University of Virginia (School of Medicine)

FIRST YEAR : FOUNDATIONS In the first year, students develop an understanding of normal human biology and its relationship to the practice of medicine. Instruction in physiology, histology, genetics, biochemistry, anatomy, and neuroscience present the scientific core of the physician's knowledge base. At the same time, the students' advancing scientific knowledge is integrated with clinical applications in the Practice of Medicine-1 course. The course is taught in small groups of six students with two faculty members. Students interview patients in hospitals and in other health care settings and learn to take patients' histories and conduct physical examinations. During the first or second semester, students are placed for 30 hours of service learning with a community organization as part of the Social Issues in Medicine course. Students learn about the social, economic and cultural context of the practice of medicine and identify and understand the interrelationships between the socio-cultural environment and the occurrence, prevention and treatment of disease. Students also identify and begin to nurture the values that characterize a humanistic practice of medicine and an ethic of service. First year students are also involved in the Patient Clinician Encounter Program where they work individually with clinicians and patients in clinics and the hospital. In the new Cells to Society Curriculum, the Foundations Program ends in April, and there is a May Term which begins the Core Systems Program. After the May Term there is a summer break. Many students participate in a research project during the summer period. COURSES : * Cells to Society * Practice of Medicine I * Anatomy * Cell and Tissue Structure / Physiology * Biochemistry * Medical & Molecular Genetics * Neuroscience * Human Behavior * Clinical Preceptorship * Social Issues In Medicine SECOND YEAR : CORE SYSTEMS The coordinating theme of the Core Systems Program is provided by the problem-based course, Practice of Medicine-2. This course consists of clinical case studies which students solve in weekly small group tutorials of six students led by physicians. During the year, students also work on a one-to-one basis with physicians to develop their skills in taking medical histories and conducting physical exams. Other courses such as pathology and pharmacology are coordinated with the Practice of Medicine-2 to emphasize the clinical correlations between medical science and medical practice. The organization of this course is by organ systems, i.e., pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, neurological, infectious disease, endocrinology. COURSES * Practice of Medicine II * Pharmacology * Pathology * Microbiology * Intro to Psychiatric Medicine * Clinical Epidemiology THIRD YEAR : CORE CLERKSHIPS The third year is devoted to clinical training. Students take 40 weeks of core clerkships in medicine, ambulatory internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, psychiatry, neurology, and obstetrics and gynecology. There is extensive direct contact with patients, and students work with a well-balanced patient population, which includes primary, secondary, and tertiary care. Teaching is related to the patient on rounds and in small tutorial seminars, lectures and group discussions. Emphasis is given to the principles of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the continuing integration of clinical medicine with medical sciences and the psychological factors which influence health. Students work in small groups and rotate among many clinical services, gaining practical experience under supervision in the wards and outpatient clinics of the University of Virginia hospital, the Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, Western States Hospital, and Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. The teaching programs at the affiliated hospitals allow students to observe the practice of medicine in multiple settings and gain exposure to a somewhat different spectrum of illnesses than that seen at the University of Virginia Two months of clerkships are devoted to ambulatory and family medicine and students work individually in physicians offices in medical practices throughout Virginia. In addition, students return to the university during their clerkship month to participate in workshops taught by UVA faculty such as Information Mastery, Motivational Interviewing, Point-of-care Clinical Problem-Solving and EKG reading. COURSES : * Internal Medicine * Ambulatory Internal Medicine * Surgery * Pediatrics * Family Medicine * Psychiatry * Obstetrics/Gynecology * Neurology FOURTH YEAR : SELECTIVES AND ELECTIVES The selectives and electives program in the fourth year allows students to pursue their own interests. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students choose clinical rotations, basic science and humanities courses, and research activities. Clinical rotations are available at sites in Salem, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Fairfax, and Charlottesville. Programs are tailored to meet individual interests and needs, including a selection of programs in other domestic and foreign settings, in appropriate community medicine programs, or in other activities of suitable educational merit. In the new Cells to Society Curriculum, there is additional time for students to explore career opportunities to help them decide on specialties and residencies. Two courses, Basic Science for Careers and U.S. Health Care System are provided in the Selective and Electives program and are required for all 4th year students. COURSES : * Selectives in Subspecialties: - Internal Medicine - Surgery - Psychiatry - Obstetrics/Gynecology * Advanced Clinical Elective (ACE) * Electives * U.S. Healthcare System * Basic Science for Careers

SPONSORS advertise here?

School name: University of Virginia (School of Medicine)
Address: PO Box 800793-McKim Hall
Zip & city: VA 22908 Charlottesville
Phone: 434-924-5118
Web: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/education-research/medschl.cfm

---

Back to: » Virginia medical schools » Medical schools

Sponsored by: » Italian language » Learn Italian