Leading EDGE Curriculum
Free from the restraints of an established curriculum, our team created an education model from scratch that’s on the Leading EDGE (Essentials, Delivery, Growth and Exploration). At Dell Med, students teach each other through case studies, studying art to foster empathy, applying knowledge by caring for their patients and the community — and more. All of this is enhanced by a heavy focus on value-based care and health systems science so that graduates are equipped to transform how people get and stay healthy.
About the Curriculum
Year 1: Essentials
Dell Med pioneered an accelerated pre-clinical curriculum centered on students. In 12 months, students develop strong clinical skills through active learning, problem-solving and critical thinking.
Year 2: Delivery
Students start applying clinical skills to care for patients during clerkships in the second year, which is a year earlier than most schools. Each of the six rotations occur in hospitals and clinics across Austin for about eight weeks.
Year 3: Growth
This nine-month block provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in an area of personal interest and make progress toward individual goals, such as a dual degree. In the growth year, students also apply their skills to benefit the Central Texas community.
Year 4: Exploration
Leading up to medical residency, students further explore the specialty field of their choice while continuing to build advanced clinical skills through broad ranging electives, rotations and internships. This year includes a capstone transition-to-residency experience.
Four-Year Longitudinal Courses
To train students in the art of relationship building — a vital practice for physician leaders — four courses run parallel to the basic science and clinical coursework in all four years of study.
Developing Outstanding Clinical Skills
Throughout their training, Dell Med students hone diagnostic and clinical skills in tight-knit teams of five students partnered with one faculty mentor. This deep time spent learning from an experienced practitioner equips students to become compassionate and effective physicians.
Interprofessional Education
More than ever, modern physicians must be adept at collaborating with professionals to accomplish shared goals. Dell Med’s interprofessional education curriculum brings our students together frequently with those from social work, nursing, pharmacy and other areas of study for meaningful work. The result? Skills they can put to use to improve health as part of a team.
Leadership
By cultivating self-awareness, collaboration skills, feedback agility and more, Dell Med students transform into leaders ready to tackle health care’s toughest challenges. This curriculum fosters a new kind of physician — one driven by the opportunity to inspire and influence other practitioners with the goal of revolutionizing the health care ecosystem.
Integrating Leadership, Interprofessional Education and Developing Outstanding Clinical Skills (ILIAD)
This course integrates the final year of all three longitudinal courses (DOCS, IPE and Leadership) into a single course that leverages learners’ graduated autonomy in a mentor-supported, self-actuated clinical learning environment to crystallize the professional identity of graduating Dell Med students in preparation for residency.