VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

emergencies within a military healthcare environment. Students will develop clinical decision-making skills in the assessment and stabilization of patients with urgent and emergent conditions while gaining insight into the unique role of emergency physicians in supporting military readiness, force health protection, disaster response, and operational medicine. Clinical experiences may include care of active duty service members, military beneficiaries, and civilian patients in military treatment facilities. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, teamwork, leadership, communication, patient safety, triage principles, and the integration of osteopathic principles into emergency care. Through direct patient care, clinical discussions, and participation in interdisciplinary teams, students will strengthen competencies in emergency medicine while developing an understanding of military medical systems and the responsibilities of military physicians. • (MED 8192) Military Emergency Medicine Modules: 1 credit hour This course assesses students' acquisition and application of military emergency medicine knowledge through structured didactic learning and comprehensive clinical encounter documentation. Students complete assigned readings, case-based learning activities, and knowledge assessments while monitoring their exposure to a broad range of patient presentations and procedures. Emphasis is placed on clinical competency development, documentation skills, professional responsibility, and self-directed learning to support readiness for military and emergency medicine practice. • (MED 8700) Research and Scholarly Activity: 4 credit hours During residency training and in clinical practice beyond, all physicians will be required to frequently search out, review and critically appraise a variety of clinical topics in the ever-growing body of medical literature. This scholarly activity provides students the opportunity to further develop skills in reviewing evidence based medicine, critical thinking, and writing skills, all while working in collaboration with VCOM clinical faculty members. The work must not have been previously published or presented. The student is expected to spend not less than 200 hours on this paper. The paper will receive a letter grade. The grade the student receives on their research paper will also be the grade the student receives for the Research and Scholarly Activity credit hours.

Electives • (MED 8251/8251A/8251B) National Board Preparation: 16/17/20 credit hours

The National Board Preparation Course is designed to aid students in preparing for their COMLEX Level 2 CE examination. This course is assigned for students who have not passed COMSAE Phase 2 or COMLEX Level 2 CE and requires an Altered Degree Plan of Study, as approved by the Associate Dean, Provost, and Campus Dean. During the course, students will follow a study plan individualized for their unique board preparation needs. The study plan will consist of an approved external immersion program.

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