Length and structure
Intermediate Cycle (IC) consists of two semesters delivered from September to June of the second year.
- Semester 1 (IC1) – from September to December
- Semester 2 (IC2) – from January to June
Each semester comprises 12 direct-contact teaching weeks (each with three modules of four weeks duration), two weeks of revision and one week of examinations, followed by four weeks of clinical attachments.
The programme is delivered through systems-based modules, where you will gain an understanding of the basic pathological and microbiological principles underlying human disease, in conjunction with detailed teaching on clinical aspects of relevant human conditions within each module.
Each module comprises small group tutorials encompassing weekly cases, clinical skills (including relevant history-taking and examination) and radiology. Clinical teaching is also facilitated by simulation scenarios using our state-of-the-art simulators. In addition, elements of the programme are supplemented via online education and attendance at postmortems, multidisciplinary team meetings, grand rounds, etc.
The two one-month clinical attachments during IC will provide you with the opportunity to become an active member of a clinical team within the hospital, and learn about the multiple aspects of patient management within this setting.
The IC structure is as follows:
First semester (30 credits)
- Cardiology
- Respiratory
- Gastrointestinal and Hepatology (GIHEP)
Second semester (30 credits)
- Renal, Endocrine, Genitourinary and Breast (REGUB)
- Central Nervous System and Locomotor (CNSLM)
- Haematolymphoid and Tropical Medicine (HLTM)
Both semesters (30 credits)
Teaching styles
IC is delivered as:
- Didactic lectures (including joint lectures with multiple disciplines)
- Small group teaching/tutorials of clinical skills, clinical competencies, data interpretation, etc.
- Weekly case review/case of the week
- Online/blended learning activity
- Laboratory (postmortems)
- Practical skills
- Self-directed learning
- Group projects
- Clinical attachments
In IC you will also participate in two, four-week hospital-based clinical placements in medicine, surgery and orthopaedics. This occurs predominantly in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, which is one of the main RCSI-affiliated teaching hospitals in Dublin.
Assessment
Each module is assessed independently by a combination of continuous assessment (e.g. end of module MCQ exams, case of the week reports, group projects) and summative end of semester written papers (MCQs, SNQs and clinical pathological correlations (CPCs)), microbiology and pathology data interpretation and observed clinical assessment.
Final assessment of clinical competencies occurs at the end of the last one-month clinical attachment (end of semester 2) via observed clinical examinations, including long case examination and clinical stations (OSCEs).
Feedback
In IC, you will receive feedback following the end of module MCQs and end of semester examinations. Any student who has not performed well will meet with the Director and Deputy Director of the programme to ensure appropriate supports are offered when required.
Feedback is also offered on clinical assessments so that you know how to improve your performance.
Timetable
Below is an example of a typical week for an IC student.
Morning |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Weekly case study |
|
|
|
|
Pathology |
Pathology |
Microbiology |
Microbiology |
Microbiology |
Microbiology |
Tutorial |
|
Tutorial |
|
Medicine/
surgery case-based
teaching |
Medicine/
surgery case-based
teaching |
Clinicopathological conference |
Tutorial |
Tutorial |
Postmortem |
Postmortem |
|
Medicine/
surgery case-based
teaching |
Postmortem |
|
|
Grand Rounds |
|
|
Afternoon |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Lectures or self-directed
learning |
Clinical investigation/case
discussion |
GP tutorials |
Clinical skills |
Modular case (II) |
Lectures or self-directed
learning |
Clinical investigation/case
discussions |
Clinical skills |
Clinical skills |
Self-directed learning |
Lectures or self-directed
learning |
Clinical investigation/case
discussions |
|
Clinical skills |
Modular case (II) |
Inter-Professional Education (IPE)
IPE is an important step in developing competent healthcare professionals, who work in teams with professionals from different disciplines and specialities.
At RCSI, students in Medicine, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy work in teams on inter-professional themed projects. Through learning together, you will understand more about the healthcare professionals you will work with in the future.
Throughout your course (from first to final year, in the classroom and clinical setting) you will come together with your colleagues in Pharmacy and Physiotherapy in a range of IPE-themed activities from stroke care, to diabetes, low back pain, frozen shoulder and infection control. Working in small groups, facilitated by your lecturers and tutors, you will work through clinical scenarios together; each student is bringing their professions' perspective to the discussion to develop an appropriate care plan for the patient.