Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Improving Student Outcomes with an Adaptable Molecular Cloning Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience
Published on: November 15, 2024
Readdressing the need for consensus in preclinical education
Jeffrey LaRochelle1, William Gilliland, Dario Torre
1Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Purpose:
Clinical skills are often taught in preclinical courses such as "Introduction to Clinical Medicine" (ICM). We sought to define current national course objectives, roles of standardized and real patients, and methods of assessment in ICM courses, and to readdress the need and desire for establishing consensus.
Methods:
In April 2005, the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM) organization conducted its annual, voluntary, and confidential survey. The survey contained a section (24 questions) on preclinical education teaching methods and evaluations.
Results:
Wide variations exist in the teaching and assessment methods used by ICM courses in 4-year medical schools. Respondents indicated a desire for a consensus statement concerning ICM course objectives in addition to guidance on case development, use of standardized patients, and student assessments.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that consensus remains elusive for preclinical education teaching objectives, but would be embraced by ICM course directors.
Related Concept Videos
Preclinical Development: Overview
Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
Clinical Trials: Overview
Ethics in Research
Cognitive Dissonance
Bioequivalence: Overview