Curriculum
Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Practice
Interprofessional education (IPE) and Interprofessional Practice (IPP) are integrated within the ATSU-SOMA curriculum as a series of classroom workshops and clinical activities designed to foster a team approach to patient care, with an emphasis on the triple aim. The following SOMA courses practice IPE skills:
- OMS I: Basic Science Foundations, Medical Skills, Neuro-musculoskeletal (NMSK)
- OMS II: Epidemiology-Biostatistics, Medical Skills
- OMS III: Pediatrics Clerkship, Family Medicine Clerkship
- OMS IV: Emergency Medicine Clerkship, Cardiology Clerkship
Students are promoted to each level of the curriculum (e.g., OMS I to OMS II) by meeting the requirements for progression (unless an exception is made by the Dean). Listed below are brief overviews of the structure of the didactic and clinical training along with the requirements that must be met to formally progress through the curriculum.
Year 1 (OMS I)
The OMS I curriculum is conducted primarily on the Mesa, Arizona campus. Learning activities are usually scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Occasionally, there may be required off-site activities or required activities that begin at 7:00 a.m., end after 5:00 p.m., or occur on a weekend. The online OMS I master academic calendar contains information concerning holidays and examinations. Each course syllabus contains course requirements and due dates for course assignments.
Requirements for progression to OMS II
- Pass all OMS I coursework and maintain good academic standing.
- Comply with all professionalism standards of behavior and SOMA technical standards.
- Maintain health insurance, disability insurance, BLS certification and current immunization standards.
Year 2 (OMS II)
The OMS II curriculum is conducted primarily at a student’s assigned CHC community campus. OMS II coursework consists of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities that include a combination of didactic, clinical, and patient care experiences which reinforce and enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired during the OMS I year. Learning activities are usually scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Occasionally, there may be required off-site activities or required activities that begin at 7:00 a.m., end after 5:00 p.m., or occur on a weekend. The online OMS II master academic calendar contains information concerning holidays, synchronous activities across all community campuses, and examinations. Each course syllabus contains course requirements and due dates for course assignments. Additionally, each community campus provides a weekly schedule of clinical experiences, medical skills, small group, OPP, and other assigned activities.
Clinical Assignments and Responsibilities
On occasion, students will be given the opportunity to perform clinical procedures. Students are authorized to perform procedures for which they have been trained, with the proviso that they are properly supervised. In all cases, the safety and comfort of the patient must come first. Should you have questions about your participation in any clinical procedure or activity, contact the local RDME or Clinical Education Department prior to proceeding.
The student will realize the importance of punctuality and fulfilling responsibility in completing clinical assignments given by the supervisor. It is recommended that students assure they are familiar with the location, personnel, practices and expectations of the sites they are assigned to. Punctuality and professional conduct are expected at all times. Should you have concerns that you are working too few or too many hours, contact your RDME as soon as possible.
Requirements for progression to OMS III
Students are classified as OMS III upon completion of the following the requirements:
- Pass all OMS II coursework and maintain good academic standing
- Comply with all professionalism standards of behavior and SOMA technical standards
- Maintain health insurance, disability insurance, BLS certification and current immunization standards
- Obtain ACLS certification
Students are not permitted to begin OMS III required coursework until COMLEX Level 1 has been taken.
Year 3 (OMS III)
Rotations are scheduled in four-week blocks, with the exception of the Elective II, which is a two-week experience. All rotations are required. In the OMS III year, eight are Core rotations. The remaining are a Primary Care Selective, Maternal and Child Health Selective (the selective may be distributed to either Obstetrics and Gynecology or Pediatrics or Maternal and Child Health as per the Clinical Education Manual), a four-week Elective and a two-week Elective. The student works directly with the RDME and the Mesa-based regional Clinical Education Coordinator in all matters related to the clerkship years. This is the student’s opportunity to explore their interest in clinical medicine and hone their skills in preparation of the OMS IV year. In addition to the study materials and expectations of the individual clerkship attending or preceptor, each Core rotation has a SOMA clerkship director who develops and oversees the clerkship didactic materials and academic objectives. The SOMA Clerkship Director posts and maintains all SOMA clerkship materials on the learning management system. The Clinical Education Department oversees the OMS III clerkship year.
International Rotations
International rotations are Elective rotations defined as rotations occurring in any location outside the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. US territories will be considered international rotations and will require special approval by the university and completion of an application for international rotation. International rotations may not be used as Core or Selective rotations. International rotations are typically only approved for OMS IV year students. However, an international rotation may be approved for an OMS III student if all Core and Selective rotations have been successfully completed. International rotations must be a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of eight weeks total. To schedule an international rotation, students must follow the procedures outlined in the Clinical Education Manual and SOMA International Rotation Packet.
Requirements for progression to OMS IV
- Pass all OMS III coursework and maintain good academic standing.
- Comply with all professionalism standards of behavior and SOMA technical standards.
- Maintain health insurance, disability insurance, BLS and ACLS certification, and current immunization standards.
Year 4 (OMS IV)
Rotations are scheduled in four-week blocks, except for Neurology, which is a two-week rotation. This is the academic year where the student has four Core rotations, four Selectives and three Electives. This is the year to experience an International rotation, schedule audition rotations or spend more time in one area of practice. A maximum combination of four Electives/Selectives in one discipline may be taken in OMS IV. In addition to the study materials and expectations of the individual clerkship attending or preceptor, each Core rotation has a SOMA Clerkship Director who develops and oversees the clerkship didactic materials and academic objectives. The SOMA Clerkship Director posts and maintains all SOMA clerkship materials on the learning management system. Students work directly with their RDME and the regional Clinical Education Coordinator in scheduling and maintaining their academic schedule. The Clinical Education Department oversees the OMS IV clerkship year.
End-of-Rotation Examinations
End-of-Rotation Examinations are required after each Core Rotation. SOMA currently uses the NBOME COMAT examination for the OMS III year and Emergency Medicine in the OMS IV year, and Board Vitals Examinations for the remaining Core Rotations in the OMS IV year. These electronic examinations are to be scheduled for and taken on the last day of the rotation (usually a Friday). For the OMS III, these examinations are to be taken for Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. In addition, the OPP COMAT must be taken and passed in the second semester of the OMS III year. See the OPP syllabus for further requirements. For the OMS IV, these Core Rotations are Cardiology, Critical Care, Neurology, and Emergency Medicine. The student must have engaged in the rotation prior to being eligible to sit for the post-rotation exam at the completion of that rotation, and not before. If a student anticipates they will not be able to take the examination on the last day of the rotation, they may petition the Director, Clinical Education Department for an extension. Should a student fail a post-rotation examination, retakes must be completed within 30 days of the original failure, and approved by the Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Services prior to that retake.
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