Clinical Science Curriculum

The Clinical Sciences program at Vanguard University School of Medicine (VUSOM) consists of an intensive 72-week, physician-supervised clinical training. This includes 48 weeks of Core Rotations and 24 weeks of Elective Rotations at our affiliated teaching hospitals and specialized clinical facilities in the UK. and other countries.
Under the guidance of experienced clinical faculty, students gain hands-on experience and develop essential medical skills. To further enhance their learning and USMLE Step 2 readiness, students are encouraged to take the NBME examination after each core rotation.

Core Rotations (48 weeks)

Internal Medicine (12 Weeks)

Skills for the admission and management of acutely ill patients admitted to the hospital as well as coordinating care in the hospital and discharge planning. Students will be provided with opportunities to develop a problem oriented method of patient evaluation and develop a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical examination, laboratory results, and clinical judgment.

Surgery (12 Weeks)

The surgical clerkship is an integrated, clinical experience designed to introduce the student to the basic concepts of surgical practice. This clerkship encompasses both inpatient and outpatient clinical experience. The emphasis during the rotation is on the broad aspects of surgery and not on surgical technique. This clerkship makes the student familiar with the pathophysiology of disease, the use of surgical intervention and the management of pre- and post-operative problems. Finally the surgical clerkship serves to introduce the student to the fundamental aspects of surgical practice as a profession.

PEDIATRICS (6 Weeks)

Pediatric ambulatory and in-patient services provide the clinical student with the opportunity to observe the more serious medical and surgical disorders of a patient beyond the newborn period. Admission histories and physical examinations teach the student how to approach the patient and family. Fundamentals of pediatric management are learned from the resident staff. Attendance at lectures, seminars, and conferences expands the student’s view of the sick child. The initial management of the newborn is learned in the delivery room. In the nurseries, the student practices the examination of the newborn and learns about the initiation of feeding, neonatal physiological changes and minor difficulties. During the outpatient services, the student learns the milestones of growth and development, infant feeding, child nutrition, preventative pediatrics including immunisation and the common minor ailments of childhood. In the pediatric specialty clinics, the student observes the management and progression of a wide variety of serious and chronic illnesses. Emergency department and urgent care experience permit the student to be the first to evaluate infants and children with acute illness, asthmatic attacks, otitis, and similar problems.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (6 Weeks)

The obstetric and gynecology core clerkship is designed to provide clinical experience in both obstetrics and gynecology. This didactic and clinical experience will be in an academic atmosphere that includes residents, house officers and faculty.

FAMILY MEDICINE (6 Weeks)

The Family Medicine rotation provides exposure and experience regarding the normal and abnormal conditions encountered by Family Physicians. Attention is devoted to the recognition and management of common problems typically seen by primary care physicians as well as conditions that may be less common. Students evaluate patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings. They may perform the breadth of evaluation and management, write notes in the medical record, assist with common minor office procedures. The student will learn the diagnosis and management of a defined set of common problems cared for by family physicians.

PSYCHIATRY (6 Weeks)

The clerkship in Psychiatry familiarizes the student with the psychological aspects of human behaviour in health and disease and the diagnosis and management of psychiatric problems. The student observes interviews and conducts psychiatric examinations under supervision. During the clinical rotations, students spend allotted time on an inpatient psychiatric service where they apply the training received under supervision of house staff and clinical faculty. In most instances students also receive experience with outpatient psychiatry, child psychiatry, substance rehabilitation programs.

Elective Rotations (24 Weeks)

This may be in any of the various sub-specialties depending on the student’s future goal and can be availed at the affiliated hospital in USA and other countries. Each respective elective rotation ranges from 4-8 weeks. (Subject to availability)

Independent Clinical Research Elective

This elective allows the student to participate in a structured research project at Vanguard University School of Medicine. The students may participate in ongoing research projects with 1:1 faculty supervision or may propose their own project. The students are required to prepare a written report as well as an oral presentation.