Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine: Readiness for Residency: Mastery learning of essential clinical skills during the fourth year of medical school.
Support from The Washington Square Health Foundation enabled the Stritch School of Medicine to implement an active, rigorous, and competency-based clinical curriculum for 4th year medical students within their required clinical clerkships, beginning with Emergency Medicine. The grant supported the education of medical students, allowing them to engage in scholarly work that will advance the field and their professional development. It has facilitated team building and promoted active participation in healthcare education missions by encouraging submissions to participate in workshops and panel discussions.
The program offers 4th year medical students completing their Emergency Medicine rotation the opportunity to participate in weekly mastery learning sessions that enhance their skills in areas such as suturing, ultrasound-guided peripheral IV placement, ECG interpretation, and the proper use of a defibrillator, compressions, and the bag valve mask. Paramedics evaluate the students both pre- and post-session and offer feedback. Students are appreciative of these exercises and report feeling more confident having mastered these skills. Ultimately, this enhanced clinical curriculum will improve patient safety through translation of these skills to the bedside. For more information on Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine, please visit www.LUC.edu/stritch
