The Physician Pipeline Preparatory Program, better known as P4, will begin it's ninth year next week. Monday, November 6th, is the kickoff for the fall training module, which runs for two weeks. The after-school program is sponsored by SIU Medicine in parternership with Springfield Public SChools District 186 and the Sangamon County Medical Society. 

The Association of American Medical Colleges expects a shortage of 40,000-100,000 physicians by the year 2030, and the P4 program is working to reverse this trend by encouraging interest in medicine during the high school years. Eighteen high school freshmen were chosen to participate in the program after completing an in-depth application process and interview. These students will continue the P4 program through their senior year. During their four years, students will experience medical school coursework, work through the admissions process, develop test-taking and critical thinking skills, and experience specialy training. Students were chosen from Faith Bible Christian Academy, Glenwood High School, Lanphier High School, Springfield High School and Springfield Southeast High School.

According to an article released by SIU School of Medicine, "Faculty and staff from both Springfield Schools and the SIU medical school developed the curriculum for the program. The P4 components for the after-school program include participation i nmedical school style curriculum; introduction to problem-based learning; tours and shadowing; and interactions with SIU students and faculty."

SIU's website, siumed.edu, lists the curriculum for the program, which includes: 
Special lectures
Physical skills training
Job shadowing
Problem-based learning
Laboratory aptitude
Research
College-planning seminars
Supplemental instruction in college-level science, technology, engineering, and math courses
Mentoring activities modeled after medical school education programs

Students will spend time here rotating through skills stations set up in both the 3rd floor Simulation Center and the Surgical Skills Center. According to Janet Ketchum, Director and Skills Coach of the J. Roland Folse Surgical Skills Center, students will experience different skills while here. Six stations will be set up that include learning how to suture, laparoscopic skills, creating a finger model, dissecting a hand, incision and drainage skills and a round table discussion.

All sessions of the P4 program are led by SIU Physicians, scientific research faculty, medical students, and educators from District 186.