Judith Rowen - Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Paul Standley - The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix



We propose to develop a clinical immersion program (CIP) to improve selection, contextualization and integration of basic science content by non-clinician educators. The vast majority (75%) of undergraduate medical basic science educators have a Ph.D., compared to 11% who have medical degrees (2018 AAMC U.S. Medical School Faculty Report). While the basic scientist has content expertise they are much less likely to have experienced the clinical environment for which they are preparing their students. Selection of basic science topics is frequently through textbooks, related society guidelines, or the educator's research interests. So how do non-clinician educators deliver basic science content with appropriate clinical context and schema without experience in clinical medicine? We suggest structuring and formalizing a clinical experience for non-clinician educators to improve integration of their expertise with clinical sciences and increase student performance.