WVSOM has redesigned its preclinical curriculum to emphasize health and wellness in addition to teaching about the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The new curriculum structure fosters a positive learning environment for diverse learners, with a focus on student wellness. Establishing healthy habits in medical school can help to prevent burnout later in physicians’ careers.
During the first two years, students complete eight organ-system-based course blocks designed to provide the strong basic science foundation needed for the practice of osteopathic medicine. Throughout each course, two longitudinal threads are embedded in the curriculum: Health and Wellness, as well as Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI).
The JEDI thread teaches about health disparities and medical ethics. Students are involved in experiential learning activities to build the cultural humility that will enable them to care for a diverse patient population in the U.S. and the world.
The Health and Wellness thread will help students learn pertinent nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and prevention content to treat existing illnesses and to help their patients “find health.”
To achieve the highest level of integration, longitudinal Clinical Skills and Osteopathic Principles and Practice courses are synchronized with this sequence of system course blocks.
The new curriculum will afford students a one-week break after each course block. During these eight “flex weeks,” students can choose to take vacation or a short elective course. All course exams will take place on Fridays, so that students can have a “golden weekend,” free from studying.
To ensure that all students can reach their potential, WVSOM’s courses utilize a dynamic balance of guided independent learning activities coupled with in-class activities as well as hands-on labs, group learning opportunities and practical application experiences where students apply what they have learned.
Clinical Skills + Osteopathic Principles and Practices parallel course blocks throughout years one and two.