1999 Highlights

Curriculum Initiative Overview

Throughout the first half of the year, UMass faculty participated in the development and revisions of the Macy Competency Document. During the summer, the UMass Task Force created what has come to be called the "Domains" version of the document. From August through October, a Curriculum Inventory of 1998-99 curriculum was conducted with all Course Directors and Clerkship Directors in the required curriculum, Years 1-4. The inventory laid the groundwork for the identification of communication priorities for the UMass Macy project, and the development of the Macy Request For Proposals (RFP) Process. Developed by members of the UMass Steering Committee, the Macy Request for Proposals document was distributed to all faculty in late November. In addition, a meeting of the Undergraduate Curriculum Macy Working Groups was held to stimulate interest in and understanding of the RFP process. A proposal review process will begin in January, with project selection targeted for February 2000.

Another important aspect of the Macy Curriculum Development Initiative at UMass is focused on enhancing the Physician, Patient and Society Course (PPS), a major longitudinal Dr-Patient Communication Curriculum in the 1st and 2nd years. During the late spring, course directors (Drs. Giansiracusa and Hatem) established core competencies for the PPS course, and developed an interview evaluation form for piloting in PPS 1&2. During the summer, in preparation for Academic Year 1999-2000, PPS core competencies were incorporated into the curriculum. As part of the orientation to the Longitudinal Preceptor Program (a core component of the PPS course), a new Student-Preceptor communication facilitation session was held. The purpose of this session was to enhance students' abilities to become effective learners in outpatient offices. In December the PPS Advisory Group held its first meeting; this is a newly formed group involved in teaching and curriculum planning for PPS and the Macy Initiative.