Health Sciences Calendar
2005 - 2006

3.3.10 Courses for the Degree of M.D.,C.M.

Four years of medical study in the University leads to the degree of M.D.,C.M.; an additional period of postgraduate training is necessary for licensure.

While the Faculty's administration exercises a general supervision of arrangements for postgraduate applications, the Faculty of Medicine does not assume the responsibility for providing residencies for students.

Educational Goals of the Curriculum

The primary focus of the undergraduate program is to teach and help the students apply core knowledge, skills and attitudes required of a medical professional. The program will emphasize the fundamental sciences and scientific methodology as pillars of medical knowledge. It will promote and provide opportunities for participation in research and other scholarly activities contributing to the development of new knowledge. It will nurture and enhance an understanding of the meaning of, as well as the personal qualities and values essential to the Physician as Healer and Professional. It is the goal of this school to train professionals who will apply scientific principles throughout their career and who will be able to meet the most stringent international standards of the medical profession.

The student must understand normal and abnormal biological structure and function; normal and abnormal psychology and behaviour; the biological, social, psychological, cultural, environmental and economic determinants of health and illness; the ethical, professional and legal responsibilities in medical practice; and the conceptual framework for interdisciplinarity. The student must acquire the basic clinical skills to assess and manage patients of all ages: these include communicating effectively with patients, families and colleagues; obtaining a comprehensive clinical history; performing a physical examination; performing routine procedures appropriate to the setting; and initiating appropriate investigations and treatment plans (preventive, acute, chronic, intensive, rehabilitative and palliative). The student must solve problems, make decisions, and address ethical dilemmas in the clinical context. The student must demonstrate an ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary approach to patient/family centered care, and assume a leadership role when appropriate.

The student must demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and scholarship, develop the skills to search, retrieve, manage and appraise biomedical information, and be able to evaluate the design and results of medical research. The student must behave with commitment, integrity, honesty and compassion.

Upon completion of the medical undergraduate program, the graduate will be able to function responsibly in a supervised clinical setting at the level of an undifferentiated physician. A detailed description of the goals and objectives can be found on the Undergraduate Medical Education Office Web site www.medicine. mcgill.ca/ugme.