ACCELERATED PATHWAY FOR MEDICINE - PRECISE PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
Historically, the Basic Medical Education in the Philippines is a four (4) - year post-baccalaureate program offered by a medical college recognized by a regulating government agency (Commission on Higher Education). As stipulated in the Medical Act of 1959, the four (4) - year post-baccalaureate program consists of basic and clinical subjects, which upon completion shall lead to the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Medicine. This MD degree is the primary educational qualification for the Physician’s Licensure Examination in the Philippines that is equivalent to Level 7 in the Philippine Qualifications Framework.
Recently, the global education curricula have shifted and has transformed into a 6-year Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Program which includes two years of preparatory courses designed to prepare students for the succeeding 4-year medical sciences courses. Many ASEAN countries have adopted the same curricula with their graduates qualified to take the licensure examinations and achieve the license to practice medicine in their mother country. The Philippines is now only ASEAN country where the MD degree is post-baccalaureate making it the longest program pathway, requiring eight (8) years to produce physicians. Four to five years of a baccalaureate degree and four years of post-baccalaureate program of Basic Medical Education.
As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 11 Series of 2023, CHED has recently recommended a pilot study of the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine, shortening the preparatory requirements of the MD program by at least two (2) years as a consequence of the K-12 program, with the aim to reduce the gap of physician-population ratio. The concept is not new but the program of Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMED) has been implemented as similar programs as INTARMED (UPCM) and LEAPMED (UST).
Cebu Institute of Medicine has been identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be among the pilot sites for the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMed) as the school meets the requirements for a medical school to start this program because of its exceptional Faculty and learning facilities, a commendable performance in the PLE for the past 5 years and beyond, and a level III PAASCU Accreditation for the Doctor of Medicine program as given by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines.
With this program of Accelerated Pathway for Medicine at Cebu Institute of Medicine, this opens the program to the Visayas-Mindanao Area, geared to the premiere Senior High School Programs of the Department of Education in these areas. APMED offers to the Cebu Institute of Medicine the opportunity to partner with the Commission on Higher Education in addressing the gaps of the healthcare delivery of the country. The clamor for an accelerated pathway for medicine has been the call since before the K-12 program.
PRECISE - the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine Program of Cebu Institute of Medicine
The design of the curriculum is Problem-based, Reflective, Excellence-centered, Community-responsive, Innovative System of Education (PRECISE). This approach integrates various learning modalities and strategies to enhance the learning experience of students in the field of medicine. Problem-based learning is a student-centered approach that focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills through the exploration of real-world scenarios. This will be the backbone of pedagogy.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is an Accelerated Pathway to Medicine Program of CIM which offers comprehensive knowledge and expertise in various aspects of human biology, including human anatomy, physiology, and overall health and well-being. The focal point of the program is the study of human psychology and its relationship to both individual well-being and societal dynamics, contributing to the broader goals of nation building. This program goes beyond preparing students solely for careers in healthcare, particularly medicine. It equips them with the necessary skills for diverse professions such as medical research, medical transcription, public health practitioners, data analytics, and other related fields, thus expanding their career opportunities and potential impact in the healthcare industry.
The BS in Health Sciences curriculum include foundational courses such as chemistry, anatomy and physiology, medical microbiology, human genetics. It also has competencies regarding man and his relations to the community and society. Students in this program will have opportunities for hands-on experience through laboratory work, community and clinical rotations, and research projects related to human biology and health.
PRECISE CURRICULUM
The curriculum of the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (PRECISE) is a seven (7) - year straight program for medicine of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, offered to eligible Senior High School graduates. It has a pre-medical degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, which is under the Faculty of Pre-Medical Health Sciences of Cebu Institute of Medicine
The curriculum consists of a two (2)-year preparatory medicine program and a five (5)-year medicine proper program. The first four years of the program (PMYL 1-4) is inclusive of the two-year preparatory medicine and the two years of basic sciences medicine proper. This culminates with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and is conferred at the end of the fourth year (second year medicine proper). This degree will be the entry-level requirement to the program of Doctor of Medicine (third year medicine proper) or PMYL 5, to which the BS Health Sciences graduate will be integrated to. The degree of Doctor of Medicine is conferred at the end of the seventh year, which is the Clinical Internship Program (PMYL 7), a 12-month program where the student is honed on the basic physician skills. After the Clinical Internship Program, the student is then eligible to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and is qualified to take the Physician Licensure Examination.
The PRECISE Program will start accepting applications April 2024. Further announcements will be made on this site. No fees will be collected yet until the applicant's documents are evaluated for eligibility. Scan QR code below for the PRECISE Electronic Data Registration Form.
Scan QR Code above for the PRECISE Electronic Data Registration Form
FIRST SEMESTER CLASSES STARTS ON:
MEDICINE PROPER:
First and Second Year Level: AUGUST 7, 2024
Third Year Level: JULY 1, 2024
Clinical Clerkship: JUNE 1, 2024