<strong>College</strong> Check-up From the Dean <strong>College</strong> News ohio university <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Medicine is published twice a year by the <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine Office <strong>of</strong> Communication. Editorial Advisory Board John A. Brose, D.O. Dean, <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine Pat Burnett, Ph.D. Director, Student Affairs George Dunigan II Director, Governmental Affairs Judith Edinger, M.Ed. Director, Predoctoral Education Andrea Gibson Director, Research Communications <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Jill Harman, M.Ed. Director <strong>of</strong> Alumni Affairs Christine Knisely, M.A. Executive Director <strong>of</strong> Research and Grants Editor Karoline Lane, M.L.S. Managing Editor Anita Martin Copy Editor Shelby Mullins Design Jeff Brown Photography John Sattler Contributing Photographers Leonardo Carrizo Michael Kleinfeld Kevin Riddell Writers Natalie Cammarata Anita Martin Mary Reed Dwayne Stewart Richard Heck Stephen McKean Susie Shutts Administration Roderick McDavis, Ph.D. President, <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> John A. Brose, D.O. Dean, <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine Karoline Lane, M.L.S. Director, Office <strong>of</strong> Communication Marie Graham Associate Director, Communication Design Services Daniel Silbiger Student Government Past President Edwin Rowland, Ph.D. Chair, Department <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences John Schriner, Ph.D. Director <strong>of</strong> Admissions Kathy Trace, M.H.A. Director <strong>of</strong> the Area Health Education Center, Community Health Programs Patricia Westfall, M.S. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Magazine Journalism E.W. Scripps School <strong>of</strong> Journalism Sharon Zimmerman, M.P.A. Director <strong>of</strong> Medical Development, Executive Director <strong>of</strong> Alumni Affairs Opinions expressed in <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Medicine are those <strong>of</strong> the authors and do not necessarily reflect viewpoints <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine. © ’08 <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine. Editorial <strong>of</strong>fices: Room 330, Grosvenor Hall, <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong>, Athens, <strong>Ohio</strong>, 45701. Address updates for <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Medicine should be referred to: Sheila Byc<strong>of</strong>ski OU-COM, 332 Grosvenor Hall Athens, OH 45701 phone: (740) 593-2346 e-mail: byc<strong>of</strong>ski@ohio.edu Medical education for a new generation We are publishing our college <strong>magazine</strong> with a new name, a new look and a renewed commitment to storytelling. It seems fitting that as we publish this revitalized <strong>magazine</strong>, change envelops us as never before. We are surrounded by changes on Wall Street, in Washington and in the environment, many <strong>of</strong> which require us to challenge long-held beliefs and design new methods to improve quality, despite diminishing resources. For our communication efforts, this means better quality publications that place a high value on your time and interests. For the <strong>magazine</strong> specifically, it means a well-defined editorial purpose, more economical in-house development, a polished look and stories that quickly and effectively express the values and activities <strong>of</strong> OU-COM. Even though <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Medicine is smaller than Today’s D.O., our newfound vibrancy and the accompanying Web site help extend our reach. Medical education is another area fertile for innovation. A new generation <strong>of</strong> student physicians now enters medical school with knowledge and abilities far different from those who preceded them. Our incoming students grew up with portable computers, video games, cell phones and PDAs as major components <strong>of</strong> their lives. Many can’t imagine a world without them. They pride themselves on their abilities to multitask, switching from one activity to another and back at dizzying speeds. Indeed, for many students, concentrating on a single task for a prolonged period is difficult and dull. Medical educators must take advantage <strong>of</strong> these skills and adapt curricula to better engage this new generation <strong>of</strong> learners. Perhaps lectures as we once gave them are no longer the best way for most students to learn. At OU-COM, we have created curricula that emphasize active and small-group learning. While these efforts have proven very successful, it is now time to take a next step. To supplement small-group learning and traditional lectures, faculty members now have opportunities to develop computerized instruction tailored to today’s medical student. Computerized instruction allows students to move through material at their own pace. Learners can repeat sections, speed up or slow down presentations and take breaks. Instructors can embed movies (such as surgical procedures), animate diagrams and demonstrate medical technology such as echocardiograms and MRIs. These demonstrations can utilize voice-over explanations, highlighting and interactive quizzes to keep the learners engaged. In an era emphasizing energy conservation, modern classroom technology and videoconferencing <strong>of</strong>fer greener and more economical possibilities for medical training. Problem sets, grand rounds and clinical demonstrations could be conducted from hundreds <strong>of</strong> miles away. Students could participate both on the college campus and from their homes. Developing these new methodologies won’t be easy. They will require some time and faculty development. However, creating learning experiences tailored to a new generation <strong>of</strong> students has the potential to free faculty time, include new instructors from distant sites and create a richer learning environment that will make it well worth the effort. And as with our <strong>magazine</strong>, we’d better get started quickly, or the world will change again before we get there. Jack Brose, D.O. Dean, <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Medicine 04 05 06 07 Surgery rotation in Honduras OU-COM’s first international surgery rotation Keith Watson, D.O., named Educator <strong>of</strong> the Year American <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Foundation honors Dr. Watson Noteworthy Honors, accolades & retirements Research •OU-COM discovery pays <strong>of</strong>f •Artificial intelligence in insulin pumps •Dinosaur discoveries Q&A: Rathindra Bose, Ph.D. New OU-COM pr<strong>of</strong>essor and cancer researcher also oversees research, creative activity and graduate studies at <strong>Ohio</strong> <strong>University</strong> Serving the State OU-COM fills primary care gap in <strong>Ohio</strong> While recent studies show a steep national decline in young physicians choosing primary care, OU-COM graduates continue to do so in large numbers. Of the 106 members <strong>of</strong> the Class <strong>of</strong> 2008, 52 graduates—49 percent—started primary care graduate medical programs this summer. Of those programs, 26 were family medicine residencies; six, pediatric; and 20, internal medicine (though many internal medicine residents may go on to sub-specialize). The number <strong>of</strong> U.S. medical graduates entering family practice dropped 50 percent in the past decade, as reported in the Sept. 10, Journal <strong>of</strong> the American Medical Association ( JAMA), while the American Academy <strong>of</strong> Family Physicians projects that the need for primary care specialists will skyrocket by 2020, when the nation will need more than 139,000 family physicians. The JAMA studies reveal a strong correlation between salary and popularity <strong>of</strong> a specialty—and that primary care specialties rank among lowest average salaries. Despite these trends, OU-COM has long trained physicians committed to primary care, many <strong>of</strong> whom choose to practice in underserved regions <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ohio</strong>. Of total OU-COM graduates, 54 percent are primary care providers, 62 percent practice medicine in <strong>Ohio</strong>, and 46 percent serve communities with populations less than 50,000, with 11 percent in Appalachia <strong>Ohio</strong>. Those figures reflect the college mission, mandated by the <strong>Ohio</strong> General Assembly, <strong>of</strong> serving <strong>Ohio</strong> populations in need and emphasizing family medicine. The OU-COM Office <strong>of</strong> Admissions highly considers these factors during interviews, recruiting mainly within the state and seeking applicants who value primary care training. “We require out-<strong>of</strong>-state students to practice at least five years in <strong>Ohio</strong> following medical school and residency, which can be waived if students choose an American <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Association accredited three-year primary care residency within the Centers for <strong>Osteopathic</strong> Research and Education,” said John Schriner, Ph.D., director <strong>of</strong> admissions. “Many <strong>of</strong> these physicians choose to stay in the state indefinitely, making OU-COM a state importer <strong>of</strong> medical talent.” From early clinical contact hours through third- and fourth-year rotations, OU-COM prioritizes primary care medicine. With few exceptions, students’ early Clinical and Community Experience requirements take place in primary care settings, and in both curricular tracks at OU-COM, the vast majority <strong>of</strong> first-year case studies involve patients who initially present to their primary care physicians, emphasizing family medicine as the first clinical contact point. OU-COM students begin their third year with a four-week primary care rotation. Before they finish their fourth year, they will have spent an additional six weeks in family medicine and other primary care rotations. “We are one <strong>of</strong> a dwindling number <strong>of</strong> medical schools who maintain primary care as a high priority,” said Dean Jack Brose, D.O. “We draw a lot <strong>of</strong> outstanding students here because <strong>of</strong> our reputation for providing an excellent foundation in primary care.” Winter 2009 3