Definition

The FCM-ISP must be a multidisciplinary clinical experience drawn from several medical disciplines, focused on a particular topic and conceived, designed, and organized by the student. The completion of a FCM-ISP (or a traditional ISP) is a requirement for graduation. Because of its nature, the FCM-ISP can only be completed in the fourth year.

 

The FCM-ISP requires the student to engage in activities around a particular clinical topic and apply his or her knowledge in the observation and treatment of patients in a clinical setting. The FCM-ISP must be in a specific area in clinical medicine and involve a multidisciplinary experience. For example, a FCM-ISP could be a clinical focus on Alzheimer's disease that involves the disciplines of neurology, psychiatry, nursing, and social work. Patient contact is a crucial element. Students participating in the FCM-ISP are not required to create new information; their goal is synthesis and refinement of knowledge and experiences resulting in enhanced expertise. Once approved, the FCM-ISP is designed to be a full time experience for two months.

 

 

Common and Different Aspects of the FCM-ISP and Traditional ISP

Common Attributes:

• Required for graduation
• Should be a scholarly activity, which meets the major educational objectives of the ISP
• Require a written proposal that must be approved by the Electives Committee
• Three faculty members on the committee

Different Attributes:

• FCM-ISP Committee must be multidisciplinary, including two or more medical disciplines.
• FCM-ISP activities are clinically focused
• FCM-ISP will be completed in the fourth year only
• The FCM-ISP does not require hypothesis driven research
• The goal of most traditional ISPs is the creation of new knowledge. The goal of the FCM-ISP is the acquisition of special expertise in a focused area, through an experience not provided by the traditional curriculum.