The internal medicine department is given in four modules, beginning in year two of the course with the final module being offered in year five. During this period the student progressively grasps a body of scientific knowledge on the individual disease causality, epidemiology, natural history of frequent or rare but life threatening medical conditions, the clinical presentation of each disease, its diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and rehabilitation. The student, through shadowing a physician, gains competence in professionalism, clinical reasoning and executing the necessary clinical skills expected of a newly graduated doctor. The modules emphasize on evidence based medical practice, integration of prior knowledge of basic sciences, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology and laboratory medicine.
It emphasizes on the establishment of direct, one-to-one physician-patient relationships, the process of social communication, and the performance of physical examination based on competent use of professional skills and introduces students to different diseases that affect the human resulting from different aetiological causes. This course acquaints students with the aetiology, pathogenesis, natural history, treatment and prognosis of disorders of respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, endocrine disorders, neurological disorder; disorders of the lymphoreticulartisses and locomotor system; haematological conditions, cancer and other growths; ageing and development; organic dysfunction, or injury. This course also acquaints students with clinical signs and symptoms of various diseases and the patho-physiological explanation of those signs and symptoms. Students will develop professional skills and experience in conducting a medical interview, examining adult patients, preparing patient record and presenting the findings to clinical faculty.
