Longitudinal Scholars’ Program (LSP)

The course includes participation in a research project in basic/clinical science, PSQI, or CGH and culminates in an evaluated poster presentation. Rather than have every student participate in each category, the course provides the students with a foundation of basic understanding in each area, while requiring each student to do an in-depth project in one area of their choice.

'Physicians have a duty to provide safe and effective care. Healthcare organizations are committed to protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The disciplines of patient safety and quality improvement play an integral role in health care, and as physicians you are expected to engage in activities within the healthcare system to provide this care. Throughout LSP you will complete modules, read articles, and participate in activities that will introduce you to the principles of patient safety and quality improvement. This will allow you to expand your knowledge and contribute to a safe clinical environment as you begin your medical career and beyond.

Projects can be conducted in community clinics not associated with UTHSC or with other health improvement related organizations and efforts.  Similarly, projects can also be conducted outside of the US.  It is important for students to understand the differences of these health care settings from the more traditional places.  It is essential that projects are designed with the goal of producing scholarly output.  It is not enough to provide important health improvement services projects must also evaluate outcomes – preferably compared to a reference population or approach. 

Self-directed learning skills are critical in the medical field for life-long learning to remain competent, stay up-to-date on current literature, and follow best practices in the field. The SDL curriculum at UTHSC is designed to develop these skills, such as identifying your own knowledge gaps, finding credible and reliable resources to address those knowledge gaps, and synthesizing information based on those resources. In this longitudinal curriculum, students receive individualized formative feedback from a dedicated team of clinicians, which can help students improve their SDL skills.

This course features several interprofessional education (IPE) events during which you’ll collaborate with students and faculty from various healthcare professions, enhancing your understanding of their unique contributions to patient outcomes. IPE activities will focus on interdisciplinary communication and teamwork to address complex healthcare and psychosocial concerns.