INTRODUCTION

The School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia was established in 1979. The enrolment of the first batch of 64 medical students started in 1981. The school initially operated in the main campus in Penang. Beginning in 1983, the school moved in-stages to the new branch campus in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. By 1990, the whole medical school was based in Kubang Kerian Health Campus. The Health Campus is fully equipped with up-to-date teaching, research and patient care facilities. This is in accordance with the primary aims for its establishment to produce doctors and medical practitioners to meet the nation's needs as well as to upgrade the medical services of the country.

In addition to the undergraduate medical (MD) programme, the medical school also offers Masters of Medicine (M.Med), M.Sc and PhD in most of the medical related specialities.

The School of Medical Sciences has three main functions, which are :-

(a) Teaching

(b) Research

DOCTOR OF MEDICINE DEGREE (MD) PROGRAMME

In general, the course is based by a multi-disciplinary learning system. One of the uniqueness of the School of Medical Sciences is an integrated-based teaching and learning system with an emphasis on problem-based learning. This curriculum emphasizes the patient as a human being in the context of family and community. It aims to raise awareness about medical responsibility to the community in a broader context, as well as leadership roles in the health care and continuing medical education.

1.1 PHILOSOPHY

The concept of a competent medical practitioner envisaged by the School of Medical Sciences is a doctor who is at the time of graduation is equipped with a spectrum of medical knowledge and skills, which can be used in solving the problems of individuals and society.

The Programme Educational Outcomes of MD Programme are:

(a) Graduates are competent to practice professionally ensuring patient safety in services as a medical practitioner.

(b) Graduates have the potential to pursue post-graduate education to qualify as experts and/or academics.

(c) Graduates have skills in doing research, management of multiple resources and involvement in community at national or international level.

The Programme Learning Outcomes of MD Programme outlines that by the end of the programme, graduates should be able to:

(a) Comprehend the basics of medical science knowledge in patient management and care.

(b) Perform history taking, clinical examinations and procedures to achieve clinical diagnosis for patient management.

(d) Practice effective communication skills to patients, community and healthcare personnel in patient management.

(e) Demonstrate interpersonal skills, social responsibilities, teamwork and respect to religious, cultural and social backgrounds in patient care.

(f) Demonstrate professionalism and ethical values towards patients, relatives and healthcare personnel to ensure patient safety.

(g) Demonstrate intellectual ability, life-long learning and self-development as a medical practitioner.

(h) Demonstrate managerial skills and entrepreneur mind to manage resources in health care.

(i) Demonstrate responsibility and leadership roles in health care team and community.

(j) Demonstrate information and communication technology (ICT) skills and digital applications in medical and health practice.

(k) Demonstrate basic analytical and research skills in medical and health practice.

1.2 CURRICULUM

Medical Doctor Degree program takes five years. The curriculum is of integrated system and is based on problem solving and community oriented. The program is divided into two phases:

Phase I - First and Second Year
Phase II - Third, Fourth and Fifth Year

The two phases are structured based on spiral concept in order to ensure a close relationship between Phase I and Phase II. Teaching and learning activities during Phase I, which is the first level of the spiral, will be enhanced and reinforced during Phase II. The spiral concept enables the school to execute the philosophy of vertical and horizontal integration. This innovative curriculum has been planned based on the in-depth research on the problems which exist in other medical schools in the world as well as the development in the world of medical sciences.

The basic education strategy practised in the School of Medical Sciences can be summarized as “SPICES”. The “SPICES” curriculum model in this context means:

S - Student-Oriented

P - Problem-Based

I - Integrated

C - Community-Oriented

E - Electives

S - Spiral & Systematic

This well-known SPICES model to signify modern medical education was used as an educational strategy in PPSP since its establishment 40 years ago. To address the significant and rapid changes in the medical school curriculum, health care, and technology advancement, SPICES 2.0 has been introduced as the educational strategy to nurture future-proof doctors. Unlike the original SPICES, in SPICES 2.0, the letters are used with different meanings to show development:

S = Simulation-based preparation for practice

P = Portfolio Based Monitoring

I = Individualized workplace learning

C = Competence-based, and value-based medical education

E = Electronic media and online support

S = Structured workplace-based assessment & sustainable medical education

INTRODUCTION

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