WMJ Vol 124 Issue 2: An Innovative Course for the Clinical Years: A Look Back at the Last Decade

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the traditional 4-year medical school model, the final 2 years are the clinical years. These years bear challenges and experiences distinct from the preclinical part of medical school.

Methods: We implemented a longitudinal, multifaceted, 2-year course involving advising, Objective Structured Clinical Examination, and discussions to help students at a private, Midwestern medical school navigate the clinical years, ensure graduation competencies are met, and prepare for residency. Participants were third- and fourth-year medical students from 2013 to 2022. The course, titled “Continuous Professional Development,” was run by a core group of faculty representing a variety of specialties.

Results: At the end of each academic year, students completed evaluations on the components of the course and the course as a whole. Feedback was generally positive, with students rating the one-on-one advising and short sessions related to clerkship and residency transitions particularly beneficial.

Conclusions: Students value educational content specifically tailored to their clinical experience. While having a single course responsible for multiple programs and sessions appears to be uncommon for undergraduate medical education, our course shows that it is possible and can be done effectively with a relatively small cohort of faculty.
 

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this continuing education activity is healthcare professionals caring for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this journal-based activity, healthcare team members will be able to:

  1. Explain the unique challenges medical students face during the clinical years of the 4-year medical school curriculum.
  2. Describe the design and evaluation results of a longitudinal, multifaceted, two-year Continuous Professional Development course for medical students.
  3. Identify strategies for integrating longitudinal advising, competency monitoring, and transition-focused curricula into medical education to improve student preparedness for residency and professional growth.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.75 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 0.75 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
05/26/2026
Course expires: 
05/25/2027
Cost:
$0.00
Part of: 
Wisconsin Medical Journal Volume 124
Rating: 
0

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence the content of this accredited continuing education (CE). In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

Name of IndividualIndividual's Role in ActivityFinancial Relationship DisclosureDiscussion of Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices
Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
James Eberhard, MFAAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Cynthia Kay, MD, MSAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Leslie Ruffalo, PhD, MSAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Marika I. Wrzosek, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Carley Sauter, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Ashley Pavlic, MD, MAAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Mary Ann Gilligan, MD, MPHAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kathleen Beckmann, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Svetlana Melamed, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Rohan Bodapati, MDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Laura Zakowski, MDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Lauren Maher, MD, MPH, MSReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Corlin Jewell, MDEditorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Jennifer Esch, PharmD, MBA, BCPSReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Katie Gillespie, DNP, RN, CPH, FAANReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kevin Wyne, PAC, MPAS, MScReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements

Accreditation Logos

Accreditation Statements

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal.  The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
 

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

Continuing Education Units

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.075 continuing education units (CEUs) or 0.75 hours.

Available Credit

  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.75 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 0.75 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Accessibility

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