PHASE I

Program Level (Year 1)

Students who enter CMMS must complete one year of studying basic sciences before they can be promoted to the Pre-Clerkship phase. During this period, they study English, Social Sciences, Islam & Medical Ethics, Psychology, Computer Sciences, Human Biology, Medical Physics, Biochemistry and Biostatistics.

The program is of one-year duration divided into two semesters (31 credit hours)

The goals of this program are:

  1. To prepare students for an innovative medical program, by focusing on the knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as skills of self-directed learning,
  2. To enhance students abilities in reading, writing and understanding scientific English,
  3. To improve the students’ understanding of the principles of communication skills, medical ethics and scientific evaluation.
  4. To prepare the students for self-directed learning and problem solving methods.

PHASE II (Pre-Clerkship)

Program Level (Years 2, 3 & 4)

In this phase, the curriculum is structured around nine integrated organs/system units. Ninety-three health problems are covered during the three years. Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is the main educational strategy, is conducted through small group tutorials and self-directed learning. Content and process of PBL are emphasized.

Unit I: Man & His Environment (12 weeks)

Unit II: Respiratory System (8 weeks)

Unit III: Cardiovascular (10 weeks)

Unit III: Cardiovascular (10 weeks)

Unit IV: Gastrointestinal and Renal (11 weeks)

Unit IV: Gastrointestinal and Renal (11 weeks)

Unit V: Metabolism, Endocrine & Reproductive (12 weeks)

Unit VI: Haematopietic and Immune System (9 weeks)

Unit VII: Integumentary & Musculo-Skeletal (9 weeks)

Unit VIII: CNS, Special Senses and Behaviour (12 weeks)

Unit IX: Multisystem Integration (10 weeks)

Students who successfully complete the requirements of this phase are awarded a B.Sc. degree.

The curriculum is organized around three strands:

  1. Integrated medical knowledge of the following disciplines: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Community Medicine, Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences.
  2. Professional Skills (Professional Laboratory Skills, Communication Skills, History Taking, Physical Examination Skills and Critical Appraisal of Literature)
  3. Community Health Activities (Maternal and Child Health, Family Studies and Community-Oriented Research Projects, Clinical Skills Training Program).

PHASE III (Clinical Clerkship)

Program Level (Years 5 & 6)

In this final phase of the undergraduate curriculum, students undergo supervised clinical training in affiliated hospitals and primary health care centers. The goal is to prepare students to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to identify, analyze and manage common health problems at the primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. The activities include bedside teaching, clinical problem solving, outpatient clinics, teaching rounds, workshops, computer-based case simulations and departmental seminars. Students rotate for two academic years as follows:

Year 5: Pediatrics (10 weeks), Obstetrics/Gynecology (10 weeks), Internal Medicine (20 weeks), and Summer Electives (6 weeks). The Internal Medicine Clerkship also includes rotations in Radiology (1 week), Dermatology (2 weeks), Cardiology (2 weeks), Pulmonary (2 weeks), Neurology (2 weeks), GIT (2 weeks), Rheumatology (1 Week), Nephrology (1 week), Hematology (1 week), Endocrinology (2 weeks), ICU (1 week), Infectious diseases (1 week). Students must take an Elective (6 Weeks) in the summer after they completed year 5.

Year 6: General Surgery (17 weeks), Family Medicine (8 weeks) Psychiatry (4 weeks), Ophthalmology (2 weeks), Ear, Nose & Throat (2 weeks). The Surgery rotation also includes training in General Surgery (11 weeks), Urology (1 week), Orthopedics (1 week), Anesthesia (1 week), Emergency Medicine (1 week).

Methods of Curriculum Delivery in Phase III

  • Bedside teaching
  • Clinical problem solving sessions
  • Teaching in outpatient clinics
  • Clinical teaching in the theatre
  • Teaching rounds and departmental seminars

An example of a typical week

table

Each student is also assigned (twice a week) duties in the admission rooms and wards between 5 to 10 p.m.

On weekends and holidays, students are expected to be in the hospital if they are attached to an “On Call" team.