PHASE I: “Transition to Medical Sciences” – Two years – Year 1 and 2
It is the interface between high school education and the medical program. It introduces the students to foundation in human structure and function, basics of Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Public Health, Physics relevant to Medical Sciences, Informatics, Humanities, Scientific Writing, and General Education courses. An important course in this phase is “Medical Education and Lifelong Learning”. In this course, students learn how they will learn and become life-long learners. Students will be familiarized with different “learning and teaching approaches” like PBL, TBL, literature search, reflection and developing e-portfolio.
Gate I End of Phase I: Based on the students’ academic performance, he/she may be allowed to move to the next phase of the MD program or take a decision to change major and join another health sciences program. Credit obtained can be transferred to the new program.
PHASE II: Core Medical Science: Two years – Years 3 and 4.
In this phase, we introduce the students to the core up-to-date knowledge for practice and its application to patients and population care. Clinical Skills are mainly acquired in Skills Labs with regular encounters with real patients. This phase is organized around integrated organ systems modules. Several courses will run horizontally and vertically in the different modules e.g., clinical skills program, research projects, evidence-based medicine (EBM), public health, etc.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) using high-fidelity AI based simulated patients constitutes the primary strategy of learning and teaching. Lectures will be offered as resource sessions using TBL and flipped classrooms. Basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, population health, ethics and professionalism are integrated within the problems. The subjects studied include clinical and applied aspects of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics. In addition, the following courses: Clinical Skills, Community Medicine, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Research Methodology, Family Health, Evidence-based Medicine, and Behavioral Sciences are integrated and coordinated within the organ-system units. In the year 4, semester 8, students spend 6 weeks in an integrated multisystem course preparing them for patient care in the hospital setting.
Gate II End of Phase II: By the end of Year 4, the students should successfully complete the Phase II requirements in order to progress to Phase III and complete the six-year MD program. The students will take an international benchmark exam (IFOM Basic Medical Sciences or USMLE).
PHASE III: Transition to practice (Clerkships) “Workplace-Based Learning”: Two years – Year 5 and 6.
Students will rotate in different clerkships of longer duration in order to ensure better exposure to the work environment, patients, and interaction with other healthcare professionals. This is a more valuable experience than the short clerkship rotations of 1–2 weeks in sub-specialties.
In year 5, students undergo five clerkship rotations of 8 weeks each in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, and ENT/Eye. In year 6, they go through four rotations of 8 weeks each in Medicine and subspecialties, Surgery and subspecialties. Family Medicine and Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine and Critical care, and another 8 weeks of elective training/research. This can change according to the practicality of implementation (i.e. context).
Gate III End of Phase III: At the end of Phase III, students should successfully complete the Phase requirement and provide convincing evidence related to the Program Learning Outcomes and achievement of competence. The IFOM Clinical Sciences will be considered as an international benchmark. The student will graduate with MD degree which is followed by one year of Internship to apply for the UAE license to practice exam, and UAE residency selection exam.
The graduates are awarded the Doctor of Medicine degree on successful completion of the 6-year program and passing the comprehensive exit examination.