Curriculum for Students

YEAR 1

YEAR 1 – SEMESTER 1

(18 Weeks = 17 Credits = 51 Credit hours):

YEAR 1 – SEMESTER 2

(18Weeks = 18 Credits = 54 Credit hours)

YEAR 1- SEMESTER 3 (6 Weeks = 7 Credits = 21 Credit hours)

YEAR 2

YEAR 2 – SEMESTER 1

 (18 Weeks = 19 Credits = 57 Credit hours)

YEAR 2 – SEMESTER 2

 (18 Weeks = 19 Credits = 57 hours)

SUMMARY OF BASIC SCIENCES / PRE-CLINICAL COURSES

Year 1 – Semester 1:

Cell Biology (3 credits)  

This block will form the foundation for the preclinical medical sciences as well as for all the systems that will follow. This block will lay the groundwork for preclinical medical sciences, in general, and for all of the systems that will follow.

It will explore the structure and function of organelles continuing into tissues showing the continuum from the relevant basics of molecules to the system level and include considerations for evidence-based decision making.

The course material will be presented via a combination of interactive live lectures and active small group discussions guided by facilitators.

Human Development (Embryology & Histology) (4 credits)

This course provides an introduction   to embryology, gametogenesis, fertilization,  and the development of the embryo from zygote to neural tube formation continuing to the development of organ systems (nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, urogenital, and digestive systems. The course also outlines the development          of sensory organs (eyes and ears). The laboratory exercises are integrated into the lectures to ensure an excellent hands-on experience for the students. The students will also study the microscopic structure(histology) and function of human cells and tissues that make up the organ systems. The organization of cells and tissues are correlated with diagnostic imaging (e.g., electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry) of normal and pathologic tissues. At the end of the course the students will have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of the development of and the microscopic anatomy of the human body. Congenital malformations associated with given organ systems will also be discussed.

Molecular Medicine – Foundation course (3 credits)

The course will discuss the organisation and major features of the human genome, including replication, gene expression, epigenetics and the role of non-coding RNA. It will also explain the consequences of mutations and polymorphisms, inherited diseases and molecular aspects of major common diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, vascular and coronary disease. Infectious diseases and treatment, applied bioinformatics, drug development and use of stem cells and organoids will also be addressed as well as the impact of genes, inheritance and environment on disease.

Musculoskeletal System/Skin (3 credits) 

The Musculoskeletal system will commence the students’ study in this organ system-based curriculum. This 3-week course brings together the basic science principles of the muscular, skeletal and integumentary systems, their blood and nerve supply allowing students to gain knowledge of the locomotor system as support, stability and movement to the human body along with the application of this knowledge.

The course covers the gross anatomy and radiology disciplines with clinical correlations as they relate to the: head, neck, the vertebral column, upper & lower limb, and back.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 1 (2 credits)

In this course students (in groups) learn how to interview patients, do physical examinations on patients. The students will learn these skills in the Simulated patient Lab where they are taught with standardized patients. They will then progress to individual sessions under supervision from attending physicians where they practice patient interviewing and physical examinations.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2 (2 credits)

Students will also be introduced to the study of community and public health, primary health care, epidemiology and treatment of diseases (non-communicable and communicable) on a global basis. They will study the social determinants of health, health equity, social justice, and governmental policy and their impact on the distribution of health services and health outcomes in low-resource settings within their and internationally.

Year 1  – Semester 2

Haematology (3 credits)

The students will learn the basics of haematopoiesis including the requirements for haemoglobin production with respect to dietary needs and enzymes. The structural features of the blood cells and their role in the maintenance of blood cell integrity. The processes required to stop bleeding including the formation and dissolution of clots. Blood typing and transfusion processes and how they impact disease processes. The structure and roles of the white blood cells.

Respiratory System (4 credits)

The structure and function of the Respiratory system will be covered in this course which will also focus on the biomedical significance of haemoglobin and the primary function of respiratory system to obtain transport and supply oxygen to the cells, and to remove carbon dioxide from these cells. The students will learn the functions and anatomy of the muscles of respiration, the functions of the various parts of this system as they relate to alveolar ventilation, mechanics of respiration, gas diffusion and transport, lung perfusion, combined ventilation and perfusion, acid-base balance and the non-respiratory functions of the lung. The control of breathing and the changes that occur in respiration during physiologic stress, high altitudes, diving, and during sleep will also be studied

Neuroscience 1 (3 credits)

This course will cover the structure and function of the Peripheral nervous system including the Autonomic Nervous System

This course forms the foundation for the Neuroscience 2 course offered in year 2 of the programme which will delve into the Central Nervous System and its neuropathology and psychopathology.

Cardiovascular System (4 credits)

In this course students will study the structure and function of the human cardiovascular system. They will learn about the  heart as the driving force for blood flow and delivery of nutrients to the body, macro-circulation and a micro-circulation of blood, lymph within the blood and lymphatic vessels: anatomic and physiologic considerations, interactions between the cardiovascular and other organ systems in the integration of functioning of the body as a whole (gastrointestinal, nervous, endocrine systems) to understand the delivery of nutrients to all organs, the coupling blood flow and neural signaling, cardiovascular changes to body stresses and heart failure.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 3 (4 credits)

This system integrates the disciplines of Pathology, Pharmacology and Microbiology building on the foundational knowledge acquired in the disciplines of Physiology, Histology and Immunology for the Haematology, Respiratory, Neuroscience 1 and Cardiovascular systems.

It will include a study of red blood cell disorders with a focus on anaemias as well as platelet and bleeding disorders. This will be integrated with therapeutic approaches to anemias and the role of hematinics and hematopoietic growth factors. The emphasis then shifts to non-neoplastic and neoplastic disorders involving white blood cells followed by disorders of the thymus and spleen. It also introduces the principles of neoplasia and anti-cancer drugs.

The module provides an overview of the abnormal processes and diseases that can affect the structure and function of the respiratory passage: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders, obstructive lung diseases, restrictive lung diseases, vascular diseases, pulmonary infections, lung neoplasia.

This course will discuss with impaired defences, introduction to microbes and microbial pathogenesis, the basic biology of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and how it relates to microbial pathogenesis, together with principles of antimicrobial therapy

Students will learn about the diseases of the cardiovascular system and will formulate a pathophysiological explanation for presenting symptoms and signs related to cardiovascular diseases, interpret electrocardiograms, develop a differential diagnosis, and make a plan for further diagnostic evaluation and/or management.

Year 1 – Semester 3

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 4 (3 credits)

Students will learn to analyze the challenges facing the health and human rights issues specific to immigrant, migrant, internally displaced, and refugee populations. They will understand the specific needs of vulnerable populations including the medically underserved and uninsured, demonstrate knowledge of effective advocacy strategies for health systems improvement within the global context Governance (Health Systems, Economics, Ethics, etc.). They will learn about the burden of Disease (Child Health, Women Health and the health of other vulnerable populations, Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, etc.)

Biostatistics and Epidemiology (4 credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to basic concepts of epidemiology and biostatistics. They will learn to identify health-related problems or phenomena in communities and describe their epidemiological distribution and possible determinants, basic measures of morbidity and mortality and learn to calculate them.

Students will learn and apply appropriate statistical methods in health data analysis; organize and present analyzed data in logical and meaningful ways. The importance of basic concepts and principles of public health surveillance systems, including screening programs, in monitoring the health status of a population will be reviewed.

The course will describe and discuss the concept of disease outbreak and its detection, investigation and control and explain how epidemiological studies contribute towards the overall health and well-being of population groups and communities.

Year 2 – Semester 1

Neuroscience 2 (5 credits)

The neuroscience module will study the structure and function of the CNS, the cranial and spinal nerves, and the neurophysiology of sleep and hearing, vision, speech.

The course emphasizes the relationship between the gross organization of the Central Nervous System (CNS), its subdivision into specialized regions and the corresponding perceptions of sensory information, intracranial fluids and pressure, neurotransmitter systems and the nervous system control of behavior, pain, touch, spatial distribution and memory.  In this course the student will also learn about the anatomy and function of the Special senses i.e. vision, hearing, taste, smell and balance.

Gastrointestinal System 1 (4 credits)

This course looks at what happens to food from entry into the body to its transformation into energy, storage and building blocks needed for growth, renewal and daily functioning. It will also cover the elimination of undigested and unutilized food as waste.

The detailed relationship of structure to function of the various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, the innervation to effect motility, vascularity and the neurohormonal signals needed for the food transport, digestion into simpler and their absorption. The structure of the anterior abdominal wall, its divisions (quadrants etc) and the significance to the clinician with respect to several gastrointestinal ailments will be discussed.

The students will also study of the accessory organs of the GIT: the liver, gallbladder and pancreas and how they contribute to the digestive process and the conversion of food into energy or storage, including the regulation of energy stores in starvation and fasting

Renal System (4 credits)

The student will learn the basic structure and function of the renal system, including both the upper and lower urinary systems and the biochemical significance of kidney tubular processes and dynamics.

Students will learn the key functions of the Renal System: the production and storage of urine, the excretion of metabolic waste products, the maintenance of Blood Pressure (BP). The endocrine functions: regulation of calcium and phosphates, red blood cell formation through erythropoietin release will also be studied.

Introduction to Clinical Medicine 4 (6 credits)

This course covers the physical mental & social wellbeing of the patients. It will look at the impact of technology and climate change in Medicine.

This course will also address disorders of the central nervous system (raised intracranial pressure, developmental disorders, traumatic brain injury, demyelinating disorders, headaches, neurodegenerative disorders, brain tumors), sleep, mood, obsessive compulsive and anxiety disorders, somatic and dissociative disorders, feeding and eating disorders, renal system disorders resulting from abnormal development, genetic mutations, vascular, immune, infectious and intrinsic disease, and their treatment.

Introduction to Medical Spanish course will commence during this module

Year 2 – Semester 2

Endocrine/Reproductive System (6 credits)

This course focuses on the structure, function, and cellular mechanisms in the endocrine and reproductive systems. The role of the endocrine system on the maintenance of homeostasis and regulation of organ systems will be taught. The clinical, cultural, and behavioural aspects associated with various physiological processes are also discussed such as the impact of cultural differences on people’s views of sex, birth control, pregnancy, infant care and feeding and nutrition for a healthy body as a whole.

Principles of Clinical Medicine (6 credits)

This module will focus on aspects of pathology, microbiology, immunology and therapeutics with clinical correlations and application of areas not covered in the Introduction to Clinical Medicine courses. These include the study of disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders,

personality disorders, substance abuse disorders, and sexual dysfunctions. Psychopharmacology, including drugs for mood disorders, antipsychotic drugs including cannabis, opioid analgesics, effects of alcohol on the CNS, and sedative-hypnotics will also be covered.

American Heart Association Instructor Training in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Introduction to Medical Spanish course will be completed.

Integrated Systems Review/USMLE Prep (7 credits)

This course is designed to engage students to integrate all of the knowledge acquired in the Preclinical Sciences courses completed during years 1 & 2 and help in the application of this knowledge to clinical scenarios in preparation for the mandatory National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) – Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE on the Island) and the USMLE STEP 1.

The course will take the form of interactive review lectures by experts from multiple disciplines with the inclusion of integrated clinical cases and problems, to remind the students of relevant concepts (of Anatomy, Behavioral Science / Epidemiology / Biostatistics, Biochemistry and Genetics, Microbiology/Immunology, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology) and fostering their integration skills.

CLINICAL TRAINING 

ACADEMIC YEARS 3 & 4 is GCCR – GRADUATE CLINICAL CORE ROTATION period. 

• YEAR 3: CORE ROTATIONS (Concentrated clinical training)

• YEAR 4: ELECTIVES and SUB-INTERNSHIPS

The Clinical Years – Year 3 and 4 of academic years comprises a total of:

• Two years
• 82 weeks
• 80 Credits
• 240 credit hours of rotating through clerkships in the Clinical Sciences at BIMS SOM-HP associated teaching and participating hospitals principally in the United States, Jamaica, wider Caribbean and Asia.

These rotations are assigned by the Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs.

In the Years 3 and 4, while doing clinical rotations; students will also attend scheduled didactic sessions at assigned hospitals.

CLINICAL ROTATIONS / CLERKSHIPS / PRECEPTORSHIP

During these YEAR 3 AND 4 students will be required to successfully complete the entire clerkships or preceptorship. 

Each of the clerkship is for a period of four weeks and is defined as one clinical rotation.  Thus, in total it is 82 weeks 

Clinical training is directed toward the field of medicine that are important in clinical practice, for a total of 240 credit hours.

CORE ROTATIONS

YEAR 3 – CLINICAL TRAINING (126 Credit hours)

ELECTIVES & SUBINTERNSHIPS

YEAR 4 – CLINICAL TRAINING (114 Credit hours)

All Electives in YEAR 4:

1. Radiology – 4 Weeks
2. Dermatology – 4 Weeks
3. Infectious Diseases – 4 Weeks
4. Preventive Medicine – 2 Weeks
5. Emergency Medicine – 4 Weeks
6. Haematology and Oncology – 2 Weeks
7. Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Management – 4 weeks
8. Orthopaedics & Rehab – 4 weeks
9. ENT – 4 Weeks
10. Ophthalmology – 4 Weeks

• This listing does not indicate the sequence of clinical courses.

• The core rotation schedules are determined by the hospital at the time students are admitted into the clinical program.

• In general, students complete their core rotations before doing additional requirements and electives.

• Electives listed below are examples of the many options available. Elective choices and schedules are arranged individually by students, in consultation with the hospital administration.

• Hospitals have the option of requiring students to attend an orientation. This orientation can last up to a week and is a non-credit experience.

• Clinical rotations begin in January, July, and October.

• Calendar is subject to change.

GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK

BIMS SOM-HP recognises the importance of integrating the Global Health Track programme as a comprehensive, four-year longitudinal track into its curriculum. 

           1. Global Health has been defined as “the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide” by the Consortium of Universities for Global Health.

           2. Global Health addresses the health of populations in a global context and transcends the political boundaries of nations focusing on social determinants of health, healthcare disparities including infectious and non-communicable disease issues, human rights as well as economic development, and policy and system issues.

           3. The Global Health programme at BIMS SOM-HP is designed to support and guide students gaining knowledge of and developing skills in global health. The aim is to steer students to a subsequent career involving patient care, service, policy making, research and education at a global level.

           4. Students at our BIMS SOM-HP will be introduced to the study of community and public health, primary care, epidemiology and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases on a global basis. The programme has as its themes:

• Governance (Health Systems, Economics, Ethics, etc.)
• Burden of Disease (Child Health, Women Health and the health of other vulnerable populations, Communicable
• Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, etc.)
• Physical Mental & Social Wellbeing
• Technology
• Security (Environment, Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, Intelligence, etc.)
• Climate Change
• Medical Spanish
• AHA BLS & ACLS instructor training
  
  5. The Global Health Track themes are woven into the Introduction to Clinical Medicine courses, the Biostatistics and Epidemiology and the Principles of Clinical Medicine courses during the PRECLINICAL / BASIC SCIENCES programme.

GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK (Basic Sciences Component)

6. The Global Health Track is a Nine (9) Week course, contained within the 2-year PRECLINICAL SCIENCES as:

Four x 2-week blocks (spread before the completion of all the Semesters in Year 1 and 2),
One x 1-week block before the Basic-Science-Integration course and longitudinal coursework during YEARS 1 through 4.

• The course will be conducted by in-house and Adjunct faculty.

• In addition, students will conduct field trips and exercises and are introduced to research methodology.

• Students will also receive American Heart Association instructor training in Basic Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

• Students in the Preclinical Sciences will complete course, “an introduction to Medical Spanish”. (conditions apply)

Stringent regulation:

• A minimum of 100% attendance is required in order to pass each block.
• No credits will be awarded for the course so there will be no effect on the students’ overall GPA.
• But, students will be graded as follows:
  • either a grade of “PNC” (Pass No Credit) or
  • “F” (Fail) accordingly.

NB:

• To facilitate students’ academic success, students who either choose or are required to repeat the term or year during the preclinical years will no longer be able to stay enrolled in the Global Health Track program (GHT) and may not re-join GHT after completion of a repeated semester or year.
• Additionally, students who voluntarily withdraw from the preclinical GHT will not be able to re-join at a later date.

GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK  (CLINICAL SCIENCES component)

This is conducted at BIMS SOM-HP clinical sites in the USA and other BIMS affiliated clinical sites in Jamaica and other associated overseas territories.

1. Upon successful completion of requirements and acceptance by the graduate certificate program admission committee, students will participate in the ICM (1 – 4) – Introduction to Clinical Medicine rotation and the GCCR – Graduate Clinical Core Rotation Certificate Program.
2. After completion of the graduate clinical core rotation (GCCR) certificate program, students attend elective rotations through BIMS SOM-HP and its clinical sites in the US, Jamaica and internationally. Students have the opportunity to join BIMS SOM-HP faculty initiated international relief projects and to deepen their expertise in global health research.
3. The clinical component is supplemented by medical Spanish exposure (conditions apply).
4. 100% attendance is required during the clinical component.
5. At the completion of the program, a student should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of social determinants of health, health equity, social justice, and governmental policy
• in terms of their impact on the distribution of health services and health outcomes in low-resource settings within the United States and internationally
• Analyse the challenges facing the health and human rights issues specific to immigrant, migrant, internally displaced, and refugee populations
• Understand specific needs of vulnerable populations including the medically underserved and uninsured
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective advocacy strategies for health systems improvement within the global context
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with the patient, family, and caregivers with sensitivity to sociocultural and health literacy issues so that the diagnosis and plan of care are clearly understood and pertinent to their specific situation
• Understand the epidemiology of global communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Identify and adapt evidence-based resources and tools for use in limited-resource health care settings
• Interact in a cross-cultural manner sufficient to deliver basic medical care, including working with translators
• Perform an efficient comprehensive physical examination when practicing supervised in an internationally located office, hospital, or skilled nursing setting, being mindful of cultural factors, including gender, modesty, and religious practices
• Use clinical skills to appropriately diagnose and treat patients under supervision in the context of local resource availability
• Select, perform, and interpret under supervision diagnostic procedures within the context of limited resource health care settings
• Formulate a plan of care that is relevant and practical in a specific cultural setting
• Demonstrate understanding of resources and issues pertinent to travel medicine, health risk prevention, health maintenance, and variations in health care services that are specific to international travel
• Discuss treatment plans based on knowledge of global influences, utilizing resources that include local, state, federal, and international agencies, as applicable
• Recognize his or her own practice limitations and seek consultation with other health care professionals and systems resources to provide optimal care within a global context
• Understand the organization, financing and systems health indicators of international health care systems.
• The student should develop attitudes that encompass: Commitment to lifelong learning and contribution to the body of knowledge about global health.
• Recognition of his or her own biases and stereotypes related to health care delivery in international settings.
• The need to balance compassion, humanism, realism, and practicality in the consideration of heath care delivered in specific global settings .
• Respect for dignity and autonomy through self-care and self-determination within a cultural and global context.
• A desire to advocate for systems change to improve the health of the community in which he or she practices

NB:

• Upon completion of the Global Health Track (GHT), completion of requirements of the GCCR – Graduate Clinical Core Rotation Certificate Program and all requirements for graduation from BIMS SOM-HP (including but not limited to passing all in-house and external exams and passing all required courses and clerkships) the student will receive the MD degree and the Global Health Certificate from BIMS SOM-HP as well as the certificate of completion of the Graduate Clinical Core Rotation Certificate Program from our clinical sites.

AWARD OF DEGREE

In order to satisfy the requirements for graduation and obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD degree), a student must:

1. Complete and pass all components of the Preclinical Sciences programme.
2. Complete and pass all components of the Clinical Sciences programme, including all core and elective rotations.
3. Pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK
   a. Students must request the USMLE Certified Transcript of Scores for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK from the ECFMG to be submitted to the Office of the Registrar as part of the degree audit.
4. Fulfil all financial and bursarial responsibilities assuring a “zero” balance.
5. Maintain good standing.