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What is exactly taught or done in medical college?

Applying for colleges as an undergraduate, wanting to go to medical school afterwards

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Doc’s Answer

MEDICAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM
In medical school, students primarily learn about the basic sciences of the human body, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and genetics, during the preclinical phase; followed by clinical rotations where you'll gain hands-on experience with patients in various medical specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics/ gynecology, learning how to take patient histories, perform physical examinations, and develop essential communication skills while applying their foundational knowledge to diagnose and treat diseases.

MEDICAL SCHOOL PREREQUISITES
The medical school admissions process is very competitive. Admissions committees want to accept applicants who they are confident will succeed in their programs and become successful physicians. To get into medical school, you'll need to meet several requirements, including:
☑️ GPA: A strong GPA is a common requirement, most medical schools won't accept a GPA lower than 3.0. To be competitive, you should aim for a GPA of 3.7 or higher.
☑️ MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test is a standardized exam that assesses your knowledge of scientific, behavioral, and social science concepts. The average MCAT score for accepted applicants for med school is between 510 and 520.
☑️ PRE-MED COURSES: You'll need to complete pre-med courses, including one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics in college.
☑️ EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: You should include extracurricular activities, such as clinical experience and volunteer work, on your application for med school.
☑️ LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: You'll need to submit letters of recommendation for med school.

IN CONCLUSION
While there is little mystery regarding what it takes to get into medical school, getting into medical school is hard, in fact, that over 60% of applicants fail being accepted into medical school programs they apply to. In other words, most applicants don’t get in anywhere. Therefore, there is little room for error with the admissions process and it’s important that you achieve at the highest levels you’re able, with regard to academics and extracurriculars above.
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Dr’s Answer

Hey Ifra! 😊

Medical college (also known as medical school) is a bit of a rollercoaster—think of it as the ultimate ride of knowledge and skills! Here's a breakdown of what’s typically covered:

Basic Sciences (Years 1-2): You'll dive into the foundation of medicine with subjects like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and microbiology. Imagine memorizing bones, muscles, organs, and how the body works—it's a crazy mix of memorization and application.

Clinical Skills (Years 2-3): Once you’ve got the basics, you’ll start learning how to apply that knowledge in a clinical setting. You'll practice taking patient histories, performing physical exams, and understanding diagnostic tests. Your first few encounters with real patients might feel like a mix of exciting and nerve-wracking, but that’s part of the learning process.

Specialized Fields (Year 3-4): As you go deeper, you’ll rotate through different specialties like surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more. You’ll get a hands-on feel for what each specialty is like, and you'll likely find some areas you’re more passionate about. It’s like speed-dating different medical careers! 😅

Clinical Rotations: In later years, you’ll spend time working in hospitals and clinics, where you get to apply everything you've learned on real patients, under the supervision of doctors. You’ll be involved in diagnosing, treating, and managing patient care.

Long Nights & Exams: Don't forget about exams! Med school has tons of them. Midterms, finals, OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Exams), and more. The key is to study smart and sleep when you can—though not always as much as you’d like. 😴

The Personal Growth: You’ll learn not only the science but also how to be empathetic, communicate with patients, and make decisions under pressure. By the end, you’ll have developed a deep understanding of what it means to be a doctor—it's more than just knowledge; it’s about connecting with patients and handling responsibility.

It’s intense, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly rewarding! The journey to medical school and beyond can be challenging, but if you’re passionate about helping others and love learning, it’ll be totally worth it. Best of luck as you embark on this path! You've got this! 🌟
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Shelia’s Answer

A smart move might be to choose a college that offers a biomedical sciences program. This major will expose you to most of the diverse subjects you'll need to tackle in medical school. You'll need to shine in your studies, take up leadership roles and clock in hours at a hospital, clinic or doctor's office. My daughter, for example, worked as a medical scribe during her undergrad degree. You'll also need to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and aim to score 510 or higher. It's a good idea to apply to several medical schools. The application process involves writing a top-notch personal statement, securing letters of recommendation, completing both a primary and secondary application, and acing an interview. Hopefully, you'll get multiple interviews where you'll have the chance to impress and stand out from the crowd.

Once you're accepted into medical school, you'll spend two years learning everything there is to know about the human body and how to diagnose patients (actors). Then, you'll spend the next 2 years on clinical rotations. You'll need to pass Step 1 to start your third year and Step 2 for your fourth year. Passing the medical boards is crucial to kick-start your residency. Here's wishing you all the best on your journey!
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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Ifra!

What is exactly taught or done in medical college?

1. Overview of Medical Education

Medical education typically consists of several stages, including undergraduate education, medical school, and residency training. The focus here will be on what is specifically taught during medical school, which usually lasts four years.

2. Structure of Medical School Curriculum

Medical school curricula can vary by institution, but they generally follow a similar structure divided into two main phases: the pre-clinical phase and the clinical phase.

Pre-Clinical Phase (Years 1-2):

Basic Sciences: Students learn foundational subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and genetics. This knowledge is crucial for understanding human health and disease.
Clinical Skills Training: Early exposure to clinical skills begins with courses in communication skills, physical examination techniques, and patient interaction. Students often practice these skills on standardized patients (actors trained to simulate real patients).
Ethics and Professionalism: Courses on medical ethics cover topics like patient autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and the physician’s role in society.

Clinical Phase (Years 3-4):

Rotations: Students participate in clinical rotations across various specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and family medicine. Each rotation typically lasts several weeks to months.
Hands-On Experience: During rotations, students work under the supervision of attending physicians and residents. They engage in patient care activities such as taking histories, performing physical exams, diagnosing conditions, developing treatment plans, and sometimes assisting in surgical procedures.
Electives: In their final year of medical school, students often have the opportunity to choose elective rotations that align with their interests or intended specialty.

3. Assessment Methods

Throughout medical school, students are assessed through various methods:

Examinations: These include written tests (multiple-choice questions), practical exams (OSCEs—Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), and oral exams.
Clinical Evaluations: Performance during clinical rotations is evaluated through direct observation by faculty members who assess students’ clinical skills and professionalism.

4. Additional Components

In addition to formal coursework and clinical training:

Research Opportunities: Many medical schools encourage or require students to engage in research projects during their studies.
Community Service/Outreach Programs: Some programs incorporate community service components where students provide healthcare services or education to underserved populations.
Interprofessional Education: Increasingly common is the integration of interprofessional education where medical students learn alongside nursing students and other healthcare professionals to foster teamwork in patient care.

5. Conclusion

Overall, medical college provides a comprehensive education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills essential for becoming a competent physician. The curriculum is designed not only to impart scientific knowledge but also to develop critical thinking abilities necessary for effective patient care.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:

1. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
The AAMC provides detailed information about medical education standards in the United States including curriculum structures for accredited medical schools.

2. Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
The LCME outlines accreditation standards for U.S. medical schools which detail required educational components necessary for training future physicians.

3. World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO offers insights into global health education practices including competencies expected from graduates of medical schools worldwide.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

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