FAQs

The TRAILS curriculum emphasizes the integration of basic and clinical sciences. The curriculum is delivered in learning environments that engage faculty and students in the active application of knowledge and the practice of skills central to patient care.  

Key features include:  

• 17-month pre-clerkship phase
  • 3 semesters of systems-based basic science and clinical skills courses
  • 9-week break in June and July between M1 and M2 years
  • Active learning instruction methods used throughout curriculum  
• 6 weeks of dedicated USMLE Step 1 study time
• 12 months of Core Clerkships 
• 14 months of senior clinical courses with electives/selectives and dedicated time to study and take USMLE Step 2 
• Basic and clinical sciences integrated across all years of the curriculum 

In general, the core curriculum is the same for both tracks. In the pre-clerkship phase, the RPCT offers the students one day a week of educational activities in rural and underserved medicine to include rural precepting, cultural competence, and understanding social determinants of health in a rural context. This can come through didactics, work assignments, and field trips. During the junior year, the RPCT students have a three-month clerkship experience in several of our rural communities. The remaining eight months are composed of the same core clerkships offered to the non-RPCT students. Outside of the RPCT, the medical students in both the RPCT and the non-RPCT (generalist) courses and clerkships receive equivalent experiences. RPCT does require a little extra time in the preclinical years to cover the educational activities. Preclinical precepting requires travel up to one hour each way and during the third year it requires overnight stays in the communities. 

Yes! Students have 2 weeks of break time after the Pre-Clerkship Phase followed by 6 weeks of dedicated USMLE Step 1 study time. After completing the core clerkships, students have 4 weeks of dedicated USMLE Step 2 study time but have greater flexibility in scheduling their senior year electives and selectives to allow ample time to prepare for Step 2. 

The grading system is Pass/Fail in the Pre-clerkship Phase. The core clerkships have Honors/Pass/Fail. Senior selectives and electives are Pass/Fail.  

In short, yes. During the pre-clerkship phase, the TRAILS curriculum focuses on active learning (see more below), which requires students to work together and apply what they have learned in class. Evidence shows that active learning, formative testing, and spaced retrieval of information are more effective at synthesizing, incorporating, and retaining knowledge than traditional lecture. Faculty facilitate your mastery of material through diligent preparation and review. Real-time feedback from students allows faculty to clarify difficult concepts, identify weaknesses, and fill gaps.   

We understand students are human and life happens. Students are permitted excused absences for medical and educational leave. During the pre-clerkship phase, students have two flex days per semester they can take for personal reasons. To obtains the TRAILS Pre-clerkship Attendance Policy please email mccandless@mail.etsu.edu 

Active learning generally involves students directly participating in the learning process, rather than just passively listening to a lecture or reading a text. Typically, these strategies involve students working together during class, but may also involve individual work and/or reflection.  TRAILS uses several types of active learning methods such as team-based learning (TBL), a version of problem-based learning called Inquiry Cases (IQ), and other large group formats like just-in-time-teaching (JiTT) and peer instruction.  

During orientation, you will be assigned to teams for Gross Anatomy, TBL, and IQ. You will keep your same team throughout the semester but may switch to a different team in the next semester. There are never any requirements for a team to do an out-of-class project together. Students find the experience of working with classmates in teams rewarding and supportive. Additionally, students learn important skills such as communication, conflict resolution, accountability, and goal setting. Much of the practice of medicine requires teamwork and the focus on this kind of collaborative learning will serve you well in the future.

There are several ways to learn more about what is currently going on with the curriculum. One of the best ways is to discuss curriculum matters with your class’s elected MSEC representative and class officers. MSEC meets once per month, and all meetings are open to all members of the Quillen community, including students and faculty. For more information about upcoming MSEC meetings, contact your class’s MSEC representative or Ms. Aneida Skeens at skeensal@etsu.edu.  

Please select the appropriate request form on our Forms page.

Pre-clerkship students should contact the course director or designated staff support person as soon as possible. Documentation may be required.   

M3/M4 students should contact the course coordinator, director, and the physician they were scheduled to work with.

Contact Student Affairs for assistance.

Contact Student Affairs for assistance.

M4 students will get tokens to access the system in January of their M3 year. 

Students will get a token to ERAS in June of their M4 year.  

Concerns or complaints about mistreatment can be filed through the QCOM Concerns System. 

Jean Daniels, Ph.D.: 423-439-2408 or danielsj@etsu.edu. 

Deidre Johnson, Ed.D.: 423-439-2408 or johnsondr4@etsu.edu 

Contact Daniel McLellan for assistance: mclellan@mail.etsu.edu.    

• Evaluations: Aneida Skeens: skeensal@etsu.edu.   
• M1/M2: Mariela McCandless: mccandless@etsu.edu.   
• M3/M4: Kortni Dolinger: lindsayk@etsu.edu.   

During the M3 year all students are required to log duty hours and procedures in the curriculum management system.  

M4 students are not required to log duty hours or procedures.