Anyone interested in going to medical school may wonder what it's like. They may feel prepared for medical school and want to dedicate their life to medicine. Naturally, they wonder what to expect. As people currently in medical school and the medical profession may say, there will be challenges from the start. The first two years of medical school taking place mainly in the classroom setting are no exception.
Basic Science Courses
A medical school curriculum can vary from one institution to another, but the general format is similar. The first year consists of courses pertaining to the human body in its natural healthy state while the second year deals with the diseased human body. All serve as a basis for transitioning to the clinical environment.
Gross anatomy is the prime introduction to the human body. From textbooks as well as cadavers, students learn the layout of the body with intense detail. There are also courses in physiology to learn the functioning of tissues and organs, histology to understand tissues at the microscopic level, embryology to learn about prenatal human development, and neuroanatomy to understand the details of every part of the brain. Because knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry is also necessary, medical school may touch on these subjects even if they were already introduced at the college level.
In the second year, students take a pathology course to understand all diseases at every angle (i.e. grossly, histologically, etc.). There is microbiology to understand the characteristics of and diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. There is pharmacology to know the mechanisms of action and effects of all known FDA-approved drugs. Immunology is taught at this time and usually alongside microbiology. Because of the vast amount of material taught, these courses generally last longer than the first-year courses, generally the entire academic year.
Other courses may be incorporated into either year, including medical ethics, epidemiology to learn statistical methods, and genetics. Medical schools may differ in the required miscellaneous courses that they offer.
Clinical Medicine
Since the purpose of medical school is to train new doctors, students would be enrolled in a clinical medicine course that generally spans the two years. This teaches one how to take a patient history and perform a physical exam. The history involves interviewing the patient and asking questions, from the details of the patient's symptoms to past medical conditions and current medications. The physical exam allows the clinician to check out the patient from head to toe. The student learns what to see, what to feel, and the use of instruments like the stethoscope, reflex hammer, and opthalmoscope.
Once the student masters both sets of skills, they are put into practice through interaction with real patients. Concurrently, students are taught how to write the history and physical exam information into an organized report as well as subsequent progress reports detailing new findings and the daily management plan. Most importantly, students are given opportunities to make diagnoses from case studies and enhance critical thinking skills.
Standardized Testing
Of note are the required licensing examinations. Assuming the student is enrolled in a U.S. medical school, the United States Medical Licensing Examination is required for all future doctors. It is a series of three tests, or Steps. USMLE Step 1 is done usually before starting the third year of medical school and is a multiple-choice exam that tests knowledge from the first two years of medical school.
Final Words
The level of commitment and studying required upon entering medical school is said to be very challenging and intense. However, one can be successful in overcoming these obstacles if he or she is truly a dedicated scholar.
References
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Curriculum Directory
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
