16 - Pre-Clerkship Student Workload Policy

Purpose

The DGSOM pre-clerkship curriculum spans the first two years of medical instruction. In order to ensure a manageable workload and adequate time for self-directed and independent study during this curricular phase, this policy outlines the time expectations for in-class and out-of-class activities.

Overview

DGSOM aims to build foundational knowledge while fostering lifelong learning in students by combining in-class activities supplemented by guided self-directed learning opportunities. The Human Biology & Disease (HB&D) faculty ensures a manageable workload by monitoring the weekly required coursework as well as the time that students are expected to spend mastering the curricular material. The HB&D block chairs work with the curricular thread chairs in adjusting required activities and assignments in order to avoid exceeding the time expectations for these activities and ensure students’ personal health. These activities are regularly reassessed and adjusted based on evaluation data, student input and feedback. This policy is reviewed at least annually with each block chair to ensure adherence.

Related LCME Standard

8.8 Monitoring Student Time

The medical school faculty committee responsible for the medical curriculum and the program’s administration and leadership ensure the development and implementation of effective policies and procedures regarding the amount of time medical students spend in required activities, including the total number of hours medical students are required to spend in clinical and educational activities during clerkships.

Policy

1. Estimated total workload for each course block in the pre-clerkship curriculum should not exceed 60 hours per week.
2. Total workload hours include all scheduled in-class activities, required out-of-class activities, and an estimate of the time needed to achieve learning goals each week and on exams.
3. When calculating total workload hours, utilize the formula specified in the procedures below.
4. Scheduled in-class activities should adhere to the following maximum hours per week per element*, distributed across the weekly footprint: Lectures – 13 hours, Labs, Doctoring, Clinical Skills, and Preceptorship – 12 hours, Problem-Based Learning – 4 hours.

Procedures

1. The following formula should be used for calculating workload: all activities (in- and out-of-class) should be multiplied by 2 to provide an estimate of total time needed to invest in mastering the material. Add in time for assigned Self-Assessments (1 hour per week). Exam weeks should include study time at 3x length of exam. For example, at least 3 hours of study time should be allotted for a 1-hour examination.
2. For each block, the chairs working with curricular affairs staff will be responsible for tracking weekly workload estimates across all elements and adjusting so as not to exceed 60 hours.
3. Workload hours will be discussed as part of the annual block debrief session with the assistant dean for pre-clerkship curriculum.
4. Student perceptions of workload will be monitored in focus groups that occur after each HB&D block, and used during the annual block and thread debrief session to compare to estimated workload calculations. These comparisons will help assess efficacy and appropriateness of policy.
5. Workload calculations do not include curricular time expected for students in special tracks (e.g. PRIME, MSTP). Communication with program directors and awareness of the medical school curriculum plan is important to ensure overall expectations of these students are reasonable. Overall workload for any student in a special track is not to exceed 80 hours per week. 

Accountable Dean or Director: Assistant Dean for Pre-clerkship Curriculum/Associate Dean for Curriculum

Approved by MEC October 2019