Definition:
It is the study of diseases and their treatments to help improve an individual’s life. Or the study of the science or practice of medicine or treating or preventing illnesses. Medicine is an art and a science of prevention and cure of diseases. When acquired, equips a person to become a competent health professional. To pursue a career in medical science, it makes you become a medical scientist. To provide promotional, preventive, and curative services to meet the health needs of a nation and a global community.
Some Institutions Offering Course in the World
1. University of Ghana, Legon (Ghana)
2. University of Cape Coast (Ghana)
3. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana)
4. University for Development Studies (Tamale-Ghana)
5. University of Cape Town (South Africa)
5. Cairo University (Egypt)
6. University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
7. University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
8. University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
9. Ain Shams University, (Egypt)
10. University of Pretoria, (South Africa)
11. Mansoura University (Egypt)
12. Alexandria University (Egypt)
13. University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
14. Makerere University (Uganda)
15. Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)
16. University of Nairobi (Kenya)
17. University of Zambia (Zambia)
18. University of Oxford
19. Harvard University
20. University of Cambridge
21. Imperial College London
22. University of Toronto
23. Karolinska Institute (Sweden)
24. University of Bristol
25. University of Chicago
26. Northwestern University, etc
Course Content:
The School of Medical Science trains students to become Doctors. It is a six-year program, comprising of B. Sc. (Medical Science) and MB. ChB. Just like any course, medicine is comprehensive. It includes anatomy, medical biochemistry, physiology, chemical pathology, hematology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, clinical rotation, community health, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, medicine, and child health, just to mention a few. One can specialize in any of the above-mentioned depending more on one’s interest and national demand. After graduating as a doctor, you take a residency course.
The course is divided into three main sections;
- Basic Science which includes: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.
- Para-clinical Sciences, which is made up of Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Hematology.
- Clinical Science which includes: Surgery, Medicine/Therapeutics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry, Community Health, Child Health.
All graduates intending to become doctors go through all these courses after which anyone can come to specialize in any of the above mentioned branches.
Some Inter-Institutional Differences
The University Of Ghana Medical School: The University of Ghana Medical School has four institutions under it. These are:
- The School of Medical Science
- School of Allied Health Science which offers the main course leading to the award of degrees or diplomas in courses such as Physiotherapy, Echography, Medical Laboratory.
- Dental School
4. School of Public Health.
At LEGON you have to read a science-based course i.e all the possible combinations in Senior High School and apply for Biological Sciences.
Selection to the next stage is purely on merit. 600 students are admitted into Biological and Bio-mathematical Sciences where 85 are admitted as regular students into the medical and dental schools, based mainly on merit and an interview as stated earlier. That is, at Legon, one is not admitted to this school at Level 100, but rather into the Faculty of Science (Biology option).
After one year when you meet the requirements then you can apply for the school. This is more like you are given another chance after your Senior High School final examinations to justify your inclusion.
The course content at Legon is as follows:
First Year: General entry into Biological Science from Senior High School. This depends on the Senior High School results and the University requirements at the time of entry. The minimum aggregate admitted in the 2009/10 academic year was 14. After the first year, several students are selected for the Medical School and this also depends on merit (grade point Average) and an interview. After admission, you undergo two years of Para-clinical (Basic Sciences) studies.
This is followed by three years of clinical studies.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
The School of Medical Science at KNUST has three main divisions:
1. Division Of Basic Medical Science: Under this division we have:
- Department of Anatomy
- Department of Physiology
- Department of Molecular Medicine
- Department of Pathology
- Department of Medical Microbiology
2. Department Of Behavior/Guides: Division of Clinical Medicine includes:
- Departments of Surgery
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Department of Child Health
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
- Department of Community Health
- Department of Radiology
3. Faculty Of Allied Health Science:
- Department of Nursing
- Department of Sports and Exercise Sciences
- Department of Medical Science
- Department of Laboratory Technology
Research Centre: Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research and Tropical Medicine (KCCR). In Senior High School one needs to read science-based courses. For KNUST you have to read biology, physics, chemistry, and elective mathematics.
Moreover, due to the direct admission into medical school, the competition is very keen and 90 applicants are taken out of a possible 500 to 1000 applications based mainly on the extremely good performance of aggregates of 06 & 07. In 2009/10 the minimum aggregate admitted was 7.
On admission one goes through the following systems:
- 3 years Para clinical
- 3 years clinical
University of Development Studies
There is direct entry into medical school based mainly on your senior high school results and an interview. Admission is based on very good grades from senior high school normally between aggregates 06 and 07.
After admission to medical school, you will do: a.
- 3 years of Para-clinical (Basic Sciences)
- 3 years of clinical which is pursued at either Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology or University of Ghana due to lack of clinical facilities
University of Cape Coast
Unlike the other universities, this is strictly fee-paying for now and admits senior high school students into the six year medical program.
Opportunities For Further Academic And Professional Development:
Post graduate programmes are run, leading to the award of Diploma, Master of Science, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the specific areas. These are mainly to enable them to specialize or to become research fellows or lecturers.
Formal Employment Opportunities:
Medicine is a professional course with a high demand in the market. There are quite several hospitals without doctors, not because they do not have the facilities but because there are not enough doctors to fill up all the empty spaces. So as a matter of fact more doctors are needed around. Once you are a doctor you can be employed by the government to work in the newly built regional hospitals, the district hospitals, or any state owned hospital. Also, you can be employed in private hospitals.
In fact Graduates from the college have valued job possibilities in the health and health related sectors. These include: Pharmaceutical Industries and Research Institutes, Government or Private Hospitals and Clinics, Fitness Clubs, etc. Graduates may also opt for Lectureship or to be a Graduate Assistant.
This profession is a lifelong one, you practice till you die. It comes with no “retirement”.
Self-Employment Opportunities:
After completing two years of internship, graduates can put up their own clinics and hospitals, work as consultants, set up their own NGOs or work in partnership with NGOs to champion a course.
Graduates may also work as Adult Education Coordinators, Exercise Equipment Designers, Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Specialists, Youth Program coordinators, Exercise Psychologists, Fitness club managers, Pharmaceutical sales representatives, etc.
Programs and subject combinations required for admission:
Core English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Elective Mathematics.
Special Advice to those Who Want to do Medicine:
They should be good in biology, chemistry, physics and elective mathematics and aim at an aggregate below 8. Everything good comes by hard work and discipline. This course looks tedious, very involving and time consuming. But let me tell you this; it comes with job security- there is no fear of a thought like “I’m going to lose my job”.
Financial security is assured and your pay is enough to take care of you and your family. Part-time jobs are available for additional income. Furthermore, there is prestige attached to this profession, which means a great deal of social recognition and respect. Who doesn’t want to be recognized – everyone wants to. Self-development comes with the profession and one will be exposed to a lot of opportunities to do that. You have the opportunity to go places, see things, and meet people.
Special advice to graduates from this course who are looking for employment:
To succeed in life one has to know him/herself. Know your weakness and strength, what you stand for and against. Every job is important so far as it is done well. For a quick job, they should apply to the Ministry of Health and the Private Health Centres.
Next, we’ll explore other programs. Don’t miss our upcoming topics – subscribe now!”
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