The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a comprehensive medical curriculum that prepares students for a career in medicine. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, as well as clinical skills and experience. The GW medicine curriculum is divided into four years, each with its own unique focus and objectives.
First Year: Foundations of Medicine
The first year of the GW medicine curriculum is focused on the foundations of medicine, including the basic sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. Students also begin to learn about the clinical aspects of medicine, including patient assessment and communication skills. The first year curriculum includes courses such as:
- Anatomy: a comprehensive course that covers the structure and function of the human body
- Physiology: a course that explores the functions of the human body and how they are regulated
- Biochemistry: a course that covers the chemical processes that occur within the human body
- Patient Assessment and Communication: a course that teaches students how to assess patients and communicate effectively with them
Clinical Experience
During the first year, students also begin to gain clinical experience through the Clinical Skills course, which provides students with hands-on experience in taking medical histories, performing physical exams, and developing patient assessment skills. Students work in small groups with experienced clinicians to develop their clinical skills and learn how to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-world patient care.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | 6 |
| Physiology | 6 |
| Biochemistry | 4 |
| Patient Assessment and Communication | 2 |
| Clinical Skills | 2 |
Second Year: Organ Systems and Diseases
The second year of the GW medicine curriculum builds on the foundations established in the first year, with a focus on organ systems and diseases. Students learn about the structure and function of different organ systems, as well as the diseases and disorders that affect them. The second year curriculum includes courses such as:
- Cardiovascular Medicine: a course that covers the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, as well as the diseases and disorders that affect it
- Respiratory Medicine: a course that explores the structure and function of the respiratory system, as well as the diseases and disorders that affect it
- Gastroenterology: a course that covers the structure and function of the gastrointestinal system, as well as the diseases and disorders that affect it
- Neurology: a course that covers the structure and function of the nervous system, as well as the diseases and disorders that affect it
Clinical Rotations
During the second year, students also begin to participate in clinical rotations, which provide them with hands-on experience in different clinical settings. Students work with experienced clinicians to develop their clinical skills and learn how to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-world patient care.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Medicine | 4 |
| Respiratory Medicine | 4 |
| Gastroenterology | 4 |
| Neurology | 4 |
| Clinical Rotations | 6 |
Third and Fourth Years: Clinical Rotations and Electives
The third and fourth years of the GW medicine curriculum are focused on clinical rotations and electives, which provide students with hands-on experience in different clinical settings. Students work with experienced clinicians to develop their clinical skills and learn how to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-world patient care. The third and fourth year curriculum includes:
- Clinical Rotations: students participate in rotations in different clinical settings, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology
- Electives: students can choose from a variety of elective courses, such as research, global health, and medical education
- Capstone Project: students work on a capstone project, which is a comprehensive project that demonstrates their mastery of the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout the program
Assessment and Evaluation
Throughout the program, students are assessed and evaluated on their knowledge and skills. The GW medicine curriculum includes a variety of assessment and evaluation methods, such as:
- Multiple Choice Exams: students take multiple choice exams to assess their knowledge of the material
- OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Exams): students participate in OSCEs, which are hands-on exams that assess their clinical skills
- Clinical Evaluations: students are evaluated on their clinical performance by experienced clinicians
| Assessment Method | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Multiple Choice Exams | Quarterly |
| OSCEs | Semiannually |
| Clinical Evaluations | Monthly |
What is the duration of the GW medicine curriculum?
+The GW medicine curriculum is a four-year program.
What types of clinical experience are available to students in the GW medicine curriculum?
+Students in the GW medicine curriculum participate in a variety of clinical experiences, including clinical rotations, electives, and research opportunities.
How are students assessed and evaluated in the GW medicine curriculum?
+Students in the GW medicine curriculum are assessed and evaluated through a variety of methods, including multiple choice exams, OSCEs, and clinical evaluations.
