Medical Doctor Program

Undergraduate MD Curriculum is partly integrated, system-based, having both horizontally and vertically integrated disciplines.

The spiral model implies reviewing basic subjects during senior years of study in-depth and in close correlation with clinical subjects.

MD Program comprises 4 phases:

Phase I – Human Body Structure and Function (I-II years)

The foundation Phase covers fundamental concepts about the structure and function of the human body, the main concepts of biomedical sciences. During the first two years of study students will start learning with Introduction to the structure of the Human Body, Gene, Cell and Tissue, Scientific reasoning, Clinical and Professional Skills (Communication and Procedural skills, Medical Ethics), Medicine, and Society. These integrated modules will be taught using different teaching-learning methods and activities (interactive lectures, role-playing, practical work, working in simulation Lab, etc). Students learn key practical skills (interviewing patients) in clinical settings. Simulation engages students in experiential learning; students use virtual dissection to investigate regional anatomy of clinical cases and manage high-fidelity mannequin case scenarios related to the regional anatomy. PBL (problem-based learning) sessions are delivered as longitudinal courses for 2nd-year students.

Phase II – Mechanisms of Health and Disease (III year)

During the Second Phase (preclinical year) the main emphasis is placed on Introduction to Clinical Medicine (Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Skills), basic Pathology, and Pharmacology. This Phase focuses on the most common symptoms and signs of diseases that best illustrate basic principles. Students start mastering physical diagnosis. This year students are trained in diagnostic thinking through case-based discussions related to different topics of medicine, integrating their knowledge and preparing for understanding clinical subjects next years. In the Professional Development longitudinal module, they are engaged in clinical problem solving using different clinical scenarios (clinical reasoning course) emphasizing thoughtful analysis and synthesis of information and its clinical application.

Phase III - Core Clinical Clerkships (IV-V years)

During the 4th and 5th years, students learn main clinical subjects (clinical rotations) - Internal Medicine (system-based), Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, ENT, etc. In parallel, they are continuously trained Clinical and Professional Skills comprising professional behavior in Clinical Skills labs and clinical settings. These modules are taught in clinical settings (Ambulatory settings and in Hospitals). At the end of each clerkship students pass the integrated exam (OSCE).

Phase IV – Advanced Clinical Clerkships (VI year)

Year 6 (graduation) - during the graduating year students have clinical attachments mastering and gaining necessary competencies in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Infectious Diseases, Family Medicine, Ophthalmology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine. According to integration principles and spiral curriculum requirements, they revisit basic subjects (Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Genetics). Students work in small groups and are assigned to a variety of clinical activities in various inpatient and outpatient settings oriented to prepare graduating students for their future specialization in residency. By the end of the year, students pass the final integrated exam (OSCE).

MD program mandatory credits – 332 ECTS

MD program elective credits - 28 ECTS (14 ECTS – elective courses of a major field of study, 14 ECTS - Elective/free courses)

Elective courses of the major field of study: Pain Management, Medical Management, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Allergy Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Precision Medicine, Clinical Technologies, Sexual Medicine, Narcology.

Generic Competencies

Knowledge and Understanding

The graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the field-specific subjects, theoretical principles, and research methodology used in the medicine;
• Critically approach new information;
• Analyze and integrate different information and make relevant conclusions that serve as a basis for further self-development.

Skills

The graduates will possess the following skills:

• Ability to resolve complex problems in a multidisciplinary team using the latest information;
• Conducting research using appropriate and updated methodology;
• Usage collected information in his/her professional activities;
• Time-management skills - effectively plan the resources related to expected activities and to be responsible for the work done;
• Usage the full spectrum of education and information resources;
• Participate in meetings and communicate own opinions verbally and in writing;
• Following the ethical and legal principles in the context of medicine, be able to protect the rights of the patient;
• Conduct negotiations within a professional context and participate in conflict resolution with any person, regardless of its social, cultural, religious, or ethnic background;
• Communication with colleagues and patients following the principles of justice, social and democratic values.

Responsibility and Autonomy

The graduates will be able to:

• Adapt to working in a team;
• Effectively plan the resources related to expected activities;
• Be responsible for the work done;
• Understand the necessity of staying up-to-date with self-learning;
• Lead a team as well as professional subordination/adaptation and utilization of new knowledge.

Field-specific competencies

• Field knowledge;
• Consulting patients;
• Assess clinical presentations, order investigations, make differential diagnoses, and negotiate a management plan;
• Providing first aid in emergency medical situations;
• Drug prescription;
• Performing Practical Procedures;
• Communicate effectively in a medical context;
• The use of Ethical and Legal Principles in Medical Practice;
• Evaluation of psychological and social aspects regarding patients’ disease;
• The use of knowledge, skills, and principles based on evidence-based medicine;
• Use information and information technology effectively in a medical context;
• Ability to apply scientific principles, methods, and knowledge to medical practice and research;
• Implementation of health-promoting events, engagement with public health care issues, efficient performance within the health care system;
• Professionalism.

According to Georgia current legislation, a graduate of one cycle MD program is not allowed to run the independent medical practice, she/he can get be employed as a junior doctor, implying performing the duties of a doctor according to the instructions and under the supervision of an independent medical practitioner (The Law of Georgia on Medical Practice, Article5).

A graduate holding a higher medical institution diploma have the right to:

• Complete a postgraduate training program (residency) to acquire the right to perform an independent medical practice after passing a state certification examination;
• Carry out research (Master, Ph.D.) and teaching activities in the theoretical fields of medicine, or other fields of health care that do not imply an independent medical practice (The Law of Georgia on Medical Activity, Article 17).