The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

EAA052 Pre-Clerkship Scheduled Workload Hours

Policy Number: EAA052
Policy Title: Pre-Clerkship Scheduled Workload Hours

A. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect and maximize student learning time and opportunities for unstructured, independent and self-directed learning within the formal / structured curriculum. Scheduled curricular activities are not to conflict with, nor overlap with self-directed time. This policy meets the LCME requirements of Element 6.3 (Self-Directed and Life-Long Learning) and Element 8.8 (Monitoring Student Time).

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to all faculty associated with the delivery of the Pre-Clerkship curriculum

C. Definitions

 

Scheduled required learning activities: Scheduled required learning activities include lectures, small-group discussions, laboratories, patient panels, student presentations, assessments, and any other instruction that occurs at a time specified in a course syllabus or schedule.

Unscheduled required learning activitiesUnscheduled required learning activities include but is not limited to asynchronous online learning, required pre-readings, viewing of a pre- recorded lecture or videos for flipped classroom sessions, protected time for completion of group assignments and student presentations.

Optional learning activities: Optional learning activities include optional review or open laboratory sessions.

Self-Directed learning activities: Self-Directed learning activities include time spent studying, completing suggested reading material and attending optional review sessions not formally scheduled in a course syllabus or schedule. This time is intended for students to engage in studying and self-directed learning outside of contact hours.

D. Policy

The hours of scheduled and unscheduled required learning activities should not exceed 28 hours per week in the Pre-Clerkship phase of the curriculum. Weekly workloads of required learning activities must follow the following formula: 

Scheduled required learning activities (hours) + Unscheduled required learning activities (hours) < 28 hours.

Learning Activities include but are not limited to:

Scheduled Activities

  • Clinical experiences
  • lnterprofessional Education activities
  • Labatory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Problem-based Learning sessions
  • Large group sessions (e.g. panels, flipped classrooms, team-based learning sessions)
  • Quiz review sessions
  • Review sessions (e.g. exam, lecture reviews)
  • Clinical Skills Sessions
  • Small group sessions
  • Assessments (e.g. quizzes, exams, and OSCEs)

Unscheduled Activities

  • Problem based learning preparation time
  • Required pre-readings or videos
  • Protected time to complete assignments

 

To facilitate self-directed learning, a minimum of 8 hours a week will be protected as unscheduled opportunity time.


Appendix A

LCME Standards

6.3 SELF-DIRECTED AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING

The faculty of a medical school ensure that the medical curriculum includes self-directed learning experiences and time for independent study to allow medical students to develop the skills of lifelong learning. Self-directed learning involves medical students' self-assessment of learning needs; independent identification, analysis, and synthesis of relevant information; and appraisal of the credibility of information sources.

8.8 MONITORING STUDENT TIME

The medical school faculty committee responsible for the medical curriculum and the program's administration and leadership ensure the development and implementation of effective policies and procedures regarding the amount of time medical students spend in required activities, including the total number of hours medical students are required to spend in clinical and educational activities during clerkships.


Dates Reviewed or Amended

Approved by the Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC) on September 13, 2017.

Reviewed, amended, and approved by the Central Curricular Authority Committee (CCAC) on December 11, 2019; November 10, 2021; September 26, 2023; June 18, 2024.

Approved by the Dean/Chief Academic Officer on December 19, 2019; November 11, 2021; September 27, 2023; June 21, 2024.