Undergraduate medical education is an area of tremendous development within the Office of Medical Education. The office instituted a major curriculum renewal for first and second year students beginning in 2001. The interdisciplinary Science and Practice of Medicine 100 and 200 courses and the Isidore Cohn Student Learning Center were created to introduce more clinical teaching in the afternoons during these years of medical school. We emphasize clinical problem solving using basic sciences as the foundation. Students develop competence in the fundamentals of history taking, physical examination, medical ethics, preventive medicine and basic medical procedures in a variety of laboratory, classroom and clinical settings. Direct observation and feedback from our clinical faculty is a mainstay of our educational program in the first two years.  Along with this emphasis on clinical teaching, we remain committed to a sound basic science education. Our courses in anatomy, cell biology, prenatal development, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, neuroscience, pathology, microbiology, clinical pathology and pharmacology remain rigorous.

During their third and fourth years of school, our students receive excellent training in a diverse range of public and private clinical settings. Most clerkship rotations are completed in New Orleans but students may also complete some rotations at hospitals in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The core clerkships (internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, family medicine, and [in the senior year] neurology/neurosurgery) remain committed to teaching fundamental clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes.  Additionally, clinical students utilize the Human Simulation lab where they have the opportunity to manage critically ill patients with a variety of different conditions. In this lab students administer medications and perform all necessary procedures. The simulator responds physiologically, so students see the direct results of their management decisions. Interdisciplinary topics such as medical ethics, nutrition, end-of-life care and error reduction are taught in a variety of formats throughout the clinical years.  Upon graduation, our students have attained the knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the challenges faced by interns in every specialty.

Richard DiCarlo, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine
2020 Gravier St., Suite 716
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-568-4006 (Phone)
504-599-1453 (Fax)