Fast report

Educational objectives of the proposed medical school at Mount Hope in respect of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education and research are presented. Criteria for selection of medical students are proposed and include academic achievement in science-based and non-science-based subjects, with a re-introduction of an interview procedure. Features of the curriculum are integrated teaching of the basic and clinical sciences, early introduction to patients, self-motivated learning, increased emphasis in community health and a system of clinical clerkships. Educational techniques are being applied with increasing success in the learning of medicine and a centre for medical education is proposed to help implement the new curriculum and to conduct research in medical education. The need for the early establishment of postgraduate and continuing medical education programmes is emphasised as a vital factor in contributing to solving the health problems of the area. The present administrative structure of the Faculty of Medicine is critically reviewed. A form of governance of the new medical school and the support hospitals is proposed and includes the full-time post of Dean. The proposal to establish a school of dentistry at the UWI is endorsed and consideration is given to the implication if such a school is sited at Mt. Hope. The possible role of the new medical school and teaching and teaching hospital in nursing education and the allied health professions is reviewed and an administrative structure to enable the Faculty to coordinate efforts in such training programmes is proposed. Previous reports on medical education in the Faculty of Medicine have given little recognition to the important educational, service and research roles played by the teaching hospital. To rectify this, the aim and the objectives of the teaching hospital are discussed. The manner in which the teaching hospital is governed vitally affects whether the stated goals and objectives are successfully achieved. Careful consideration is given to the form of hospital governance proposed so that its varied responsibilities may be met efficiently. A programme for the implementation of the Mount Hope Complex is so devised that teaching programmes and construction of physical facilities are coordinated to ensure a smooth and early start by the expanded Faculty of Medicine (AU)