The End Result

Published on Wednesday, September 6, 2023

I have been asking myself a series of questions around the same theme lately: What is my intended end result? When do I want to reach this goal? How am I going to reach my intended target? Who do I need beside me to help me get there? How can I tell when I get there? These are big questions with answers that are typically complex and multi-faceted. Now, I know what you may be thinking, “Wow! This girl is such a deep, philosophical thinker!” However, there is a reason why these questions have been circling in my head recently – the new integrated curriculum.

              As we have launched our integrated curriculum for the Class of 2027, these questions have been integral to ensuring we are all of the same mindset as we move forward. If our goal and intention is to help produce the best, compassionate, empathetic, dedicated physicians who strive for a healthier Mississippi, how do we, as the School of Medicine, guide our students in this pursuit? How can we break this large idea into smaller sections that are more manageable for students and for faculty?

The answer? Learning Objectives!

              The integrated curriculum learning objectives have been written so that our goal of developing well-equipped, caring Mississippi physicians can be met by the time our students leave us. Faculty/guest lecturers are given the objectives that need to be covered during their session by the course directors as written and approved by the Curriculum Committee. Not only are the objectives used to determine the lecture material (presentations, handouts, notes, etc.), but they are also used to determine exam questions that meet specific objectives from each session. This is to ensure that we are meeting our intended result and holds us, as a school, accountable to achieving the goal we have set. It also holds students accountable for mastering these skills. Using the information and data gathered from exams, we can determine if additional support, guidance, and lessons are needed on an objective, and if we are on target to meet our intended end result.

              While this process is complex, the concept is simple. We have to do what is best for our students so that they are prepared for what lies ahead.