Year 2 aims to introduce students to pathology and disease: ‘abnormality and illness’ and the interaction with environment. This builds on students’ understanding of normal structure and function gained in Year 1. Year 2 builds on the scientific and vocational principles underpinning the practice of Medicine, and some of the aspects of pathology and therapeutics. A comprehensive grounding in the medical sciences underpinning clinical practice is continued by a case-based learning (CBL) programme and critical analysis sessions, centred on clinical scenarios designed to integrate learning in different disciplines. Formal training in clinical and communication skills is provided.
Year 2 comprises seven system blocks, each four weeks in length. There are four clinical weeks when students will be introduced to the healthcare environment at placement sites in primary and secondary care.
Throughout these blocks, students study and explore key scientific and medical principles and concepts relating to: body structure and function; human interactions; public health concepts and definitions; and personal development. The systems are the delivery tool for each block of learning; whilst temporally separated in the timetable, we encourage the students to think about the systems as a fully integrated functioning entity – the body.
Alongside the system-based approach, students also cover topics related to the sociology and psychology of medicine and medical practice, public,preventative and global health, research studies and methodology, as well as personal development and ethical practice related to professionalism.
Year 2 has a hybrid curriculum that combines online with face-to-face delivery of teaching. There are 3 major components:
- Online asynchronous delivery (these are recorded and available through Canvas and Panopto and can be studied at any time). This is how many lectures will be delivered. There are sometimes also recorded sessions to support small group teaching delivery.
- Online synchronous delivery (these are live and will happen on Zoom). Some are for the whole year group at one time, such as the block introductions and end of block reviews and occasional Q&A sessions with System Leads. There are also online small group sessions, for example, case based learning (CBL), communication for clinical practice (CCP), and the Good Doctor Supratheme (comprising psychology and sociology as applied to medicine (PSM), public, preventative and global health (PPGH) and professionalism, ethics and the legal context (PEL).
- Face-to-face delivery (these are happening on campus). However, the delivery of these sessions has been significantly altered to be compliant with Government and University guidance, while still providing an exciting and engaging educational experience. The face-to-face teaching is taking place in much smaller groups to facilitate social distancing, staff and students will be required to wear masks at all times (unless exempt) and there will be stringent infection control measures in place. Clinical Skills, human anatomy resource centre (HARC) and some CBL sessions are being delivered face-to-face.
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