Davao Medical School Foundation - The Syllabus

Syllabus

The basic medical education program of the Davao Medical School Foundation takes four years to complete, which will be expanded to four and one-half years for international students of Indian nationality effective AY 2022-23. The additional six months will be located at the end of the regular twelve- month clerkship rotation.
Each academic year is divided into two semesters of at least eighteen weeks per semester, exclusive of registration and comprehensive examinations. The core contents of the Doctor of Medicine program are presented through organ systems integration with case-based discussions, starting with basic principles and theories of medicine that are taught in the first and second years, followed by clinical courses that begin early in the second semester of the second year and expanding throughout the succeeding years. It is expected that at the end of the four and one-half year program, the student is able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes: clinical skills, diagnostic and therapeutic skills, patient investigation, patient management, health promotion and disease prevention, communication skills, medical informatics, application of basic, social and clinical sciences and underlying principles, appropriate attitudes, ethical understanding and legal responsibilities, decision making skills and clinical reasoning and judgment, the role of the doctor within the health service, and personal development. It is also required that foreign students need to build their own personal library, that is why it is mandatory that each student should have a personal copy of the required textbooks from first year to fourth year including the required manuals and workbooks. For submitted requirements such as thesis, researches, and the like, they become the property of the school though they may claim subsequently certificates of completion, submission and participation of their submitted outputs.

First Year

The course contents in first year are designed to provide students with better understanding of the art and science of medicine, starting with the study of the normal structure and function of the different organ systems of the human body – from molecular to cellular mechanisms that are important in maintaining homeostasis. Also included is the understanding of the important non-biological determinants of poor health and the economic, psychological, social, and cultural factors that contribute to the development and/or continuation of illnesses. Clinical scenarios are provided to enable students apply the learned principles and concepts to the underlying causes of illnesses, and to enable students develop communication and clinical reasoning skills. The appropriate ethical approach to patient care as well as the use of evidence-based medicine is likewise offered as early as first year.
SubjectsOriginal MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Expanded MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Remarks
Lecture PracticalLecturePractical
Gross Anatomy144180144180-same-
Histology72727272-same-
Physiology144144144144-same-
Biochemistry144144144144-same-
Art & Science of Med 136-36--same-
Primary Health Care368368-same-
Research 136-36--same-
Neuro-anatomy36183618-same-
Sub-total648566648566-same-
Total:1,214 hours1,214 hours-same-
Add: Self-directed learning108 hours108 hours-same-

Second Year

The course contents are designed to provide students with the understanding of the normal and altered structure and function of the human body, including the role of genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, infectious, immunologic, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic factors that may contribute to the body’s disorder/illness (pathogenesis). The principles and concepts of therapeutics are also taught. The ability to obtain an accurate medical history, perform a complete physical examination and develop interpersonal and communication skills are also taught with patient exposures initiated in the second semester. Similarly, students are provided with protected time for self-directed learning to enhance their skills in medical informatics and lifelong learning.
SubjectsOriginal MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Expanded MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Remarks
LecturePracticalLecturePractical
General Pathology162144162144-same-
Pharmacology1087210872-same-
Clinical Pathology72-72--same-
Art & Science of Med 272727272-same-
Neuroscience 2
Neurology5454-same-
Psychiatry5454-same-
Surgery 254-54--same-
Microbiology & Para162108162108-same-
Research 236-36--same-
Pediatrics 236-36--same-
Obstetrics 236-36--same-
Sub-total846396846396-same-
Total1,242 hours1,242 hours-same-
Add: Self-directed learning72 hours72 hours-same-

Third Year

The course contents are designed to provide students with the understanding of the principles and concepts of diseases of different clinical specialties, its epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, therapeutic and diagnostic maneuvers, differential diagnosis, management, and their continuing correlation with basic medical sciences. In a typical day, more than half of the time is spent in school providing large and small group discussions. The remaining time is spent in the clinics where students, under the supervision of clinical preceptors, are exposed to simulated and real patients through clinical simulations, bedside and desk-side teaching, grand rounds, mini-lectures and small group discussions. Principles & procedures of common diagnostic & therapeutic examinations of different age groups are taught as well as communication and interpersonal skills. Likewise, knowledge of the theories and principles that govern jurisprudence and ethical decision-making are given due emphasis.
SubjectsOriginal MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Expanded MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Remarks
LecturesClinics Weeks (Hours)LecturesClinics Weeks (Hours)
Pediatrics 31806 (72)1806 (72)-same-
OB-Gyne 31446 (72)1446 (72)-same-
Surgery 31446 (72)1446 (72)-same-
Internal Medicine 31808 (96)1808 (96)-same-
Community & Family Med 3726 (72)726 (72)-same-
Ophthalmology54-54--same-
Otorhinolaryngology54-54--same-
NS 3
Neurology 35454-same-
Psychiatry 35454-same-
Legal Medicine36-36--same-
Medical Ethics36-36--same-
Dermatology36-36--same-
Rehab Medicine18-18--same-
Radiology27-27--same-
Sub-total1,0893841,089384-same-
Total:1,473 hours1,473 hours-same-

Fourth Year – Clinical Clerkship

The clerkship program consists of fifty-two weeks of modular rotations in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Community and Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, and Clinical Simulation Training. Under the supervision of the clinical/field preceptor, the student is given the opportunity to demonstrate the twelve outcomes of the medical program. In the expanded clerkship program, the clerkship duration of 52 weeks will be extended to 72 weeks (or one and half years) of clerkship, with the following subjects, to wit
ModuleOriginal MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Expanded MD Program (Curriculum Hours)Remarks
WeeksHoursWeeksHours
Internal Medicine 48 weeks448 hours12 weeks672 hours10 weeks rotation in general medicine plus 2 weeks for geriatric medicine
Surgery 4 (with anesthesia)8 weeks448 hours8 weeks448 hours-same-
Pediatrics 48 weeks448 hours8 weeks448 hours-same-
Obstetrics & Gynecology 48 weeks448 hours8 weeks448 hours-same-
Community & Family Med 4
Community Med 44 weeks224 hours8 weeks448 hoursIncrease to 8 weeks of community exposure
Family Med 44 weeks224 hours6 weeks336 hoursIncrease to 6 weeks of exposure to family medicine
Ophthalmology 41 week56 hours2 weeks112 hoursIncrease to 2 weeks
Otorhinolaryngology 41 week56 hours2 weeks112 hoursIncrease to 2 weeks
Psychiatry 44 weeks224 hours4 weeks224 hours-same-
Dermatology 42 weeks112 hours2 weeks112 hours-same-
Clinical Simulation Training, to include critical care medicine and emergency medicine4 weeks224 hours4 weeks224 hours-same-
Additional Modules for Indian Students:
Orthopedic & Rehab Medicine2 weeks224 hoursNew
Ayurvedic Medicine1 week56 hoursNew
Forensic Medicine1 week56 hoursNew
Radiology2 weeks224 hoursNew
Clinical Laboratory2 weeks224 hoursNew
Total52 weeks2,912 hours72 weeks4,032 hours

Language of Instruction

Students who have taken admission at DMSF has to follow the below process to apply for Student VISA. Please visit nearby Consulate / Embassy of Philippines with the mentioned Documents. Our Documentation team will help you in the VISA processing. Please contact us +91 9962985330 or info@dmsf.in for more details.

Credit Unit

The unit of credit is the semester hour. Each one unit of credit is at least 18 semester hours of instruction.

Academic Load

Students are required to take all of the prescribed subjects/modules per semester/year in all levels. For a student to be promoted to the next higher level, said student has to earn a passing mark in all subjects/modules. No student is allowed to take advance subject/s in any year level.

Student Assessment - Grading System

Assessment of student competence shall be based on the learning outcomes, course outcomes and unit outcomes. Formative and summative evaluations are given in all courses in the form of written and oral examinations to measure cognitive competence, and rating scales, checklists, and other forms to measure psychomotor and affective skills. A student earns credit for a subject/module when s/he obtains a grade of 75% or better. To be in good standing, a student must maintain a minimum general weighted average of 75% with no grade lower than 75% in any subject/module. The official mathematical software in the formulation of grades will be Microsoft Excel.

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