curriculum

[justadude]

Greetings,
Please expain why Spartan's curriculum is so different than most of the other Caribbean schools. It appears to be congested with alot of systems/specialties in 3-4 sems. Is this appropriate? Are these classes helpful in step 1? DO the systems courses integrate patho, Pharm...or are they just system review of Physio. Any info would be appreciated. again thanks :?

[mindprobe]

I heard through the everpresent, but sometimes inaccurate Spartan grapevine that the curriculum will be changed shortly to more closely resemble that of other Caribbean schools and that a fifth semester will be added. I also heard that the fifth semester will include a Step 1 review much like what is already occurring at AUC. From my own experience, the Step 2 classes were not very much help (I had to relearn this material later anyway) and detract from the time that should be spent on Step 1 material.

[shockandawe]

Basic sciences at USA medical schools are a total of 4 semesters, same like Spartan and unlike AUC, Ross, SMU, Saba, which offer a fifth semester review, thus taking into account the weakness of the caribbean student and of their programs to pass step 1.. According to the ECFMG, the IMG pass rate for step 1 is 55%. These schools, whether they want to admit it or not, fall somewhere between 45 to 65% pass rate... Yet, most claim a pass rate above 80% and even as high as 90%...

But I do NOT agree with a fifth semester!!!! Why? Because NONE of these schools, neither Spartan nor SMU nor AUC nor Ross nor sgu can do it better than the Kap. review course!!!! This is a fact.. Kap. flies in the best USA professors from USA medical institutions, from all around the country to come to teach at their review course and they charge about 3 thousand bucks for the course with the books included. How can Spartan or Saba or Ross compete with that??? -s&a

[microphage]

AUC uses Kaplan video lectures, AUC just plays the tapes and voila, instant Kaplan. :roll:

[mindprobe]

I would like to clarify my statement by saying that as of now Spartan has a curriculum of 4 semesters of Basic Sciences that includes classes specifically designed with Step 2 material in addition to others that include the basic Step 1 material. I believe that they are considering changing to a curriculum that contains mainly Step 1 material and will exclude such classes as Geriatrics, Anesthesiology, and Surgery, or they will just incorporate this material into other classes where appropriate (for example, placing material from Ophthalmology into Anatomy and Neuroanatomy). The disadvantage of the current curriculum, in my opinion, is that there are too many exams. The Step 2 classes are primarily 20 credit hour classes with only one exam, so that increases the stress factor. All in all, emphasis should be placed on the core Step 1 classes (we all know them: Biochem, Anatomy, Micro, etc.) and less emphasis on Step 2 material.

I hope that answers your question.

[drmonkey]

Yeah, I agree no need a fifth semester at spartan ,Kaplan is better, its just waste of money and time in st.Lucia.

[Kirst]

most current students here on the island disagree with the addition of fifth trimester. after all, one of the 'better' aspects of spartan basic sciences curriculum is getting off the island 4 months earlier and having the fifth trimester to yourself to utilize as you wish, whether it be studying on your own or taking review course which certainly beats staying on campus for so called 'comprehensive' review- cheaper and proven.

while we believe more extended coverage of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology will be helpful, we also find that many of the courses in third and fourth trimesters follow the clinical trend in USMLE 1. i actually feel as though i can integrate the materials and relate them clinically better after immense exposure to clinical vignettes in the lectures and in the exams of third and fourth trimesters.

all in all, there are pros and cons to the set up of basic sciences at spartan, but personally i have no serious complaints surprisingly.

god i'm just glad i get to go home in 3 months and adios island life!

[ZAATARI]

I agree with Krist that its better to go back home,spend 4 months at review course at home and you should do just fine,I believe most other schools has extra semesters for financial gains,I applied to 8 States medical licenses and Spartan meets all of them[32-36 months of medical education],regarding preperations for boards its all up to the students,I taught in 2 US med schools and students relied on review courses and not classroom notes,afterall med schools are not a review course institutes ,its mission to prepare you well for long term successful careers,they can provide some basic foundations but you must go with the experts[like Kaplans...]
What Spartan get to concentrate on is State licensure approvals especially CA ,yes its only one or few states that are difficult but from my experience if a patient file a complaint against non ca approved schools the lawyers will use this as powerful tool against such defendants["the doctor not even qualified to practice in CA"they will say],so regardless what will take for CA review and approval ,it must be done.

[shockandawe]

The sad part is that when you go to take the review course, who do you think you are going to find taking the course??? Most of them are from ross, sgu, AUC, etc.. Not only do they over-charge, but they also add an extra semester and yet they still end up needing the review course... US medical schools require a total of 4 semesters of basic sciences. Why do the carib schools have to add an extra semester? Do they really think that they can do it better than Kaplans review course?? Obviously not but its all about the money. -s&a

[shockandawe]

What Spartan get to concentrate on is State licensure approvals especially CA ,yes its only one or few states that are difficult but from my experience if a patient file a complaint against non ca approved schools the lawyers will use this as powerful tool against such defendants["the doctor not even qualified to practice in CA"they will say],so regardless what will take for CA review and approval ,it must be done.

Even though SMU and Saba do not have CA approval, we have to give them credit for, at least, trying.. And who knows, maybe they will eventually get it... Current Spartan students need to demand more action!!! -s&a