Foundations of Clinical Medicine

Small Groups

The FCM small group introduces core clinical skills. During the first year, students learn the basic elements of medical interviewing and physical examination for patients of all ages. These skills are correlated with basic sciences knowledge. For example, physical examination of specific body systems applies knowledge from anatomy and physiology. Medical interviewing correlates with behavioral sciences, human genetics, and ethics. Knowledge about nutrition, taught in biochemistry, is applied to patient education in FCM.

During the second year, the basic science curriculum covers the pathophysiology, pathology, and pharmacology for each body system. The corresponding FCM small group experience studies a series of clinical cases for further development of interviewing, physical diagnosis, and clinical reasoning skills. In addition to the ambulatory preceptorship described below, the second year provides opportunities to work with patients in hospital and long-term care settings in preparation for third-year clerkships. During both years, standardized patients facilitate practice in interviewing and physical examination skills.

Small groups consists of eight students, a faculty leader, and a fourth-year medical student co-leader. Working together over the year, group members develop the teamwork skills that are essential in practicing medicine. Fourth year students bring the perspective of their clerkship experience to the group and serve as role models and coaches. Many develop a lasting enthusiasm for teaching; some of the current FCM physician faculty were once fourth-year student co-leaders. As generalist physicians, the group leaders share the broad repertoire of clinical skills used in their clinical work.