PCMS stands for preliminary concepts in medical sciences... To me it stood for what did i get myself into, if anyone tells you medicine is easy they were doing it wrong. I guess looking back its not as bad as it seemed, but the 1st block is a big adjustment and a lot of work it consist of 6 main subjects mainly pathology, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, bio stats and bioethics. The PCMS block is essentially the only block in which there is set structure to subjects, in the following blocks there are themes but more on that later. The biggest adjustment is the limited time for everything, in the PCMS block lectures start at 8am and end at 5pm everyday for most of the block and then you end up with about 3 days to study for the test at the end of the block... It sounds hectic but you get used to it pretty fast, the work inst hard but its a lot of work. The thing with PCMS is that it helps to level the playing fields, especially for those who come through to the GEMP program with little medical background... In all the subjects listed above it seems that PCMS covers a broad amount of work that will be touched on in more detail in the following blocks, a lot like a foundation for everyone to build on. The hardest part of the block for most is going to be pathology but with a bit of dedication this can be overcome, pathology pops up a lot in the following blocks, so giving it some attention from the start is not a bad idea. I guess for most of the subjects its dependent on if you've ever done them. But like I said looking back its not that bad and definitely do able.
LOTS-So the second block of the year is the LOTS block which stands for life on the streets, this block covers most of the themes that carry on through out the year, its not a full on focused clinical block but rather jumps around from git to HIV etc. The block is quite relaxed for many and gives you a bit of a breather after pcms, don't get me wrong its still important to continue to work hard through this as their is a lot of information. In the first week of the block you will receive your first case normally this is little Anna, you will start working through the case with your pbl group and the case will go on through the week with 3 pbl sessions the first on the Monday, then pbl2 on Wednesday and then a pbl3 on Friday. The first pbl session is an introduction to the case and is normally facilitated, during this session students are meant to receive information on the case and come up with a diagnosis and the test they would request, while the second pbl session is just group work where you receive more information on the case including the results you requested in the first session, the last session is a plenary ie. A session where the entire case is reviewed and the coordinator for that week will answer anything that is not understood. The pbl process runs every week from the beginning of lots till the end of 4th year. The cases are usually related to the topic of the week and helps you get a understanding of the main presentation, diagnosis and management of the most common problems. The other new thing that's introduced in the LOTS block is HPD/ hospital practice days, these are days where you get to dress up like a doctor and go into the hospitals, these normally happen on a Thursday so the mornings are spent in a hospital that you are allocated to and then a clinical skills session in the afternoon, these are normally quite fun and you will have to pay attention as the stuff taught in these will make up the practical exam. The HPDs are intended to allow you to practice the skills you learn and its important that you use them from the start to avoid coming up to the OSCE not having practiced. The last new objective is journal entries these are a reflection of the block, that has to be completed at the end of each block except the last of each year, the journal entry must be two pages long and can be on anything that stood out for you during the block, their are a few topics you have to cover but for most entries you choose the topic. generally the lots block is good, just don't be to relaxed as it can seem boring and stuff you think you know, but attending lectures is important.
CVS-Finally into the clinical blocks, stuff just got serious and much more focused. The
CVS block is definitely one of the best blocks of the year and one of the most important, that being said it is definitely worth your while going to class and paying attention. The work in the block comes up throughout the year so learn it well to prevent it haunting you later. One of the practical aspects taught in this block is how to read an ECG their are normally two practical sessions, these must be attended as i can assure you they are worth your while. The block is six weeks and their is quite a lot of pathology and physiology to master, the first weeks pbl case may catch you of guard but after that you should get the hang of it. Each week focuses on a specific issue as with the blocks that follow. The outline for this block is: Week 1- general physiology and anatomy, week 2- heart failure, week 3- hypertension, week 4- acute coronary syndrome, week 5 - ineffective endocarditis and week 6- genetic cardiac diseases. The week on hypertension is worth paying attention in, as it comes up again and again due to it being a common problem in our westernized world. The cardiac block is a great way to start the clinical blocks have fun and enjoy it.
After the above the blocks mostly follow a similar format and I'm sure you will get the hang of it.
If you have any questions leave a comment below.
