MEDICAL EDUCATION IN PHILIPPINES

STUDY MEDICINE IN PHILIPPINES


Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines

The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree is a five year graduate program intended to teach students the essentials of being a Medical Doctor. The program consists of three years of academic instruction, one year of clinical clerkship and one year of post-graduate internship. In the first year, the subjects integrated in the curriculum are mainly composed of basic sciences such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Preventive Medicine, Community health, Psychiatry and Medical Practice I. The second year is spent studying fundamental concepts in Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Pharmacology, Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatry II and Medical Economics. During the third year of studying Medicine, students are taught subjects that deal with common diseases encountered in clinical practice, as well as interesting or rare conditions. The pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic approaches and the management of these diseases are also given emphasis. The final year of the Doctor of Medicine program is spent in hospital duty. The first two years of the Doctor of Medicine program are spent in class lectures delivered through computers using LCD projectors complemented by slide/ film showings, laboratory work and group discussions. In the third and fourth year, students begin to meet patients in actual hospital setting. Students are rotated in various hospital departments, spending up to two months in each department in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics, and several weeks in other specialties under the supervision of a faculty. After each clinical duty, students undergo periodic evaluation to assess their performance. The Doctor of Medicine program may require the presentation and defense of a graduate-level thesis, an independent research project, or supervised professional practice as a final graduation requirement.

Is Medicine a Profession?

Medicine is a profession. A graduate of Medical Studies who passes the Philippine Physicians Licensure Examination is called a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Physician. Physicians responsibilities vary greatly depending on the area of specialization. Generally speaking, duties may include undertaking patient consultations and physical examinations, analyzing reports and findings of tests and of examination, diagnosing conditions, assessing and planning treatment requirements, monitoring and administering prescribe treatments and drugs, referring patients to medical specialist or other practitioner for specialized treatment, writing reports, maintaining records and promoting health education.

What are the admission requirements for the M.D. program?

Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:
Pre-med bachelor’s degree
The preferred pre-medicine programs for entry into medical school are Biological Sciences programs that are primarily structured as pre-medicine courses, such as B.S. Biology, and Healthcare programs such as B.S. Medical Technology, B.S. Pharmacy, B.S. Nursing, B.S. Public Health, and B.S. Physical Therapy. However, students can still be admitted to medical school provided that they meet the following requirements:

  • Must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree or their equivalent and must have taken in four years the following subjects with their corresponding number of units:
  • English: 12 units
  • Latin: 3 units
  • Mathematics, including Accounting and Statistics: 9 units
  • Philosophy, including Psychology and Logic: 12 units
  • Zoology and Botany: 15 units
  • Physics: 8 units
  • Chemistry: 21 units
  • Library Science: 1 unit
  • Humanities and Social Sciences: 12 units
  • Applicants whose courses are completely unrelated to medicine are required to take a preparatory medical course by the Board of Medical Education before they can proceed to the M.D. program. These applicants must complete the number of years designated for the preparatory course. Once the applicant completes the course, the Board of Medical Education will issue a certificate of eligibility permitting the applicant to proceed to the Doctor of Medicine program.
  • NMAT — applicants to medical schools are required to take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). The NMAT scores obtained by a medical school applicant are deemed sufficient and valid as basis for evaluating applicants for admission to a college of medicine. There are schools that require an NMAT result of 80% or higher.
  • College entrance exam — must take the entrance examination and get an above average grade, depending on the specified rating set by the school.
  • Interview — must pass a panel interview composed of professors.
  • Police clearance — must submit a copy of Police or NBI clearance showing no involvement in cases of moral turpitude (rape, robbery, forgery, etc).
  • Recommendation Letter — must submit a recommendation letter from reputable source and from previous college dean or any faculty of member of his/her previous school.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in this course?

  • Critical thinking — demonstration of cognitive skills and memory necessary to measure, calculate and reason in order to analyze, integrate and synthesize information
  • Analytical skills — the ability to understand complex medical situations, create connections among different clinical manifestations and make sensible decisions to implement plan of care
  • Communication skills — ability to speak, hear and observe patients and coherently summarize a patient’s condition and management plan, verbally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families, employees and other health-care practitioners
  • Scientific inclination — having a wide knowledge about the different branches of science and ability to understand and connect certain concepts together; essential, because without this, a student will not be able to understand the pathophysiology of certain diseases thus diagnosis and treatment is as well affected.
  • Patient Care Skills — the ability to understand and take care of patients from all ages and walks of life; involves empathy, compassion and the sincere desire to help the sick.
  • Observation skills — ability to demonstrate skills in observation. In particular, a student must be able to accurately observe a patient and acquire visual, auditory and tactile information.
  • Organization — the ability to manage different patients at a time, efficiently giving them the same amount of medical attention
  • Clinical efficiency — a physical ability of using medical instruments and performing medical and surgical procedures efficiently and safely.

How long does it take to complete the M.D. program in the Philippines?

Generally, the M.D. program takes five years to complete. In schools that follow a trimestral curriculum, the program may be completed in less than five years. The M.D. program includes three years of academic and clinical study, one year of clinical clerkship and one year of post-graduate internship. 3 to 6 months are usually spent in a comprehensive review program for the Philippine Physicians Licensure Examination. The program features classes and lectures from members of the faculty as well as other medical practitioners. It does not just end there; a residency will follow as well as a post-grad study in your chosen specialization. The residency period, in which you are trained in your specialized medical field, takes another 3-6 years.

Post-graduate Internship

To be able to take the Philippine Physicians Licensure Examination, a graduate of the M.D. program must first undergo a post-graduate Internship. It is a shared responsibility of the medical school and the hospital. The Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Foundation is the supervising body for the post-graduate internship. As to the required number of hours, it varies from school to school.

Specializations

The most common fields of specializations in Medicine are as follows:

  • Family Practice — a family physician is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family and is trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages
  • Internal Medicine — internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections, and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, and digestive, respiratory, and vascular systems. Internal medicine includes many sub-specialties, such as:
  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Oncology and Hematology
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Pulmonary Diseases
  • Rheumatology
  • Emergency Medicine — an emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the prehospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians and in the emergency department.
  • Pediatrics — pediatricians provide preventive health maintenance for healthy children and medical care for those who are seriously or chronically ill; physicians trained in pediatrics are experts in emotional and behavioral assessment and can be powerful advocates for troubled children and adolescents.
  • Obstetrics-gynecology — a diverse and vibrant specialty that utilizes both medical and surgical skills to address specialized aspects of womens health during the female life cycle, including the pre-pubertal, reproductive, and post-menopausal years.
  • Orthopedic Surgeon — an orthopedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation, and restoration of the form and functions of the extremities, spine, and associated structures by medical, surgical, and physical means; involved with the care of patients who have musculoskeletal problems.
  • General Surgery — a surgeon establishes the diagnosis and provides the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care to surgical patients and is usually responsible for the comprehensive management of the trauma victim and the critically ill surgical patient.
  • Psychiatry — a psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders.

Philippine Physicians Licensure Examination

To be a full fledged medical doctor in the Philippines, a graduate of the M.D. program needs to pass the Philippine Physicians Licensure Examination. The Board of Medicine (BOM) facilitates the exam under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). It is scheduled twice a year in the months of February and August. There are two general categories included in the exam each having six subjects under them. The first category is basic sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology and Pharmacology) and the second category is clinical sciences (Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Legal Medicine and Preventive Medicine). There are 100 multiple choice questions for each subject. The twelve subjects are separately graded, with each subject contributing 8.3% to the overall grade. The passing average is 75%, with no grade falling below 50% in any subject. A medical graduate needs to pass the medical board exam only once in order to obtain his license. He or she must pass the Med Boards within his first three attempts; otherwise, he would have to take a 1-year refresher course given only by certain medical schools. Currently, there is no limit to the number of times a medical graduate may attempt taking the board exam .

Medical Residency Training

After passing the Licensure Exam, graduates are eligible to enter the Residency Training Program in their field of specialization. The Residency training program in the Philippines is regulated by their respective Medical Societies (Philippine Board of Psychiatry, Philippine Board of Pediatrics, Philippine Board of Cardiology, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, etc). Each society has created an Accreditation Committee/Board whose goal is to assure the delivery of the highest quality medical care by implementing a structured residency program and a standard curriculum in order to ensure the competence of those undergoing training in different fields of specialization in the different training institutions nationwide. Medical specialization usually takes three to six years of residency training in accredited hospitals and clinics, and the taking of diplomate board examinations by the medical societies. Resident doctors are supervised by a superior. They are also given full compensation with overtime pay and night differential pay.

Career opportunities for Doctor of Medicine graduates

  • Jobs for licensed Doctors (board exam passers)
  • Entry Level jobs

Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:

  • Resident Physicians — also known as an intern, resident physicians work in hospitals under the supervision of the medical staff of the hospital and a senior doctor
  • Junior Physician in a private clinic — works as assistant to a more experienced doctor; assists in consultation and minor procedures and surgery
  • Company Doctor — a physician employed by a company; performs general physical assessment, prescribes basic remedies and treatments to employees
  • School Doctor — a physician employed to make periodic examinations to students.
  • Private Practice Doctors — licensed physicians who opt not to undergo residency training and create their own private clinics; usually the scope of practice is general.
  • Mid-Level Positions

Completed the residency training program and successfully acquired a field of specialization:

  • A specialist at a government hospital — a medical doctor working as a specialist (ENT, Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist, Gynecologist, Urologist, Pediatrician, etc).
  • A specialist at a private hospital — same as the above, but working in a private hospital
  • Private practice specialist — a doctor who works at a specialized private clinic. Examples can be an Ophthalmology clinic, a Cardiology clinic or a Gynecologist.
  • Government Official — working in an administrative position in the Department of Health or similar government offices dealing with healthcare.
  • Advanced Positions

Require years of extensive experience and practice:

  • Surgeon — a surgeon performs operations, related to different sub-specialties of medicine like general surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular, cardiothoracic surgery, ENT, maxilla-facial surgery, plastic surgery, oral surgery, transplant surgery, urology, etc.
  • Medical Consultant — provides a medical analysis of complex claims files ensuring that paperwork and the filing of medical claims follow compliance procedures established by government regulations and laws; monitors work capacity of employees or labor issues between the hospital and union, and in-charge of the overall working environment within a health care setting.
  • Hospital Administrator — oversees clinical units, departments or an entire hospital. These professionals manage personnel, finances and facility practices according to a distinct set of policies and procedures established by trustees. They keep abreast of new laws and regulations in the industry and advances in medicine and medical technology.
  • Senior Government Official — working in a senior administrative position in the Department of Health or similar government offices dealing with healthcare.
  • Jobs for Non Board Passers:

These jobs will mainly depend on the undergraduate course that one has finished. Most students who study medicine graduated with a degree in biology, medical technology, nursing or physical therapy; they may opt to practice those professions if they fail to pass the board examination for medicine.

  • Career Opportunities Abroad

To do this, Filipino doctors need to pass the relevant board exam of each country. Countries like the United States allow foreign doctors to practice the profession there. To be able to practice medicine in the United States you need a Certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Through its program of certification, the ECFMG assesses the readiness of international medical graduates to enter US residency or fellowship programs. After ECFMG certification, physicians who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must complete an accredited residency training program in the U.S. or Canada — this process will take at least three years. You also need to pass a state licensure examination (USMLE) before you can practice medicine.

  • Salary Levels

The salary levels of physicians in the Philippines vary greatly. It will depend on your specialization, your skills and abilities, where you are employed and your years of experience. Generally speaking, salaries for licensed medical doctors are higher than the average salary in the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions : 1. How is the medical education in Philippines Philippines follows the American system of education. This is shaped due to the fact that Philippines was a colony of USA for a period of 50 years, which shaped the education system and has brought out one of the best education system in Asia. The medical course in Philippines is called the MD program [ Doctor of medicine] This is similar to that of USA, Russia, Ukraine and rest of Europe. The MD program is equivalent to MBBS of UK, India, Pakistan and other Commonwealth countries. 2.What are the admission requirements and my eligibility criteria for the course? Citizen of any country is eligible to study in Philippines as a fee paying student for undergraduate and post graduate programs. For undergraduate Medical program (MBBS), HSSC with min. 50% Marks in with Subjects in Physics , Chemistry and Biology. For graduate (MS, MD)- undergraduate in medicine with min. 50%. For post-graduate (PhD)- graduate in medicine 3. What is the total duration of this course..? The total duration of this MBBS course is 5.5 years. The first 16 months [1 year and 4 months] is called the Bachelor of Science program and focuses on building foundation for a strong medical education. The next 4 year is the core medicine and clinical rotation The post Graduation is for 3 years and is called residency training [ Similar to that of USA] 4. What is the total fee of this course … ? The fee varies for each university, please let us know which university are you interested to join and we shall send you the details accordingly. 5. Can a student avail loan facility, what are the procedures? Yes, Students from Countries like India and other countries can avail education loan from any bank. The entire necessary information is provided at the time of enquiry by us. 6. What are the documents required for the admissions? The photocopies of all relevant documents which are necessary for academic eligibility and proof are required for the admissions. You will get the list of documents at the time of enquiry.
7. Since when are the Universities established? All these universities are established for decades before gradually diversifying in many advanced courses. For more details on each university please refer to the relevant page of each university. 8. Where are these Universities located? All universities are located in very good and beautiful cities in Philippines. Each city has its own specialty. Please refer the University link for more details. 9. Are the degrees offered by foreign universities recognized and World Health organization? All the medical colleges and university present in the list of WHO are recognized by WHO and are recognized by CHED [ Commission for Higher education and development]. 11. What is the medium of teaching in Philippines? As we had discussed earlier in Philippines even fisher man can speak English. Being an American colony for 50 years English has become the official language for government, Communication, day to day living and all other affairs. All the universities we are representing in the medical stream are having English medium education. Refer to Education System in Philippines. 12. How is the weather there….? The Climate of the Philippines is tropical. There are 3 main seasons. Firstly from June to September is considered to be the areas rainy season when showers can be frequent and heavy although they do tend to pass relatively quickly. From October to February the climate is cool and dry according to the locals however the temperature only very rarely drops below 25 degree Celsius. Finally the hot and dry season which runs from March to may when temperatures can sore. Overall the climate is perfect for a holiday in paradise and long hours of sun make this a dream destination. In terms of what to pack it is advised that lighter clothing is taken, shorts and beachwear are of course essential although in the rainy season be prepared for a sharp shower. 13. Give a brief idea about the Hostel facility there? Not all universities have their own accommodation for international students, some of them are already filled. The hostels even if outside the campus are maintained by the university. The hostel facility are up to the standards with attached bathrooms, with single, double or triple beds Air-conditioned rooms as per the choice of accommodations. [ Depends on the budgets] The students can choose to stay outside on their own accommodations after the 1st semester. 14. Whether the market is nearby or not? Yes the market for daily needs is nearby to the campus 15. What about the availability of other facilities like laundry, library, Internet, etc. there? All such facilities are available near by at extra cost
16. Are there vegetarian Foods available? All foods have vegetarian and non vegetarian components, Study can choose only vegetarian dishes if they want to. But we suggest that vegetarians can cook their own food so that they are happy about what they eat. 17. Is there any dress code for college students? There are uniforms for students 18. Are books available there or we need to carry along with us? Some universities provides list of recommended books to carry and some books are given there during session. We suggest that the students carry the books, or can purchase it in Philippines too. 19. Does stipend is provided there during internship period? No, it is not provided 20. Can I do my internship from My country? Yes, but it also depends on the university applied for and also the medical board of the country where the students wants to do the internships. 21. For how many days is the vacation period there? Can a student come to Home during holidays? The vacation period is of 6- 8 weeks, depending on the batch of student in which admitted he/she can come between July/ August and should inform the university accordingly. 22. How a student is going to pay tuition fees and other fees? The fee can be paid directly to the university by bank transfer for the first year and after that they can carry in form of US$ or Travelers Cheque or Euros and pay it directly to the university [ After converting into local currency]. 23. Whether the University will refund the fees in case the admission is cancelled? Once the students reports to the university and joins the same, the University regrets its inability to refund any part of the educational fees and other expenses paid by the student. The decision is all upon the university. 24. Is there any special provision for International students to solve their any personal problems or queries? Every university has an International Students Department where a student could address their problems directly. 25.Can a student earn while learning? No, a student cannot do job while studying since he/she is having a student visa. 26. Can I practice in my country after I study medicine from Philippines.? Yes, you can practice in your country , provided you stand by the local governing laws of the medical council or Medical board of your country. All our universities are recognized by the World Health organization, CHED and other bodies. But it is advisable to check with your local medical board for any specific requirements. 27. Can I arrive prior to the orientation day? A: Yes. Let the admission office know your planned arrival date and We will make your accommodation reservations beginning on the day you designate. Note that you will be responsible for payment of accommodation fees for any additional days outside of your course program. 28. What is the cost of living in Philippines? This varies from City to City. While Metro Manila, CEBU etc would be costlier compared to Vigan or Cagayan. Normally our Students spend about 100-150 US$ per month depending on the spending habits, what you want to buy, where you want to eat. If you are going to cook your own food in the kitchen provided then you would spend around 80-100 US$ per month. 29. What other types of expenses should I plan for while in Philippines? A: Entertainment in Philippines is generally inexpensive. Transportation options include the public bus (which costs less than 10 pesos per ride) etc and taxi starts with around 60 — 80 Cents for 2 KM ride, Many students also opt to buy bicycles/motor bikes while they are in Philippines. Bicycles are the most prevalent mode of transport in Philippines. 30. How can I get or exchange money while I am in Philippines? You may bring money with you, either in the form of cash or traveler’s cheque. ATM machines are available in banks, or cash advances can be drawn over the counter at most large banks for a transaction charge. Major hotels and most fine restaurants and stores now accept credit cards. Students enrolling for longer courses can open a bank account through the local bank on campus or down town and and transfer funds from accounts in their home country. 31. What do I need to bring with me from home? Today in Philippines you can find almost any product and brand that you would find at home. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. . are all readily available. We recommend that you bring any prescription medication in sufficient quantities to last for the duration of your visit and any preferred brands of over-the-counter medications (cold & flu tablets, etc.) Clothing is also plentiful and very inexpensive. Shoes are available, but larger sizes are hard to find. 32. What vaccinations do I need for Philippines? The following vaccinations and applicable frequencies are recommended for students coming to Philippines: Hepatitis A (within previous 10 years); Hepatitis B (within previous 5 to 10 years), Japanese B Encephalitis (within previous 3 years); Tetanus (within previous 10 years); Polio (within previous 10 years); and Typhoid (once in lifetime). Students 55 and older should also have a Pneumococcal Vaccine.