Curricular renewal for the new millennium at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine.
The MUSC College of Medicine is engaged in a curricular renewal process that emphasizes increased integration of the basic and clinical sciences throughout all four years of the curriculum, more self-directed learning, and earlier patient contact for students. Several basic science courses have been modified and a new "Doctoring Curriculum" has been introduced to develop students' clinical skills and preparation for medical practice. Changes to the third year of the curriculum include the new Deans' Rural Primary Care Clerkship. Other third-year curricular changes include small-group case discussion sessions that emphasize the integration of basic and clinical sciences in medical practice, and the incorporation of nutrition throughout all fours of the curriculum. The changes described in this manuscript are designed to address a wide range of educational needs of future physicians, including the acquisition of the attributes endorsed by the AAMC MSOP--altruism, knowledge, skillfulness and dutifulness. This new curriculum will evolve over time and the goal remains to help equip future physicians with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes for medical practice in the new millennium.