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In the 2016/2017 academic year, GAU added the Undergraduate Medical Doctor (MD) Program, which is designed to meet the challenges of training competitive and highly qualified doctors of tomorrow. The GAU Undergraduate MD Program integrates basic science and clinical experience with comprehensive theoretical study and independent research throughout the years of medical school.
The Medical School seeks to attract students who are passionate to improve the health of the world's people through Innovation, leadership and research. GAU Undergraduate MD Program provides education in clinical and biomedical sciences along with study and independent research. The program is flexible and designed to accommodate the unique interests and goals of students.
GAU Medical School meets recognized standards of excellence in education with modern facilities to explore, practice and achieve the highest standards in professional skills. The program is designed to take advantage of students’ preferred approaches to learning. Issues of medical ethics are integrated throughout the six-year curriculum, and an extensive computer network provides access to the latest computerized teaching tools and the internet. Students gain essential knowledge and skills through a variety of learning methods that are directly associated with how they will be practically applied throughout their careers. Interactive classes foster creative problem-solving skills and teamwork. Clinical opportunities are available throughout Georgia, preparing students for medical practice.
The program provides invaluable insight and feedback throughout the entire 6 years that help improve the learning process.
Programme Structure:
To complete the Undergraduate MD program at Georgian American University (GAU), students must earn 360 credits.
The Undergraduate Medical Doctor program is designed to meet the challenges of training competitive and highly qualified doctors for the 21st century. During one academic year students accumulate 60 credits, i.e. 30 credits per semester, however, depending on the student's individual schedule, the number of credits per year can be either more or less than 60, but not more than 75.
The program consists of 4 phases:
Phase I - "From Cell to Body"
Years 1 and 2 - Introduction to core body systems, biomedical science, social and behavioral medicine, medical ethics using different teaching methods including PBL. Students learn key practical skills (interviewing patients) in clinical settings.
Phase II - "Mechanism of Disease"
Year 3 - with the main emphasis is on Pathology and Pathophysiology of diseases. Students start mastering in physical diagnosis. They are introduced to General Pharmacology and General Surgery. This year students are trained in diagnostic thinking through case discussions related to different topics of medicine, integrating their knowledge and preparing for understanding clinical subjects next years.
Phase III - "Clinical Medicine"
Years 4 and 5 - Students learn main clinical subjects - Internal Medicine (system-based), Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Otorhinolaryngology. In parallel, they are continuously trained in the Clinical Skills Lab and clinical settings.
Phase IV - "Preparing for Practice"
Year 6 (graduation) - during the graduating year students have clinical attachments mastering 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).
The main features of the GAU MD curriculum are:
Partly Integrated core curriculum implying both vertical and horizontal integration;
Increasing the number of electives over the years of study;
A body-system approach - integrated system-based courses address the major body systems;
Courses of Problem- and Case-based learning;
Spiral model of the curriculum that allows reviewing key basic topics in more depth;
Early exposure to clinical settings and mastering clinical skills throughout 6 years;
Longitudinal research skills teaching;
Social and public health including Medical ethics, Behavioral medicine, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Evidence-based Medicine, Health Law, Healthcare management;
Student-oriented approach implying the increasing role of independent study;
Relevant assessment methods based on Miller's pyramid model including traditional (oral/written) examinations, MCQ testing, OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and portfolio;
Meeting requirements set out in Global standards of undergraduate medical education of World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).