Academic medicine is highly important in its capacity to influence the health care system by discovering new ways to improve health care and to educate future health care professionals. In a profession that is constantly evolving, it is our desire to be at the forefront of shaping the future of medicine by leading and impacting the next generation of physicians. Medical students and residents have benefited greatly from academic physicians who have shown exceptional talent at sharing their knowledge and experiences of medicine in various ways. With these ideas guiding our mission, the Internal Medicine Department at Creighton University Medical Center has engaged in a new, innovative approach to teaching and evaluating medical students and residents with the use of medical simulation and interactive learning modules. The goal of this educational endeavor is to increase the confidence of both students and residents in their teamwork and physical exam skills, while enhancing their understanding of various disease states in an engaging and entertaining fashion. This educational model is unique in that it combines various educational techniques in a highly interactive manner with a comprehensive approach that appeals to a variety of learning styles in an effort to increase resident and student satisfaction.
We have formulated multiple learning modules targeting various organ systems in conjunction with the use of anatomical models designed to provide students and residents with a comprehensive understanding of various disease states. Each learning module has a similar format including: narrated lectures, multiple choice questions with an expertly narrated strategy for answering the question, images and video, and simulation activity with the use of anatomical models all designed to enhance the learning process and increase student and resident satisfaction with their educational experience in Internal Medicine. Each disease-focused module will have sections that focus on communications skills for history taking, physical exam skills, multiple choice questions designed to prepare learners for standardized testing, and simulation training using anatomical models designed enhance the learning experience and provide a highly comprehensive educational approach.
Dennis J. Esterbrooks, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Professor and Chair
Department of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine