All basic sciences to medicine including anatomy and molecular science, biochemistry, human genetics, immunology, microbiology, physiology contribute to the curriculum as do the clinically applied basic sciences of pathology, pharmacology and community health sciences. Clinical departments including anesthesia, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery are also involved. The basic concepts of health and disease include prevention and care and introduce the concept that the physician is a member of a multi-disciplinary team that practices patient centred care in the hospital and community. The diagnosis of disease and its investigation is introduced. The benefits of improvements in living, in particular nutrition, as well as the principles of therapy and surgery are addressed.
Prevention of illness is emphasised.
The burden of illness and the identification of the causes of illness is examined. The basic skills necessary for the clinical encounter, particularly communication with patients, are taught. Students will visit patients to learn the effect of illness on their lives. The ethics of medical practice, that are the foundation of the behaviour expected of physicians, and a brief history of medicine is presented. Students will be exposed to varied ethnic, cultural and social experiences so as to acquaint them with the diverse qualities of human beings in our community.