MED 6750 Patient II
Phase 2, Class of 2028
Winter/Spring 2025

Assessment Plan

The assessment plan sets out the principles and key elements used to assess the learner’s performance in an accurate, consistent, and objective manner for MED 6750 Patient II.

MED 6750 Patient II has learners build on their knowledge obtained from the themes presented in Phase 1 and encounter new themes that integrate physician competencies and clinical skills with basic and clinical sciences as they relate to common clinical encounters and patient symptoms.

COURSE SUCCESS CRITERIA

To pass the course, a learner must: 

• Pass at least 4 of the 5 written examinations,
• Achieve an average mark of ≥70 based on the weighted pass marks across the 5 examinations, Emerging Infectious Disease group presentation and Anatomy Portfolio,
• Complete and submit all assessments and assignments by the due date, and
• Attend all sessions designated as mandatory and complete any associated activities.

Exam and assignment deferrals will only be approved by the Phase Lead under exceptional circumstances, see Exam Deferral Policy.

Promotion regulations:

• Even if a learner has passed all examinations and assignments, a learner may be required to repeat the Phase or withdraw conditionally or unconditionally from the program (see section 5.3 in the University calendar) if there are significant concerns about a learner’s performance (as communicated to the learner by the Phase Lead). Examples may include, but are not limited to, late assignments or missed mandatory sessions without proper deferral process, lapses in professionalism, recurrent reassessment exams.
• As outlined in Section 5.2 of the Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine in the University calendar, learners with a Fail grade in any course cannot be promoted to the next Phase.
• As outlined in the MD program objectives, the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University values professionalism as a core competency and a requirement of the MD program. Recognizing that medical learners are developing their professional identity, professionalism lapses will be remediated where possible and appropriate. Unsuccessful remediation will result in failure of the Phase. Professionalism lapses may render a learner incompatible with continuation in the MD program (as outlined in the Memorial University Calendar Regulation 10.5 Promotion).

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Learners will be assessed with both formative and summative assessment methods throughout the course. Learners will receive their grades from the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) office via One45.

Original work, completed wholly by the learner, is expected to be submitted in this course. The use of an artificial intelligence tool like chatGPT is not permitted.

Formative assessments do not count towards the final grade and are intended to help learners monitor their learning. Formative assessment will consist of weekly online quizzes, practice timed lab exam stations with formative short answer questions, self-assessment and verbal feedback from instructors. Learners are also expected to review and learn from their performance on the summative assessments that occur throughout the course. The process for review of summative examinations is detailed in the Summative Assessment Procedure for Phases 1-3.

Summative assessments include five on-line written multiple-choice question (MCQ) examinations, following each of the five themes, the Anatomy Portfolio and Emerging Infectious Disease Presentation. Each of these summative assessments is graded and contributes to the final summative mark that the learner will receive for the course.

The course includes mandatory learning sessions, listed in the respective section below. Learners must participate in these sessions and complete any associated exercises. As outlined in the Protected Time and Duty Hours Policy, learners may request leave if they are unable to attend a mandatory learning session.

The contribution of marks from each summative assessment towards the final course grade is as follows:

Examination 1: Infections and Fever	15%
Examination 2: Cough and Dyspnea	23%
Examination 3: Abdominal Pain and Jaundice	18%
Examination 4: Joint Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders	18%
Examination 5: Dizziness, Headache and Vertigo	12%
Anatomy Portfolio	12%
Emerging Infectious Disease Presentation	2%
Total	100%

The final grade and average will be compiled at the end of the Phase. If the Burr method is used to determine the pass mark for a summative examination, the percent-correct score for each learner will be converted to a scaled score. For the scaled score, the pass mark as determined by the Burr method is set to 70 and percent-correct scores are converted using linear transformation. Scaled scores will then be used to calculate the overall course mark.

(a) Summative written examinations will occur on the following dates:

Learners may refer to the schedule on Brightspace regarding the instructional hours in each theme.

Theme	Exam Date	Reassessment Date
Examination 1: Infections and Fever	February 3, 2025	February 12, 2025
Examination 2: Cough and Dyspnea	March 7, 2025	March 19, 2025
Examination 3: Abdominal Pain and Jaundice	April 3, 2025	May 15, 2025
Examination 4: Joint Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders	June 9, 2025	June 19, 2025
Examination 5: Dizziness, Headache and Vertigo	June 27, 2025	July 10, 2025

Note: Learners who are required to reassess for Examination 5 must be available on July 10, 2025 for the reassessment examination. If not available on this date, learners must apply for a deferral to write the reassessment at a later date.

Learners achieving a percent-correct score of 70% or higher on a written summative examination will receive a pass. If one or more learners achieve a percent-correct score of less than 70% on a summative written examination, the pass mark for the examination will be determined using the Burr method¹. Using this approach, the upper limit of the pass mark is set to the median percent-correct score of the class minus 10%, or 70%, whichever is lower. The pass mark is identified by applying this upper limit to the cumulative frequency curve of the achieved percent-correct scores of the class.

(b) Anatomy Portfolio

An Anatomy portfolio will be used to assess learners for the Anatomy lab sessions (Pelvis and Perineum Labs 1 & 2, MSK Labs 1-4, Head and Neck labs 1-5). The portfolio consists of two components:

• Practical Exam: Learners will complete one timed ‘bell-ringer’ style station-based exam to assess the learning objectives of the MSK lab sessions. Learners will answer short answer questions to identify anatomical structures at each station, utilizing various anatomical specimens (e.g., wet and plastinated specimens, bones, cadaveric structures). The pass mark for each of the practical exams will be determined using the Burr method as outlined above.
• Date for Practical Exam: May 27, 2025. This will cover the MSK objectives.
• Reassessment date for Practical Exam: June 5, 2025.
• Group Presentations: Learners will work in small groups of four to complete a cadaver dissection or a thorough study of selected plastinated specimens. The group will have 7-10 minutes to present their dissection or plastinated specimens, covering the structures outlined in the Human Cadaveric Dissection guidelines document. These guidelines are linked to the learning objectives for the Phase 2 Anatomy lab sessions. The mark assigned for the presentation will be applied to each learner in the group. The pass mark for the group presentation is 70%. A rubric for the group presentation of the portfolio will be available on Brightspace.
• Date for Group Presentation 1: March 24, 2025. This will cover the pelvis and perineum lab sessions.
• Date for Group Presentation 2: June 25, 2025. This will cover the head and neck objectives.

Each component will contribute to the final Anatomy portfolio mark as follows: practical exam 50% and group presentations 50%.

(c) Emerging Infectious Disease Presentation

The tutorials for the Emerging Infectious Disease content (Case and Outbreak Management, Vaccination, Emerging Infectious Diseases) will be assessed with a group presentation. Learners will work in groups to research and analyze an emerging infectious disease according to communicable disease prevention and control frameworks and concepts. Each group will compile their findings in a 10-minute presentation with slides. The voiced-over presentation will be uploaded to Brightspace.

Due date for presentation: February 10, 2025.

The pass mark is 70%. Details and the assessment rubric will be available on Brightspace (D2L).

Mandatory Learning Sessions

Mandatory learning sessions are defined as sessions that require learners to attend in order to achieve the learning objectives. Sessions are designated mandatory if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Provide an introduction or overview of learner expectations for the MD program, phase or course;
• Involve application of clinical decision-making skills such as tutorials, case-based learning and laboratories;
• Include an assessment component;
• Involve interactivity such as integrated learning sessions, interprofessional education sessions, guest speakers or patient volunteers; and/or
• Provide support and/or counseling to promote learner well-being and success.

Mandatory learning session	Date
Case and Outbreak Management Tutorial
Clinical Cases in Peripheral Arthritis
Clinical Cases in Axial Arthritis
Congestive Heart Failure Tutorial
Emerging Infectious Diseases Tutorial
Emerging Viruses Tutorial
H&N Lab 1 & 2: Osteology, Vasculature and Cranial Nerves
H&N Lab 3: Deep Head, Oral and Nasal Cavities and Larynx
H&N Lab 4 & 5: Triangles and Muscles of the Neck and Pharynx and Special Senses
Headache Tutorial
Interstitial Lung Disease Tutorial
Liver Disease Tutorial
Lower Gut Tutorial
Metabolic Bone Disease Tutorial
MSK Lab 1: Surface Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Limbs
MSK Lab 2: Skeletal System and Articulations
MSK Lab 3: Upper Limb Musculature and Neurovasculature
MSK Lab 4: Lower Limb Musculature and Neurovasculature
Neuroanatomy Lab 1
Neuroanatomy Lab 2
Neuroanatomy Lab 3
Physiology of Spirometry Lab
PP Lab 1: Pelvis and Perineum
PP Lab 2: Pelvis and Perineum – Reproductive System
Upper Gut Tutorial
Vaccination Tutorial
Valvular Heart Disease Tutorial
Visual Demonstration and Microbiology Review

REASSESSMENT

• Reassessment will be required if a learner achieves a mark <70% or, if applicable, less than the pass mark on any one of the five written summative examinations, Anatomy Practical examination or other summative assessment.
• For the theme examinations, learners will write a reassessment MCQ examination.
• For the Anatomy Portfolio, learners will complete a reassessment of the relevant component (practical exam or presentation).
• For other summative assessments, learners will be required to re-submit the assessment for the component they have failed addressing the inadequacies that have been identified.
• Assignments for reassessment must be submitted within two weeks after the learner is notified by the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) office. In circumstances where a learner has multiple reassessments due in the same two-week time frame, an extension of the deadline date can be made at the discretion of the Phase Lead.
• Learners with two or more reassessments or who fail a reassessment will be required to meet with the Phase Lead or a delegate, and the Learner Well-being Consultant if the learner so wishes, to support the learner’s academic needs.
• Learners who achieve less than 70% on two or more summative examinations will be notified and provided with academic success resources. The learner may meet with the Phase Lead or a delegate, and the Learner Well-being Consultant if the learner so wishes, to further support the learner’s academic needs.
• A learner may be reassessed for any failed assessment only once.
• The maximum mark for a reassessment is 70% or, if applicable, the Burr pass mark in the case of the written summative examinations.
  

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

Learners may defer examinations with prior approval from the Phase Lead through the deferred examination and assessment procedure. The Summative Assessment Procedure for Phases 1-3 states “Learners seeking to defer a summative MCQ examination or other assessment must follow the Undergraduate Medical Education Deferred Examination Policy.”
 
If a learner is prevented from completing an assignment by the listed due date, they must follow the procedure outlined in the Undergraduate Medical Education Deferred Examination Policy and request a deferral of the assessment. Where possible, learners must make their request prior to the listed due date of the assignment. If a learner fails to submit a deferral request, any assignment submitted up to two days after the listed due date is considered late and the maximum mark the assignment can receive is 70%. Assignments which are submitted more than two days after the listed due date without a submitted deferral request, will not be accepted for grading unless extenuating circumstances exist and at the discretion of the Phase Lead. Learners are encouraged to seek support from the Learner Well-being Consultants, especially if circumstances arise which may impact a learner’s ability to complete assignments on time.

¹Burr, S.A., Whittle, J., Fairclough, L.C. et al. Modifying Hofstee standard setting for assessments that vary in difficulty, and to determine boundaries for different levels of achievement. BMC Med Educ 16, 34 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-016-0555-y

Version: September 18, 2024
Reviewed by SAS: October 23, 2024
UGMS Approved: November 20, 2024