University of New England

Curriculm Objectives
The UNECOM curriculum is designed to educate osteopathic primary care physicians who are skilled in health promotion and illness prevention as well as the delivery of illness care.

To educate this type of physician, the basic and clinical science foundations of the curriculum are augmented by a strong program in human behavior and community medicine in the Essentials of Osteopathic Medicine and Experiences in Doctoring courses. Hospital clerkships continue to emphasize these same concepts in the setting of inpatient care with its attendant special needs and requirements.

Graduate Competencies for the Twenty-First Century
Graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and professional perspective to:

Curriculum Sections
The curriculum of the College of Osteopathic Medicine is under the direct supervision of the dean of the College via the Academic Affairs Committee and the Faculty Assembly. The curriculum is divided into two sections: the on-campus Basic and Clinical Sciences Curriculum and the Clerkship Training Curriculum.

Basic and Clinical Sciences Curriculum
The first year of the osteopahtic medical curriculum contains a variety of basic science courses. The first-year courses include: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Physiology, Pathology, Parasitology, Virology, Immunology, Bacteriology, Pharmacology, Principles of Population Health, Medical Jurisprudence, Embryology, and Histology.

The second year is organized into a Neuroanatomy course and Experiences in Doctoring course plus a series of ten systems representing related organ-groupings of the body; namely Nervous, Psychiatry, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Hematology, Cardiovascular, Renal, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine and Reproductive systems. All systems are presented from a multi-disciplinary approach integrating lectures on basic science, internal medicine, pathology, surgery, radiology, pediatrics and family medicine. Near the completion of the second year, students encounter the Clinical Decision Making course designed to prepare students for the transition into the following two years of clinical training experiences.

The knowledge to conduct a good history and physical exam is perhaps the most important information acquired in the four years of medical training. At UNECOM, this skill is developed during the Esentials of Osteopathic Medicine, Experiences in Doctoring and the Clinical Decision Making courses, and encompasses:

• Socio-psychological aspect of the patient interview
• Motor Skills
• History and Physical (H&P) Format; and Initial Differential Diagnosis

The precepts and concepts learned in these courses and systems along with Behavioral Medicine and Medical Humanities are applied in the clinical clerkships of the third and fourth year. Interwoven throughout both didactic phases of the curriculum is the course on Osteopathic Principles and Practice. An attempt is made, where possible, to vertically integrate the material in this course with that of the ongoing systems of the second year.

The courses and systems taught each year are as follows. (Also see Course Desriptions)

Clinical Clerkship Program
The UNECOM student rotates through the clinical clerkships during the final phase of his/her predoctoral education. The clinical clerkship experience has a broad and specific goal to provide a module of osteopathic medical education preparing the student to enter a general rotating internship. Students are trained to effectively render service and to benefit from the clinical experience available in the internship setting. The clerkship is designed to fulfill a necessary step in the evolution of the UNECOM student to competency for general practice as a primary care physician. Cognitive, manual and psychomotor objectives are directed toward developing physician skills and attitudes of the student in preparation for internship. Also during this time, the student is expected to complete the transition to adult learner, asking questions and independently seeking and synthesizing information.

A part of this goal is the expectation that the future physician will consistently adhere to the osteopathic philosophy and concept in the practical management of persons for maintenance of health and for the treatment of disease, acute and chronic. Further, the student will develop the ethical character expected of future physicians as a caring person skilled in problem solving, therapeutic management and interpersonal relations and with a social sense of fiscal accountability and responsibility toward health management.

During those months, clinical services are arranged to meet core and elective requirements of the clinical practicum. Utilizing the clerkship training centers, affiliate hospitals, ambulatory care sites, and other clinical settings, students gain exposure to a scope and variety of clinical experiences appropriate to the preparation of the general practitioner. Students travel to a number of sites in the Eastern United States, experiencing health care delivery from the rural private practitioner to the inner city, tertiary care facility. Students may be required to travel or relocate to affiliate regions to complete this segment of training.

Core rotations, as determined by the Academic Affairs Committee, are assigned by the Office of Clinical Affairs from a list of affiliate sites. The core rotations include Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics, Family Practice and Psychiatry. Required selective rotations include Internal Medicine, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Rural Health Care (AHEC). The student selects the sites, subject to Clinical Affairs Office approval, at which these clerkships will be done. Elective months are scheduled by the student with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Documentation of immunization and/or a criminal background check may be required by specific affiliates or elective sites.

To graduate, the student must successfully complete all required core, selective and elective clerkship assignments as specified in the clerkship manual and syllabi. Integral to this success is the maintenance of the highest levels of academic and professional behavior standards.

Family Practice
Students are required to complete one core clerkship in Family Practice. The Core Family Practice clerkship is a hospital and/or ambulatory care experience where the student will apply basic concepts and skills presented during the preclinical years. By basing the experience in a community setting, the student is exposed to clinical resources united in a continuum of care, thus developing within the student an awareness of the physician's role in the total health care team. Emphasis is on the patient's reaction to illness, the physician/patient relationship, family dynamics in illness and health, and the careful and economical use of medical therapeutics, technology consultations, clinical laboratory investigation and hospitalization. Special attention is given to the patient interview, directed physical examination and patient education in the therapeutic use of the physician. In addition to training in the hospital setting, the student is likely to spend time in various clinics and the offices of individual physicians. Students may schedule additional family practice experiences during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Internal Medicine
Students are required to complete two core clerkship and one selective clerkship in Internal Medicine. Internal Medicine clerkships are conducted as predominantly hospital-based experiences. The Core clerkships are completed at a clerkship training center or other affiliate site. For the selective clerkship, an additional medicine service is selected by the student in a field of interest. The clerkships are intended to provide practical clinical exposure and learning designed for the application of concepts and principles presented during the preclinical years. Additional knowledge and practical experience are emphasized to identify the range of normal functioning, to identify, diagnose and manage patients with pathologic functioning and to predict the natural course of health and disease. Students may schedule additional general or subspecialty internal medicine experiences during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Obstetrics/Gynecology
Students are required to complete one Core clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. This clerkship is intended to provide practical clinical exposure in the diagnosis and management of the female patient with normal and pathologic obstetric and gynecologic processes. Gynecologic surgery, labor and delivery, preoperative evaluations and postoperative care are emphasized. Students are encouraged to participate in ambulatory care where appropriate. Students may schedule additional obstetrical and/or gynecologic clerkships during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
The OMM roation is a mandatory selective designed to provide hospital inpatient, nursing home and/or assistaed living community, and ooutpatient practical (hands on) experiences. In addition, there is opportunity for attendance at family practice and OMM didactics.

Psychiatry
Students must complete successfully one Psychiatry clerkship to meet Core clinical requirements. This Core assignment is intended to apply the concepts of diagnosis and management presented during the preclinical course work. The recognition of key target symptoms of common mental illnesses is emphasized with the Mental Status Examination providing a basis of differential diagnosis and therapy. The student will be given additional exposure in cognitive, psychomotor and affective development. Students may schedule additional clerkships in mental health and psychiatry during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Pediatrics
Students are required to complete one core clerkship in Pediatrics. The required Core clerkship in Pediatrics allows the student to extend the concepts and principles developed during the preclinical years through clinical work in a hospital, clinic, and/or office setting as designed by the clinical training site. Students will learn observational and interviewing skills related to parent and child and engage individual patients and families across cultural and social boundaries. Their scientific and clinical understanding of normal growth and development will prepare them to engage parents and caregivers in health promotion. Students will gain clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of primary care pediatric patients with normal or pathologic functioning as well as an understanding of the natural course of diseases and preventive care. Their direct experiences will help them become aware of the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children that may require special attention, consultation, and/or referral. During this clerkship, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations. Further, they will use published evidence to evaluate clinical practice guidelines as they apply in multiple patient care environments.

Students will have some exposure to intensive care and pediatric subspecialities, but the emphasis is on primary care of the newborn to the adolescent. Students are encouraged to design an additional Pediatric elective based on their own learning goals in either inpatient or ambulatory care settings, scheduled with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Psychiatry
Students must complete successfully one Psychiatry clerkship to meet Core clinical requirements. This Core assignment is intended to apply the concepts of diagnosis and management presented during the preclinical course work. The recognition of key target symptoms of common mental illnesses is emphasized with the Mental Status Examination providing a basis of differential diagnosis and therapy. The student will be given additional exposure in cognitive, psychomotor and affective development. Students may schedule additional clerkships in mental health and psychiatry during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Rural Medicine/AHEC
The Area Health Education Center was developed at UNECOM through funding by the federal government to 1) provide educational experiences in rural Maine; 2) recruit qualified students from rural Maine; and 3) provide educational support for health professionals in rural Maine.

As part of this program, students from UNECOM are required to perform a selective rural health clerkship as part of their clinical requirements. Emphasizing, but not limited to, primary ambulatory care, students are assigned to a preceptor location in rural Maine to apply basic concepts and principles of medical care. The service is designed to develop an appreciation for the philosophy and style of rural practice by involvement with the community, physician and patient. Involvement in patient diagnosis protocols, health screening, preventive medicine and patient education are utilized. Successful completion of one service is required for graduation. Assignment is conducted by the AHEC Office, in coordination with the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Surgery
Students are required to complete one core clerkship and one selective clerkship in Surgery. Surgical clerkships are conducted as hospital and/or ambulatory-based experiences. Successful completion of two services is required for graduation. For the Core rotation, students will be assigned to a clerkship training center or other affiliate site for general and/or specialty surgical services. The selective rotation may be scheduled at a site chosen by the student, with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs. The major goal of these clerkships is to provide an appreciation of the principles of surgical practice by expanding on the precepts of the classroom in a practical experience in clinical medicine. It is intended that emphasis be placed on the totality of care from the presurgical visit through the surgical encounter and the postoperative recovery. Students may elect additional surgical clerkship time during their elective months with the approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs.

Electives
Students are afforded elective time during their clerkship training. With the approval and counseling of the Office of Clinical Affairs, students may pursue areas of special interest to complement the required core and selective services. International elective clerkships are available, with approval of the Office of Clinical Affairs. Students are encouraged to explore a wide range of options with an emphasis on the broad preparation of the general practice physician. Students are urged to pursue a course which will not narrow their career path but provide for a wider appreciation of the diversity of medicine. Specific specialty tracking during clerkships is not in keeping with the mission of UNECOM. This general preparation will provide a firm foundation for entry to internship and residency level training.

Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA)
This program uses trained actors/evaluators as surrogate patients to test students' assessment skills and to provide feedback for students' future benefit. Each student sees several “patients” in established scenarios. Specific tasks are assigned for each scenario and may include interview, patient communication, physical assessment, ethical issue, interpretation of lab results, EKG or X-ray or any combination. Upon concluding the task, the student completes whatever paperwork is appropriate, e.g., listing of differential diagnosis, providing answers to multiple choice questions or writing a progress note.

Affiliate Hospitals
The following are major affiliate hospitals of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. They play a significant role in the clinical experience of our students. We appreciate the dedication of those physicians who provide their time and expertise for the education of those osteopathic physicians who follow them. In addition, they are staffed by dedicated physicians who provide their time and expertise to educate a new generation of osteopathic physicians.

Core Predoctoral Education Affiliates

UNECOM/Keystone Clinical Training Center
Heart of Lancaster Lititz, Pennsylvania
St. Joseph Medical Center Reading, Pennsylvania

UNECOM/Leatherstocking Clinical Training Center
Bassett Health Care Cooperstown, New York
St. Elizabeth Hospital Utica, New York

UNECOM/Maine Clinical Training Center
Central Maine Medical Center Lewiston, Maine
Eastern Maine Medical Center Bangor, Maine
MaineGeneral Medical Center Augusta, Maine
Maine-Dartmouth FP Augusta, Maine
Maine Medical Center Portland, Maine
Mercy Hospital Portland, Maine
Shipman Pediatrics York, Maine
Southern Maine Medical Center Biddeford, Maine
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center Lewiston, Maine
United Health Services/Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center Johnson City, New York
University Health Care Biddeford and Saco, Maine
University Health Care for Kids Portland, Maine
St. Luke's Hospital Allentown, Pennsylvania

Postgraduate Educational Affiliations

AOA Internship in a Family Practice Residency
Eastern Maine Medical Center Bangor, Maine
Central Maine Medical Center Lewiston, Maine
Maine/Dartmouth Augusta, Maine
UMASS/Fitchburg Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Albany Medical Center Albany, New York
St. Clare's Hospital Schenectady, New York
St. Elizabeth's Hospital Utica, New York

AOA Internship in a Internal Medicine Residency
UMASS/Memorial Health Care Worcester, Massachusetts
UMASS/St. Vincent's Hospital Worcester, Massachusetts
University of Connecticut Farmington, Connecticut
St. Michael's Medical Center Newark, New Jersey

AOA Internship and AOA Internal Medicine Residency
UMASS/Berkshire Medical Center Pittsfield, Massachusetts
St. Luke's Hospital Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

AOA Internship and AOA Family Practice Residency
Warren/Coventry FP Residency Phillipsburg, New Jersey
St. Luke's Hospital Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Residency and AOA Approved Family Practice Residency
University of New England Biddeford, Maine

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2006-2007 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2006.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.