Innovative Learning Center

The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine Innovative Learning Center provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning using clinical scenarios, procedural training and evidence-based practices in assessment, diagnostics, and treatment in a psychologically safe environment. This allows students physicians to practice in a realistic situation without any risk to real patients.

The Innovative Learning Center includes a simulation center in addition to clinical labs and rooms. Students learn by encounters with high-fidelity mannequins, task trainers, peers, and actors. We hire actors to play the ill patient for the student physicians to learn assessments and soft skills.

Last year the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) had over 2,000 standardized patient encounters and over 23, 000 simulation encounters. William Carey University COM also works in conjunction with the University of Southern Mississippi Nursing Department, William Carey’s Nursing Department, Physical Therapy Department, and ER Residency Programs throughout the state.

First year students work with clinical faculty perfecting basic physical exam skills. Introductions are done regarding diagnostic tools such as EKG, Spirometry, and Ultrasound. As the student progress in their studies, they advance their knowledge of conducting full physical assessments and histories in our 26 primary care clinic rooms. During their 3rd year, they are in rotations at clinical facilities but come back to the ILC to sharpen both the humanistic and diagnostic accuracy as well as refining their skills of osteopathic manipulative treatment. During these three years, they perform OSCEs as a summative evaluation of what they have learned. Students as 4th year medical students gain experience with the general procedures of a physician until graduation.

Supervision, guidance, and feedback are provided by outstanding faculty and experienced medical professionals. Students learn the science and art of triage, bedside care, problem-solving, clinical judgement, and adaptability. The Innovative Learning Center is proud to be able to help all healthcare professionals become the best that they can be in a Christian and loving environment.

WCUCOM ILC’s mission is the commitment to enhance students’ knowledge, skills, and aptitude to be successful on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) of the United States which is administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medicine Exam (NBOME) becoming Osteopathic physicians by providing evidence-based simulation support to the COM using the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) healthcare simulation standards of best practice, Association of Standardize Patient Educators (ASPE) standards for standardized patients, simulators, and task trainers.

The vision of the ILC aims to enhance simulation healthcare education quality through state-of-the-art technology, education, and the development of simulation education research to better serve our student population in their educational growth.

HAND HYGIENE
  • The first years are introduced to proper handwashing techniques and what is considered universal precautions when working with patients
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
  • Students are introduced to proper handwashing procedure when preparing for surgery. Students learn how to property gown up for surgery without breaking the sterile field.
CLINICAL PATIENT CARE 1 & 2
  • Foundation course which focuses on the examination of the human body. This course provides a framework which subsequent clinical courses are built. Emphasis is place on understanding the important of the history and physical examination for detecting a healthy normal state as a basis for recognizing pathology and pathophysiology. Topics include:
    • Self-assessment related to academic and personal success
    • Patient interviewing and history-taking
    • Physical examination skills
    • Introduction to radiology
    • Integration of Osteopathic Principles and Practice
    • Medical decision-making
CLINICAL SCIENCES
  • Places emphasis on the importance of the history and physical examination for de4tecting a healthy normal state as the basis for recognizing disease. Emphasis is placed on practical application of knowledge and skills, as well as COMPLEX preparation. Topics include:
    • Diagnostic reasoning
    • Foundations in clinical community behavioral medicine
    • Professionalism
    • Ethics
    • Medical jurisprudence
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and simulation are used to evaluate students
CSA OPP I
  • Introduced the student to the philosophic, anatomic, and physiologic basis of osteopathic practice. There are weekly lectures and clinical skill training sessions. Topics include:
    • History of osteopathic medicine
    • Patient medical history
    • Observation
    • Physical examination focused on observation, palpation, and motion testing.
  • This course correlates human anatomy and physiology with the study of neuromusculoskeletal function and dysfunction. Diagnosis of somatic dysfunction will be integrated with learning basic systems for treatment.
CSA OPP III
  • Builds on the skills learned in OPPI and II with course topics skill emphasized as before to better develop the students’ osteopathic diagnostic and treatment capabilities and skills. Other skills learned include:
    • Still Technique and Facilitated Positional Release
    • Assessing for Chapman’s points
  • Case-based learning comprises a portion of the course to further integrate traditional medicine with osteopathic medicine philosophies.
ADVANCE TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (ATLS)
  • A two-day course offered by the American College of Surgeons at William Carey for individuals currently holding a MD, DO, NP, PA, and DDS. The course is a full ATLS course which will give the individual full certification once course has been satisfactorily completed.
PCOMT
  • The Patient Care and OMT Competency Course is designed to integrate and emphasize the elements of the Patient Care and Osteopathic Principles and Practices Core Competencies as described in “Osteopathic Core Competencies for Medical Students”.
  • Students participate in a series of three cycles during the 4 years performing OSCEs and practicing their skills with standardized patients. The first two cycles will have three patients with an unknow injury or illness. During the third OSCE, the student will follow twelve standardized patients.
SIM CLUB
  • A student run extracurricular that uses the high-fidelity mannequin to practice simulation scenarios for SIM Ward Competitions. First and Second year student are eligible to participate in the club. Some third year students elect to return to participate.

If you are interested in participating as an actor during our encounters, please contact us at 601-318-6121 for more information.

Standardized Patient Application

If you would like to schedule an encounter or tour of the facility, please 601-318-6060 for more information.

If you are interested in more information, please contact the Director of Innovative Learning Center @ 601-318-6295 or email ILC@wmcarey.edu

Apply today!
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