Academics

THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS

The WVSOM medical education program fosters the development of caring and compassionate physicians. WVSOM is elevating community-based services to a more prominent position in our nation’s health care system. Our rigorous program produces physicians who are dedicated, disciplined and committed to mastering knowledge and embracing a compassionate bedside manner.

The student-centered class structure offers a 21st century, clinically integrated approach to medical education. Courses are presented in three major areas: biomedical sciences, clinical sciences and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Skilled teaching HANDS-ON LEARNING

FIRST AND SECOND YEARS – PATIENT PRESENTATION CURRICULUM (PPC)

WVSOM’s PPC uses the most common ways patients present to a physician to form the framework around which the curricular content is taught.

Throughout the first two years, the PPC uses small and large group activities such as flipped classrooms and team-based learning to supplement lectures and labs. The newly opened team-based learning facility and robotic patient simulator center complement the standardized patient labs and electronic medical record training already occurring in WVSOM’s Clinical Evaluation Center.

THIRD AND FOURTH YEAR – STATE WIDE CAMPUS (SWC)

In the 2014-15 academic year, third-year students were based at one of 19 base site hospitals in WVSOM’s Statewide Campus system where they fulfilled the majority of their core clinical rotations which include family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, psychology, pediatrics and emergency medicine. An additional 44 affiliated hospitals were used to supplement the rotations at the base site hospitals. The Statewide Campus system facilitates the standardization of education and provides WVSOM administration and staff in each of the six Statewide Campus regions. Computerized case studies assist in the delivery of didactic materials. This past year, WVSOM has teamed with various professional schools in the state to put on interdisciplinary experiences throughout the Statewide Campus.

During the fourth year, students are required to complete rotations of eight weeks each in internal medicine, surgery and family medicine. Additionally, students must complete four weeks of pediatric and 10 weeks of electives. The fourth year may be completed at current Statewide Campus Site or another SWC site or at an approved site of their choosing.