FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY


PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY FOR FURTHER REGISTRATION

Evaluation

Medical students are subject to the policies and regulations of The University of Western Ontario, as outlined in the general Academic Calendar, in addition to the policies of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

The principal function of student evaluation in the MD Program is to assess competence and provide feedback for student learning. For the purpose of reporting performance, an Honors/Pass/Fail grade is used for each course. Letter or percentage grades may be used for the purpose of enhancing feedback at a departmental level. Students' attitudes and ethics also form part of the assessment and unethical behavior or irresponsible and inappropriate conduct may constitute grounds for a failing grade.

Evaluation throughout the curriculum takes two forms:

During Years 1, and 2

Evaluations for feedback occur in the assessment of group participation, written examinations and laboratory practical evaluations.

Evaluation for progression occurs at least once in each course. Evaluation may include an assessment of the quality of each student's group participation.

During Year 3 & 4

During Clerkship and Clinical Science Options, evaluation for feedback and progression occurs daily as the clerk interacts with house staff and clinical faculty. Frequent observation during patient care activities forms the basis for such feedback.

The comprehensive examination will test students' mastery of the overall objectives of the clerkship. This evaluation will assess students' knowledge, clinical skills, professional conduct and clinical reasoning using simulated clinical settings.

Evaluation of Transitional Period is based on student participation, assignments and written evaluations. Successful performance on the comprehensive examination is required to fulfill the requirements of Year 4.

Satisfactory Progression

To satisfactorily complete each year, and to progress to the next year or to graduation, a student must meet the following requirements:

Course Weights

In Years 1, 2, 3, 4, and Phase IV, courses are given weights equivalent to their length.

Course Length Course Weight
0 - 60 hours 0.5
61- 160 hours 1.0
161- 260 hours 2.0
261- 360 hours 3.0
361- 460 hours 4.0
51 weeks Clinical Clerkship 8.0
6 weeks Basic Science Options 1.0
Clinical Science Options 1.5

The honors grade adjusted by the course weight leads to a weighted honors score. A student who obtains a total weighted honors score in the top 10% of the class for all courses in Year 1,Year 2, or Year 3, or Year 4 will be considered to have passed with Honors and shall be named to the Dean's Honor List. A student who has been named to the Dean's Honor List in each of the academic periods which honours is available in shall graduate With Distinction.

Conditional Progression

A student who has failed may be eligible to be considered for a period of remediation (either a study period or specific remedial program) followed by supplemental examination (reassessment which may be written, oral, and/or clinical in nature). Such supplemental privilege is in no way the right of the student, but rather is a permission granted by decision of the Undergraduate Medical Education Education Progression, Appeals & Awards Committee. The period and scheduling of remediation is a decision of the Undergraduate Medical Education Progression, Appeals & Awards Committee. The supplemental examination(s) will immediately follow the remediation. In years 1 & 2 the supplemental examination(s) must be passed on the first attempt and prior to the start of the next academic year in order for the student to remain in the program.

A student who has failed a single clinical rotation in Year 3 who has been granted permission to remediate, will be permitted to remediate during the scheduled time for Clinical Science Options in Year 4.

A student who fails the Observed Structured Clinical Exam and has been granted permission to remediate will be permitted to remediate at the conclusion of the Transition Period.

Permission for remediation and supplemental examination will be considered only when following conditions both exist:

  1. The total of all failures (FAI) during the Doctor of Medicine program, including failures for which supplemental examination was previously granted, does not exceed three course weights.
  2. One of (a)-(d) is true regarding performance in the current Year:
    1. at the end of Year I, the student has received grades of HON or PAS in all but one or two course weights;
    2. at the end of Year 2, the student has received grades of HON or PAS in all but one or two course weights;
    3. at the end of Year 3(Integrated Clinical Clerkship), the student has received grades of HON or PAS and all but one Clinical Rotation;
    4. during Year 4 Clinical Science Options and Year 4 Transitional Period, the student has met all course requirements and has received a grade of PAS in the Observed Structured Clinical Exam.

The maximum period of remediation will be:

Achievement of pass in a supplemental examination does not delete the original grade of FAIL from the student record. A grade of SRP (Supplemental Examination/Remedial Work passed) will be separately recorded on the student record.

Requirement to Withdraw

A student who has not met the requirements listed under "Satisfactory Progression" shall be required to withdraw from the medical program for any of the following reasons:

  1. the student has not met the conditions listed under "Conditional Progression" and, therefore, is not eligible for supplemental examination;
  2. the student has met the conditions listed under "Conditional Progression" but permission for supplemental examination is not granted;
  3. the student fails a supplemental examination granted under "Conditional Progression".

A student who has met the requirements under "Satisfactory Progression" may be required to withdraw under the University penalties for Scholastic Offenses.

Note:
Students wishing to appeal against a decision of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry should refer to the Academic Rights and Responsibilities section of Western's Academic Calendar.

Grading Scales

The criteria for receiving a "passing" or "honors" grade will be clearly identified at the start of each course. While percentage grades or letter grades may be used within courses for the purpose of student feedback, an Honors/Pass/Fail system is used to identify performance for progression and graduation. The key to this grading scheme is as follows:

Grade Mark
HON Excellence. The demonstration of a competency well above the minimal acceptable standard
PAS Clear competency with regards to all criteria considered essential for the completion of that specific course
CR Credit
INC Incomplete
FAI An inability to meet the minimal acceptable standards for a specific course
IPR Course In Progress
SRP Supplemental Examination/Remedial Work passed

Academic Calendar
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

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