Welcome to the latest edition of the You said... We did... newsletter, which I use to share updates about how we are responding to student suggestions for building an even more vibrant and enriching learning community for the MD Program at Yale School of Medicine (YSM). I refer to conversations with you at Medical Student Council meetings, student-dean lunches, and other venues, as well as your feedback on student surveys.
So that you can easily track improvements, we post past You said... We did... updates on the YSM LCME webpage, organized by topic. If you have questions about any update item, please share your thoughts with me at jessica.illuzzi@yale.edu. We want to ensure this is a useful resource!
In the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire, some students noted that they did not feel confident to begin residency.
We did...
We spoke with M4s and recent graduates, and one factor raised is that the length of the advanced training period (ATP), with its emphasis on completing the thesis and opportunities to do things that aren’t only clinical, may make some students feel clinically “rusty.”
We spoke with students about what types of preparations could help them feel more confident. Based on this feedback and recommendations from residency program directors, new simulations like “Night on Call,” advanced communication skills with simulated patients, enhanced boot camps for each specialty, and review of critical anatomy and common procedures needed for internship were added to the Capstone Course in 2023. Other popular topics including cardiac arrhythmias and DKA were continued, and this year we will further emphasize practice of patient handoffs and calling consults on complicated patients.
In addition, the Capstone Course, which previously spanned two rotation blocks, now coincides with the elective block schedule. Capstone also was moved slightly earlier in the academic year (now beginning in late February and ending the week after Match Day in March), to allow time for you to engage in post-Capstone two- or four-week clinical electives, especially if you feel the need for additional clinical practice after the concentrated exposure in Capstone. For those entering surgical specialties, a four-week advanced surgical anatomy elective, which was piloted after Capstone last year and received spectacular reviews, will be offered again this year.
You want a more inclusive, well-supported learning community with access to mentors across specialties.
We did...
As you have heard by now, we have created six colleges, similar to the Yale undergraduate model. We aspire for each college to function as a home base where students can form connections with classmates, near peers, and faculty, who will facilitate greater access to structured mentorship, learning support, coaching, and advising. The colleges are headed by the six academic advisors in the Office of Student Affairs. All YSM MD students are assigned to a college, by academic advisor. After a widespread invitation, we are actively organizing residents, fellows, faculty, and alumni from different specialties, who will support and participate in each of the colleges. Physician Associate students, as well as community leaders in New Haven, also will be affiliates within the colleges.
Social activities, community service opportunities, and special events will support community building, teamwork, and inclusion, as well as collegial discussion, sharing of ideas, and reflection to create an environment where ALL students feel supported as valued members of the YSM community.
The colleges are currently in the process of being named, but since this is such an important process, the school is taking time to get it right. In the meantime, each college is represented by a color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) and that will be incorporated into the future identity of the college.
With the LCME visit now behind us, please look out for an invitation kicking off events for your college, where you will meet classmates, near peers, faculty, residents, fellows, and alumni!
You said...
Dean Illuzzi, you promised our class a prize for the highest rate completing those ISA and LCME surveys.
We did...
Yes, I did! And I just went back and reviewed all the completed survey statistics per class and found that each class did better and better throughout the year, reaching an all-time high in May 2023, with a range of 98-100% completion rates, with the M5/MD-PhD classes slightly lower, but understanding that many of these students were engaged in programs and activities away from the MD curriculum.
For this reason, we have decided to reward each class with $1000 toward a class social event or activity! In addition, your participation in the surveys has generated additional discretionary funds for the HAVEN Free Clinic, to support patient transportation and medication costs, among other expenditures.
You said...
You wanted to better understand how the privacy of mental health records is protected.
We did...
In collaboration with Yale Health and the YSM Student Mental Health and Wellness program, we have compiled a summary of information about the protection of student privacy. Read more here, including about EPIC and Break The Glass.
You said...
You want the option of monthly parking during your clerkships and ATP.
We did...
We reached out to the parking office and received confirmation that while most parking is for the full year, academic year, or the semester, it is possible for any medical or PA student to sign up for monthly parking at the Amistad Garage. The cost is $77.36 per month. (This is a discount of $132; the regular user rate can be as much as $210.12/month, depending on salary.)
To sign up for monthly parking, call the Parking Office at 203-785-6456 or email parking@yale.edu and indicate that you are a medical or PA student who needs monthly parking.
I look forward to your questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Jessica Illuzzi, MD, MS
Deputy Dean for Education
Harold W. Jockers Professor of Medical Education
