As osteopathic medical students transition from a predominantly campus-based, two-year, didactic curriculum they face two primary challenges: 1) adjusting to an experiential, learning environment in hospitals and clinics (i.e. clerkship rotations), and 2) positioning themselves to gain access into competitive graduate medical education (GME) programs. The faculty in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University (MU-COM) designed, developed and implemented two, month-long courses to assist students with these key transitions: Colloquium 1 (C1; Clinical Colloquium) and Colloquium 2 (C2; GME Colloquium).
C1, during the first month of the OMS3 year, includes content review of high-yield clinical topics, a review of palpatory skills and OMT, practice with oral presentations and verbal formative feedback during clinical “mock rounds”, and small group activities related to the seven Osteopathic Core Competencies and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in preparation for their first rotation.
C2, during the first month of the OMS4 year, was designed to provide students information to excel on audition rotations, successfully transition into GME, and help them develop a balanced GME application portfolio. C2 also provides multiple lectures and other instructional activities to help them prepare for COMLEX Level 2PE and Level 2CE, including review of palpatory skills and OMT.