1. What is the time needed to complete the curricular requirements?

2. What is the mechanism of increasing active learning?

3. Is small-group instruction a productive method of training?

4. What is offered by many medical schools in addition to Doctor of Medicine degree?

THE MEDICAL CURRICULUM

In 1994-95, the minimum time needed to complete the curricular requirements leading to the doctor of medicine degree (in 4-year pro­grams) ranged from 129 to 177 weeks; the average was 153 weeks.

Medical schools commonly have a 4-year program, except for those schools with various forms of combined degree programs. Thirty-one schools have a combined baccalaureate-medical program, most commonly as an optional track in addition to the standard 4-year medical program. Schools with 4-year programs average 37 scheduled weeks in the first year, 35 in the second, 46 in the third, and 35 in the fourth.

Reports calling for reform in medical education have recommended increased use of instructional formats that actively involve students in the learning process and a reduction in the amount of lecture time. One mechanism to increase active learning is the use of the small-group dis­cussion format, especially in the pre-clinical years. This format has been advocated in a number of reports, including the Project Panel on the General Professional Education of the Physician and College Preparation for Medicine, and curriculum change appears to be occurring in response. In the 1993-1994 academic year, small-group instruction was reported as a major part of one or several courses in 51 schools and as a major part of a curricular track or segment in 58 schools. However, the total hours in lecture and in small-group instruction in the first-year curriculum in 1984-1985 and 1994-1995 do not reflect much change. In 1984-1985, an average of 52% of total hours in the first-year curriculum were devoted to lecture and 10% to small-group instruction. In 1994-1995, an average of 50% of total hours in the first year were devoted to lecture and 13% to small-group instruction.

Many medical schools offer students the opportunity to earn gradu­ate and professional degrees in addition to the doctor of medicine degree. Students can earn a combined doctor of medicine and doctor of philoso­phy degree in 116 schools. In addition, 33 schools offer combined doctor of medicine and master's degree programs, 35 offer combined doctor of medicine and master's of public health degree programs, 10 offer com­bined doctor of medicine and doctor of jurisprudence programs, and 13 offer combined doctor of medicine and master's of business administra­tion degree programs.

9. Read the text and be ready to discuss the following points.

   1. Attendance of lectures in the Oxford Medical School.

   2. The system of tutorials.

   3. Assessment of students' work.

   4. The cost of studies.

STUDIES IN OXFORD

It is known that the attendance of lectures in the Oxford Medical School is free. In Oxford they have no academic groups and students work according to their own plans, but they have tutorials with their tutors. Tutors plan the work of students and suggest the books to be read. At the end of each term students have written examinations. The students' papers are corrected and marked by the tutors. And on the last day of the term the tutors give a verbal report of the students' work for the term. Each week 2 or 3 students go to their tutor, bring essays for his criticism and he discusses with them the work they have done. Such classes with the tutor are called tutorials.

Some lectures are delivered by tutors, others are delivered by profes­sor. But mainly professors carry on research work in their practical sub­ject.

The cost of studies at the university is rather expensive. The tuition for the undergraduate is about eight hundred pounds a year. A room in a house and the meals at the lodging-house cost about one hundred and ninety pounds a year. Then two hundred and fifty pounds must be added as the fee for the University sport club.