Student-selected components in the undergraduate medical curriculum: a multi-institutional consensus on assessable key tasks

Abstract

This paper describes further progress by the Northern Universities SSC Consortium in achieving consensus on the contribution of the Student Selected Components (SSCs) to undergraduate medical courses. Following the identification of common purposes and outcomes, the group has matched these to assessable key tasks which students may undertake in order to demonstrate competence on a range of attributes not normally fully assessed in the core curriculum. In some schools, SSCs may be the predominant route through which students gain exposure to research methods and reflective practice. In addition to opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills outside the core curriculum, SSCs can contribute towards enhancement of core skills. SSCs may also contribute to the overall longitudinal assessment of personal and professional development. The potential role of portfolios in maximizing student learning from SSCs is discussed, and future areas for development identified.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patsy Stark

PATSY STARK is Senior Lecturer in Medical Education in the Academic Unit of Medical Education and SSC Coordinator, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield.

John Ellershaw

JOHN ELLERSHAW is Chair of the Special Study Module Coordinating Group, School of Medical Education, University of Liverpool.

David Newble

DAVID NEWBLE is Emeritus Professor of Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Sheffield.

Mark Perry

MARK PERRY is Clinical Lecturer in the School of Primary Care and involved in the implementation of the SSC programme, School of Medicine, University of Manchester.

Louise Robinson

LOUISE ROBINSON is Senior Lecturer in Primary Care and Coordinator of the SSC programme, School of Medicine, University of Newcastle.

John Smith

JOHN SMITH is the Director of Phase 2 of the undergraduate medical curriculum, School of Medical Education, University of Liverpool.

Sue Whittle

SUE WHITTLE is Senior Teaching Fellow, School of Biochemistry and Microbiology and Year 1 SSC programme Coordinator, University of Leeds.

Deborah Murdoch-Eaton

DEBORAH MURDOCH-EATON is Professor of Medical Education and Coordinator of the SSC programme, Medical Education Unit, University of Leeds. She is Chair and convenor of the Consortium.All contributors to the paper are active members of the Northern SSC Consortium, and are involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of student-selected components within their medical school.The first draft was written by Patsy Stark and Deborah Murdoch-Eaton. All members contributed to subsequent drafts and approved the final document.