REGULATION ON THE CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION AT FACULTY OF MEDICINE UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

SECTION ONE

Purpose, Scope, Basis, Definitions

Purpose

ARTICLE 1- (1) The purpose of this regulation is to define the distance education, assessment, evaluation and monitoring methods that can be used in extraordinary circumstances such as natural disasters and epidemics that may disrupt the conduct of the medical education program before graduation, to determine the functioning and principles of the educational practices of Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine, and to set out the general principles regarding the courses that can be taught through distance education.

Scope

ARTICLE 2- (1) This regulation covers the issues regarding the education and evaluation methods of the curriculum to be carried out in extraordinary circumstances at Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine.

Basis

ARTICLE 3- (1) This regulation has been established in accordance with IUE Faculty of Medicine Education and Examination Bylaw that entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated 9/10/2017 and numbered 30205.

Definitions

ARTICLE 4- (1) The references in this Regulation are as follows:

a) Dean: The Dean of Faculty of Medicine of Izmir University of Economics,

b) Rector: The Rector of Izmir University of Economics,

c) Senate: The Senate of Izmir University of Economics,

ç) Distance Education: A method of education in which academics provide knowledge-skill transfer and interaction through various electronic educational technologies in different time (asynchronous) or same time (synchronous) while providing education,

d) University: Izmir University of Economics (IUE),

e) YOK: The Council of Higher Education,

f) UCEP: National Core Education Program.

SECTION TWO

Teaching under Extraordinary Circumstances

Goals and Practices

ARTICLE 5- (1) The following goals are taken into account in the use of education and evaluation methods in the implementation of courses operation under extraordinary circumstances:

a) ensure that education and training at the Faculty of Medicine can take place under the safest conditions,

b) ensure the effective and efficient use of the faculty's educational facilities,

c) ensure that students acquire up-to-date knowledge, skills and equipment by using educational technologies in educational processes,

ç) support the development of teaching staff to use current technologies,

d) provide standardized, up-to-date theoretical knowledge in the training of good physicians through distance education and ensure that time can be allocated for the transfer of experience through face-to-face education,

e) ensure that knowledge is shared effectively by creating diversity in educational content (presentations, visuals, videos, case discussions, etc.),

f) ensure the continuity of interaction between the instructor and the student by facilitating access to information and support the increase in educational efficiency.

Principles Regarding Face-to-Face and Distance Education Methods and the Implementation of Courses

ARTICLE 6-(1) The principles regarding face-to-face and distance education methods and the implementation of courses are as follows:

a) Distance education is conducted either synchronously or asynchronously under mandatory conditions through electronic education technologies.

b) The Senate, upon the recommendation of the faculty board, determines how much of the theoretical and practical hours of a course offered in formal education will be conducted using distance education technologies.

c) The curriculum is created in accordance with the current UCEP (National Core Education Program), and the course objectives are aligned with program outcomes, ensuring that the selected teaching method is appropriate for the students.

ç) The assessment and evaluation process is organized through the joint work of the relevant boards of the University and the Faculty of Medicine.

Implementation of Courses

ARTICLE 7-(1) Under extraordinary circumstances, theoretical courses in the education program are delivered via distance education (synchronous/asynchronous) and face-to-face according to conditions.

(2) In face-to-face sessions, students are divided into small groups as permitted by the conditions.

(3) Formative evaluations such as multiple-choice, multiple-select, and short-answer questions, as well as assignments, are conducted throughout all years to support in-process learning.

(4) Regarding practical and skills courses;

a) Courses suitable for video demonstrations are identified, recorded, and uploaded to the Learning Management System.

b) For those that must be conducted face-to-face, small groups are organized on campus, paying attention to physical conditions and ventilation in practice rooms.

c) If face-to-face practical sessions cannot be held, they will be made up in stages according to priority when conditions allow.

(5) Regarding bedside training;

a) Bedside training in the 4th and 5th years is conducted in small groups.

b) Courses suitable for video demonstrations are identified, recorded, and uploaded to the Learning Management System. If bedside training cannot be performed, face-to-face or synchronous case discussion sessions are held in classrooms. Recordings of all activities are made available for students to access later.

c) Practical sessions that must be done face-to-face but cannot be held are made up in the following year.

(6) Regarding 6th-year education;

a) Unless absolutely necessary, education is conducted face-to-face.

b) In the Fundamentals course in the education program, 6th-year students receive distance and/or face-to-face education on "Basic Occupational Health and Safety" and "Infection Control Measures and Protection from Infectious Diseases."

c) In cases where participation in outpatient clinic work is not possible and sufficient face-to-face practice cannot be provided, course competency is determined through methods such as file preparation or assignments given during the rotation.

Monitoring Attendance in Courses

ARTICLE 8- (1) In cases where face-to-face teaching cannot be conducted, attendance for theoretical lessons and practical sessions is determined by the connection rate and/or duration to asynchronous and synchronous lessons during distance education.

(2) Attendance for face-to-face theoretical lessons, practical sessions, and skills is monitored through roll call.

(3) All Faculty of Medicine students who are hospitalized, followed up on an outpatient basis, or placed in isolation due to extraordinary circumstances are not considered absent, and their makeup education is arranged. In cases where the absenteeism limits are exceeded due to illness, the procedures deemed appropriate by the Faculty Board are applied.

Assessment and Evaluation Methods

ARTICLE 9- (1) The assessment and evaluation methods for courses are conducted face-to-face or electronically (synchronously or asynchronously), with or without supervision, depending on the conditions.

(2) The assessment and evaluation of students' success in courses is carried out through written exams and practical exams in conditions where face-to-face education is possible. In situations where face-to-face education cannot be conducted due to extraordinary circumstances, evaluation methods such as assignment or project preparation, written exams in electronic format, and oral exams are used.

(3) Examinations and other assessment methods conducted remotely are detailed by the Faculty Board according to the conditions of the extraordinary circumstance. Faculty members are responsible for following the notifications provided by the University.

Preparatory Practices before the Start of the Academic Year:

ARTICLE 10-(1) During the first week of all classes, orientation and extraordinary circumstances training is provided either remotely and/or face-to-face.

(2) In extraordinary circumstances related to infectious diseases, students will be required to give consent to comply with infection control measures following the training. For 4th, 5th, and 6th-year students, personal protective equipment appropriate to the level of risk will be provided, and high-risk procedures (such as inhaler applications that may cause aerosolization, aspiration, throat examinations, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and intubation) will not be allowed without appropriate safety measures.

(3) Students and instructors who are unable to access remote education due to their location and/or technical issues may be provided with location and technical support.

(4) Necessary safety precautions will be taken in physical educational environments.

ARTICLE 11-(1) Supportive training and certification programs will be planned for instructors by the University.

 Notification

ARTICLE 12- (1) Due to the limitation of face-to-face communication in extraordinary circumstances, all announcements to be made to the students regarding the educational material, assignments, methods and dates related to the assessment and evaluation of the courses are made via the internet / communication tools.

Amendments

ARTICLE 13-(1) This Regulation may be amended by the decision of the Senate.

Effectiveness

ARTICLE 14- (1) This Regulation takes effect on the date it is accepted by the Senate.

Enforcement

ARTICLE 15- (1) Dean of IUE Faculty of Medicine enforces the provisions of this Regulation.

 This Regulation took effect with the Senate decision dated 18.09.2024 and numbered 538-2024/18-C/1.