Reshaping pre-clerkship years in reproductive medicine education.

The educational program of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso, Texas integrates the basic and clinical sciences and organizes them according to the organ-system based units. The reproduction unit focuses on human reproduction, pregnancy and illnesses associated with the female genital tract and breast. The sequence of 13 clinical presentations is structured so that the concepts developed during the study of one topic lays down a foundation for subsequent topics. Students are provided with a brief definition and a statement of clinical significance for each clinical presentation, which serves as the foundation for presentations of both clinical and basic science information. In the Medical Skills Course, students practice skills and behaviors associated with obstetrics and gynecology (Ob Gyn) history taking, culturally sensitive communication skills, conducting and recording of physical and pelvic examinations as they relate to clinical presentations. The Society, Community and Individual Course focuses on real life experience in a local community clinic setting and improves the understanding of the social determinants of female reproductive health. We believe that our pedagogical approach enhances knowledge comprehension, improves knowledge retention of the basic science and promotes the development of clinical reasoning, enabling easier transition to the clerkship years.