American MD program

American MD program in Tbilisi State Medical University

As a result of a bilateral cooperation, the American MD Program (Doctor of Medicine Degree Program) was established in 2013 at Tbilisi State Medical University. The program was developed and implemented based on a joint project between Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), and Emory University School of Medicine (ESOM, Atlanta, USA). The program was developed in detail with the input of representatives of Emory University School of Medicine. Among others, a special commitment to the project was shown by Prof. Kenneth H. Walker (In 2000 he was rewarded as The Best Professor in Internal Medicine in USA), Prof. Gordon Churchward (Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Assistant Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs, one of the authors of current curriculum at Emory University), Dr. Mary Jo Lechowicz.

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Tag: Health Care, Medical Education, Patient Care.

Title of the Educational Program

American MD (USMD) Program

Level of the Higher Academic Education

One-Step Educational Program

Qualification to be awarded

Medical Doctor (MD)

Program Volume/Credits

360 ECTS Credits (1 ECTS credit – 30 hours)

Duration of the Program

6 Academic Years (12 Semesters)

Language of the Study

English

The Structure and Content of Medical Doctor Program

Highlights of the MD Program:

• The program is in English, which increases the degree of competitiveness of the graduates worldwide;
• It considers the elements of general university education - the program includes a set of humanities subjects: In the medical 3 education field of Georgia, since its foundation this is the only program which includes teaching of disciplines such as the History of civilizations, Art history, World literature, etc. All these disciplines are integrated taking into account the so-called "Axis of Time" and are under the umbrella of the humanities module "Mankind creativity".
• The program is integrated - integration is achieved throughout the basic, preclinical and clinical disciplines of both horizontal, vertical and spiral principles.
• The program structure provides the training to pass two steps in the US Medical License Examination. In addition, on the basis of the agreement between TSMU and Emory University, any student of the American MD Program, which will pass the first level of USML exams during the course, has the potential to participate in clinical rotations at Emory University Medical School.
• A strong research component that comprises a significant portion of the curriculum, which involves students in basic science, epidemiology or clinical medicine, health care organization, and other areas of medicine. Graduates have the experience of completing a research project, writing an academic paper, and acquiring presentation skills.
• Longitudinal development of clinical skills, ethical and professional attitudes in the course of Becoming a Doctor.
• A robust and structured support system for students: each group (10-12 students) has a small group advisor – mentor, coordinator, who helps the student during the full course of the program, starting from the process of adaptation to the academic environment and providing academic and career development counseling.
• The extracurricular part of the program is the projects "Summer at Emory" and "Winter at Emory", which was initiated by Emory University to encourage program students. This project is implemented twice a year and aims to introduce the American medical education and healthcare systems to TSMU students. The project is 4 weeks long and students have opportunity to attend the current Emory classes (lecture, seminars), as well as the daily clinical activities in various US clinics.

Aims of the Educational Program

The strategic goal of the American MD (USMD) program is to train internationally competitive and competent, highly-skilled physicians 4 having the knowledge, ability, and behaviors required for postgraduate training and specific training courses in the health professions, while being inspired to develop compassion, curiosity, tolerance and commitment to patients and society, dedication to life-long learning and an understanding of the vital role of research in healthcare.

More detailed purposes of the program are presented below:

• Provide students with up-to-date medical knowledge;
• Ability to apply deep and substantial knowledge of biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical sciences and fundamental principles of medical fields in high quality patient care.
• Appropriate, relevant and effective diagnosis, management and emphasis of patient health problems with effective patientcentered care.
• Effective communication applying interpersonal and professional communication skills
• Participate/cooperate in improving public health effectiveness through patient and population-centered effective care that a student provides in accordance with current professional and ethical values within the existing/current legislation.
• Independently obtain, critically analyze and apply scientific and clinical innovation to deal with clinical problems of societal importance.
• Continuous improvement of one's activities/enterprise and professional development based on the principles of continuous professional development.

The program's goals are achieved step by step during the program's implementation.

Requirements/Prerequisites to the Program

Persons who have a high school or equivalent education have passed the Unified National Admission Exams and have the relevant certificate are eligible for admission to the American MD Program. Also, admission requirements include results from Unified National Admission Exams, in prioritized subjects with their appropriate grades predetermined by the university. The required grade for the English language for Georgian citizens is 85% + 1, in the Georgian language – 75%+1, and in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics – 75%+1.

The right to study without passing Unified National Exams on the program is determined by the Law on Higher Education - Article 52. Paragraph 3. Specifically:

Due to support prospective students' and students’ needs formability, studying in educational institutions without passing Unified National Exams is governed by the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia in a predetermined period. Students eligible for National Exam waiver must belong to one of the following groups:

(a) Foreign citizens and non-citizens who have received full high school or equivalent education abroad;

(b) Georgian citizens who have received full high school or equivalent education abroad and completed the last 2 years in an Englishspeaking country;

(c) Persons who study/studied and have accumulated ECTS credits from a foreign country’s high educational institution recognized in accordance with the country's legislation.

Enrolling in the program through the mobility process is permitted after completing one academic year of study. Mobility is possible twice a year, in the periods established by the Ministry of the Education and Science of Georgia, with compulsory procedures approved by the Act of the Director of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement and in accordance with the rules established by the University

Learning Outcomes

Sectoral competencies

Sectoral Knowledge:

• Knowledge of biomedical, behavioral, social and clinical sciences;
• Knowledge of medicines and the principles of their prescription;
• Awareness of the doctor’s role in the maintenance and promotion of public health;
• Knowledge of ethical and legal principles.

Sectoral Skills:

The graduate should be able to:

• Carry out a consultation with a patient
• Assess clinical presentations, order investigations, make differential diagnoses, and negotiate a management plan
• Providing first aid in emergency medical situations (First aid and resuscitation measures)
• Drug prescription
• Conducting Practical Procedures
• Communicate effectively in a medical context
• The use of Ethic and Legal Principles in Medical Practice
• Evaluation of psychological and social aspects regarding patients’ disease
• The use of knowledge, skills and principles based on evidence
• Use information and information technology effectively in a medical context
• Ability to apply scientific principles, method and knowledge to medical practice and research
• Implementation of health promoting events, engage with public healthcare issues, efficient performance within the healthcare system
• Professionalism

Areas of Employment

Areas of employment of Medical Doctors are:

• Medical practice as a junior doctor. Junior doctor works under the supervisor of a senior doctor.
• Academic and scientific activities.

In Georgia, by the Law of Georgia On Medical Activity (Article 17), a person (citizen of Georgia or of a foreign country) who graduated from an accredited higher medical institution and obtained a relevant diploma has the right to:

Take the post-graduate professional training (clinical residency) course in particular medical specialty and after successful passing unified certification examination, obtain the license for independent medical practice in this particular specialty;

Undertake research and pedagogical practice in the theoretical or other fields of health care;

Work as junior physician (junior doctor). Junior physician works in a university hospital, clinic or other approved medical institution and is supervised by a clinical tutor.