Today, the School of Medicine offers 17 scholarly concentrations. Four are available to students throughout the state, while the others are offered at one of the School’s nine regional campuses, drawing upon the faculty expertise and characteristics of each campus.
Scholarly concentrations offer medical students unique mentorship opportunities, the chance to develop specialized skills and complete scholarly projects which are valuable for residency applications and professional development.
As of September 2020, 224 IU medical students were
enrolled in scholarly concentrations throughout the
state. An additional 129 first-year medical students have
been accepted and will enroll in scholarly concentration
programs in Spring 2021.
STATEWIDE OPTIONS
BUSINESS OF MEDICINE
In a partnership with IU’s Kelley School of Business, future physicians learn to apply the fundamentals of business in clinical
environments. Merging evidence-based management with evidence-based medicine, students learn how to improve medical
outcomes, reduce costs and lift staff morale.
MEDICAL HUMANITIES
A collaboration with the Medical Humanities and Health Studies Program in the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, this interdisciplinary
course of study provides medical students with qualitative humanistic and socio-cultural perspectives on health care.
PUBLIC HEALTH
A partnership with the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, this concentration provides foundational knowledge
in public health. That includes an understanding of the U.S. health system; trends impacting public health; and evidence-based
interventions.
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN MEDICINE
Students are introduced to major spiritual traditions and how they interact with health. A variety of religious traditions, as well as
non-religious spiritual are covered.
REGIONAL CAMPUS OPTIONS
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY // WEST LAFAYETTE
In partnership with Purdue University’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, students develop their understanding and
application of biomedical engineering for the ethical design, development and translation of medical and related technologies.
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH // INDIANAPOLIS
Students engage in the critical concepts that underpin biomedical and clinical research. They acquire essential research tools
including critical reasoning skills, using the scientific method in design of study, research rigor and reproducibility, research ethics,
and disseminating research results for peer review.
CARE OF HISPANIC AND LATINO PATIENTS // WEST LAFAYETTE
Students learn to provide culturally sensitive medical care to improve outcomes for the nation’s growing Hispanic and Latino
population. Additionally, students can improve Spanish-speaking fluency and practice using Spanish in clinical settings.
ETHICS, EQUITY AND JUSTICE // SOUTH BEND
Students learn the basic skills for separating the morally beneficial from the morally troubling practices of medicine. It enables
future physicians to better serve and advocate for their most vulnerable patients on a variety of topics—from clinical ethics to health
equity—are covered.
GENETICS IN MEDICINE // INDIANAPOLIS
Students take a deep-dive into the latest genetic developments and concepts that are transforming the practice of medicine. They
may explore clinical research, clinical case reports with literature reviews, or other areas of interest in the rapidly changing field of
medical genetics.
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY // INDIANAPOLIS
Students gain an understanding of the components and relationships necessary to create, implement and use clinical information
systems effectively. Through coursework and hands-on experiences, they learn to leverage technology in increasingly complex
health care systems.
HEALTH INTEGRATION AND HEALTHY AGING // FORT WAYNE
This concentration is based on health systems science—the “third science” in medicine after basic and clinical sciences. With an
emphasis on patient-centered care, it focuses on improving outcomes while reducing costs of health care for patients/populations in
a community setting. Topics are examined through the lens of healthy aging.
HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION // MUNCIE
Students learn to help patients implement evidence-based lifestyle choices that lead to better health outcomes, working with a team
of exercise physiologists, nutritionists, mental/behavioral health counselors, social workers and other health professionals.
HUMAN SEXUALITY AND HEALTH // BLOOMINGTON
In partnership with the Kinsey Institute, students understand how sex, gender and sexuality intersect with the practice of medicine
and provides an opportunity to work with Kinsey researchers.
MEDICAL EDUCATION // BLOOMINGTON
Students learn how they may develop into effective clinical instructors. They examine how to assess teaching effectiveness, student
learning and knowledge gains through an introduction to medical education research, methodologies and scholarship literature.
QUALITY AND INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE // EVANSVILLE
By participating in interactive, workshop-style courses alongside various health care professionals, students master widely
recognized approaches for continuous improvement and design thinking to improve quality, safety and efficiency in health systems.
RURAL HEALTH // TERRE HAUTE
Students get an opportunity to learn and engage with rural communities through public health research. Coursework and projects
teach students how community and behavior unique to rural populations impact public health issues.
URBAN MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES // NORTHWEST—GARY
Students gain an understanding of the historical and contemporary barriers that exist for the nation’s medically underserved in
urban areas. Through project work, students act as advocates by developing interventions to address or reduce health disparities.
