Innovation in Academics

New curriculum shapes the next generation of Quillen physicians

In July 2022, Quillen College of Medicine implemented a new curriculum that would positively benefit the learning outcomes of students completing their medical education at ETSU. This new and robust curriculum is designed to prepare students to graduate as professional, capable, and compassionate physicians and to provide students with the best possible experiences.

“Our systems-based curriculum allows students to acquire the necessary medical knowledge and apply their learning to clinical situations earlier in their training,” said Dr. Beth Anne Fox, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. “The clinical application reinforces their learning and develops their critical thinking and problem-solving skills much sooner in their training.”

The TRAILS (Team-Based Rural Applied Integrated Learning System) curriculum boasts significant updates to academia while providing earlier and more frequent opportunities for active learning. Among the key changes are an 18-month preclerkship phase, which includes the integration of basic and clinical sciences throughout all four years of medical school; opportunities for early clinical experiences; state-ofthe-art interprofessional training and simulation; and multiple servicelearning and community outreach initiatives.

Spearheading the new curriculum is the Class of 2026. While it has been a year since the implementation of the new curriculum, students are already benefiting from its structure and opportunities.

“I chose Quillen because of the new curriculum,” said Tia Shutes, Quillen Class of 2026. “Thanks to early clinical experiences, I’ve been able to pair up with a local cardiothoracic surgeon and sit in on open-heart and bypass surgeries.”

This new addition to the curriculum encourages medical students to step out of the classroom and to identify ways to make an impact in regional communities. In March 2023, the four learning communities donated $150 from each of their budgets to purchase supplies such as socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, hats, hairbrushes, toys, and more. The supplies purchased through this service-learning effort were used to make birthday baskets for people in Dawn of Hope, families in low-income housing, or families in need through nonprofit organizations.

“Shopping for the birthday baskets was incredibly uplifting because it gave us a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose,” said Kari Byrnes, Quillen Class of 2024. “A separate but critical piece of this experience was the opportunity to work alongside faculty outside the classroom. Overall, we accomplished the worthwhile goals of service and mentorship, both fundamental reasons for the initial creation of learning communities.”

In addition to many of the key changes, students enjoy a nine-week break in June and July between the M1 and M2 years, and six weeks of dedicated United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1 study time. During the final two years, students will complete 12 months of core clerkships and 14 months of senior clinical courses and electives, including the necessary time to prepare for the Step 2 Exam.

The TRAILS curriculum sets a new standard to surpass the institutional educational objectives set forth by the Quillen College of Medicine. Institutional educational objectives encourage the lifelong acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors.

“In Northeast Tennessee, where there are rural and underserved populations, it is vital to create outstanding physicians who will continue their hard work and dedication to advance the practice of medicine for years to come,” said Dr. Bill Block, Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Dean of Quillen College of Medicine.

The TRAILS curriculum is the new standard across all M.D. programs at Quillen, including the M.D./ MBA, M.D./MPH, and Tri-TRAILS programs. Tri-TRAILS is a three-year accelerated M.D. program that is now being offered to students. This option not only provides students the opportunity to complete medical school in less time and with less cost, but also the ability to match into one of five residency programs: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or Family Medicine in Bristol, Johnson City, or Kingsport.