Clinical medicine is a crucial part of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program and takes place in the second half of your medical studies. This segment of the medical curriculum lasting from semesters six to ten is aimed at developing practical skills in students before entering the residency program.
The Basic Science Program which is studied during the initial semesters prepares a student for the clinical medicine program by providing them with the foundations in basic theoretical subjects. This foundational knowledge is useful while taking the USMLE Step one examination as well as during the clinical rotations in various hospitals.
As clinical rotations take place during the final part of your MD program, you must qualify with a minimum GPA for all basic science semesters to join the clinical medicine program. So, what do you need to know about clinical medicine before you start medical school?
What is clinical medicine?
Clinical medicine is all about gaining practical experience through working in hospitals under the expert guidance of doctors. Basic science teaches you the theoretical aspects of healthcare, diseases, and medicine which you should apply in your clinical rotations. During clinical rotations, you will be allowed to interact directly with patients, understand their ailments, and diagnose and suggest treatments for them.
Clinical rotations last for about 72 weeks in most medical schools. Out of this, 42 weeks are dedicated to core rotations and 30 are for elective or specialized rotations. Core rotations deal with topics such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, and gynecology. Elective rotations allow you to choose subjects according to your preference and interests in line with your career goals.
The roadmap to clinical medicine
The roadmap to clinical medicine is pretty simple. The first step is applying to any medical school of your choice and securing admission. For this, you must fulfill certain eligibility criteria such as completing the prerequisite coursework, proving your proficiency in the English language through a TOEFL certificate, attending the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and submitting the necessary documents.
The recommended coursework is one year each of general biology or zoology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and English. The chemistry coursework must include mandatory laboratory sessions to gain some understanding of the procedures.
Once you fulfill the criteria, you will look to gain admission to a medical school of your choice. Before the clinical medicine program, you must attend basic science classes and lectures from semesters one to five accompanied by regular examinations.
Some students also prefer to take the USMLE Step one examination by the end of the second year so that they have the basic science lessons fresh in their minds. Once you score the minimum GPA set by the institution in each of the basic science semesters, you will be qualified to attend the clinical medicine program from semester six.
Clinical medicine is a challenging period in the life of a medical student. So, prepare a study plan and stay organized to put yourself in the best position to succeed. What awaits you at the end of this journey is your dream career as a doctor.
