Curriculum

[Mr_Docc]

After reading numerous post, i was wondering if the curriculum at MUA is tougher than any other medical school, including US?

What exactly is shelf exams, are these just mandatory at MUA or do you find them at most med school also?

thanks

[gentlegiant]

to briefly answer your question...

The curriculum at MUA is well catered to any student planning on returning to the US or Canada for residency. In my opinion, it is challenging enough to prepare you well for the USMLE step1 examination and definitely parallels most US med school curriculum. As for the shelf exams, they are included in almost every US medical school curriculum as well. It's a great way to test your subject-base knowledge after each semester as they are retired step1 questions from way back. Keep in mind that there are also shelf exams in clerkships also to prepare you for USMLE step2 CK mostly. For that reason, don't count on shelf exams dropping from the curriculum anytime soon. Take care and if you have any further questions don't hesitate to post.


gG

[don1]

I think it is similar. The main difference is that all students in north american medicals are all strong academically, with very few exceptions. There seem to be more of those expections at Caribbean schools, including MUA. These students, although the minority, will find the curriculum at MUA exceedingly difficult, and most likely attribute it to the school being more tougher than other schools; which is reflective of failing students transfering to other schools.

Medical school no matter where you go is tough, the equalizing factor is the step 1.

After reading numerous post, i was wondering if the curriculum at MUA is tougher than any other medical school, including US?

What exactly is shelf exams, are these just mandatory at MUA or do you find them at most med school also?

thanks

[Mr_Docc]

that is true, i did not think of it like that.

thanks!

[Troy314]

Excellent questions!

MUA's curriculum is designed after Saba's (which largely set the standard for Caribbean Medical School Programs). In some ways it is harder than some US schools, because there is a tremendous importance for students coming from non-US schools to have a rigorous educational experience. Classes are laid out logically in a manner that works for the largest variety of students that can be accommodated, and are designed so that everyone has the greatest opportunity to fully master the material. Our belief is that we should be able to enable every admitted student to master the material needed to pass the USMLE and become a fine physician (we don't admit students who don't have the capacity to succeed). Students who can complete the curiculum have learned the material necessary to pass the USMLE.

Shelf exams are standardized exams generated from former USMLE questions. The exams are distributed and scored by the NBME, and allow schools to compare student performance against US students. Most schools in the US that administrate shelf exams do so during the second year of medical school. MUA administers shelf exams begining the first semester of class. Check out the nbme website for more information.

[SPODAT]

as I mentioned in another thread, I am in clinicals right now, THE CURRICULUM IS 2nd to none, with exception that US Med students go to clinic from day 1. Not a lot, but they do.

MUA is now offering more and more clinical experience, and don't make the mistake I did and skip the stuff that is not mandatory, such as the suturing and sterile field club, and Dr. T's rounds, and Dr. R at Alexandra hospital. It's only a few hours a month, but you learn there in a way that does not have to be re studied. And it will put you miles ahead just to know what tocomoter and Fetal Heart Tracings are in Ob, and how to tie a surgeons gown, without getting into his sterile field, in Surgery and OB. The Clin Med class is excellent for everything else, mostly, I think