Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine | Nutley, NJ | Small Group Facilitation   

Small Group Facilitation

Small Group Facilitation occurs at our Nutley, NJ campus. The courses that make up our small group instruction are Clinical Skills (CS), Human Dimension (HD), and Patient Presentation Problem Based Learning Curriculum (PPPC). Both Clinical Skills and Patient Presentation Problem Based Learning Curriculum span the first 16 months of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine curriculum and the Human Dimension course spans the entirety of Phase 1 and 2.

Faculty development for each course is unique and tailored to the content and teaching methods used. Faculty development begins with a new small group facilitator orientation offered in the spring/early summer prior to the start of the new academic year. Subsequent sessions scheduled on a regular basis and communicated by the course director. 

Please reach out to the Office of Faculty Development (somfacdev@hmhn.org) with all faculty development related questions.

(Every other Tuesday or Wednesday at the HMSOM)

As a Clinical Skills Facilitator, you will lead a small group of students about 2 to 3 Wednesdays per month (~4-6 hours per session). Your responsibilities will include coaching students to optimize their learning of the following content: 1) communication skills 2) data gathering skills and 3) clinical reasoning 4)counseling and motivational interviewing 5) professional identity/development 6) physical examination and 7) diagnostic testing and 8) therapeutics and developing patient care plans.

The instructional format for the course is mostly small group skill-building and discussion sessions focused on integrating skills and foundational knowledge. Facilitators will serve as skills coaches, where they will meet briefly with each student on a regular schedule to review their clinical skills growth plans and provide guidance on strategies to meet their professional goals.

Facilitators greatly enjoy this opportunity to work with a group of students on a consistent and longitudinal basis and will evaluate different aspects of their performance. It is our hope that the small groups will form strong bonds as many personal reflections and experiences are shared, and that both student and faculty will have significant professional growth through this impactful experience

Clinical Skills Faculty Development:

On teaching days a 45 minute faculty development is offered to prep faculty on that day's topic. Faculty development is also offered to those teaching in the course as 2 hour or 4 hour sessions during exam weeks. The course director and coordinators will share dates and information as they are scheduled. In addition, faculty observations are available for feedback and growth.

For course questions, please contact:

Ofelia Martinez, M.D.,
Assistant Dean of Medical Education
ofelia.martinez@hmsom.edu

Mukundha Maneyapanda, Associate Director of Clinical Skills
mukundha.maneyapanda@hmhn.org

AnnGene Anthony, M.D.,
Assistant Director of Clinical Skills
anngene.anthony@hmhn.org

(Every other Tuesday or Wednesday at the HMSOM)

The Human Dimension (HD) small group faculty will facilitate a group of eight students every other Wednesday morning over the course of the Phase 1 (pre-clerkship) curriculum. Sessions consist of debriefing and processing students’ HD experiences through workshops, case presentations, and reflection activities. Faculty will mentor students as they work with families from vulnerable populations and will help student teams complete a community project. Examples of monthly themes of the HD course include professional identity formation, social determinants of health, barriers to care, community systems, substance abuse, and mental illness. This opportunity is appropriate for an MD/DO with prior clinical experience.

Requirements

  • Teach HD small groups every other Wednesday morning for a half day based on a 16 month commitment starting July of each year.
  • Attend required 3 faculty development sessions prior to July of each year and ongoing sessions throughout the year.
  • Review student assignments and complete student evaluations.
  • Meet with students quarterly for formal feedback/coaching sessions and be available to students via email or phone as needed.
  • Understand the practical aspects of caring for patients from underserved areas.


Preferred Skills

  • Prior experience facilitating small group learning sessions, reflection rounds, or similar activities.
  • Clinical experience with underserved or vulnerable populations.

Occurs roughly every other week on Tuesdays OR Wednesdays.

For course questions, please contact:

Carmela Rocchetti, M.D.
Assistant Dean of Community Engaged Medical Education
carmela.rocchetti@hmhn.org

(Every Friday morning at the HMSOM)

PPPC is a weekly PBL-style curriculum aimed at developing skills of clinical reasoning, knowledge acquisition and integration, self-directed learning, and teamwork. The week is scaffolding by a clinical case, meant to connect the basic, science and health systems science content. Students are presented with a case on Mondays, and meet in small groups with a faculty facilitator every Friday AM to discuss the case and consolidate and integrate knowledge learned during the week.

PPPC Faculty Development:

Faculty development is offered to those teaching in the course as 2 hour sessions during exam weeks and 45 minute sessions as needed. The course director and coordinators will share dates and information as they are scheduled. In addition, faculty observations are available for feedback and growth.

For course questions, please contact:

Sarah Bayefsky, M.D.,
Director of PPPC
sarah.bayefsky@hmsom.edu

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