What is the difference between basic medicine and clinical medicine?
Learn more about the unique differences between the basic science and clinical medicine semesters.
Basic medicine and clinical medicine are terms that are often erroneously interchanged. However, there are many distinct differences between the two.
If you’re an aspiring medical student, you should understand the difference between basic/academic medicine vs. clinical medicine. Read ahead to learn how to differentiate between the two medical branches.
What is Basic Medicine?
Basic medicine involves the study of the basic structure and functions of the human body. You will learn about different aspects of human anatomy along with the type and nature of diseases affecting parts of it. Basic medicine usually precedes clinical medicine and provides the theoretical support for developing essential clinical skills required for a medical professional.
A strong foundation of knowledge in general biology, chemistry and genetics will provide a good foundation for those planning to enroll in a basic sciences program.
Basic Medicine at Saba
At Saba University School of Medicine, the basic medicine curriculum lasts for the first five semesters. It covers all basic medical sciences such as human metabolism, systems and disease, nutrition and the comprehensive human body structure.
Here are the basics of medicine subjects that you will study if you choose to enroll at Saba University School of Medicine.
- Human Body Structure and Function
- Human Histology and Physiology
- Clinical Skills I
- Metabolism and Nutrition
- Genetics and Development
- Infection/Defense/Response
- Medical Ethics
- Clinical Skills II
- Research Curriculum-Evidence Based Medicine
- Neuroscience and Neurology
- Systems and Disease I
- Clinical Skills III
- Behavioral Medicine
- Systems and Disease II
- Systems and Disease III
- Clinical Skills IV
- Systems and Disease IV
- Clinical Skills V
- Foundations of Clinical Medicine
- Research Curriculum-Critical Appraisal
Once you master the basic medical subjects at Saba, you will be eligible to apply to take the Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The USMLE Step 1 exam is considered one of the most demanding professional licensing exams in the medical profession.
The “Foundations of Clinical Medicine” course in the 5th semester at Saba provides comprehensive preparation and a full-length simulated exam experience.
Want to be completely prepared for your USMLE Step 1 exam? Saba’s USMLE Step 1 results are comparable to top medical programs in the USA.
The USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate at Saba stood at an impressive 99% between 2015 and 2020. The Institution is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO), making it the only Caribbean medical school held to high European standards.
The clinical medicine course at Saba is excellent, and also adheres to the high standards of the basic sciences program. Saba graduates have secured residencies with some of the leading teaching hospitals in the USA and Canada.
Learn more about the MD program at Saba.
What is Clinical Medicine?
You may be asking, “what does clinical mean?” Let’s elaborate and answer what does clinical mean in medical terms.
The work of clinical medicine covers an exhaustive study of highly technical medical subjects and a practical experience of medicine. This experience can include direct observations, diagnosis, as well as treatment and management of real life patients. There are all types of clinical medicine.
Clinical medicine involves applying the theoretical knowledge that you’ll have absorbed previously from books and in classes into clinical settings during clinical rotations and residencies. It covers a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s medical status through documentation of the clinical history, and different examinations and investigations. Essentially, the clinical medicine meaning is “hands-on” medical care.
Clinical Medicine at Saba
To further elaborate upon the answer to “what does clinical medicine entail”, let’s go over what Saba University School of Medicine M.D. students experience during the clinical studies portion of the program.
The Clinical Medicine program at Saba lasts from semesters 6 to 10; you’ll then complete your degree and join a residency program. It consists of active clinical experience in the form of the following:
- An 8-week research module
- 42 weeks of compulsory clinical rotations in core subjects like surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry
- 30 weeks of elective clinical rotations based upon the projected medical specialty of the student
At the end of the Clinical Medicine program, you will be eligible to sit for the two-part USMLE Step 2 exam: Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills. The Clinical Knowledge exam tests students for their clinical understanding of medical theory applied using real clinical examples. The Clinical Skills exam uses standardized patients to address the diagnostic challenges and patient-centric behavior while also assessing the student’s documentation abilities.
The core clinical rotations, as a part of the clinical medicine program at Saba, can expose you to different case studies and feedback, enhancing your preparation for a career in medicine. It can also help you explore diverse careers within medicine.
Remember, you will need expertise in both branches to be an excellent physician. An MD is essentially a basic science and clinical medicine degree. A comprehensive understanding of clinical vs. medical can help you pass rigorous licensing exams or pursue further specializations further down the line.
What are the key differences between clinical vs. medical?
The difference between “clinical” and “medical” lies in their scope and involvement with patient care:
- Clinical: This term specifically refers to activities that involve direct patient care. It includes diagnosing, treating, and managing patients’ health in settings like hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
- Medical: A broader term that encompasses both areas of direct patient care (clinical) and those that do not involve direct patient care. Medical includes research, administrative roles, and other healthcare-related fields that support patient care but do not directly engage with patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Saba’s medical program prepare students for clinical practice?
Saba’s medical program offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training. Students gain direct patient care experience through clinical rotations in various medical specialties, preparing them for real-world clinical practice.
What opportunities for research are available to students at Saba University School of Medicine?
Saba provides students with opportunities to engage in medical research, allowing them to explore areas of interest that may not involve direct patient care. The development of these competencies begins early in the Basic Science curriculum with an introductory course that focuses on research skills and evidence-based medicine. Throughout the basic science program, students are exposed to research as course directors and faculty incorporate the latest developments in medical research into their teachings. Case presentations are also used to show students how biomedical research is integrated into patient care. Before starting their formal clinical training, students must complete a research module. The 8-week research module helps students develop a deeper understanding of medical science and contribute to the broader medical field.
What kind of clinical rotation opportunities does Saba offer its MD students?
Saba offers its MD students a variety of clinical rotation opportunities across different medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. These rotations take place in affiliated teaching hospitals and healthcare facilities, providing students with diverse and comprehensive hands-on clinical experience essential for their medical training.
For prospective students
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