Program

In the United States a medical school is a four year institution with the purpose of educating physicians in the field of medicine.

Program

Once admitted to medical school, it takes four years to complete a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). The course of study is divided into two roughly equal components: pre-clinical and clinical. Both allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic physicians (D.O.) have equal rights and an equal scope of practice in the United States, with some osteopaths supplementing their practice with principles of osteopathic medicine in addition to the mainstream allopathic methods.

Preclinical study generally comprises the first two years and consists of classroom and laboratory instruction in core subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, histology, embryology, microbiology, pathology, pathophysiology, and neurosciences. Once students successfully complete preclinical training, they generally take step one of the medical licensing boards, the USMLE, or the COMLEX.

The clinical component usually occupies the final two years of medical school and takes place almost exclusively on the wards of a teaching hospital or, occasionally, with community-based physicians. The students observe and take part in the care of patients under the supervision of resident and attending physicians. Rotations are required in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, neurology, and psychiatry. Beyond these, a variable number of specialty electives are required. During the fourth year, most medical students take Step 2 of the medical licensing boards (USMLE, or COMLEX). Upon completion of medical school, the student gains the title of doctor and the degree of M.D. or D.O., but cannot practice independently until completing at least an internship and also Step 3 of the USMLE or COMLEX.

Many medical schools also offer joint degree programs in which some medical students may simultaneously enroll in master's or doctoral-level programs in related fields such as a Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Health Care Administration, Masters in Public Health, JD, MALD, and Masters in Health Communication.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 836