Information on educational process implementation in electronic/remote or other communication formats at the time of extraordinary situation at David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU), including the information on approaches and methods required for the curriculum planning, as well as organization and administration of the educational process.
I. Actions Implemented to Deliver and Manage the Education Process Online
ü In accordance with the Order issued by Government of Georgia educational process at DTMU was suspended on March 4, 2020.
ü In accordance with DTMU “Business Sustainability Plan” and in order to ensure continuity of the educational process, as well as monitoring of the planning and its implementation an “special situation management group” (later “group”) was formed on March 4,, 2020.
ü The group’s work was planned in two directions:
(i) Adaptation of the educational processes to the conditions of the special, extraordinary situation.
In this regard two scenarios were considered:
(ii) Adaptation of medical and prophylactic processes to the conditions of special, extraordinary situation.
Implementation of the medical and prophylactic actions according to the new plan will be mandatory for both scenarios.
II. Educational plans adapted at David Tvildiani Medical University in the reality of the COVID-19 epidemic
(basic and clinical science stage, clinical medicine stage and clerkship stage timetables, assignments, deadlines, other organizational and technical issues)
2.1. Adapted Study Plan, Timetable and Assignment Plan for Basic and Clinical Sciences` courses (I-V semester)
At the level of basic and clinical sciences (I-V semester) practical courses and/or those courses of clinical skills considering simulation and/or hands-on teaching/learning (will be planned and implemented in next semester).
Thus, at the moment following classes will be held: seminar practical classes (explanations and development of students’ knowledge); also theoretical discussion of cases (intellectual skills and knowledge interpretation, etc.), Bodyinteract Virtual Patient cases are kept and will be used in diagnostic courses of system based modules (in addition to the resource teachers will use or discuss with students own cases as well), feedback (assessment of skills in recognition of symptoms, reasoning and interpretation of possible diagnosis, planning investigation plan, etc.) will be given to students by mentioned resource (is given immediately after completing Bodyinteract Virtual Patient cases) and the teacher.
Teaching/learning and assessment in PBL format is delivered in usual regimen according the schedule.
Currently (as well as at clinical level) seminar works (in groups) are emphasized in order to keep more interaction and feedback between the students and teachers (which is possible to do online). Assessments will be given based on everyday activity assessment (as it was before).
Oral and written examinations will be held in the end of the semester due to existing epidemic danger which may not be “gone away” in a month maybe 2 months.
2.2 Clinical years (VI-X semesters) adapted study plan, timetable and assignment formation plan
At clinical sciences stage (VI-X Semesters), no lectures will be delivered (everywhere considered by the program and syllabi) clinical skills courses, which consider simulation and/or hands on learning/teaching (will be planned in next semester).
Accordingly clinical classes will contain following seminars-practical classes: explanation and assessment of students’ theoretical knowledge [use of case discussion (intelectual skills and knowledge interpretation, etc. are assessed)] and where resources are available, use of virtual cases; such resources (VP) are available in following disciplines by “following extent”:
Body Interact Cases by Disciplines:
The university requires complete use of these resources in relevant courses: each case, its discussion, etc will be recognized as 1 hour – 1 case (though teachers are expected to introduce additional, own cases).
Therefore in most of the classes the 3 hours consider explanation of theoretical material (including probably use of cases, as it usually happens in clinical courses) and student assessment (probably also using cases). Team work on virtual case (and/or individual case study work) in above mentioned disciplines and assessment of group or individual student in diagnostics, anamnesis taking, physical examination, other skills (using Body Interact cases which also give feedback immediately after completing a case).
Assessment
2.3 Adapted study plan, timetable, assignments and deadlines for VI year studies (XI-XII Semesters).
Management
The 4 groups of 12th semester will be redistributed in 3 groups (Georgian flow: 1+2 groups = 14 students; foreign students 1=2 groups = 14 students).
The 11th semester groups with a total of 15 students will form one group and will continue studies according to the 12th semester timetable. Both flows will take course in internal medicine (see annex 1). The courses of anesthesiology-reanimatology and emergency surgery (as in the old timetable) will be planned at semester end (also considering preparation of 12th semester students for technical clinical skills examination, such as OSCE).
Considering the current situation both Georgian and foreign student flows (11th and 12th semesters) will complete the internal medicine credit requremetns in the following way:
This way during the semester and/or till the clinical bases are again available for students:
Qualification examination will take at previously planned dates (in July).
Annex 1: 6th Year Workplan
# |
Course |
Number of day |
Dates |
Teachers |
1. |
Neurology |
9 |
1-10 April |
N. Tatishvili L. Kandareli T. Shatirishvili |
2. |
Pulmonology |
8 |
11-23 April |
N. Tskhakaia |
3. |
Cardiology |
8 |
24 April – 2 May |
K. Kapanadze |
4. |
Gastroenterology |
6 |
4-9 May |
A. Nadiradze |
5. |
Hematology |
4 |
May 11-14 |
N. Totogashvili |
6. |
Nephrology |
6 |
15-21 May |
M. Sutidze |
7. |
Infectious diseases |
7 |
May 22-29 |
T. Kakabadze |
8. |
Rheumatology |
4 |
May 30-June 3 |
M. Toidze |
9. |
Endocrinology |
4 |
June 4-8 |
L. Tsutskiridze |
10. |
Emergency surgery
|
15 |
June 9-25 |
|
11. |
Anesthesiology-reanimatology
|
9 |
June 26-July 6 |
|
12. |
Training in Clinical Skills Clinical skills 6
Doctor-Patient relationship
OSCE format instructions |
10 |
July 7-17 |
|
* Remark: 12th point can be shifted before 10th one; In case the students arrive to Georgia, but can’t access hospitals.
** Saturday is a working day
Annex 2–written assignment topics and presentation requirement
Discipline-topic-referate [In English: at least 5 approx. 5-10 pages (A4 format) of text;
References – at least 5 sources (students will receive access to Hinari database).
Assignment is written in a review format: (i) problem importance (in clinical and/or practical context); (ii) literature findings on the topic and relevant discussion; (iii) conclusions (based on the literature discussion).
Assessment
III. Summary: on activities undertaken in the University and the educational process
Actions undertaken till this day to maintain educational process:
Conducting the educational process:
Sincerely,
Nino Tabagari,
Dean,
Aieti Medical School,
David Tvildiani Medical University
02.04.2020