Demonstrator posts and the teaching of anatomy: A survey of former anatomy demonstrators at the University of Manchester,England

Postal questionnaires were sent to anatomy demonstrators who had been in that post at the University of Manchester, England, between 1975 and 1986. Replies received from 83 former staff (faculty) (72% response rate), of whom 79 were medical graduates, indicated that the posts were thought of very highly for learning to teach, for studying for the Primary Examinations for Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS), and for gaining subsequent employment. The 93% success rate for those who took the Primary FRCS Examination, usually while in the post, is remarkable. The results of the survey and the future for demonstrator posts are discussed in the light of changes in the regulations for the FRCS Examinations, changes in the university environment for biological subjects, and changes in the financial circumstances of both the universities and the National Health Service.     

A global partnership in medical education between Duke University and the National University of Singapore.

Duke University and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have partnered to launch a new medical school that brings the American style of postbaccalaureate medical education to Asia. The new institution, called the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (GMS) and located in Singapore adjacent to the Singapore General Hospital, admitted its inaugural class of students representing citizens of seven nations in August 2007. The project represents an investment of more than $350 million from three ministries of the Singapore government, and a commitment on Duke's part to provide senior leadership and recruit faculty from Duke, from other international locales, and from within Singapore itself. Graduating students who complete the four-year Duke curriculum will receive an MD degree awarded jointly by Duke and NUS, thereby distinguishing this school from medical education in most Asian institutions that award an MBBS degree after a five-year period of study that follows directly from secondary school. The emphasis of the Duke-NUS GMS is to prepare physician-scientists for academic careers, with plans for 20% of each class to complete a combined MD/PhD degree. This article describes events leading up to this partnership and details of the relationship, including curriculum, organizational structure, milestones, and goals.     

Scope of coverage of medical genetics and genomics in pre-clerkship programs of Canadian faculties of medicine: A curriculum analysis

We appraised the scope of medical genetics and genomics concepts covered in the pre-clerkship programs of Canadian faculties of medicine through an analysis of course objectives. All course objectives linked to medical genetics and genomics in pre-clerkship programs of Canadian faculties of medicine were compiled. From this, the fraction of objectives dedicated to medical genetics and genomics was calculated. Course objectives were also categorized according to a curriculum and a competency classification. Of the 17 Canadian faculties of medicine, the complete set of course syllabi (5 faculties) or the listing of learning objectives (4 faculties) were obtained and reviewed. The fraction of learning objectives dedicated to medical genetics and genomics varied between 0.65% and 5.05%. From the objectives classification, “foundational knowledge” was most frequently covered (64% of the compiled objectives), while topics such as: “ethics and professionalism,” “communicate genetics information,” and “obtain specialist help” were covered by less than 5%. Coverage of medical genetics and genomics in pre-clerkship programs of Canadian faculties of medicine appears to be low. Genetics and genomics are playing a rapidly expanding role in healthcare and clinical practice and educational programs should consider this new reality.     

M.D.-Ph.D. training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1962-1991.

From 1962 to 1991, 150 students earned both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees in a combined program of study at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSM). Seventy-five of these individuals were supported by the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) of the National Institutes of Health. The authors analyzed the professional development of these dual-degree recipients, focusing particularly on the 109 M.D.-Ph.D.s who graduated since 1980, when the first MSTP-supported student received both degrees. Of the 109 graduates since 1980, 42 are now in career positions. Thirty-four of the 42 graduates (81%) obtained clinical housestaff training, and 21 of the 34 also had postdoctoral science training. Nearly all of the 42 M.D.-Ph.D.s are in full-time academic posts (81%) or positions in research institutes (14%); the remaining 5% hold research positions in biotechnology firms. All 42 graduates are actively involved in research, and 67% have regular and well-defined clinical responsibilities. Analysis of the representation of M.D.-Ph.D.s on the JHUSM faculty from 1962 to 1991 shows a striking increase with time in the percentage of M.D.-Ph.D.s among the full-time faculty, particularly at the level of assistant professor. These findings suggest that M.D.-Ph.D. graduates nationwide are being recruited in increasing numbers to medical school faculties and are pursuing medical careers encompassing both research and clinical practice.