RAK Medical and Health Sciences University is First Medical University in the UAE to Obtain Five Stars in QS Stars Rating     College of Pharmacy at RAK Medical and Health Sciences University has obtained dual national and international accreditation for its Bachelor of Pharmacy program from the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)     All Programs are accredited by Ministry of Education, UAE.    All our programs are recognized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Curriculum (MD)

Pre-clinical and Clinical Sciences (III to VI Year - Semester V to XII)

The courses offered in preclinical years include Musculoskeletal module, Cardio vascular System Module, Clinical Skills –II, Clinical Decision Making-I, Genitourinary System Module, Gastro intestinal system Module, Endocrine Module and Respiratory System Module and Neurology & Behavioral Sciences Module, while clinical sciences covers clinical theory and clerkship rotations in Internal Medicine and allied subjects, General Surgery and allied subjects, Pediatrics and Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, ENT , Ophthalmology and electives.

Goal

Students will learn and acquire an integrated knowledge of organ evolution, structure and functions and the regulatory mechanism of the human body in the management of health and disease.

Modules (Year III, IV)

Integrated Teaching is made up of ‘Modules’. A Module is the smallest unit of curriculum. Each module is based upon organ-system/s of the body and/or processes. In each module, the basic and clinical sciences will be taught in an integrated manner.

Design

The curriculum design has been structured in the following manner:

The third year courses consist of five modules and clinical skills-II

  1. Musculoskeletal Module
  2. Cardiovascular System Module.
  3. Respiratory System Module
  4. Gastrointestinal System Module
  5. Genitourinary System Module

The fourth year courses consist of two modules and clinical decision-making course. However, the clinical clerkship rotations also commence from 4th year MD and run until 6th year MD program.

  1. Endocrinology Module
  2. Neurology & Behavioral Science Module

Each of the ‘Module’ has been explicitly designed to contain the following:

  1. Title/theme of the module
  2. Learning Outcomes
  3. Teaching Schedule [Weekly, along with Specific Learning Outcomes]
  4. Credit Hours
  5. List of Recommended resource materials
Clinical Curriculum

The clinical component of the six year MD program is imparting to each medical student graduate with the fundamental patient centered knowledge and skills important in health and disease as the basis of safe and effective patient care. Gap between the basic sciences and clinical medicine is bridged by providing the students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate patients while at the same time, emphasizing the importance and integration of basic sciences, behavioral medicine, ethics, and professionalism. The clinical phase of three years integrated curriculum prepares the medical student for effective delivery of health care to individual and society in practice of medicine.

The focus of this clinical phase through systems is on abnormal structure and function. Students rotate through a series of clinical clerkships which provide opportunities for the study of patients presenting with abnormal structure and function of the body systems. Clinical teaching complements actual clinical experience in patients. The epidemiology, etiology, and natural history of disease processes are investigated in greater depth than in preclinical phase. The principles of therapeutics are included in a consideration of the medical management of specific disease processes. The ethical implications of medical intervention are considered and the psychological and social consequences both of disease and medical intervention are reviewed.

The six general clinical competencies for medical school students include:

  • Medical knowledge & clinical skills
  • Evidence-based learning
  • Patient care
  • Effective communication skills
  • Professionalism
  • Self-directed lifelong learning

As a student progresses though the clinical curriculum of the medical school, his/her competencies and attainment of these educational outcomes are periodically reviewed as they provide valuable guide to the organization of the knowledge, skills and attitudes learnt during this phase of their professional growth.

To ensure equivalent learning experiences for all medical students, a standardized curriculum is employed. This includes:

  1. A common list of learning outcomes, to be met with course wise and system wise (where ever applicable), didactic lectures and clinical clerkship program,
  2. Recommended / reference text books.
  3. A series of team based learning and seminars leading to self-directed learning

After successful completion of the six year MD program, the students are required to undergo a one year rotational internship in the assigned Federal Hospital if they want to practice medicine in UAE. Internship is a phase of training wherein a graduate is expected to conduct actual practice of medical and health care and acquire clinical skills under supervision, so as to enable him/her to function independently.

Clinical Clerkship

The clinical phase of the curriculum includes fourteen required clerkships (Community medicine, Ophthalmology, Oto-rhino-laryngology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orthopedics, Dermatology, Radio-diagnosis, Anesthesia & critical care, Emergency Medicine and Electives.

During this period the students are exposed to all the major specialties of medicine and many sub specialties in hospital setting. As they rotate through various departments, they work to develop relationships with faculty and other physicians, seek out mentors who can help out guide their future career choices. They will be evaluated by clerkship assessments including evaluations from their attending physicians and residents and by other appropriate methods. All these evaluation will become part of their continuous assessment.

Clinical Rotations, Weeks per year
Year IV
Course # Course title Credits Duration [weeks]
MEN 403 Oto -rhino -laryngology (ENT) 2 5
MOP 403 Ophthalmology 2 5
MIM 418 Internal Medicine 2 5
Dermatology & Radiology 2 2.5 +2.5
MGS 415 General Surgery 2 5
MOR 404 Orthopedics 2 5
  TOTAL 12 30
Year V
Course # Course title Credits Duration [weeks]
MIM 527 Internal Medicine 4 5
MGS 527 General Surgery 4 2 + 2 + 1
MOG 517 Obstetrics and Gynecology 4 5
MPE 517 Pediatrics and Neonatology 4 5
MCM 526 Community   Medicine 4 5
MPS 505 Psychiatry 4 5
  TOTAL 24 30
Year VI
Course # Course title Credits Duration [weeks]
MIM 6311 Internal Medicine including Emergency Medicine 8 5 + 5
MGS 6312 General Surgery including Anesthesia 8 5 + 5
MOG 627 Obstetrics & Gynecology 4 5
MPE 627 Pediatrics and Neonatology 4 5
  Electives 2 2
  TOTAL 26 32
YEAR III Module Description

Course Description:

This module consists of the study of musculoskeletal & Integumentary systems during health and disease conditions. The teaching will be for 8 weeks duration. The methodology adopted for this module apart from didactic lectures will be case based learning, and team based learning. The laboratory exercises include demonstration of prosected/dissected cadaveric specimens from upper limb regions, lower limb regions and neck triangles. The contents of the module include; normal anatomy, physiology and biochemistry & pathological conditions of muscles, bones, joints, and skin and breast tissue. The microbiological conditions associated with the systems are also taught. The module will be covering the study of drugs involved in various abnormal conditions of the musculoskeletal & Integumentary systems. The necessary Imaging studies and forensic medicine topics are also included.

Course Description:

The Cardiovascular module commences with an account of the anatomy of heart with regard to its development, gross features, nerve supply, blood supply and surface anatomy. Subsequently normal physiology of cardiac output, venous return, blood pressure and their regulation; the physiological basis for hemodynamics and cardiac cycle; the regulation of the coronary circulation and the role of microcirculation and physiological basis of edema; electrophysiology of the heart, physiological basis for normal and abnormal ECG should be studied in appropriate weeks. Similarly, the biochemical importance of lipids and lipoproteins in relation to atherosclerosis; the pathogenesis, pathological features, clinical manifestations; microbiological aspects of valvular and myocardial disease and complications of common cardiovascular diseases should be studied. The module concludes with an outline on principles of management of common cardiovascular disorders including the classification, mechanism of action, pharmacological effects, relevant pharmacokinetics, important adverse drug reactions, indications and contraindications of drugs used in cardiovascular disorders. This knowledge would be a basis for the diagnosis, prevention and the treatment of hypertension, arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart diseases and deep vein thrombosis.

Course Description:

Learning of clinical skills during preclinical year empowers the students to acquire the skills that facilitates them to communicate and interact well with patients and perform physical examination on them. They get the early exposure with these core and important professional skills in a simulated environment that make them confident and comfortable while dealing with real patients during clinical years.

Course Description:

The respiratory module covers the various parts and functions of the respiratory tract, common respiratory infections, their diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical features, complications of common respiratory disorders, and the therapeutic management including their mechanism of action. The module is divided into five weeks starting with the basics of the respiratory tract in the first week and progressing to the pathological and clinical aspects with relevance to the respiratory system. Topics will be covered using various learning methodologies like lectures, team-based learning (TBL), case-based learning (CBL), and practical sessions. This module carries 5 credits, of which 2 are for theory and 3 are for applied sessions. The module will be completed in five weeks.

Course Description:

This module builds upon an understanding of the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract, and enables students to integrate basic science and clinical concepts related to this system, with emphasis on the pathophysiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. Appropriate examples of medical imaging and diagnostic techniques are also introduced. In addition, this module revisits the basic aspects of nutrition and discusses the pathophysiology of nutritional inadequacies or excesses, their clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment.

Course Description:

The genitourinary module provides a comprehensive knowledge of the structure, functions and biochemical aspects of the excretory, male and female reproductive systems to the third-year medical students. It will also discuss the most common categories of disease processes (congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, vascular, metabolic and immune- mediated) involving the genitourinary system and their management. The course will be delivered through didactic lectures, case based learning, seminars, team based learning and practical’s in labs.


Preclinical and Clinical Sciences Courses
YEAR IV

Course Description:

The Endocrine module aims to provide the student with an introduction to the role of the endocrine system in regulating the activities of the major organ systems and endocrine disorders. It includes basic concepts in endocrinology and metabolism, general physiological concepts including the structure and mechanism of action of hormones, feedback control of endocrine function, pathogenesis and pharmacology of the drugs used in common endocrine disorders. This module will enable the students to understand the clinical problems associated with endocrine diseases and also the basis for management. The module utilizes many teaching and learning techniques including lectures, case based learning (CBL), team based learning (TBL) and practical sessions. Appropriate clinical skills are incorporated to coincide with the module for better understanding and application. The module will be completed in four weeks and the end module examination (EME) in the 5th week.

Course Description:

This module builds upon an understanding of the structure and function of the Central nervous system, and enables students to integrate basic science and clinical concepts related to this system. Each of the basic science topics is incorporated into an integrated body of knowledge covering neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurological correlation, neuropharmacology, neuropathology, microbiology, human behavior, biochemistry and the medico-legal aspects with emphasis on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of the most common CNS disorders. Appropriate examples of medical imaging and diagnostic techniques are also introduced. In addition, this module covers the pathophysiology of the special senses of vision, audition, olfaction and gustation.

Course Description:

The course will prepare the students to function as a community and first level primary care physicians with an insight into the health of the people, the health problems of the people with an emphasis is on health promotion and disease prevention. Due emphasis will be made on fundamentals of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, to understand disease causation and the strategies for prevention and control.

Course Description:

Otorhinolaryngology is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck. Patients seek treatment from an otorhinolaryngologist for diseases of the ear, nose, throat, base of the skull, and for the surgical management of cancers and benign tumors of the head and neck.

The goal in the core otorhinolaryngology curriculum is to provide a solid foundation in otorhinolaryngology to each medical student. The knowledge gained during this course will allow the students to acquire the adequate knowledge and skills for optimally dealing with common disorders and emergencies and principles of rehabilitation of the different diseases of ear, nose and throat in general practice.

Course Description:

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system. The eye, its surrounding structures and the visual system can be affected by a number of clinical conditions. Ophthalmology involves diagnosis and therapy of such conditions, along with microsurgery. Study of ophthalmology will help students to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies required as primary care physician in patients’ care suffering from ophthalmic disorders. The knowledge gained during this course will enable the students to take an appropriate ophthalmic history, and perform an accurate primary care ophthalmic examination with an ability to diagnose and appropriately manage acute and common ophthalmic conditions, as well as to properly manage other ocular diseases. The students will be able to develop a sense of the importance of visual impairment and disability. They will also be able to assist the implementation of national programs for the prevention of blindness and rehabilitation of the visually impaired.

Course Description:

The Internal Medicine course deals with introduction to clinical presentations of various medical disorders. In this clerkship year, basic facts about common disorders in various systems of cardiology, infections, neurology, gastroenterology & endocrine systems are covered including diagnosis of common clinical disorders and their effective management including drug therapeutics. The basics of radiological principles, modes of imaging and their clinical applications, interpretation of various common imaging tools such as x-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans related to common clinical disorders as well as basics in dermatological pathology, pharmacology, common skin disorders such as infections, various dermatitis, auto immune skin diseases, and common skin malignancies such as squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, are also covered. Nutritional disorders of skin and evaluation management of all common skin diseases are given special emphasis.

Course Description:

General surgery, as a specialty, deals with a wide spectrum of diseases affecting the human body, which requires an intervention in majority of cases. This undergraduate course per se deals with the knowledge of human body, pathophysiology of diseases, diagnosing surgical diseases and the basic surgical skills required to practice as a primary care physician in the community. Being a major undergraduate course, it has been divided and spread over 3 Years (MD Year 4, 5 & 6) of the total 6-year MD program. Year 4 focuses on Basics in Surgery and GI system while Year 5 & 6 introduces Surgical Sub-specialties. Anesthesia & ICU is also included in Year 6 training. The specific learning outcomes are separate for each year. The year 4 course introduces students to the basic surgical concepts of wound healing, wound infections, shock & hemorrhage, i.v. fluids and peri-operative care of surgical patients. This forms the foundation of surgical teaching. These concepts are further reinforced when various gastrointestinal disorders, breast diseases and common skin diseases are introduced. The clinical clerkship in the hospitals provides the most vital learning resource in the form of patients for surgical care. During this clerkship, students attend General Surgery department and learn and apply the 4 main domains of clinical training: Communication skills, Physical examination skills, Procedural skills and Interpretation & clinical reasoning skills. The Skills lab is used to train students on manikins before they can assist/perform a skill on real patients (under supervision).

Course Description:

Orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders. Study of orthopedics will help students to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies required as primary care physician in patients’ care suffering from orthopedic trauma, bone and joints infection, metabolic bone diseases, joint disorders, tumors, skeletal anomalies and regional orthopedic disorders.

Course Description:

The term "clinical decision making" is generally used to describe a systematic way to study and analyze data and clinical algorithms to decide on a best course of action in practice. The goal of this course is to develop an effective practitioner, making clinical decisions using systematic proactive approaches by integrating experience, awareness, knowledge, information gathering, using appropriate assessment tools and evidence-based practice to help guide in dealing with the uncertainties of healthcare decisions as well as to develop an attitude of shared decision making with patients and to foster and promote research in medical decision making. The content of the course is shared by 5 specialties i.e. Internal Medicine, General Surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.

YEAR V

Course Description:

In this clerkship year, etiology, signs, symptoms, clinical features and management of cardio-vascular diseases, renal, hematological and respiratory disorders are the main focus. Here the students will learn and apply the 4 main domains of clinical training: Communication skills, Physical examination skills, Procedural skills and Interpretation & clinical reasoning skills.

Course Description:

The year 5 course exposes the students to the subspecialties of surgery; Urology and Neurosurgery. Emphasis is on the basic principles involved in the management of common Urological and Neurosurgical disorders. General surgical topics like hernias and hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery is also part of the course. During year 5 clerkship, students attend Urology, Neurosurgery & General Surgery department and learn and apply the 4 main domains of clinical training: Communication skills, Physical examination skills, Procedural skills and Interpretation & clinical reasoning skills. The Skills lab is used to train students on manikins before they can assist/perform a skill on real patients (under supervision).

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to expand students' basic science knowledge to provide an introduction to those aspects of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health care that are essential to all physicians. It will enable them to provide primary health care to all female patients in a pregnant and non-pregnant state as well as help them to make appropriate and timely referrals.

It includes reproductive organs, physiology of reproduction, physiology of pregnancy and antenatal care, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, physiology of labor, Rh negative mother, post-dated pregnancy, preterm labor, medical disorders complicating pregnancy (Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease),Puberty, normal and abnormal sexual development, endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases and contraception The training in Obstetrics and gynecology will be divided between clinical exposure of five weeks of clinical clerkship and experience (in the outpatient department, operating room, labor room and wards), didactic sessions covering core subjects and skill sessions (to simulate and practice, interpretation and psychomotor skills). It will enable the students to understand the common diseases and health concerns of the female population. Lectures and active learning sessions encompassing these core subjects have been chosen to meet this broad clinical goal.

Course Description:

This course in pediatrics will enable the students to acquire the basic knowledge of normal and abnormal growth and development (physical, physiologic, psychosocial), and its clinical application from birth through adolescence, and to provide basic health care for individuals in the Pediatric age group (neonates, infants, children and adolescents).The students will be able to comprehend the clinico-pathological basis of nutritional disorders as well as vitamin and mineral deficiency states, explain the pathophysiologic basis of fluid therapy, electrolyte balance and acid-base disorders as well as understand the principles of use of accines, demonstrate knowledge of common infectious diseases and application of IMCI chart. They shall be able to explain the pathophysiological basis of genetic, immunologic and psychosocial issues in children and demonstrate knowledge of common genetic, immunologic and psychosocial disorders.

The clinical clerkship in pediatrics is for five weeks in fifth year of MD course. This will provide students with an appropriate background covering the common and important Pediatric diseases including emergencies and enable the development and application of appropriate professional attitudes, communication and problem solving skills.

Course Description:

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Mental health affects the individual's ability to function, to be productive, to establish and maintain positive relationships, and to experience a state of well-being. As Socrates said “It is impossible for the part to be well, if the whole is not well”.

Study of Psychiatry will help medical students to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies required as primary care physician in identifying common mental health problems independently or as part of other physical illnesses for initial management and appropriate referral. Besides this, all medical practitioners need skills in communication and forming empathy and the ability to counsel that are learnt in psychiatry.

The principle objective of Psychiatry teaching for medical undergraduates is for students to be able to take a comprehensive psychiatric history and mental state examination, acquire a systematic approach for making diagnosis using information from the clinical assessment and justify their preferred and differential diagnoses. It will also help to indicate, in broad terms, how to manage and treat a person with a psychiatric disorder paying attention to the biological, psychological and social aspects of treatment and tailoring their recommendations in the light of the information they have obtained for delivering best practices.

Course Description:

The main goal of the course is to provide students with an insight into the organization, delivery of health care services in the community especially at Primary health care. It will provide students with an insight into the different national health problems such as communicable and non-communicable diseases with a special emphasis on lifestyle related diseases, nutritional problems, their epidemiological features, prevention and control. Due emphasis is given to maternal and child health, occupational health, environment and health.

The goal of the community medicine clinical clerkship is to expose students to an intense clinical experience at the first level of care. This will enable students to care for patients located in rural and urban areas and those who are medically underserved both in outpatient and inpatient settings. Multiple opportunities are provided to the students for improving their competency and especially the skills of caring and comforting patients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds in community, educate them on matters related to health.

Course Description:

This course in Infection Control will enable the students to acquire the basic knowledge about infections and their management. It introduces learners to the basic principles of appropriate antibiotic use, demonstrate how to apply these principles to the management of common infections, and outline how to develop and maintain an antimicrobial stewardship program.

YEAR VI

Course Description:

In the final year of the clerkship, poisoning, occupational health hazards, geriatric problems and their management along with etiology, signs, symptoms, clinical features and management of various autoimmune, nutritional, neurological, endocrine and metabolic disorders and emergencies are covered.

Course Description:

The year 6 course aims to prepare the students for their internship. Basics learnt in the previous years are re-emphasized, and other subspecialties of surgery like Vascular, Pediatric and Cardiothoracic surgery are introduced. Management of trauma and Emergency general surgical patients is also covered here. Anesthesia and critical care form part of the year 6 course, and basics of various anesthesia techniques, monitoring during and after anesthesia are taught. Management of critically ill patients including ventilator and inotropic supports are touched upon. Students attend 2 clerkships in year 6 (one in General Surgery and another in Anesthesia), wherein the focus is more on peri-operative care of surgical patients.

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to expand students' basic knowledge of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health care. It will enable them to provide health care to all female patients in a pregnant and non-pregnant state, recognize complications, provide essential first aid in emergency as well as help them to make appropriate and timely referrals.

It includes malpresentations and positions, twins, fetal growth abnormalities, infertility, common gynaecological disorders, different types of benign and malignant lesions of uterus, cervix, ovary, vulva and vagina, diseases of the urinary system, Hysterectomy and other surgical procedures in the genital tract, menopause, ultrasound in obstetrics and common drugs in obstetrics and gynecology.

Course Description:

This course in pediatrics will enable the students to acquire the basic knowledge of normal and abnormal growth and development (physical, physiologic, psychosocial), and its clinical application from birth through adolescence, and to provide basic health care for individuals in the Pediatric age group (neonates, infants, children and adolescents). At the end of year VI, the students will be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in management of common pediatric respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, rheumatologic, endocrinal and central nervous system disorders.

This will provide students with an appropriate background covering the common and important Pediatric emergencies and diseases and enable the development and application of appropriate professional attitudes, communication and problem solving skills.

Course Description:

The term "clinical decision making" is generally used to describe a systematic way to study and analyze data and clinical algorithms to decide on a best course of action in practice. The goal of this course is to develop an effective practitioner, making clinical decisions using systematic proactive approaches by integrating experience, awareness, knowledge, information gathering, using appropriate assessment tools and evidence-based practice to help guide in dealing with the uncertainties of healthcare decisions as well to develop an attitude of shared decision making with patients and to foster and promote research in medical decision making. The content of the course is shared by 4 specialties i.e. Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology.