The M2 year is a “pre-clinical” curriculum that addresses pertinent issues commonly encountered by practicing rural physicians – including (but not limited to) the psychosocial and behavioral dimensions of various diseases, conditions, and illnesses. The second year of medical school at UIC-Rockford signals the transition from the classroom to the clinic. Whereas the M1 curriculum provided a broad overview integrating community/public health and family medicine in the context of rural settings, the 2nd year shifts to encompass a slightly more practice-based orientation. During this “pre-clinical” year, RMED students enroll in FOUNDATIONS IN RURAL FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE II (# PRCL 665) - within which the nexus between community health and individual patient care is more clearly defined. Emphasis is more on social etiology rather than treatment modalities, though sessions are typically balanced with a complement of clinical perspectives. However, all material presented in the M2 sessions is beneficial for the future practice of rural family medicine. An orientation to residency training, ethical issues in rural practice, and the upcoming 4th year Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) research project conclude the M2 curriculum – and serve as a segue into the clinical years.

M2 curriculum focuses on six objectives:

1.) RMED students participate in UIC-Rockford's traditional pre-clinical curriculum and introductory clinical experiences - including patient care at Rockford’s UPCC clinics - supplemented by the RMED curriculum.

2.) RMED students will continue to develop an understanding of the core concepts underlying the practice of family medicine:

  • comprehensive patient care
  • continuity of care
  • patient education (health promotion/disease prevention)
  • doctor-patient relationship/communication
  • family context

3.)RMED students will consider the cultural, psychosocial, and behavioral dimensions of various clinical conditions commonly encountered by family physicians practicing in rural Illinois.

4.)In preparation for graduate training, RMED students will learn the structure and composition of residency programs in family medicine – including relevant factors to consider when choosing a program and resources to assist in identifying, screening, and ultimately determining the best “fit” of residency training sites.

5.)RMED students will become cognizant of various ethical issues associated with the practice of family medicine in a rural environment.

6.)Students in RMED will begin translating a basic knowledge of Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC) into a working understanding of how: 1) COPC can affect a desired change in the health status of a local populous; 2) such efforts may be practically implemented during the required 4th year 16-week Rural Preceptorship.