Hands on learning

Nick Walter

Jun. 10, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- LAKEWOOD RANCH -- They're not exactly Doogie Howser, M.D., but these high school juniors and seniors, clad in the blues of medical doctors, are training for possible careers in the medical field.

At the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Medical Science Academy, 32 students are shown in a two-week period what it might be like to be a medical student. They're instructed on splinting, suturing, basic First Aid, CPR, and are even given cases to diagnose.

What makes the academy unique is that it uses problem-based learning, in which students form groups of eight and learn with hands-on experience instead of sitting with a textbook before a professor for hours.

Katrina Stevanovich, a senior at Cardinal Mooney, said she had never learned so much in such a short time. "It's hard to pay attention in school," she said.

Each group was given a 15-20 page lab report, similar to one they'd be presented if they were doctors. The "case" includes a role-playing interview between doctor and patient. In one day, the groups reduced 30 possible diagnoses to two.

Moreover, it seems the students are in an environment where they are not judged by other students.

"No one makes it sound stupid if you ask a stupid question," said Gabrielle Rennhack, who is home-schooled.

The academy includes students from eight area schools: Cardinal Mooney, Saint Stephens, Manatee, Sarasota, Sarasota Riverview, Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Booker.

According to LECOM communications and marketing director Michael Polin, LECOM is the largest medical school in the country in terms of enrollment. The main campus is in Erie, Pa., and a secondary campus is in Greensburg, Pa.

In the first week, the students are being presented with health career opportunities in primary care medicine and how to prepare for these fields. The second week will involve shadowing medical students, such as prospective surgeons, dentists and veterinarians.

By learning from medical students, the high school students receive a sense of hope because they're learning from medical students who are only a couple years from where the high school students could be. LECOM does this so that students will communicate more easily with instructors almost their age.

In essence, they're not intimidated as if a medical doctor were instructing with a bulky textbook and speaking with awkward jargon.

"The summer program is to give juniors and seniors a real experience of what it would be like to be a medical student," said LECOM director of community service Russell Sexton, "not what it's like to be a doctor."

Nick Walter, Herald staff writer, can be reached at 708-7909.

Newstex ID: 35637241