medical encyclopedia
Medical school
A medical school or faculty of medicine is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine.
In addition to a medical degree program, some medical schools offer programs leading to a Master's Degree, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or other post-secondary education. Medical schools can also employ medical researchers and operate hospitals. Medical schools teach subjects such as human anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, psychiatry,genetics, and pathology.
The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of medical programs offered at medical schools vary considerably around the world. Medical schools are often highly competitive, using standardized entrance examinations to narrow the selection criteria for candidates (e.g. GAMSAT, MCAT, UMAT, NMAT, BMAT and many others).
In many European countries, in India, China and others, the study of medicine is completed as an undergraduate degree not requiring prerequisite undergraduate coursework. However, an increasing number of places are emerging for graduate entrants (i.e. in the UK, Ireland and Australia) moving medical education closer to the US/Canadian model. In other countries (e.g. the USA, Canada), medical degrees are second entry degrees, and require at least several years of previous study at the university level. Students wanting to enter medical school often complete a bachelors degree with a (pre-medical/medical science) curriculum including physics, chemistry, genetics, biochemistry, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and human biology. However, many medical schools will accept students of varying academic background so long as they complete the required prerequisite coursework.
Although medical schools confer upon graduates a medical degree (BMBS, MBBS, MBChB, MD, DO, MDCM, BMed, etc), a doctor typically may not legally practice medicine until licensed by the local government authority. Licensing may also require passing a test, undergoing a criminal background check, checking references, and paying a fee. The entire list of recognized world medical schools can be found on the WHO Directory of Medical Schools.
Africa
Egypt
In Egypt, medical school is a faculty of a university. Admission depends on the score of the applicant in his last year of Secondary School (baccalaureat)(الثانوية العامة). Alternatively, students who have taken either the IGCSE or SAT can also apply. However, the minimum threshold for applicants with such international degrees tends to be very inflated as there's a very strict quota on non-baccalaureat students and there are no specific entrance examinations. Medical education lasts for 6 years, at the end of which, there is an additional 12 months dedicated to full-time training as a house officer at one of the University or Government Teaching hospitals. The first 3 years of medical school cover the basic medical sciences, while the last 3 years are focused on clinical sciences. After graduation, medical students are conferred the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery MBBCh (بكالريوس الطب و الجراحة). Medical licensure as a General Practitioner (GP) is obtained after completion of the year of full time training and registering with both the Ministry of Health & Population ( MOHP) and the Egyptian Medical Syndicate (نقابة الأطباء). Medical schools in Egypt are in the following Universities: Suez Canal University, Cairo University, October 6th University, Ain Shams University, Al Azhar University, Mansoura University, Alexandria University, Assiut University, Minia University, Sohag University, Zagazig University, Banha University, Tanta University, and Monofia University.
Ghana
There are four medical schools in Ghana: The University of Ghana Medical School, the KNUST School of Medicine, University for Development Studies School of Medicine, and the University of Cape Coast School of Medicine.
Kenya
In Kenya, there are two established medical schools: 1. University of Nairobi (oldest, established 1967)
2. Moi University in Eldoret (established in 1980s with major support from the Indiana University School of Medicine - USA, and with whom there remain significant ties)
Admissions are considered after completion of a high school education.
The first two years are basic science years and the three years remaining years clinical years. On completion, a bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery is awarded, MBChB.
This followed by a one year period of internship.
Both Nairobi and Moi Universities run post graduate medical training programs that run over 3 years and lead to the award of master of medicine, MMed, in the respective specialty.
There has been progress made by the Aga Khan University (Karachi, Pakistan) and the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi toward the establishment of a Health Sciences University in Kenya with an associated medical school. AKUH - Nairobi, already offers post graduate, MMed, medical training programmes. These are run over 4 years.
Completion of formal specialty training in Kenya is followed by two years of supervised clinical work before one can apply for recognition as a specialist, in their respective field, by the medical board.
Nigeria
There are several medical schools in this populous nation. However, there are three tiers under which the schools are categorized, based on the quality of faculty, facilities, and performance. In the top tier, there are eleven medical schools: University of Nigeria, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Jos, University of Benin, University of Port-Harcourt, University of Ilorin, University of Calabar, Madona University and Ahmadu Bello University. Entrance into these schools is highly competitive. Candidates graduating from high school must attain high grades from the West African Examination Council's (WAEC) Senior School Certificate Exam (SSCE/GCE) and high scores in four subjects (Physics, English, Chemistry, and Biology) in the University Matriculation Examination (UME). Students undergo rigorous training for 6 grueling years and culminate with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). The undergraduate program is five years and one year of work experience in government hospitals. After medical school, graduates are mandated to spend one year of housemanship (internship) and one year of community service before they are eligible for residency.
South Africa
There are eight medical schools in South Africa, each under the auspices of a public university. As the country is a former British colony, most of the institutions follow the British-based undergraduate method of instruction, admitting students directly from high school into a 6 or occasionally five year program. Some universities such as the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town have started offering post-graduate medical degrees which run concurrently with their undergraduate programs. In this instance, a student who has completed an appropriate undergraduate degree with basic sciences, can enter into a four-year post graduate program.
Most South African medical schools award the MBChB degree (except the University of the Witwatersrand which styles its degree MBBCh). Following successful completion of study, all South African medical graduates need to complete a two-year internship as well as a further year of community service in order to register with the Health Professions Council, in order to practice as a doctor in South Africa.
Specialisation is usually a five- to seven-year training process (depending on the speciality) requiring registering as a medical registrar attached to an academic clinical department in a large teaching hospital with appropriate examinations. The specialist degree may be conferred as a Fellowship by the independent Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, following British tradition, or as a Magisterial degree by the University (usually the degree M Med (Master of Medicine)).
Medical students from all over the world come to South Africa to gain practical experience in the country's many teaching hospitals and rural clinics. All of South Africa's eight medical schools are of world class standard and have excellent facilities. The language of instruction is English but a few indigenous languages are studied briefly.
Tunisia
In Tunisia education is free for all Tunisian citizens and for foreigners who have scholarships. Medical school is a faculty of the university of Tunis, there are 5 medicine faculties cituated in the major cities. Admission is bound to the success and score in the baccalaureat examination. Admission score threshold is pretty high based on competition amongst all applicants throughout the nation. Medical school curriculum consists of 5 years, the first two years are theoritical containing all basic sciences related to medecine, the last three years consisting of clinical issues related to all medical specialities, the student gets the status of "Externe", during these last 3 years the student has to attend at the university hospital everyday, rotating around all wards. every period is followed by a clinical exam regarding his knowledge in that particular speciality. after those 5 years, there are two years on internship, in which the student is basically a physician but under the supervision of the chief doctor, the student rotates over the major and most essential specialities during period of 4 months each. After that student has the choice of either passing the residency national exam or extending his internship for another year after which he gains the status of family physician. The residency program consists of 4 to 5 years in the speciality he qualifies depending on his score in the national residency examination under the rule of highest score chooses first. Whether the student chooses to be a family doctor or a specialised one, he has to make a doctorate thesis which he will be defending in front of a jury, after which he gains his degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Americas
Brazil
According to the Brazilian Medical Association, there are 121 public or private medical schools in operation in Brazil. [1] Entrance is based on an exam taken after the completion of high school and is the most competitive entrance exam in most universities. The total number of applicants across the country is occasionally more than 100 times the number of students finally accepted.[2]
A medical student must complete a full-time program consisting of six years. The first four years are focused on pre-clinical and clinical subjects and the last two years are dedicated to internship practices at University Hospital, in which the students work under supervision of residents and fully-licensed staff physicians.
Upon successful completion of the six years the degree 'Physician' is conferred. However, medical graduates are titled as Doctors. After graduation, physicians can either work as General Practitioners or undertake a post-graduate medical training.
Graduate physicians must pass an exam in order to attend a residency program. Residencies are offered at various different hospitals throughout Brazil, and at numerous medical specialities. They last at least two years, according to the chosen speciality. After this period, another exam must be taken.
Physicians who successfully complete the specialisation may apply for sub-specialisation programs in the respective specialty.
Bolivia
In Bolivia, all medical schools are faculties within a university and offer a five-year M.D. equivalent. To acquire a license to exercise medical science from the government, all students must also complete 1 year and 3 months of internship. This consists of 3 months each of surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and public health. At least one of the internships must be done in a rural area of the country. After getting the degree and license, a doctor may take a post-graduate residency in order to acquire a speciality.
Canada
In Canada, a medical school is a faculty or school of a university that offers a three- or four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D. or M.D.C.M.) degree. Generally, medical students begin their studies after receiving a bachelor's degree in another field, often one of the biological sciences. Minimum requirements for admission vary by region from two to four years of post-secondary study. The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada publishes a detailed guide to admission requirements of Canadian faculties of medicine on a yearly basis.
Admission offers are made by individual medical schools, generally on the basis of a personal statement, undergraduate record (GPA), scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and interviews. Volunteer work is often an important criterion considered by admission committees. Francophone medical schools in Quebec and three Ontario schools do not require the MCAT.
The first half of the medical curriculum is dedicated mostly to teaching the basic sciences relevant to medicine. Teaching methods can include traditional lectures, problem-based learning, laboratory sessions, simulated patient sessions, and limited clinical experiences. The remainder of medical school is spent in clerkship. Clinical clerks participate in the day-to-day management of patients. They are supervised and taught during this clinical experience by residents and fully-licensed staff physicians.
Students enter into the Canadian Resident Matching Service, commonly abbreviated as CaRMS in the fall of their final year. Students rank their preferences of hospitals and specialties. A computerized matching system determines placement for residency positions. 'Match Day' usually occurs in March, a few months before graduation.[3] The length of post-graduate training varies with choice of specialty.
During the final year of medical school, students complete part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE). Upon completion of the final year of medical school, students are awarded the degree of M.D. Students then begin training in the residency program designated to them by CaRMS. Part 2 of the MCCQE, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination, is taken following completion of twelve months of residency training. After both parts of the MCCQE are successfully completed, the resident becomes a licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. However, in order to practice independently, the resident must complete the residency program and take a board examination pertinent to his or her intended scope of practice. In the final year of residency training, residents take an exam administered by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada, depending on whether they are training for specialty or family practice.
United States
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The Association of American Medical Colleges and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine list 130 accredited MD-granting and 25 accredited DO-granting medical schools the United States, respectively.
Admission to medical school in the United States is based mainly on GPA, MCAT score, admissions essay, interview, and volunteering activities, along with research and leadership roles in an applicant's history. In order to gain admittance to medical school, students usually pursue a four-year undergraduate degree at a college or a university, majoring in any subject they wish to (majoring in biology is not a requirement so long as prerequisites for medical school are completed). A few medical schools offer pre-admittance to students directly from high-school by linking a joint 3-year accelerated undergraduate degree and a standard 4-year medical degree with certain undergraduate universities, sometimes referred to as a "7-year program", where the student receives a bachelor's degree after their first year in medical school. While obtaining an undergraduate degree is not an explicit requirement for a few medical schools, virtually all admitted students have earned at least a bachelor's degree. As undergraduates, students must complete a series of prerequisites, consisting of biology, physics, and chemistry (organic chemistry and inorganic). Many medical schools have additional requirements including calculus, genetics, statistics, biochemistry, English, and/or humanities classes. In addition to meeting the pre-medical requirements, medical school applicants must take and report their scores on the MCAT, a standardized test that measures a student's knowledge of the sciences and the English language. Some students apply for medical school following their third year of undergraduate education while others pursue advanced degrees or other careers prior to applying for medical school.
The standard U.S. medical school curriculum is four years long. The first two years are composed mainly of classroom education, while the last two years primarily include rotations in clinical settings where students learn patient care firsthand. Upon successful completion of medical school, students are granted the title of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Upon graduation, physicians who plan to independently care for patients must complete a residency which is a supervised training period of three to seven years. Physicians who sub-specialize or who desire more supervised experience may complete a fellowship, which is an additional two to three years of supervised training in their area of expertise. Licensing of medical doctors in the United States is co-ordinated at the state level. Most states require that prospective licensees complete the following requirements:
- Graduation from an accredited medical school granting the degree of DO or MD
- United States and Canada schools must be accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
- Foreign medical school graduates generally must complete some training within the United States.
- Satisfactory completion of at least one year of a AOA- or ACGME-approved residency.
- Passage of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE, COMLEX, or simply "the boards"). USMLE and COMLEX both consist of four similar parts:
- Step I is taken at the end of the second year of medical school and tests students' mastery of the basic sciences as they apply to medicine.
- Step II CK is taken during the fourth year of medical school and tests students' mastery of the management of ill patients.
- Step II CS is taken during the fourth year of medical school and tests students' mastery of clinical skills using a series of standardized patient encounters.
- Step III is taken after the first year of a residency program and tests physicians' ability to independently manage the care of patients.
Asia and Oceania
Australia
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In Australia, students wishing to study medicine have two options: they can either attempt to gain entry through the UMAT exam and interview to a five-year or six-year undergraduate MBBS or BMed program; or complete an undergraduate degree and then attempt to gain entry to a graduate entry program which requires a student to sit the GAMSAT exam and interview to a four-year graduate entry BMBS or MBBS. The first four-year graduate entry medical program in Australia was at Flinders University in South Australia. Graduate entry medicine is now an option which is present at most all Australian medical schools.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, admission to medical colleges is organized both by the Govorning body Dhaka University or the autonomus private trends. These exams are super-competitive and the total number of applicants across the country is usually around 78 times the number of students finally accepted. Admission is based solely on the entrance examination and academic records have minor consequences on an application. The undergraduate program consists of 5 years, followed by one-year internship (rotating housemanship). The degree granted is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.). Further postgraduate qualifications may be obtained as Diploma or Degree (MS or MD), MPhill and FCPS.
Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands
University of Loyola at CNMI is a medical school on the island of Saipan.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, prospective medical students enter either one of the two faculties of medicine available (University of Hong Kong or the Chinese University of Hong Kong) from high school. The medical program consists of 5 years, leading to a degree of bachelors of medicine and surgery (MBBS or MBChB). An entry level exam specific to medicine is unnecessary, as the schools evaluate students based on the results obtained from the Hong Kong's Advanced Level Examination test (HKALE). After a 5 year degree, at least 2 years of internship follows in order to be eligible to practice in Hong Kong.
In India, admission to medical colleges is organized both by the central government CBSE as well as the state governments entrance tests, after the students complete their 10+2 education (high school). These exams are super-competitive and the total number of applicants across the country is usually around 15 times the number of students finally accepted. Admission is based solely on the entrance examination and academic records have minor consequences on an application. The undergraduate program consists of 9 semesters, followed by one-year internship (rotating housemanship). The degree granted is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.). Further postgraduate qualifications may be obtained as Diploma or Degree (MS or MD) under the aegis of the Medical Council of India.[4] PG diploma may also be obtained through the National Board of Examinations.[5]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, medical studies entrance test was dependent to university itself. for national college, it was coordinated by an organization called 'perhimpunan SPMB' and the test name called SPMB. but, lately, there is a conflict in internal organization and for 2008, some universities resign from this organization and make another entrance test called 'UMPTN'. these universities leader was Prof. Fasich, president of Airlangga University.
The medical programs was vary among one and other university. the shortest was five years, in University of Indonesia for example. and five years in Airlangga University. If they pass this undergraduate program they will have S.ked in their title and if they finished the professional program and pass the national examination arranged by IDI ( Indonesian Doctor Association) they will become general physician and get dr. title.
Israel
There are four university medical schools in Israel, including the Technion in Haifa, Ben Gurion University in Beer Shiva, Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The entrance requirements of the various schools of medicine are very strict. Israeli students require a high school Baccalaureate average above 100 and psychometric examination grade over 740. The demand for medical education is strong and growing and there is a lack of doctors in Israel. The Technion Medical School, Ben Gurion University, and Tel Aviv University offer MD/PhD Foreign Medical School in Israel for foreign students in Israel.
Japan
In Japan, a medical school is a faculty of a university thus undergraduate program. Programs are generally 6 years. Entrance is based on an exam taken at the end of high school and considered to be the most competitive for university entrance exam.
Medical students study Liberal Arts for the first 1-2 years, which include Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Foreign Languages together with 2 years long Basic Medicine (Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Immunology), and Clinical Medicine, Public health and Forensics for the next two years.
Medical students train in the University Hospital for the last two years. Clinical training is a part of the curriculum. Upon completion of the graduation examination, students are awarded an M.D., which is equivalent to the undergraduate M.B.B.S. However, medical graduates are titled as Doctor while Ph.D. holders are not titled as such.
At the end, Medical students take the National Medical License examination, and if they pass it, become a Physician and registared in the record in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The scope of this exam encompasses every aspect of medicine.
Jordan
There are four public universities in Jordan that include a medical school: Jordan University of Science and Technology in Ramtha, University of Jordan in Amman, Hashemite University in Zarqa and Mutah University in Al Karak.
Myanmar
Myanmar medical schools are government-funded and require Myanmar citizenship for eligibility. No private medical school exists at this moment. In Myanmar, admission to medical colleges is organized under the Department of Health Science which is the branch of Ministry of Health of Myanmar. A student can join one of the four medical universities of Myanmar if he gets the highest scores in the science combination of the matriculation examination. This exam is highly competitive. Entrance is solely based on this examination and academic records have very minor consequences on an application. The undergraduate program is five years plus one year for work experience in government hospitals. After medical school, Myanmar medical graduates are under contract to spend one year of internship and three years of tenure in rural areas before they are eligible for most residency positions. The degree granted is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.). Further postgraduate qualifications may be obtained as a Degree (M.Med. Sc).
Nepal
In Nepal, medical studies start at undergraduate level. The program is of five and half years duration. There are three main medical bodies in Nepal:
- Tribhuwan University (own college: Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj, affiliated colleges: National Medical College, Janaki Medical College, Universal College of Medical Sciences)
- Kathmandu University (own college:Kathmandu University Medical School, affiliated colleges: Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal Medical College, Nepalgunj Medical College, College of Medical Sciences etc) and
- B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.
The first two years of studies are called "Basic Sciences" followed by two and half years of "clinical sciences" and one year of internship. After the successful completion of this course, a student is awarded Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) degree.
New Zealand
New Zealand medical programs are undergraduate-entry programs of six years duration. Students are considered for acceptance only after a year of undergraduate basic sciences or, in a small number cases, following the completion of a bachelor's degree. There are two main medical schools in New Zealand: the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. Each of these has subsidiary medical schools such as Otago's Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Auckland's Waikato Clinical School.
The first year of the medical degree is the basic sciences year which comprises study in chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry as well as population health and behavioural sciences. The following two years are spent studying human organ systems and pathological processes in more detail as well as professional and communication development. Towards the end of the third year students begin direct contact with patients in hospital settings.
The clinical years begin fully at the beginning of year 4 where students rotate through various areas of general clinical medicine with rotation times varying from between two and six weeks. Year 5 continues this pattern focusing more on specialized areas of medicine and surgery. Final medical school exams (exit exams) are actually held at the end of year 5 which is different from most other countries where final exams are held near the very end of the medical degree. Final exams must be passed before the student is allowed to enter year 6.
The final year (Year 6) of medical school is known as the "Trainee Intern" year where a student is known as a "Trainee Intern" (commonly referred to in the hospitals as a "T.I."). Trainee interns repeat most rotations undertaken in years 4 and 5 but at a higher level of involvement and responsibility for patient care. Trainee interns receive a stipend grant from the New Zealand government (not applicable for international students). Currently this is $NZ 26,756/year (about $US 18,500). Trainee interns have responsibility under supervision for the care of about one third the patient workload of a junior doctor, however, all prescriptions and most other orders (e.g. radiology requests and charting of IV fluids) made by trainee interns must be countersigned by a registered doctor.
New Zealand medical schools currently award the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
Pakistan
In Pakistan a medical school is usually called a medical college. A medical college is affiliated with a university as a department. There are however several medical universities and medical institutes with their own medical colleges. All medical colleges and universities are regulated by the respective provincial department of health. They however have to be recognized after meeting a strict criteria by a central regulatory authority called Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in Islamabad. There are almost equal number of government and private medical colleges and universities, with their number exceeding 50. Entrance in to the medical colleges is purely on merit under the strict guidelines of PMDC. Both the academic performance at the college (high school, grades 11-12) level and an entrance test like MCAT are taken into consideration for the eligibility to enter a medical college. After successfully completing five years of academic and clinical training in the medical college and affiliated teaching hospital the graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. The graduates are then eligible to apply for a medical license from the PMDC.A house job of one year duration is mandatory in a teaching hospital after completing five years of academic and clinical training in the medical college.
People's Republic of China
Medical education is normally a five-year Bachelor degree, plus one year internship, and work experience before the final degree is awarded. Clinical specialization usually involves a two or three-year Master degree. Acceptance is based on the national entrance examination used for all universities. There are a few colleges that teach in English and accept foreign medical students.
Philippines
The Dominicans, under the Spanish Government, established the oldest Medical School in the Philippines in 1871, known as the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Intramuros, Manila. This prestigious Medical School produces the largest number of medical graduates in the Philippines and is famous for its outstanding and world class medical graduates. Medical education in the Philippines became widespread under the American administration. The Americans, led by the insular government's Secretary of the Interior, Dean Worcester, built the University of the Philippines's College of Medicine and Surgery in 1905, with Johns Hopkins University as a blueprint. By 1909, nursing instruction was also begun at the Philippine Normal School. At present there are a number of medical schools in the Philippines, notable examples include the University of the Philippines, Manila, the University of Santo Tomas,Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Cebu Doctors' University, Cebu Institute of Medicine and West Visayas State University in Iloilo City.
Any college graduate may apply for medical school as long as he or she as accumulated a set number of units in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. There is also a test known as the National Medical Admissions Test or NMAT. Scores are given on a percentile basis and a high ranking is a must to enter the top medical schools in the country.
In most institutions, medical education lasts for four years. Basic subjects are taken up in the first and second years, while clinical sciences are studied in the second and third years. In their fourth year, students rotate in the various hospital departments, spending up to two months each in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, and several weeks in the other specialties. After this, students graduate with a Doctorate in Medicine and apply for post-graduate internship in an accredited hospital of their choice. After PGI, the student is eligible to take the Medical Licensure Examination. Passing the examinations confers the right to practice medicine as well as to apply in a Residency Training Program.
Republic of China (Taiwan)
The medical education in the Republic of China (Taiwan) is usually 7 years in duration, starting right after high school. The reason for such a long period of study is because Taiwanese medical schools include undergraduate education. Currently, only Kaohsiung Medical University offers a 4-year medical program, similar to the US medical school system, for university degree holders. The first 2 years in the 7-year system is composed of basic sciences and liberal art courses. Especially, all the medical schools there compete with each other on how enthusiastic their graduates become. Massive doctor-patient classes are emphasized, and most schools require compulsory amounts of volunteer hours. Clinical sciences are compressed into a two year program in the 3rd and 4th years. Many medical students in Taiwan call this 2-year hell. The duration of clerkships and internships varies from school to school, but all of them end at the 7th grade.
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia medical education is free for all Saudi citizens and a bachelor degree isn't the most important for registration. A medical student must pass an entrance examination and complete a 1-year pre-medical course containing some basic medical subjects including: Biology, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics, Medical Biostatistics, and English for medical uses. Saudi Arabia has approximately 8 medical schools but King Saud University in Riyadh is the oldest one and the most experienced. It offers an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree after one pre-medical course, five medical years and one training year.
South Korea
Medical schools in South Korea are divided into two different types. One type of medical school teaches oriental medicine, involving practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. Another type of medical school teaches western medicine.
Medical program for western medicine used to be a direct entry program like the UK system and used to take 6 years to complete. However, the universities are currently going through a transition from the direct-entry medicine into 4+4 years system found in the US. There are 41 medical schools for western medicine in South Korea. All 10 Flagship Korean National Universities have the medical schools for western medicine. Seoul National University has the largest medical school for western medicine in South Korea, followed by Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chosun University.
There are one graduate school for oriental medicine and 10 schools for oriental medicine offering undergraduate program in South Korea. Pusan National University has only graduate school for oriental medicine in South Korea, while Kyunghee University has the largest school for oriental medicine.
There are three medical schools offering programs both for western and oriental medicines: Pusan National University, Kyunghee University, and WonKwang University.
Sri Lanka
There are seven medical schools in Sri Lanka that teach evidence based (sometimes called "western") medicine. The oldest medical school is the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (Started as Ceylon Medical School in 1870) and is 137 years old. There are medical faculties in Jaffna, Sri Jayawardanepura, Galle, Peradeniya, Kelaniya and Rajarata as well. Kelaniya Medical Faculty initially started as a the North Colombo Medical College (NCMC), a private medical institution. It was one of the earliest private higher educational institutions (1980). Heavy resistance by the Maxist JVP political movement to private sector growth led to its nationalization and to its renaming as the Kelaniya Medical Faculty. The output of all medical schools is around 1200 and they receive the degree MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. However, since the intake into these faculties are very limited, a large number of students graduate from foreign countries. As the country is a former colony of Britain, lot prefer England, Australia, New Zealand. Former Socialist countries are also attractive due to their low tuition fees as well as Bangladesh and Pakistan. The training period is around five years plus a residency period of one year for full registration. [Post Graduate institute of Medicine] (PGIM)is the only postgraduate degree awarding institution. Course period may vary according to the discipline. It is mandatory for graduates to undergo a training period of one to two years in a center of excellence outside Sri Lanka. The Institute of Ayurvedhic Medicine of the University of Colombo, the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurvedhic Medicine Institute of the University of Kelaniya and the Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna teach Ayurvedha/ Unani / Siddha Medicine. Medicina Alternativa or the Open University of Complementary Medicine teaches acupuncture and homeopathy.
Thailand
Most of the Thai medical schools are government-funded and require Thai citizenship for eligibility. Only one private medical school exists at the moment. Some Thais choose to attend the private medical school or attend a medical school in a foreign country due to relatively few positions and high college entrance examination scores required for enrollment in public medical schools. Generally those who did not graduate from a public medical college are not well received.
The Thai medical education is six years consisting of 3 pre-clinical and 3 clinical years. Upon graduation all medical students must pass the national examination and a university-based comprehensive test. After medical school, Thai medical graduates are under contract to spend one year of internship and two years of tenure in rural areas before they are eligible for most residency positions. Other than general clinical practice and basic emergency procedures, all Thai doctors are required by the Thai Medical Council to be able to perform six surgical operations, namely: appendectomy, caesarian section, circumcision, herniorrhaphy, tubal-ligation and vasectomy.
The students will receive Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
There are five Medical Schools (Medicinski Fakultet) in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- University of Banja Luka School of Medicine
- University of Sarajevo Medical School
- University of Tuzla Medical School
- University of East Sarajevo Medical School (Foca)
- University of Mostar Medical School
These medical schools are usually affiliated with regional hospitals.
The course of study lasts 6 years or 12 semesters. Students are conferred degree Doctor of Medicine (MD) upon graduation.
Admissions
Entry to BH Medical Schools are very competitive due to limited places imposed by the government quota. Students are required to complete Secondary School Leaving Diploma (Gimnazija-Gymnasium (school) or Medicinska skola matura/svedocanstvo/svjedodzba).
Entrance examination is usually held in June/July. Combined score of Secondary School Diploma assessment (on scale 1-5, with 2 minimum passing grade and 5 maximum grade) and entrance examination is taken into consideration. Usually, 5 in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Physics are required for entry to medicine.
Curriculum
Course structure is more traditional and divided in pre-clinical (year 1-3) /clinical part (year 3-6) and subject-based.
Practical examinations are held throughout the degree (Anatomy, Biochemistry,Pathology, Physiology practicals etc.). Dissection is part of all medical curricula in Bosnian and Herz. Medical Schools.
Course content in BH Medical Schools:
- Biophysics
- Biology and Human Genetics
- Medical Chemistry
- Sociology
- Statistics and Computer Science in Medicine
- Ethics in Medicine
- Social Medicine
- English Language
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Histology and Embryology
- Physiology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Pathological Anatomy
- Pathological Physiology
- Basic of Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Clinical Propaedeutic
- Epidemiology
- Radiology
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatovenereology
- Internal Medicine
- Gynaecology
- Surgery
- Medical Ecology
- Pediatrics
- Forensic Medicine
- Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Ophthalmology
- Physical Medicine and General Rehabilitation
- Primary Health Care and Occupational Medicine
Belgium
In Belgium, medical education consists of a 7 year program. In the first 3 years, which are very theoretical and lead to the degree of bachelor in medicine, general scientiic courses are taken like chemistry, biophysics, physiology, biostatistics, anatomy, virology,... Most of the time, the healthy human is studied and nothing is said about diseases,... To enter the bachelor course people have to pass an exam in Flanders(Dutch part of Belgium) (Toelatingsexamen arts - tandarts) due to the numerus clausus. In the French part, only the best students that pass the first year of the bachelor course in medicine are admitted to the second and third year. After the bachelor courses, students are allowed to enter the 'master in medicine' courses, which consist of 4 years of theoretical and clinical study. Generally, the first 2 master years are very theoreticall and teach the students in human pathology, diseases, pharmacology,... The 3rd year is a year full of internships, students get only 2 week off in 12 months and visit specialised departments (surgery (3months); internal medicine (3months) ; gynaecology and obstetrics (3months) ,....) in clinics all over the country.
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, a medical school is a type of college or a faculty of a university. The medium of instruction is officially in Bulgarian. A six to one year course in Bulgarian language is required prior to admittance to the medical program. For European candidates an exam in Biology and Chemistry in Bulgarian, is also required.
Students join medical school after completing high-school. Admission offers are made by individual medical schools. Bulgarian applicants have to pass entrance examinations in the subjects of Biology and Chemistry. The competitive result of every candidate is the based on their marks these exams plus their secondary-school certificate marks in the same subjects. Those applicants with the highest results achieved are classified for admission.
The course of study is offered as a six year program. The first 2 years are pre-clinical, the next 3 years are clinical training and the 6th year is the internship year during which students work under supervision at the hospitals. During the 6th year students have to appear for 'state exams' in the 5 major subjects of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Social Medicine and Pediatrics. Upon successful completion of the six years of study and the state exams the degree of 'Physician' is conferred.
For specialization, graduates have to appear for written tests and interviews to obtain a place in a specialization program. For specialization in general medicine, general practice lasts three years, cardiology lasts four years, internal medicine lasts five years, and general surgery lasts five years.
Croatia
In Croatia there are four out of seven universities which offer a medical degree, the University of Zagreb (offers also medical studies in English), University of Rijeka, University of Split and the University of Osijek. A Medical school is a faculty of those four universities. Medical students enroll to Faculties of medicine after finishing secondary education, typically after the Gymnasium, but also after the four-year nursing school or other secondary schools with a duration of 4 years. During the application process, the grades of the last four years of secondary school, the scores at the final secondary school examination (Matura) and the score at the obligatory entrance examination are taken into account, and the best students are enrolled.
The course of study lasts 6 years or 12 semesters. During the first 3 years students are engaged in pre-clinical courses (Anatomy, histology, chemistry, physics, cell biology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, pathological physiology and anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, etc.). The contact with patients begins, however, already at the 3rd year. The remaining 3 years are composed of rotations at different departments, such as internal medicine, neurology, radiology, dermatology, psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Anesthesiology and others. During every academic years students also enroll in two or three elective courses. After each rotation the students take exams, a total of circa 60 exams. At the end the students must pass a final examination, which is a multiple-choice exam comprising questions about clinical courses, and finally they gain the title Doctor of medicine (dr. med.) which is written after one's name. Now doctors must complete a one-year, supervised, paid internship in a hospital of their choice, after which they take the state (license) examination, which is an eight-part oral examination containing eight most important clinical branches. Now doctors are eligible to practice medicine as general practitioners. Residencies are offered at various different hospitals throughout Croatia, and at numerous medical specialities.
Finland
In Finland, basic medical education is given in five universities: Helsinki, Kuopio, Oulu, Tampere and Turku. Admission is regulated by an entrance examination. Studies involve an initial two-year preclinical period of mainly theoretical courses in anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology etc. However, students have contact with patients from the beginning of their studies. The preclinical period is followed by a four-year clinical period, when students participate in the work of various hospitals and health care centres, learning necessary medical skills. Some Finnish universities have integrated clinical and preclinical subjects along the six-year course, diverging from the traditional program. A problem-based learning method is widely used, and inclusion of clinical cases in various courses and preclinical subjects is becoming common. All medical schools have research programs for students who wish to undertake scientific work. The duration of basic medical education is six years and the course leads to the degree of Licentiate of Medicine.
France
Medical studies in France are organized as follow :
Right after graduating from High School with a scientific background (Baccalaureat S), any student can register at a university of medecine (there is about 30 of them throughout the country). At the end of first year, an internal ranking examination takes place in each of these university in order to implement the numerus clausus. First year consists mainly of theoretical classes such as biophysics and biochemistry, anatomy, ethics or histology. Passing first year is commonly considered as challenging and requires hard and continuous work. Each student can only try twice. For example, the Université René Descartes welcomes about 2000 students in first year and only 300 after numerus clausus.
Second and third year are usually mainly quite theoretical although the teachings are often accompanied by experiences on the field (e.g. internships as nurses or in the emergency room, depending on the university).
During 4th 5th and 6th years, medical students get a special status called 'Externe'. They work every morning at the hospital plus a few night shifts a month. They get 5 weeks off a year.
At the end of 6th year, they need to pass a national ranking exam which will determine their specialty. Indeed, the first student gets to choose first, then the second et caetera. Usually students work pretty hard during 5th and 6th years in order to train properly for the national ranking exam. During these years, actual practice at the hospital and some theoretical courses are meant to balance the training. Such interns' average wage stands between 100 and 300 euros a month (which is far from being enough to make a living).
After that, students can start as residents in the specialty they have been able to pick. That is the point from which they also start getting paid (decently).
Germany
In Germany, admission to medical schools is currently administered jointly by the Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen (ZVS), a centralized federal organization, and the universities themselves. The most important criterion for admission is the Numerus clausus, the final GPA scored by the applicant on the Abitur (highest secondary school diploma). However, in light of the recent gain in influence of medical schools in regards to applicant selection, additional criteria are being used to select students for admission. These criteria vary among medical faculties and the final Abitur GPA is always a core indicator and strongly influences admission.
The first two years of medical school consist of the so-called pre-clinical classes. During this time, the students are instructed in the basic sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc.) and must pass a federal medical exam (Erster Abschnitt der ärztlichen Prüfung), administered nationally. Upon completion, the students advance to the clinical stage, where they receive three years of training and education in the clinical subjects (e.g. internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, pharmacology, pathology, etc.). The last year of medical school consists of the so-called "practical year" (Praktisches Jahr, PJ). Students are required to spend three month clerkships each in internal medicine, surgery, and one elective.
After six years of medical school, the students graduate with a final federal medical exam (Zweiter Abschnitt der ärztlichen Prüfung). Graduates receive the license to practice medicine and the professional title of physician (Arzt). The academic degree Doctor of Medicine is awarded if the graduate has additionally successfully completed a scientific dissertation. Many medical students opt to perform their thesis during their studies at medical school. If physicians wish to independently care for patients, they are required to further complete a residency in their field of specialization.
There are 36 medical faculties in Germany.
Hungary
Hungary has four medical schools, in Budapest, Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged. Medical school takes six years to complete, of which the last year is a practical year. Students receive the degree dr. med. univ. or dr. for short, equivalent to the MD degree upon graduation.
Iceland
In Iceland, admission to medical school requires passing an organized test, controlled by the University of Iceland, which anyone who has a gymnasium degree can take. Only the top 48 scores on the exam are granted admission each year. Medical school in Iceland takes 6 years to complete. Graduates must also complete 1 year of residency. Students receive an MD degree upon graduation.
Ireland
There are six medical schools in the Republic of Ireland. They are at Trinity College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick and University College Galway (the National University of Ireland is the degree-awarding institution for all except the University of Limerick and Trinity College). Training lasts four, five or six years, with the last two years in the affiliated teaching hospitals (UCD - St. Vincents University Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Holles St., The Coombe, Crumlin Children's Hospital) (Trinity - St. James's Hospital, Adelaide and Meath Hospitals incorporating the National Children's Hospital) (RCSI - Beaumont Hospital). For Programmes that are six years in length, entry is based on secondary school qualifications. Programmes that are four years in length require previous university degrees. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Limerick were the first medical institutions to offer Graduate Entry Medicine of four years in duration in the Republic of Ireland. This is now also offered in University College Dublin and University College Cork. The National University of Ireland, Galway will launch a graduate entry programme in 2010 and Trinity College is currently considering the introduction of graduate entry medicine.
Medical education is regulated by the Irish Medical Council, the statutory body which is also responsible for maintaining a register of medical practitioners. After graduation with the degrees of BM BS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) or MB BCh BAO (Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus in Chirurgia, Baccalaureus in Arte Obstetricia), a doctor is required to spend one year as an "intern" under supervision before full registration is permitted. Graduates of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland also receive the traditional "Licenciate of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians in Ireland" (LRCP&SI), which was awarded before the RCSI became an Affiliate of the National University of Ireland and thus was allowed grant degrees, under the Medical Practitioners Act (1978).
Italy
In Italy, the contents of the medical school admission test is decided each year by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) and consists of eighty questions divided in five categories: logics and "general education ("cultura generale"), mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. The test is usually taken in early September, following the conclusion of a 5-year high school cycle in July.
Each medical school administers the test separately, and the result of the test is only valid for entry in the medical school where the test was taken. As a general rule, all state-run medical schools in the country administer it on the same day, whereas all privately run medical school administer it on another day, so that a candidate may take the test once at a state-run school and once at a private school of his/her choice, but no more.
Medicine is one of the university faculties implementing numerus clausus ("numero chiuso"): the overall number of medical students admitted every year is constant, as each medical school is assigned a maximum number of new admission per year by MIUR.
Medical school lasts 6 years (12 semesters). Traditionally, the first three years are devoted to "biological" subjects (physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, physiology, immunology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and usually English language courses), whereas the later three years are devoted to "clinical" subjects. However, most schools are increasingly devoting the second semester of the third year to clinical subjects and earlier patient contact. In most schools, there are about 36 exams over the 6-year cycle, as well as a number of compulsory rotations and elective activities.
At the end of the cycle, students have to discuss a final thesis before a board of professors; the subject of this thesis may be a review of academic literature or an experimental work, and usually takes more than a year to complete, with most students beginning an internato (internship) in the subject of their choice in their fifth or sixth year. The title awarded at the end of the discussion ceremony is that of "Dottore in Medicina e Chirurgia" ("Doctor of Medicine and Surgery"), which in accordance with the Bologna process is comparable with a master's degree qualification.
After graduating, new doctors must complete a three-month, unpaid, supervised tirocinio post-laurea ("post-degree placement") consisting of two months in their university hospital (one month in a medical service and one in a surgical service) as well as one month shadowing a general practitioner. After getting a statement of successful completion of each month from their supervisors, new doctors take the esame di stato ("state exame") to obtain full license to practise medicine. They will then have to register with one of the branches of the Ordine dei Medici ("Order of Physicians") which are based in each of the Provinces of Italy.
Registration makes new doctors legally able practice medicine without supervision. They will then have to choose between various career paths, each usually requiring a specific admission exam: most either choose to train as general practitioner (a 2-year course run by each Region, including both general practice and rotation at non-university hospitals), or of entering a Scuola di Specializzazione ("specialty school") at a university hospital.
Netherlands & Belgium
In the Netherlands and Belgium, medical students receive respectively 6 and 7 years of university education prior to their graduation.
In the Netherlands, students used to receive four years of the preclinical training, followed by two years of clinical training in hospitals. However, for a number of medical schools this has recently changed to three years preclinical training, followed by three years of clinical training. After 6 years students graduate as basisarts (comparable with Doctor of Medicine), which in accordance with the Bologna process is comparable with a master's degree qualification. All medical students are permitted entry from the highest level of secondary school: VWO, the entrant is not required to have a previous bachelor's degrees qualification.
The Belgian medical education is much more based on theoretical knowledge, whereas in the Netherlands medical education is focused more on skill than theoretical knowledge. In Belgium the first three years of education lead up to a bachelor's degree, followed by a four-year master's program.
Norway
Medical education in Norway begins with a six to six and a half year undergraduate university program. Admission requires a relatively high GPA from secondary school, with the medical program at the University of Oslo requiring the highest, although the GPA may be raised with post-secondary education and relevant work experience. It is therefore not uncommon for future medical students to get a university degree before enrollment in the medical program. Upon completion, students are awarded a candidatus/candidata medicinae (cand. med.) degree. Following this, the Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personnel (Statens autorisasjonskontor for helsepersonell) requires a minimum of 18 months of internship (turnustjeneste) before granting a medical license. Once the doctor has got a license to practice, he or she is able to apply for a post to start specialist training. There are currently 43 recognized medical specialties in Norway.
Poland
Romania
In Romania, medical school is a department of a medical university, which typically includes Dentistry and Pharmacy departments as well. The name facultate is used for departments in their universities too, but the Medicine departments distinguish themselves by the length of studies (6 years), which grants to graduates a status equivalent to that of a Master in Science. The Medicine departments are also marked by reduced flexibility - in theory, a student in a regular university can take courses from different departments, like Chemistry and Geography (although it usually doesn't happen, majors being clearly defined), while the medical universities do not have any extra offers for their students, due to their specialization. Admission to medical faculty is usually awarded by passing a Human Biology, Organic Chemistry and/or Physics test. The program lasts 6 years, with first 2 years being preclinical and last 4 years being mostly clinical. After these six years, one has to take the national licence exam (which consists of mostly clinically-oriented questions, but some questions also deal with basic sciences) and has to write a thesis in any field he/she studied. Final award is Doctor-Medic (titlu onorific) (shortened Dr.), which is not an academic degree (similar to Germany). All graduates have to go through residency and specialization exams after that in order to practice, although older graduates had different requirements and training (e.g., clinical rotations similar to sub-internship) and might still be able to practice Family Medicine / General Medicine.
Sweden
Medical education in Sweden begins with a five and a half year undergraduate university program. Upon completion, students are awarded a University Medical Degree (Läkarexamen). Following this the National board of health and welfare (Socialstyrelsen) requires a minimum of 18 months of clinical internship (Allmäntjänstgöring) before granting a medical license. This internship consists of surgery (3–6 months), internal medicine (3–6 months), psychiatry (three months) and family medicine (six months). Once the doctor has got a license to practice, the doctor is able to apply for a post to start his/her specialist training. There are currently 52 recognized medical specialties in Sweden. The specialist training has a duration of minimum five years, after which the doctor is granted formal qualification as a specialist.
Turkey
In Turkey medical education is quite like the one in Thailand. All the high school graduates who wish to pursue further education are required to take an MCQ exam abbreviated by OSS. The exam covers most of the high school and secondary school curricula. Currently there are disputes about the exam's objectivity. A student who scores high enough gets a place in a faculty of his/her desire.
Medical education takes six years, first three years being Pre-clinical years and the latter three being Clinical years. Right after graduation, graduates can either work as GPs or take another exam called TUS (Medical Specialization Examination) to do residency in a particular department of a particular hospital.
Most of the medical schools in Turkey are state schools but the number of private schools are getting higher. Language of instruction is Turkish but few universities also offer schools with English being language of instruction. This makes Turkey a popular place to study medicine for students from near areas like The Balkans, The Middle East and to a lesser extent North Africa.
Medical degrees in Ukraine were offered only in institutions called medical universities, which are separate from traditional universities. However, some medical schools are now associated with classical universities. These include:
- Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University
- Kharkiv National Medical University
- Dnipropetrovsk State Medical Academy
- Ivano-Frankivsk State Medical University
- Bukovynian State Medical University
- Zaporizhia State Medical University
- Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy
- Donetsk National Medical University
- I. Y. Gorbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University
- Bogomolets National Medical University Of Ukraine
- Crimea State Medical University
- Luhansk State Medical University
- Odessa State Medical University
- National Pirogov Memorial Medical University
- School of Medicine of V N Karazin Kharkiv National University
- Medical Faculty of Summy University
- Medical Faculty of Uzhgorod University
- Medical Faculty of Dnipropetrovsk National University
- Kyiv Medical Institute of non traditional Medicine
United Kingdom
There are currently 32 institutions which offer medical degrees in the United Kingdom [6]. Completion of a medical degree in the UK results in the award of the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Admission requirements to the schools varies; most insist on solid A-Levels/Highers, a good performance in an aptitude test such as the UKCAT, the BMAT or the GAMSAT, and usually an interview. As of 2008 the UK has approximately 8000 places for medical students [7].
Methods of education are diverse, with some courses offering problem-based learning, some having a more traditional pre-clinical/clinical structure, and others combining several approaches in an integrated approach.
Following qualification, UK doctors enter a generalised two-year, competency-based "foundation programme", gaining full GMC (General Medical Council) registration at the end of foundation year one, and applying for specialist training (in medicine, surgery, general practice etc.) after foundation year two.
Many medical schools offer intercalated degree programmes to allow students to focus on an area of research outside their medical degree for a year.
Some medical schools offer graduate entry programmes, which are typically accelerated (i.e. shorter courses). These may restrict entry to those who hold degrees in, or have previously worked in, other areas of healthcare, or may require a degree (not specifically in a science subject).
Medical students
A person accepted into a medical school and enrolled in an educational program in medicine, with the goal of becoming a medical doctor, is referred to as a medical student or student doctor. Medical students are generally considered to be at the earliest stage of the medical career pathway. In some locations they are required to be registered with a government body.
Medical students typically engage in both basic science and practical clinical coursework during their tenure in medical school. Course structure and length vary greatly among countries
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