The Medical Curriculum

The MD program is structured around competency-based education, spanning four years. The first two years focus on foundational and pre-clinical sciences (MED I and MED II), while the final two years are dedicated to clinical clerkships (MED III and MED IV).

The Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences offers a vertically integrated pre-clinical curriculum. This curriculum integrates basic biomedical and clinical sciences to provide students with an interconnected understanding of the main scientific principles for acquiring and applying clinical knowledge. The thematic axes of this curriculum comprise: The Fundamentals of Medicine, The Scientific Method, Introduction to Clinical Science, Medicine and Society, Organ-based Modules, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine.

The MED III and MED IV curricula are patient-centered, incorporating both core clerkships and elective rotations to provide students with a comprehensive exposure to all medical specialties and subspecialties in a supervised academic environment. During the clinical years, students rotate at university-affiliated hospitals through a variety of clerkships across different medical fields and levels of acuity, including core disciplines like Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics, as well as specialty and subspecialty rotations.

The MED III curriculum consists of 5 clinical clerkships as follows:

1. Internal Medicine Clerkship  for 12 weeks
2. Surgery Clerkship  for 12 weeks
3. Pediatrics Clerkship  for 8 weeks
4. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship  for 8 weeks
5. Psychiatry Clerkship  for 4 weeks

The MED IV curriculum consists of the following clinical clerkships:

1. Internal Medicine Clerkship  for 16 weeks
2. Surgery Clerkship for 4 weeks
3. Family Medicine Clerkship for 4 weeks
4. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship  for 4 weeks
5. Anesthesiology Clerkship  for 2 weeks
6. Ophthalmology Clerkship  for 2 weeks
7. Three elective rotations,  4 weeks each

This structured curriculum ensures a thorough development of clinical knowledge and skills across both core specialties and subspecialties, shaping students into well-rounded, competent, and professional physicians.

Objectives

The Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences defines its curriculum as a competency-based curriculum built upon the 6 ACGME (American Council of Graduate Medical Education) core competencies of medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, and professionalism.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the time of their successful completion of the MD Program, graduates must demonstrate the following competencies in medical education:

Medical Knowledge

Graduates will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, ethical, and social aspects that impact patient care, and they will continually build on their knowledge throughout their careers.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Discuss the normal structure and function of the human body at all levels (molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system) while applying knowledge to diverse patient populations.
2. Define the genetic and biochemical basis of cellular function and recognize its role in personalized medicine and public health.
3. Identify the fundamental concepts in biochemistry and immunology, including their relevance to global health challenges.
4. Apply epidemiology and statistics to identify health trends, evaluate populations, and inform public health interventions on a global scale.
5. Recognize normal psychological development and its cultural, social, and economic implications for patient care across diverse settings.
6. Identify the pathological mechanisms underlying diseases, including nutritional and environmental factors, and their implications for health equity.
7. Apply principles of clinical medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory analysis, and pathology to ensure effective treatment and care across diverse healthcare systems.
8. Analyze both curative and palliative treatment options to deliver patient centered care that respects cultural and ethical considerations.
9. Evaluate ethical issues in medicine, incorporating social accountability, patient autonomy, and cultural sensitivity.
10. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the health challenges faced by unique populations, such as infectious diseases, mental health, and the impact of migration on public health.
11. Commit to lifelong learning by engaging in reflective practice and ongoing education to adapt to evolving medical knowledge and global health advancements.

Patient Care

Graduates will develop the skills to be compassionate, evidence-based clinicians who deliver high quality-care while considering the broader social, cultural, and ethical contexts.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Generate comprehensive patient histories that include social determinants of health and culturally relevant factors and recognize the health needs of unique populations and the barriers to healthcare access.
2. Perform thorough and focused physical exams, adapting to patients’ unique cultural, social, and psychological backgrounds.
3. Analyze patient information, considering socioeconomic, cultural, and global health factors to develop appropriate clinical assessments.
4. Develop differential diagnoses based on an understanding of diverse clinical presentations across populations.
5. Design optimal treatment plans that incorporate evidence-based guidelines and respect for the patient’s cultural and ethical preferences.
6. Plan investigations and management for patients, prioritizing patient-centered care while considering available resources.
7. Generate diagnostic and treatment plans, discussing all modalities with patients and integrating their values, health literacy, and global health concerns.
8. Perform common clinical procedures effectively, ensuring patient safety, dignity, and cultural competence.
9. Communicate results of medical investigations clearly and sensitively, considering the needs of both patients and their families.
10. Appraise the necessity for collaboration with multidisciplinary health professionals to address complex patient needs.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Graduates will communicate with empathy and professionalism, fostering collaborative relationships with patients, families, colleagues, and the wider healthcare team.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Conduct thorough medical histories, integrating the patient’s cultural context, health beliefs, and socioeconomic factors.
2. Communicate medical information effectively in both oral and written forms, promoting clarity and understanding among patients, families, and healthcare teams, with particular attention to addressing the unique challenges faced by a diverse population.
3. Explain diagnoses and management plans to patients and their families in a compassionate and culturally sensitive manner.
4. Work collaboratively with a diverse healthcare team to provide holistic, patient centered care, addressing both medical and social needs.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

Graduates will develop self-reflection, critical analysis, and continuous professional growth to improve patient care.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Use information technology and evidence-based resources to enhance patient management and develop strategies to address unique health needs, ensuring accessibility for all populations.
2. Identify areas for improvement in their clinical practice and engage in self-directed learning and peer review.
3. Promote continuous self-education, keeping pace with advancements in clinical care, medical research, and global health trends.

Systems-Based Practice

Graduates will understand and evaluate the broader health systems and use available resources to ensure the delivery of optimal patient care.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Discuss various health care systems, focusing on local and global contexts, and address their impact on patient care outcomes.
2. Analyze health care policies and their influence on improving health equity and quality of care for unique and diverse populations.
3. Use system resources effectively, ensuring equitable access to health education, treatment, and rehabilitation.
4. Discuss non-biological determinants of health, including the cultural, social, and economic factors that contribute to health disparities.
5. Interpret health data to identify community needs and design targeted interventions for vulnerable populations.
6. Apply cost-effective principles in patient care, while also addressing global health challenges and resource limitations.
7. Analyze the structure, financing, and delivery of health care, and identify opportunities to improve access and equity.
8. Discuss the role of medical jurisprudence in ensuring patient rights and improving healthcare practices.
9. Demonstrate respect for interdisciplinary roles, collaborating with other professionals to improve patient care and population health.

Professionalism

Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, prioritizing the well-being of patients and the community.
Graduates are expected to:

1. Identify and manage personal and professional conflicts of interest, while upholding ethical standards in all interactions.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to scientific knowledge, patient confidentiality, and accountability in medical practice.
3. Uphold honesty and integrity in interactions with patients, colleagues, and the healthcare team, fostering trust and collaboration.
4. Apply ethical principles governing medical practice, ensuring equitable and compassionate care for all patients, and respecting cultural and social diversity.
5. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in patient care, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives and practices in healthcare.
6. Promote the fair distribution of resources, ensuring access to care for all populations, especially underserved communities.
7. Advocate for access to medical care, addressing health disparities and championing policies that promote equity and quality care for all individuals.

Catalogue

Click here to view the catalogue.