Table 1. Components of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine learning community
Component Definition
Peers in Colleges Students are randomly assigned* to one of four Colleges on matriculation and remain affiliated with their College through graduation.
Peers in Molecules Within each College, students in each class year are randomly aggregated* into groups of five and assigned to a longitudinal faculty career advisor.
Advisor Faculty advisors teach students in their Molecules weekly in CFM and quarterly for reflective discussions on professional growth. They meet students on their first day of medical school, meet individually 3 or more times each year, and participate with students in their transitions and milestones across the four years.
Clinical Foundations of Medicine (CFM) Students and advisors spend 50 hours together in Molecules over 16 weeks during their first semester, learning patient-doctor communication, medical history-building, the physical exam, and professionalism.
Reflective discussion sessions During intersessions that occur 4 times per year, advisors facilitate 90-minute reflective sessions with students in Molecules, focused on critical incidents and professional growth.
Colleges room Each of the 4 Colleges has a dedicated multi-purpose suite with lockers, kitchen, social and study spaces on the second floor of the medical school building.
Social activities The learning community program hosts school-wide events, such as an annual Olympics competition among Colleges.

*Balanced for gender and diversity in geographic, academic, and personal backgrounds

Int J Med Educ. 2018; 9:316-322; doi: 10.5116/ijme.5bef.e834