Course description
Key facts
-The Medical School was constructed almost exclusively with the GEM course in mind and so virtually all the facilities required for the GEM programme are on site and available all the time.
-Our 4-year GEM course has achieved national recognition for incorporating modern methods of teaching and learning, a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, and an outstanding clinical skills programme that combines early clinical experience in General Practice with formal training in communication and examination techniques.
-The GEM course is delivered by a highly motivated group of scientists, healthcare professionals (including nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, as well as GPs and hospital consultants), and educationalists.
-The course at GEM Derby is a highly integrated course. Clinical skills, workshops and lectures are designed to support and complement the learning in the weekly PBL case.
-The course places strong emphasis on student support and helping students to develop into self-directed learners who will be able to develop continuously throughout their professional careers
Course Content
As a graduate, this course aims to give you a fast-track route into medicine.
It is split into three main components:
A Foundation Phase examining the human body and the underlying biological and clinical science, psychological, social and professional issues related to medicine. Included is early clinical experience, training in basic clinical skills and personal and professional development. The Foundation Phase uses problem-based learning (PBL) as its approach, supported by a range of taught sessions including lectures and workshops.
The 30 month full-time clinical course commences immediately after the end of the 18 month Foundation Phase, giving you a core knowledge of the basic aspects of medicine and surgery. There are three distinct phases of clinical training:
- Clinical Phase 1
17 week course following completion of the foundation programme covering medicine, surgery, therapeutics and primary-secondary care interface.
- Clinical Phase 2
11 month phase starts at the end of the GEM second year and comprises four 10-week integrated rotations in child health, obstetrics & gynaecology, psychiatry, healthcare of the elderly, dermatology, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.
- Clinical Phase 3
In your final year, you will undertake an Advanced Clinical Experience Course. During this time you will rotate through four 9-week attachments, Medicine; Surgery; Musculoskeletal Disorders and Disability; General Practice and Special Study Module. This is followed by a 9-week elective period and a 4-week Preparation for Foundation 1.
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Course Structure
The initial Foundation Phase lasts for 18 months.
This phase comprises eleven modules, nine of which cover different systems of the body and two that cover early clinical experience, clinical skills, personal and professional development.
-Structure, function and defence
-Respiratory
-Cardiovascular
-Limbs and back
-Alimentary
-Endocrine
-Neuroscience
-Urogenital
-Integrative
Personal & professional development 1 & 2
Working in groups, you’ll study the underlying science, psychosocial and professional issues presented by a PBL case each week.
You’ll also take part in:
-Anatomy & physiology workshops – looking at the structure and working of the body
-Pathology workshops – examining the processes of disease
-Clinical skills sessions – medical interviewing, basic examination and communication skills.
-GP attachments – visiting a practice to see how your learning is applied in a clinical context
-PPD Seminars covering topics such as ethics, disability and professional development.
There are two types of assessment in this phase:
-Formative assessments – taken at the end of each module that act as a guide to progress and learning
-Summative assessments – regular clinical skills assessments and portfolio coursework. You’ll also take exams at the end of the 18 months, before moving on to the next part of the course
After you’ve completed your Foundation Phase, you’ll move on to a 17-week clinical practice course. This equips you with a core knowledge and competencies in medicine and surgery, and helps you to become familiar with more common and important conditions.
You’ll then enter the final two years of your course. These consist of intensive training across a series of clinical attachments, based at hospitals and health centres across the mid-Trent region (Derby(shire), Nottingham(shire), Mansfield, Lincoln(shire).
There are three main forms of learning & teaching:
-Clinical clerkships – rotating through different clinical attachments to gain first-hand experience of all the main areas of medical practice
-Small-group teaching – providing basic instruction on specific topics
-Central teaching – lectures, clinical demonstrations and clinico-pathological conferences complementing your practical experience, plus instruction in the legal and ethical aspects of medicine.
-Each major attachment or group of attachments is assessed at their end using a knowledge-based exam, a test of practical competence and assessments of professional attitudes and behaviour.
Lastly, there is an elective period where you can learn about healthcare in different countries or cultures and a preparation for Foundation 1 course that includes shadowing the junior doctor you will take over from
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a four-year, fast-track programme designed to broaden access to medical careers and attract graduates (91 each year) from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds.
Successful GEM students will graduate with degrees of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) from the University of Nottingham.
-The programme is in two parts: An 18-month Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Course, covering the basic and clinical sciences required for a career in medicine, early clinical experience, basic clinical skills and professional development. This takes place at the new, purpose-built medical school on the site of the Derby City General Hospital.
-30 months of clinical training attachments (Clinical Phases 1, 2 & 3) in healthcare facilities throughout the Southern Derbyshire and mid-Trent region. GEM students merge with students on the five-year undergraduate medical programme for this part of the course.
