RSPP Curriculum

The Rural Student Physician Program community phase spans 24 weeks of the third year of medical school. It integrates the curriculum for pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and family medicine during the rural learning experience. The remaining 24 weeks are completed in Peoria with 4-week block rotations in pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, neurology, and elective time.

Community-First Curriculum Heading link

Students begin in their assigned community in May. The OB/Gyn shelf exam is taken during the integrated clerkship. Then at the conclusion of this 24 week period, students sit for the Family Medicine shelf exam. Students then complete the 4-week block rotations in Peoria. Each shelf exam is taken at the conclusion of the respective 4-week block.

Community-Last Curriculum Heading link

Students begin with block rotation in Peoria in May. The shelf exam for psychiatry is taken at the conclusion of the 4-week block. Shelf exams for surgery, pediatrics, and OB/Gyn are scattered throughout the 24-week period. Students then sit for the Internal Medicine shelf exam and the Family Medicine exam the final week of the M3 year.

Notes Heading link

  • RSPP and traditional students have the option to preference for additional career exploration (elective time) during Phase 2.
  • Students in both EquIMED and RSPP use the elective time for the EquIMED experience. Therefore, they do not have elective time in the RSPP community.
  • All RSPP students may apply to extend their time in community for the FM Sub-I. Alternatively, the student may apply to return later in Phase 3 for the FM Sub-I in the community.

Curriculum Comparison Heading link

RSPP Curriculum

Phase 2

Peoria based rotations (20 weeks)
4 weeks Pediatrics
4 weeks Surgery
4 weeks Neurology
4 weeks Psychiatry
4 weeks Internal Medicine

Rural community based immersion (24 weeks)
Credited for:
2 weeks Pediatrics
4 weeks Surgery
6 weeks OB/Gyn
2 weeks Psychiatry
4 weeks Internal Medicine
6 weeks Family Medicine
44 weeks credit

Phase 2 Electives

4 weeks: all in Peoria or optional to schedule 2 of the weeks in rural community if available.
48 weeks total credit

Phase 3

FM Sub-I (rural option)

Traditional Curriculum

Phase 2

All rotations in Peoria
6 weeks Pediatrics
8 weeks Surgery
6 weeks OB/Gyn
6 weeks Psychiatry
8 weeks Internal Medicine
6 weeks Family Medicine
4 weeks Neurology
44 weeks credit

Phase 2 Electives

4 weeks: may be scheduled anytime during year, depending on prerequisites
48 weeks total credit