Introduction of a degree course in critical care for undergraduate medical students

Kinsella, J. and Quasim, T. (2014) Introduction of a degree course in critical care for undergraduate medical students. In: 44th Critical Care Congress, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 17-21 Jan 2015, (doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000457814.91501.24)

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Publisher's URL: http://www.sccm.org/Education-Center/Annual-Congress/Pages/default.aspx

Abstract

Learning Objectives: In the UK medical students are not required to undertake a primary university degree prior to entering medical school. Many universities in the UK offer the opportunity to extend the course by one year in order to undertake a science degree (intercalated BSc). As critical care is an expanding specialty we hypothesized that an intercalated BSc.Med.Sci in Critical Care and Perioperative medicine would be a popular and successful innovation. Methods: A specialist critical care and perioperative medicine BSc course curriculum was devised and approved, with teaching of physiology and pharmacology at the level expected for postgraduate exams. The course was designed as an option in the intercalated degree for Glasgow medical students and started in 2012. The course provided 30 credits for the core medical sciences, 20 credits for statistics, 30 credits for the specialist course and 40 credits for a research project. The research project supervisors created projects which were related to the current research themes of the academic department. The total number of student places was limited to 8. Results: The course is now in its 3rd year. In each year it has been heavily oversubscribed and it has been the most popular option. In the first year, 4 students gained First Class Honors and 4 gained 2:1s. In year 2, 6 students gained Firsts. The majority of students have now presented at national or international meetings and several have published in peer-reviewed journals. Conclusions: An undergraduate degree course in critical care has proven to be very popular. It attracts the highest caliber of students and the performance of the students is excellent. There was an unmet need for a specialized degree in critical care. The future career choices of these students and their career progression will be studied.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Quasim, Professor Tara and Kinsella, Professor John
Authors: Kinsella, J., and Quasim, T.
Subjects:R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
ISSN:0090-3493

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