Preclerkship Medical Education

The preclerkship curriculum (years one and two) assists students in developing the knowledge and skills needed for successful entry into the health care environment and the foundation in biomedical sciences that prepares students for entry into clinical rotations.

Curricular content is aligned to the osteopathic core competencies:

• Osteopathic principles and practice
• Medical knowledge
• Patient care
• Communication
• Professionalism
• Systems-based practice
• Practice-based learning and improvement 

Organization of the curriculum consists of two semesters of foundational biomedical sciences followed by four semesters of systems-based instruction. Longitudinal themes or “threads” are integrated throughout the preclerkship experience. Students are introduced to an osteopathic approach to patient care, including hands-on osteopathic manipulative treatment, as well prevention and wellness. Interprofessional learning reinforce competencies in teamwork, communication, roles, and ethics to promote collaborative care. Principles of the scientific method and evidence-based medicine are introduced and applied, with opportunities for scholarly activity and research. Skill sets in self-assessment and self-directed learning are developed.  

As students develop this foundation of knowledge, skills and attitudes, they encounter patients who share how various conditions impact them and their families. Early clinical contact includes standardized patients, primary care office rotations, and community outreach to care for underserved populations.

The preclerkship curriculum culminates with the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Examination Level One (COMLEX-USA Level 1) evaluation, followed by transition to the clerkship curriculum.