Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Medicine


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Rush Medical College: Academic Program


Academic Policies


The Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion’s Policy and Procedures contains detailed academic policies for Rush Medical College students. Please refer to that document for anything not detailed in this catalog.

Definition of Student Status


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]

The status of a student will be determined in accordance with these rules by the OMSP or the COSEP and the rules and policies of Rush University. All statuses will be recorded on the transcript. Status will be defined as follows:

  1. Full-time student: any student enrolled in Rush Medical College, paying tuition or appropriate fees and scheduled to take courses leading to the M.D. degree is a full time student.
     
  2. Part-time student: Rush Medical College does not have a part-time student option available to students.
     
  3. Leave of Absence (LOA): a student who, for a predetermined period of time, is not paying tuition and not actively enrolled or pursuing requirements for an M.D. degree at the College will be on an LOA. The length of an LOA is for no greater than one year. Any extension beyond one year must be approved by the COSEP. Students must conform to all University policies regarding LOA.
     

The following changes in student status are recorded on the transcript:

  1.  Dismissal: the permanent administrative termination of a student.
     
  2.  Suspension: the administrative termination of the enrollment of a student for a specific period of time.
     
  3. Voluntary Withdrawal: the voluntary termination of enrollment by a student. A student who withdraws from the college and subsequently seeks reinstatement must submit a written petition for reinstatement to the Committee on Admissions of the College if withdrawal took place before the completion of the student’s first term of enrollment. If the student withdrew subsequent to the first term, the student must submit a written petition to the COSEP for reinstatement.
     
  4. Administrative Withdrawal: A student who fails to engage in registration for courses or who fails to engage in a course according to the policies of the College will be considered to have withdrawn. A student withdrawing under this provision may submit a written petition to the OMSP for reinstatement. The OMSP shall determine whether special circumstances existed which justified the student’s failure to engage or whether the student’s petition should be forwarded to the COSEP.

Course Credit


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]

Rush Medical College does not assign credit hour value to its courses. First and second year courses are recorded on the transcript according to the term in which the courses are given. Required M3/M4 courses and all elective courses are recorded on the transcript according to the term in which the courses are given and the number of weeks of full-time study spent in the course.

Recording of Grades


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]

  1. OMSP Records: A student’s OMSP record will reflect all aspects of the student’s academic progress through the college, including records of any course failures, even though rectified by make-up examinations or repetition of the course(s). This permanent record may be used only for the legitimate business of the OMSP or by the COSEP in their evaluation of the progress of a student in the college. When a student is to be considered by the COSEP, the OMSP will provide the Committee with information relevant to its deliberations.
     
  2. Transcripts: Official transcripts sent from the Registrar’s Office of Rush University will reflect an unabridged version of the student’s enrollment record at Rush Medical College. All aspects of the student’s academic progress through the college, including records of any course failures, even though rectified by make-up examinations or repetition of the course(s), will be listed.
     
  3. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE): Consistent with the Rush Medical College transcript, the MSPE will reflect the student’s enrollment record at Rush Medical College. All aspects of the student’s academic progress through the college, including gaps in the educational timeline, such as a Leave of Absence, and records of any course failures, even though rectified by make-up examinations or repetition of the course(s), will be described.

Student Performance Assessment in a Course


Please see the COSEP Policies and Procedures for details on the following:

  • Performance evaluation
  • Absences from examinations
  • Failed courses in first and second years
  • Status of students with course failures

Remedial Programs


The Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion, or COSEP, and the Office of Medical Student Programs, or OMSP, establish requirements for remedial work for students with course failures in the first or second year. Remedial work requirements will be reasonably related to the basis for, and seriousness of, the student’s deficiencies. Such requirements may include but need not be limited to the following: study with re-examination, retaking failed courses during the next academic year and retaking all courses, including those satisfactorily passed. 

A failure in a required clerkship must be remediated in a manner prescribed by the course director in consultation with the OMSP and approved by the COSEP, consistent with the reasons for the student’s failure. A student required to repeat any components of a required clerkship must complete the failed course prior to beginning another core rotation. In developing requirements, the COSEP will consider the needs of the individual student and will endeavor to develop a program that, if successfully completed, will strengthen the student’s prospects for successfully completing the remainder of the college program.

Academic Dismissal


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]


Grounds for dismissal

The following constitute grounds for dismissal from the College:

  1. A failure on or noncompliance with a COSEP-mandated remedial plan.
     
  2. A failure in a second required core clerkship (even though the prior failure had been successfully remediated) or a second failure of the same required clerkship.
     
  3. A determination by the COSEP that a student is not fit to practice medicine:​
    • Failure to demonstrate the ability to be a competent and effective future physician.
    • Performance that does not reflect good moral character, sense of responsibility or sound judgment.
    • A single act or pattern of unprofessional behavior.
  4. Receipt of an unsatisfactory course evaluation or NEF that addresses concerns previously outlined that were the focus of a prior completed remedial plan.
     
  5. Failure after three attempts to pass USMLE Step 1.
     
  6. Failure after three attempts to pass USMLE Step 2 (both the Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge sections of this Step within six months of the first attempt, including any time on LOA).
     
  7. Failure to successfully pass USMLE Step 1 within nine months of completing M2 coursework, including any time on LOA.
     
  8. Failure to successfully pass USMLE Step 2 within 12 months of completing M3 coursework, including any time on LOA.
     
  9. Inability to successfully complete all M1 and M2 requirements, including USMLE Step 1, within three years of matriculation, excluding time on LOA.
     
  10. Inability to successfully complete all M1, M2 and M3 requirements within four years of matriculation, excluding time on LOA.
     
  11. Inability to successfully complete all requirements for graduation within five years of matriculation, excluding time on LOA.

 

Procedure for COSEP Recommendation for Dismissal

  1. The student will meet criteria for dismissal as set forth in the COSEP Policies and Procedures.
     
  2. The COSEP will review the entire academic record of the student.
     
  3. A recommendation for dismissal must be approved by the COSEP by a majority of the voting members present by secret ballot.
     
  4. Following a vote for dismissal, the COSEP will determine the level of the student’s participation in the curriculum while awaiting the appeal process.
     
  5. The chair of the COSEP will notify both the student and the dean of the COSEP’s recommendation for dismissal within two business days of the COSEP meeting. The chair of the COSEP will notify the student in writing of the opportunity to meet with the COSEP (called the student appeal to COSEP). The student should submit a letter to the COSEP stating an intent to appeal this decision within 14 days of the receipt of notification for a recommendation for dismissal. The COSEP will determine an appropriate time deadline for completion of the appeal. If the student fails to request a meeting with the COSEP within this time, the student’s right to appeal will be forfeited and the COSEP’s recommendation for dismissal will be forwarded to the dean of Rush Medical College.

 

Procedure for Student Appeal to COSEP

  1. In an appeal of a recommendation of dismissal, a student may appeal the decision to the COSEP. The student should submit a letter to the COSEP stating an intent to appeal the decision within 14 days of the receipt of notification for a recommendation to dismiss. During the appeal, the student may be accompanied by an attorney. However, the attorney will be limited to advising the student; the attorney will not be permitted to participate directly in the meeting. The COSEP may have an attorney present to advise the chair and committee members.
     
  2. A vote on whether to overturn the dismissal recommendation will be taken by secret ballot, and the result will be determined by a majority vote of a quorum.

    Successful appeal: The COSEP will develop a remedial plan if the recommendation for dismissal is overturned.
    Unsuccessful appeal: The COSEP recommendation will be forwarded to the dean of Rush Medical College if the recommendation for dismissal is not overturned.

 

Recommendation to the Dean

After meeting with the student, if such a meeting is requested in a proper and timely manner, the COSEP will submit its recommendation in writing to the dean.

A student is allowed to appeal to the dean but the request must be made in writing within 14 days from receipt of the chair’s notice of dismissal recommendation. If the student fails to do so, any right to appeal the decision of the COSEP will be waived.

 

Dean’s Appeal Procedure

Students who have been recommended for dismissal by the COSEP will have an opportunity to appeal the dismissal recommendation to the dean as outlined above. The dean has the option to have the student appeal heard by a panel of three faculty - such faculty shall have a background in medical education and shall not currently sit on COSEP - or hear the appeal directly. The student is allowed to speak on their own behalf, with an advocate and legal counsel present in an advisory capacity who may not participate directly in the appeal. The dean or panel, as applicable, may have an attorney present who will serve only in an advisory capacity.

The chair of the COSEP and members of the OMSP will present the basis for the COSEP recommendation of dismissal to the dean or the faculty panel. They will review the basis of the recommendation and the process followed by the OMSP and the COSEP. If the faculty panel is hearing the appeal, they will report their recommendations to the dean.

The dean will review the recommendations from both the COSEP and the faculty panel, if impaneled, and render the final decision for the student. The dean will endeavor to issue a final decision in writing to the student within 30 days of the completion of the review process.

Doctor of Medicine (MD): Curriculum


Second Year


The second year curriculum is integrated into five courses taught in sequence through the academic year. 

Grading - First and Second Years


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]
 

  1. Minimum Pass Level (MPL) will be calculated as the final course score that is 1.5 standard deviations below the class mean.
     
  2. If the calculated MPL is above 70 percent, then the MPL is lowered to 70 percent.
     
  3. Any score of less than 55 percent will be considered a failure regardless of the calculated MPL.
     
  4. Courses may include components which are required for passing the course but do not contribute to the calculation of the course grade.
     
  5. The following grades may be awarded:
    1. P (Pass) - A grade of Pass is assigned when all requirements for the course have been completed satisfactorily.
    2. F (Fail) - A grade of Fail is assigned when a student’s performance in a course is unsatisfactory and insufficient to qualify for a grade of Pass. A student whose overall record is unsatisfactory in a course because of unexcused absences from examinations or other required course elements will be given a grade of Fail.
    3. W (withdrawn) - A grade of Withdrawn may be assigned by a course leader in consultation with the OMSP to a student who has not completed any of the course requirements and has received permission from the OMSP to end their participation in the course without credit. The Withdrawn grade will be reflected on the student transcript. Withdrawing from a course requires the course to be repeated in its entirety to receive credit.

USMLE Step 1


Prior to the start of the third year, students must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. Students who do not pass USMLE Step 1 are required to discontinue the third year curriculum for remediation (please refer to section on USMLE Step 1 failure for additional information).  Students who fail the USMLE Step 1 are removed from clinical rotations and placed on a LOA to the beginning of the next M3 year, provided a passing score is achieved.  Students who fail the USMLE Step 1 three times are recommended to the COSEP for dismissal.

Permission to defer taking this examination must be granted by the OMSP.  Students who defer Step 1 beyond the established deadline must take and pass the exam within nine months of completing the second year, and defer clinical rotations to the beginning of the next M3 year, provided a passing score is achieved.  Students who defer are placed on LOA

Curriculum Note: Third and Fourth Years


The curricula of the third and fourth years provide students with additional training in clinical skills, diagnosis and patient management in a variety of patient care settings.

Prior to the start of the third year, students participate in the Clinical Resources and Skills for the Hospital (CRASH) course, which Is an intensive review of clinical skills.

Clinical experiences primarily take place at Rush University Medical Center and the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Students request a schedule of the third year required clerkships and electives through a lottery toward the end of the second year and request a schedule of the fourth year required clerkship, sub-internship, and electives through a lottery toward the end of the third year.

 

 

Third Year


The third year involves 42 clinical weeks in required core clerkships in internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics/gynecology, surgery and primary care.  Three courses to complete the required Capstone project are also taken during this year.

There are 6 weeks of time (4 before or after the Primary Care clerkship, and 2 following the Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship) which students may use to take non-credit elective courses for which they are eligible.

Fourth Year


The fourth year involves a required emergency medicine core clerkship, a required senior sub-internship, a clinical bridge course to prepare students for residency, and a series of elective clerkships which ultimately comprise a minimum of 44 total weeks.  Required senior core clerkships total 12 weeks.  The remaining 32 weeks required of the fourth year consist of elective study in areas of special interest to each student.  The choice of electives is guided by the goal of an educationally balanced undergraduate experience.  Of the 32 weeks of required student-chosen electives, up to 12 weeks of elective study may take place at other Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) - or Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited institutions and a maximum of 12 weeks of elective rotations may be taken in a single subspeciality. 

Electives


Students are required to take 32 weeks of electives.

Grading - Third and Fourth Years


[From COSEP Policies and Procedures 7/27/2017]

  1. Grading criteria for required clerkships will be determined by the clerkship director as approved by the COSEP.
     
  2. The following grades may be awarded:
  1. H (Honors) - Performance of exceptional quality, as judged by the course leader, using criteria established and provided to students in written format at the beginning of the course. Students should not be required to carry out extra work over and above that required of other students in order to qualify for a grade of Honors.
  2. HP (High Pass) - Performance of superior quality, as judged by the course leader, using criteria established and provided to students in written format at the beginning of the course. Students should not be required to carry out extra work over and above that required of other students in order to qualify for a grade of High Pass.
  3. P (Pass) - All requirements for the course have been completed satisfactorily.
  4. F (Fail) - A grade of Fail is assigned when a student’s performance in a course is unsatisfactory and insufficient to qualify for a grade of pass, or when the student fails to meet the MPL on the final NBME subject exam. A student whose overall record is unsatisfactory in a course because of unexcused absences from examinations or other evaluative exercises will be given a grade of Fail. The course leader may assign a failure grade based on the composite clinical evaluations and/or inadequate professional or behavioral performance.
  5. W (Withdrawn) - A grade of Withdrawn may be assigned by a course leader in consultation with the OMSP to a student who has not completed all the course requirements and has received permission from the OMSP to end their participation in the course without credit. The Withdrawn grade will be reflected on the student transcript. Withdrawing from a course requires the course to be repeated in its entirety to receive credit for this course.
  6. I (Incomplete) - A grade of Incomplete may be assigned by a course leader to a student who has not completed all the course requirements and has received permission from the OMSP to defer completion of unmet course requirements. The course leader will determine what work will be required to remove the incomplete and will establish a specific time within which the student must complete such work. Such time will not extend beyond one term following the completion of the course, unless otherwise approved by the Office of Medical Student Programs. The incomplete grade will be reflected on the student transcript. Students with an incomplete in a clerkship will be removed from ongoing clinical rotations.

For guidelines on grade distributions for M3 core clerkships refer to Core Clerkship Common Syllabus. 

USMLE Step 2


All students must take and pass both the Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS) components of USMLE Step 2 during the student’s fourth year by a date determined by the OMSP.  Failures on either component are reported to the COSEP.  Students who fail either component of the USMLE Step 2 three times are recommended to the COSEP for dismissal.

Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP)


The Family Medicine Leadership Program, or FMLP, gives students the opportunity to engage in enhanced primary care clinical training and experiences throughout their four years of education. Students in the FMLP will participate in a curriculum specifically geared toward the tenets of a career in family medicine, emphasizing the impacts of family and community on health, the role of interdisciplinary care, and the development of skills in leadership and scholarly pursuit.

A maximum of five students will be admitted per cohort. Students register for the pass/fail course FAM 705 for every term in which they are enrolled in the FMLP. Students who desire to change paths during medical school may opt out of the  FMLP.

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