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239653

Al-Azhar Experience: ( Innovation in Undergraduate Medical Education Program)

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Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

EDITORIAL REPORT
Background: Integration in medical curricula is a newly growing governmentally approved trend in Egypt by the end of 2017 and has been implemented in medical schools all over Egypt by the beginning of the academic year 2018/2019, where Al-Azhar Faculties of Medicine are adopted the new integrated program using  different teaching & learning strategies.
Work & Results: Curriculum (Basic and Clinical phases) was outlined in terms of map, content areas,  competencies & key competencies fulfilling the National Academic Reference standards (NARS) 2017.
The integrated program consists of two phases fulfilling  the fifth level  in Harden's Integration ladder; Phase I: Basic Science phase for two years, beginning with introductory team based term to be followed by system based for three and half terms, where problem based learning is adopted.
Eighteen horizontal and vertical integrated conventional & system-based modules (basic 80% / clinical 20%) were developed within  this phase, while Twenty four  horizontal and vertical integrated case based modules were designed (clinical 90% / basic 10% sciences) modules were developed in phase II for five and half terms. In addition, innovative eight professional and ten elective themes were integrated longitudinally and a project is included before graduation. Nine Islamic studies were also included as University requirements.
In phase I modules, 15 disciplines were integrated including Fundamental Structure (Anatomy & Histology), Development (Embryology), Essential Function (Physiology), Biochemical Basis (Biochemistry & Genetic), Disease Grounds (Microbiology, Parasitology & Immunology), Disease Process (Pathology), Medical Ethics & Professionalism (Soft skills, Risk Management and Patient Safety), Public Health (Epidemiology) (Research Methodology & Biostatistics), (Behavioral &Social sciences) Language (Medical Terminology & Glossary), Disease Presentation (Introduction to Clinical Skills) and Treatment Concepts (Pharmacology).
In phase II modules, 18 clinical disciplines were integrated. These disciplines are Medico-legal Sciences (Principles of Forensic Medicine &Toxicology), Community &Occupational Medicine, Diagnostic Tools (Diagnostic Radiology & Laboratory Medicine) ,  Ophthalmology,  (ear, Nose &throat) , (Dermatology, Andrology & Venereal diseases) , (Gynecology  &women Health), Obstetrics, Psychiatry, (Emergency Medicine &Intensive Care),( Perioperative Management, Pain therapy &Palliative Care) ,(Family Medicine &Geriatrics), (Pediatrics &Child Health), Internal Medicine , General Surgery ,Stepping up higher level  in Harden's ladder is achieved in six modules that showed integration between Medicine, Pediatrics and surgery  like Endocrinology, Nephrology &Urology, GIT, Chest, Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery , Neurology &Neurosurgery, Orthopedic surgery, Rheumatology & Rehabilitation . as well as Research project.
Conclusion: The experience of integration between basic and clinical sciences with inclusion of professionalism and elective courses can be seen as a new innovative and applicable approach that will fit our students for practice of medicine and be an effective members of the profession.
Take-home message: The newly developed integrated medical program at Al-Azhar University, Faculties of Medicine is primarily promoted to act as a role model for integration.

DOI

10.21608/aimj.2022.131342.1916

Keywords

Curriculum, Integration, Planning, Basic medical sciences, Clinical medical sciences, Undergraduate medical education, Professionalism, elective courses

Authors

First Name

Khairy

Last Name

Abdelhameed

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Parasitology Department, Al-Azhar University

Email

drkhairyam@azhar.edu.eg

City

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Orcid

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First Name

Zeinab

Last Name

Said

MiddleName

Nabil

Affiliation

Departments of Medical Parasitology , Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Cairo, Egypt.

Email

zeinabnabil@azhar.edu.eg

City

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Orcid

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First Name

Alaa

Last Name

Hashem

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Gastroenterology, liver & Infectious diseases , Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine , Damietta, Egypt.

Email

alaahashim71@azhar.edu.eg

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Alaa

Last Name

Meklad

MiddleName

Mohamad

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Pathology , Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Assuit, Egypt.

Email

alaamohamadmeklad@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

3

Article Issue

5

Related Issue

34643

Issue Date

2022-05-01

Receive Date

2022-04-14

Publish Date

2022-05-01

Page Start

40

Page End

41

Print ISSN

2682-3381

Online ISSN

2682-339X

Link

https://aimj.journals.ekb.eg/article_239653.html

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https://aimj.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=239653

Order

8

Type

Editorial letter and Opinions

Type Code

1,086

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Al-Azhar International Medical Journal

Publication Link

https://aimj.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023