Process of discovery: A fourth-year translational science course

BACKGROUND: The Liaison Committee on Medical Education notes the importance of educating medical students on clinical and translational research principles. PURPOSE: To describe a fourth-year course, “Process of discovery,” which addresses teaching these principles, and to discuss students’ perceptions of the course. METHODS: Core components and pedagogical methods of this course are presented. Course assessment was performed with specific pre- and post-course assessments. RESULTS: During academic years 2004 to 2009, 562 students were enrolled, with assessment response rate of 94% pre-course and 85% post-course. The students’ self-assessment of their current understanding of clinical and translation research significantly increased, as well as their understanding of how clinical advances will take place over the next decade. CONCLUSIONS: A fourth-year course teaching clinical and translational research is successful, is seen as a positive experience and can meet the requirements for including clinical and translational research in the medical school curriculum.