to a medical specialty include the opportunity to foster mentorships, to nurture and develop interest in the specialty and to provide intrinsic motivation to pursue further learning in the chosen field(s). These electives may also help to explore a career choice.

In this multidisciplinary learning program, following a broad set of guidelines, students will learn in a variety of methods depending on the elective experience they choose. Electives will emphasize one-on-one interaction between student and teacher. Criteria for granting credit are elective-specific minimum standards of performance as laid down by sponsoring departments. 

F. Clinical Competency Requirement /Comprehensive Core Clinical Assessment (CCCA)

All students must fulfill competency performance standards on a clinical skills assessment as a graduation requirement for UMMS. All students are required to complete the CCCA at the end of their core clinical year or the year prior to anticipated graduation eligibility. Any student who does not fulfill competency performance standards on the CCCA will be provided with a remediation process and second opportunity (CCCA Retest) to meet competency performance standards before the National Residency Match. It is the responsibility of the student to be available to take the CCCA at UMMS on the designated exam date. If a student does not demonstrate competency standards on the CCCA, a performance on the clinical competency requirement of "not meeting competency" will be reported to the student and to the CSAEB. A CCCA Performance Evaluation Group is a standing subcommittee of the CSAEB. The student may submit an appeal regarding the CCCA and the CCCA Retest grade to the CCCA Performance Evaluation Group. All appeals will be managed by the CCCA Performance Evaluation Group.

Timeline: Students will be notified of their CCCA performance results and the need to take the CCCA Retest by Mid-August of each year. The CCCA Retest will be conducted no later than November of the CCCA year. Students not able to meet competency performance standards on the CCCA Retest will be reported to the CSAEB by the middle of January following the CCCA. (Revision date: 6/16/2012)

G. Electives/Advanced Studies (AS)

Recognizing that medicine is a highly complex and diversified field and that needs and interests of medical students are quite varied, the University of Massachusetts Medical School emphasizes a strong Elective/Advanced Studies program to complement the required areas of study. It is anticipated that each student, with the advice of his/her mentor will plan a program beneficial to his/her educational experience and postgraduate goals.

An elective is defined as a structured learning experience in a field of medicine or related fields approved by the faculty of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, which is not specifically required as part of the basic medical school curriculum. To fulfill the requirements for graduation, each MD Student must satisfactorily complete 24 weeks of elective time as outlined below:

In addition to the required Sub I (and Neurology clerkship, for students entering clinical experiences prior to May 2012) students must complete *24 weeks of elective time as follows:

Required Electives by Type:

• 12 weeks must be Type A or B and at least 8 weeks must be A or B1.
• The remaining 12 weeks can be A, B or C electives.
• 8 weeks maximum of clinical International electives can count toward graduation credit.
• 12 weeks maximum of Type C electives can count toward graduation credit.

Required Electives by Length:

• Up to 8 weeks can be taken in blocks of two weeks or greater.
• The remaining required electives must be in blocks of at least 4 weeks.

* Students who participated in Core Clinical Experiences during AY 2011-12 must complete an additional 8 weeks of A or B1 electives.

Electives applied toward graduation credit are normally advanced fourth-year courses taken after required third-year clerkships are completed, electives taken for credit at other times during the student’s medical school career may be considered for graduation credit with the approval of the Clinical Science Academic evaluation Board (CSAEB). They should not interfere with required courses and all the prerequisites of the elective must be met. All electives require prior approval by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Electives applied towards graduation credit are normally advanced fourth-year courses taken after required third-year clerkships are completed.  The school does not restrict the proportion of time spent on internal versus external electives.

• Students considering international electives must discuss their plans with Mick Godkin, PhD, Director for International Student Programs.
• Elective programs offered are posted on the Student Affairs Web site: http:// www.umassmed.edu/studentaffairs/electives/list.aspx.
• It is the student’s responsibility to arrange their fourth-year elective schedule, obtaining all necessary paperwork and approvals prior to the beginning of each elective. The Office of Student Affairs is available for assistance with any questions or concerns.
• Elective schedules are maintained on a daily basis by the Office of Student Affairs. It is the student’s responsibility to check his/her online PSSA elective schedule to insure that an accurate elective program is on file.
• The Office of Student Affairs must have a copy of the ‘approved’ paperwork for all electives scheduled, with the exception of those received through the 4th yea/ Advanced Studies EVOS. Please note that having the elective listed on the PEP form does not indicate that a student has been approved for the elective. If the approved paperwork is not received by the Office of Student Affairs the student will not receive appropriate credit for the elective.

For changes to Elective/ Advanced Studies schedule please see: Section Three: "Attendance, Withdrawal, Rescheduling; Changes or Withdrawing from Electives/Advanced Studies Program."

Proposed Educational Plan (PEP)

Prior to scheduling any Advanced Studies elective students should meet with their mentor to discuss their Advanced Studies schedule. The proposed education plan is a vehicle for student and their assigned Learning Communities Mentor to discuss the goals and objectives of the students Advanced Studies education.  Section A of the PEP reflects the "ideal" desired schedule.  Additional electives that the student may consider should be listed in section B.  Only electives on an approved PEP (Section A or B) will be approved by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Students are encouraged to discuss any elective with their Mentor if questions/concerns arise.

All Advanced Studies Students (AS) must have an approved PEP on filed by May 1st.

PEP forms can be found on the Student Affairs website at http://www.umassmed. edu/studentaffairs/electives/UMMSstudent.aspx.

Elective Types

Type A: Under appropriate supervision, students function as if they have PRIMARY responsibility for patient care in an acute hospital setting. This implies that the students are responsible for and direct the diagnostic and/or therapeutic plan under the direction of the attending physician and with the aid of the intern or resident. This role often is referred to as a "Subinternship."

Criteria to be considered in the definition of a Type A are:

• Block of continuous time of at least four weeks.
• Work-up approximately three new patients per week.
• Perform initial history and physical exams.
• Write orders (co-signed by house officer).
• Coordinate work-up and follow hospital course.
• Perform or observe all procedures on assigned patients.
• Be responsible for "scut" work on patients.
• Scrub for surgical procedures on assigned patients.
• Take night call according to intern’s schedule.
• Participate in AM work rounds and attending rounds.
• Present assigned patients to attending physician.
• Participate in teaching session regularly.

Type B1: Students must have direct contact with patients as a major feature of the elective. They are expected to obtain histories, perform physical examinations and offer diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives. Students need not have primary responsibility for patients. Such electives include the traditional consultative services in medical and surgical subspecialities as well as anesthesiology, preceptorships in primary care (medicine, pediatrics, family practice) certain experiences in community hospitals, etc.
Criteria to be considered in the definition of a Type B1:

• Block of continuous time of at least four weeks.
• Work-up approximately 15 patients per month.
• Attends regular didactic teaching session (a minimum of one per week).
• Follows course of patients with appropriate follow-up notes if necessary.
• Obtain history and perform physical examinations on assigned patients.
• Formulate diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
• Present patients to preceptor or attending physician.
• Make regular rounds on assigned patients.
• Perform procedures related to a specialty as appropriate.
• Review recent literature on diseases or problems encountered.

• Block of continuous time of at least four weeks.
• Attends regular didactic teaching session (a minimum of one per week).
• Follows course of patients as clinicians in this field do with follow-up notes as appropriate to specialty.
• Obtain history and perform physical examinations on assigned patients as appropriate to specialty.
• Formulate diagnostic and therapeutic plan as appropriate to specialty.
• Present patients to preceptor or attending physician.
• Make regular rounds as appropriate to specialty.
• Perform procedures related to a specialty as appropriate.
• Review recent literature on diseases or problems encountered.

Type C: This type of elective encompasses all those elective experiences in where there is limited contact with patients, as in diagnostic or therapeutic fields where major reliance is placed upon information gathering or therapy administered via sophisticated techniques such as radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, etc.

It can also include electives in the basic sciences. The only requirement is that there be some general relationship to the broad area of medicine and the medical sciences. In general, such electives will be in four-week blocks but programs can be modified to achieve the equivalent of a 4-week experience. Electives applied towards graduation credit are normally advanced fourth-year courses taken after required third-year clerkships are completed. Electives taken for credit at other times during the student’s medical school career may be considered for graduation credit only with the approval of the Clinical Science Academic evaluation Board. 

Individually Designed Electives / Research:
In collaboration with a faculty member, students may design an individual elective tailored to a specific interest. The elective must be sponsored by a UMass faculty member (whether the elective is completed internally or externally from UMass, the sponsor must be a UMass faculty member). An individually designed elective can be Type A, B1, B2 or C. The student and faculty member need to write a description of the elective, including the goals, methods of teaching, number of patients to be seen, supervision level, Type of elective (A, B1, B2 or C), length of the elective and grading basis (O/ AEP/ EP/ BEP/ NCR or CR/ NCR). This description must be signed by the faculty member who will be sponsoring this elective. The student then fills out the appropriate elective form (internal or external) and attaches the approved description to the form. The grading form will be completed by the approving sponsor if the elective is internal or by the direct supervisor and co-signed by the sponsor if the elective is external.

Internal Elective
An elective course offered by the University of Massachusetts Medical School or its affiliated hospitals. UMass offers an array of electives that can be found on line at: http://www.umassmed.edu/studentaffairs/electives/list.aspx.

External Elective
UMMS students are encouraged to apply for Advanced Studies electives at any of the AAMC accredited schools. An external elective are elective courses given at institutions other than the University of Massachusetts Medical School or its affiliated hospitals. The AAMC offers an online Extramural Electives Compendium which allows elective searches by Region, State or School. The online Extramural Electives Compendium can be found at: http://services.aamc.org/eec/students.

International Electives*
UMMS offer many opportunities for UMass students to take International electives. These electives can range from language and/or cultural immersion to research and clinical rotations. Many of these electives are in third world countries, but are also available in all regions of the world.

Students whose academic performance has provided any cause for concern may be reviewed by the CSAEB before being permitted to take an international clinical elective. Because students are being prepared for US residencies, a maximum of 8 weeks of clinical elective credit towards graduation will be given for international electives.

Up to one TYPE C elective credit may be earned for language immersion programs approved by the Director of International Programs, Mick Godkin, PhD. The language chosen must be applicable to a significant minority population in the Commonwealth or elsewhere in the United States.

For more information on International Electives and possible funding sources, UMass Student should contact Mick Godkin, PhD by email Michael.Godkin@ umassmed.edu or via phone at 508-856-3917.

* Please Note regarding Tuberculosis Testing: Student traveling to areas endemic for tuberculosis who do clinical work are REQUIRED to have a repeat Tuberculin Skin Test performed 8-12 weeks after they return. For more specific information see Tuberculin Skin Testing Policy in the Student Health Section of this handbook or contact Student Health Services.

Optional Enrichment Electives
Optional Enrichment Courses are elective courses offered in addition to the regular, required and elective/selective curriculum elected by the student. Unlike regular electives, the student is not required to take any optional enrichment electives. These courses are offered jointly by the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education and the Office of Student Affairs.

•  Scheduled during the independent study time in the schedule.
• Participation in these courses is mentioned in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) and appears on the transcript by course name, with two hash marks (##) in the "grades" column and a notation on the transcript as: "## Optional Enrichment Course. The student has elected this course in addition to the regular curriculum requirements."
• Requires approval by the EPC in order to be so designated and appear on the transcript.
• Failure to complete course requirements results simply in the course not being listed on the student’s transcript. It is not possible to "fail" such a course.

A list of optional enrichment electives along with a brief description of each can be found at: http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx?id=104382

 REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL

The Course coordinator prepares a brief description (e.g., 2 pages) containing:

1. Course name.
2. Identified faculty coordinating course and the department sponsoring the course, or identified faculty advisor if student-coordinated. The sponsoring office, division, or department is responsible for supporting the elective.
3. Goals and objectives of the proposed course.
4. Learning methodology and opportunities, and a syllabus outline of the proposed course (including the proposed schedule and faculty presenters).
5. A brief description or outline of how the course builds upon what is currently being taught in the curriculum in the proposed topic area.
6. The maximum number of students the course will accept.
7. Proposed start and end dates of the course. Faculty are encouraged to offer their course in either the fall or the spring semester. As per UMMS protocol, for any courses spanning more than one academic semester the elective is treated as two distinct courses by the school catalogue, PeopleSoft and the Learning Management System.
8. The method of evaluation that will be used to certify that students have completed the course, warranting mention on the transcript and Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). For example, attendance could be the sole requirement, or student could be expected to write a paper or other exercise in order for participation in the course to be reported to the Registrar and to the Dean’s Office. For example, students’ comprehension and expression of American Sign Language is evaluated through tests and quizzes using both faculty and deaf community members. Medical Interviewing in Spanish is evaluated by observation of standardized patient interview(s) in Spanish by faculty.
9. Method of course evaluation if one is used in addition to the end of course evaluation form required by the Office of Educational Affairs, as noted below.

H. Interstitials

Interstitials are required third-year activities and as with all other required courses any changes in the schedule requires advance permission. Postponement of a Required Interstitial: See: Section Three: "Withdrawal, Rescheduling Required Activities: Postponement of a Required Interstitial." 

III.5 Year Combined Clinical/Translational Research & Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation Program (CTRP/MSCI)

The CTRP/MSCI is an integrated program comprised of relevant required core curricula in Years 1 and 2 of Medical School; two required CTR Pathways Courses in Years 1 and 4; three research electives; and the Year 1 core curriculum of the MSCI program. The components of this 5-year Combined CTRP/MSCI Program are built upon already existing components of the medical school curriculum (both core and elective) and the MSCI program, and include additional required classes specific for the CTRP.

The CTRP/MSCI curriculum components are as follows:

FOUNDATIONS OF MEDICINE - YEAR 1

• Introduction to Clinical/Translational Research: Protocols & Ethics
  This required series of 9 90-minute CTRP core curriculum session spanning the fall and spring semesters is designed to provide foundational knowledge on the approach to clinical trials and types of clinical research involving clinic patients and other human subjects. The course explores ethical considerations in patient-oriented research, and includes required observation of 1 IRB Committee Meeting and completion of a web-based Course in Protection of Human Research Subjects. The core curriculum provides the foundation for students’ participation in their 8-week placement in the Summer Research Fellowship Program.

 FOUNDATIONS OF MEDICINE - YEAR 2

• Summer Research Fellowship Program Elective
  Undertake 2-month summer project in clinical/ translational research under the guidance of a CTRP-affiliated faculty mentor. Attendance at 6-8 CTRP seminars on study design, methods and data analysis throughout the summer months is required, including those sessions related to the Population Clerkship (see below).
  
• Determinants of Health Course

  • Epidemiology and Biostatistics – Assignment to a research pathway small group; basics in epidemiology, biomedical statistics, clinical trial design will be covered, utilizing existing small-group sessions in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics course.
  • Population Health Clerkship – CTRP students have their own small group instead of selecting from the menu of options offered to the medical student class. They complete all Population Clerkship requirements within a framework where they have the opportunity to learn more about clinical research methods, epidemiology and statistical analysis working on a health issue of significance. Several extra summer meetings are required to produce a stronger outcome oriented product from the Population Clerkship than other groups prepare.

  CORE CLINICAL EXPERIENCES - YEAR 3

  • Journal Club Tutorial in Clinical/Translational Research– Participation in the 3 required Journal Club sessions; each CTRP student will present a journal article and facilitate group discussion.
    
  • Choose a research project and mentor for the Senior Scholars Elective – During Year 3, research pathway students are required to develop the experimental design for their Senior Scholars project, and initiate/obtain IRB approval as needed. Two individual meetings with the student’s faculty mentor are required.

  ADVANCED STUDIES - YEAR 4

  • Senior Scholars Elective – Requirements include: Three month elective to complete clinical/translational research project, analyze data, submit project summary, present at UMMS poster session. Optional: Present paper or poster at an academic professional meeting.

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation - 5 Year Program Option: 
All students who are accepted and enroll in the CTR Pathway will have the additional opportunity to apply for the 5-year Program Option, which builds on the pathway core requirements, and includes an additional "pull-out" year to enroll in the Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation program in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

This opportunity is available only to enrolled CTR Pathway students. Candidates for this option must be UMass Medical students officially enrolled in the CTR Pathway program, who are either in their 2nd or 3rd year of medical school.

Back to Top *