Foundations in Medicine I serves as the clinical counterpart to the basic science courses. While the medical knowledge you’ll acquire via your basic science coursework is the traditional cornerstone of medical education, it’s the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what it takes to be a competent physician. In recent years, the organization that accredits medical schools has developed a list of competencies in which medical schools should ensure students are proficient prior to graduation. Tulane has adapted these competencies into our own set of objectives encompassing, in addition to knowledge, the domains of patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal communication, professionalism, systems-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, personal and professional development, and community health and engagement. Foundations in Medicine is tasked with ensuring you are introduced to each of these domains, whose mastery is critical in your journey toward competency as a practicing physician.

Students who serve in major leadership roles in service learning organizations will participate in program development and administration, technology innovation and product development, and resource procurement activities under the guidance of the course director. Students participating in this elective will gain experience in leadership and community involvement.

Social Contexts in Medicine is a longitudinal in which students perform interdisciplinary care coordination for vulnerable patients. Students will attend lectures, trainings, and perform home visits with vulnerable patients throughout the year.

Students in this elective will learn the principles of designing medical education curriculum including needs assessments, writing learning objectives using Bloom's taxonomy, developing content, and evaluation strategies. This is a hands-on elective in which participants will actually work on a small portion of the curriculum. If designed well projects may be selected for inclusion as a pilot in the larger curriculum, the students may have the opportunity to create a scholarly product (ie., poster) for submission to a conference.