The University of Arizona (College of Medicine)

FIRST YEAR During the first year, Gross Anatomy, Histology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Medical and Molecular Genetics, Physiology and Biochemistry are taught in tandem with two courses that span the first two years. The Preparation for Clinical Medicine course is designed to introduce the student to clinical medicine and clinical skills. To ensure that social, economic, behavioral, ethical and humanistic concerns are integrated into the phase in which biologic knowledge is being learned, the course Social and Behavioral Science introduces a wide variety of topics that influence medical care and its delivery. SECOND YEAR In the second year, the basic sciences of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Pharmacology are introduced, and more sophisticated experiences are provided in the Preparation for Clinical Medicine and Social and Behavioral Science course. This sequence in the first two years ensures that the biologic concepts are grasped by the student and that this knowledge is integrated with concepts of human medicine. The student learns the structure and function of molecules, cells, tissues and organs in health and in disease, the influence of the environment on the human organism, and the effects of medications and drugs. At the same time, the psychosocial influences on health are incorporated into this framework, and the student begins the process of acquiring those skills and attitudes essential to the practice of medicine. All courses include non-lecture instructional components. These units are designed to encourage the students to enhance their problem-solving, analytic and critical-thinking abilities. In addition, medical educational software packages are offered for self-instruction and evaluation, and are part of the regular curriculum. THIRD YEAR The third year of the curriculum is devoted to clinical clerkships, during which the student learns clinical medicine in the various medical disciplines, under faculty supervision and through daily patient contact. The 48 weeks of required clinical rotations are: Medicine (12 weeks); Pediatrics (6 weeks); Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 weeks); Psychiatry (6 weeks); Family and Community Medicine (6 weeks); General Surgery (6 weeks); Specialty Surgery (3 weeks); and Neurology (3 weeks). FOURTH YEAR Currently, the fourth-year curriculum is comprised solely of elective courses and each student is required to take 33 weeks of electives. This year is planned in concert with a faculty advisor, in consideration of the student's career goals, educational needs and learning preferences. Clinical and non-clinical electives are available in a wide variety of disciplines although 18 weeks of elective courses must involve patient care. Each year a catalog of available electives is published and distributed to the students; the number of elective courses from which to choose usually exceeds 300. Upon approval of the faculty advisor and the corresponding department at the College of Medicine, students can take up to 15 weeks of electives in approved programs that are not directly supervised by College of Medicine faculty. As indicated earlier, facilities in the Phoenix area and throughout Arizona are used in the educational programs. It is possible for students to complete their entire third and fourth years in Phoenix. Students may be required to take at least a portion of the required curriculum in the clinical years outside of Tucson. By the time of graduation, students will be expected to demonstrate competency in the following areas: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Graduates apply problem solving and critical thinking skills to problems in basic science and clinical medicine. They draw upon their understanding of the basic sciences, along with their knowledge of normal processes and disease prevention and of disease and therapeutics in order to solve clinical problems. Graduates obtain appropriate histories and perform skillful, comprehensive and accurate patient examinations. They develop appropriate differential diagnoses and patient care management plans. They recognize and understand the principles for managing life-threatening situations. They select, perform and accurately interpret the results of laboratory tests and clinical procedures in making patient care decisions, and use appropriate diagnostic and treatment technologies in providing patient care. Graduates document and present this patient care information in a clear, concise and complete manner. Use of Information Graduates are proficient in the identification, acquisition, critical assessment and synthesis of patient care data and information from the literature in making informed patient care decisions. They are familiar with and use the appropriate informational technologies to gather this information. They also make decisions in light of ambiguous information. Communication and Professional Behavior Graduates demonstrate reliability and dependability; and effective interpersonal, communication and listening skills in their interactions with others, including health care team members, patients and their families. They recognize and make decisions in light of the ethical considerations of medical practice. Graduates demonstrate compassion and advocacy for patients, along with respect for patients� rights and privacy. They also demonstrate through their daily interactions their understanding of the contributions of other health care disciplines and providers to patient care, clinical problem solving, and research questions. Social and Community Contexts of Health Care Graduates understand the physician�s role and responsibilities in promoting the health of the community and the underlying principles of preventive medicine and population-based health care delivery. They encourage patients� health and wellness through patient education. They integrate into patient care the many psychosocial factors that influence health and disease: family characteristics, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, spirituality, economics, education, and nutrition, along with legal, environmental and working conditions. They understand that patients� values, goals and concerns are important considerations in the formulation of care plans. In providing quality health care these graduates consider the economic implications to the individual patient as well as to society. Graduates understand and appropriately mobilize community-based resources and services in planning and providing patient care. Self-knowledge and Lifelong Learning Graduates recognize their vulnerabilities and the limits of their personal knowledge. They remediate inadequacies in their knowledge and skills in order to remain current in both. Graduates appropriately seek assistance for personal issues and integrate the increased self-knowledge into their daily activities.

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School name: The University of Arizona (College of Medicine)
Address: 1501 N. Campbell Avenue
Zip & city: AZ 85724-5018 Tucson
Phone: 520-626-4555
Web: http://www.medicine.arizona.edu

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