A special studies programme
Introduction
Special Study opportunities are now an established part of virtually all Undergraduate medical curricula in the UK following the recommendations of Tomorrow's Doctors (General Medical Council, 1993), which were re-affirmed in the follow-up document (General Medical Council, 2001).
Special study opportunities are aimed to ensure development of life-long learning skills (transferable or generic skills) associated with opportunities to explore topics outside the core of the undergraduate medical curriculum (Macnaughton, 1997; Murdoch-Eaton and Jolly 2000). A credit rated Special Studies Module runs in Phase 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Phase 2 (Years 3 and 4). Each carries 60 credits (the Phase total is 240 credits). Each Module is made up of a number of Special Study Units (SSUs).
Each student will take 7 SSUs in Phase 1 and 6 in Phase 2. SSUs are related to Core through their objectives, not through their content. Phase 1 SSUs are 2 weeks long and Phase 2 SSUs are 3 weeks long. SSUs represent 29.6% of the course as a whole. SSUs are interspersed throughout the Core (Harden and Davis 1995).
Means of supervison
The Phase Directors supervise the Special Studies Modules. There is a full time SSU Administrator. SSUs are designed to promote critical thinking and communication skills, explicitly report writing in the scientific style.
The format of many short SSUs was chosen to (a) increase the range of student experiences and (b) to ensure reliability by having many assessors. Validity and comparability is ensured by the SSU Steering Group which reviews each SSU proposal.
Each SSU is assessed by two means. The provider completes a standardised judgement form on student engagement (e.g. enthusiasm, co-operation etc.). This is modelled on forms used extensively in the assessment of health professionals (Prescott et al, 2002).
Making judgements
Judgements made by providers are low stakes - that is, a student cannot fail the Module on the basis of a single adverse judgement. Providers are given training by PMS in assessment principles.
The student submits an SSU Report in the scientific format which is assessed by PMS staff using a structured standardised format and the student is given detailed individual feedback.
Each student has an Academic Mentor who monitors their performance on SSUs and provides further guidance. Students evaluate each SSU, and this information goes to the SSU Steering Group.
The student must pass each Special Studies Module in order to progress. Each student completes an evaluation form on each SSU they undertake. This form is completed and submitted via Blackboard, which logs the time and date of submission and indicates which students have not yet completed their forms.
Report summaries are produce by Blackboard and are incorporated into the SSU Access Database. On this basis, each SSU can be reviewed at any point, but not less than once a year, by the SSU Steering Group.
Feedback to students
Students are informed in writing that they can also contact the SSU Administrator, their Academic Mentor or the relevant Phase Director at any point with comments or concerns, and these will receive immediate attention.
SSUs can be offered by (a) our University of Exeter or Plymouth Partners (b) Primary or Acute Care Trusts in the locality (c) members of the wider health care community, including lay people, in the South West.
Students must do one SSU from each of these sources in each Phase, but can choose the others without restriction. Students select their SSUs by transferable votes at the beginning of each academic year.
For more information: enquiries@medev.ac.uk
