- Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Baccalaureate Education Courses
The Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Education Courses are a 4-year series of courses that students take during their baccalaureate years. These courses are designed to support SJV PRIME+ students’ understanding of the health care environment, physician impact, and health inequities in the region – all preparing baccalaureate students to be successful in medical school and as future physicians. See descriptions of each course by year below.
Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Year 1: Mission, Identity, Ethics, and Social Justice
IML1 will help students begin to develop their mission and identities as future health care professionals and learn what it means to be a thoughtful and active member of a community of learners and professionals. Through interactive sessions, students will define health, identify determinants of health, and analyze healthcare delivery. Students will assess their current level of development in pre-medical competencies and identify SMART goals for progress. Discussions will include cases and scenarios to practice skills in teamwork, communication, study skills, wellness, and critical thinking. Students will explore the roles of the social sciences and humanities in medicine, with an emphasis on medical ethics and social justice, as well as other approaches to health across various academic disciplines.
Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Year 2: Introduction to Community Engagement and Assessing Community Needs
IML 2 will prepare students for the Community Engagement components of the SJV PRIME+ program. Throughout the academic year, these experiences will provide opportunities to understand the importance of engaging community members within the healthcare system and clinical practice through observation of healthcare providers. This will be accomplished through a combination of classroom seminars, service learning, experiential learning, and participation in a Community Engaged Research Symposium.
Students will be expected to dedicate time outside of the classroom on a weekly basis for experiential and service learning. The SJV PRIME+ community engagement team will work with students to find placements and opportunities for both. Students will be introduced to community engaged research through an opportunity to integrate their experiences into a poster project.
For more information on the SJV PRIME+ Community Engagement Requirements, please refer to the Community Engagement Requirements section of the handbook.
Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Year 3: Research Foundations and Communicating Research
IML 3 introduces students to research, research methods, how to effectively contribute to research, and how to develop inquiry skills such as diagnostic-based questioning. Students will learn how to use the scientific method, search the literature to build foundational knowledge, and practice being an effective contributor of a research team. Students will also learn the basics of research ethics based on NIH requirements for trainees, why communicating research is important in medicine and public health, and demonstrate research presentation skills and provide constructive feedback to peers.
For more information on the SJV PRIME+ Baccalaureate Research Experience, please refer to the Baccalaureate Research Experience (BRE).
Introduction to Medical Learning (IML) Year 4: Medical School Preparation and Transition
IML 4 will prepare students for the transition from baccalaureate education to medical education through participation in interactive sessions. Students will further build upon foundational skills in effective learning strategies, professional communication, time management, and wellness that support student success in the pre-clinical medical curriculum. Students will develop confidence, resilience, and professional identity through reflection, seminars, and exposure to real-world medical scenarios. Essential elements of medical training and strategies for success will be discussed, including critical thinking, inquiry, foundational science knowledge, clinical skills, systems improvement, and the evolving role of technology in healthcare.
