Principles of Clinical Medicine

PCM1 is a 23-credit course taught over 20 weeks in Term 4 of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program of St George's University School of Medicine, Grenada. It is a systems based curriculum for the second academic year of the Basic Sciences program and is taught in four consecutive modules:

• Foundation to Clinical Medicine (FTCM) - 4 weeks
• Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Renal Systems (NCRS) - 6 weeks
• Respiratory and Hematopoietic Systems (RHPS) - 4 weeks
• Digestive, Endocrine, and Reproductive Systems (DERS) - 6 weeks

TOTAL: 20 Weeks

Foundation to Clinical Medicine Module (FTCM):
The Foundation to Clinical Medicine Module (FTCM) will be delivered over 4 weeks and one day, and you will learn about the basic principles of integrated patient and clinician-centered medical interviewing, physical examination and formulation of SOAP notes; the general principles of pathology; basic principles of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drugs affecting the autonomic system and pharmacology of pain. The module concludes with the study of skin, muscle and bone infections and skin pathology. 

Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Renal Systems Module (NCRS):
The Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Renal Systems Module (NCRS) will span 6 weeks and is designed to build upon the foundational knowledge you gained in the FTCM Module and your previous courses in BPM 1, 2, and 3. The module begins with a focus on the Neurological System, where you will explore neurological diseases, infections, and the pharmacological treatments used for these conditions. A key component will be learning a hypothesis-driven approach to diagnosing patients with neurological complaints, followed by performing a comprehensive physical examination of both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Following the Neurological block, the module transitions into the Cardiovascular System. Here, you will study the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, learn about diagnostic techniques, and gain an understanding of the pharmacological agents used in treating various cardiovascular conditions. The Cardiovascular block will also cover common conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias, as well as their management strategies.

The final block of the module addresses the Renal System, where you will examine renal diseases and urinary tract infections (UTIs). You will learn about the diagnosis and treatment of common renal disorders, including chronic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis. 

Respiratory and Hematopoietic Systems Module (RHS):
The Respiratory, Hematopoietic, and Pediatric Systems Module (RHPS) will be delivered over 4 weeks. The module begins with the Respiratory System, where you will study pulmonary diseases, respiratory tract infections, and treatments for respiratory and mycobacterial conditions. You will also learn a hypothesis-driven approach for patients presenting with respiratory, head, eye, ear, neck, and throat complaints, along with performing a comprehensive physical examination of these systems.

Next, you will explore the Hematopoietic System, covering red and white blood cell disorders and anticancer pharmacotherapy. You will also study blood and lymphatic infections, including drugs used to treat malarial infections.

The final component focuses on the Pediatric System, where you will learn about common pediatric conditions, growth and development, and pediatric pharmacology, with an emphasis on performing age-appropriate physical exams and managing common pediatric illnesses.

Additionally, you will complete a mandatory OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens Course during this module. 

Digestive, Endocrine, and Reproductive Systems Module (DERS):
The Digestive, Endocrine, and Reproductive Systems Module (DERS) will be delivered over 6 weeks. You will first learn about the Digestive System wherein you will study gastrointestinal diseases, infections, and the drugs used to treat some gastrointestinal diseases. You will also learn about a hypothesis-driven approach for a patient presenting with an abdominal complaint and performing a comprehensive physical examination of this system. The following block will take you next through Endocrine Pathology, where you learn about the disorders affecting endocrine glands; this block also incorporates the teaching of pharmacotherapy of endocrinological conditions. We conclude the module by learning about diseases of the male and female reproductive systems, sexually transmitted infections, and the drugs acting on the uterus and contraceptives. You will also learn to incorporate focused history and examination of patients with complaints about the endocrinological and reproductive system pathologies.

The Principles of Clinical Medicine II (PCM 501) is a 21-credit course in Term 5 of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at the St George's University School of Medicine, Grenada. The first module completes the teaching of the basic science content allowing a smooth transition to the remaining modules that focus on the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to clinical scenarios that aid the students in preparation for their USMLE Step 1 Examination and their clinical years.

• Muscle and Infections (MI) - 4 weeks
• Cardiology, Pulmonary, Renal, and Hematology (CPRH) - 4 weeks
• Gastroenterology, Obstetrics, Endocrine, and Reproductive (GOER) - 4 weeks
• Dermatology, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Rheumatology (DNPR) - 4 weeks

TOTAL: 16 Weeks

Musculoskeletal and Infection (MI):
The Musculoskeletal and Infection (MI) Module is the final module in the second spiral of the curriculum and is delivered over a span of 4 weeks. It integrates microbiology, pharmacology, and pathology to offer comprehensive content on diseases that affect muscles and bones. The module emphasizes risk factors, etiologies, clinical features, diagnoses, and treatments. It covers infections and musculoskeletal disorders with lectures, directed learning activities, small group sessions, reading assignments, and simulated clinical encounters. You will learn about the diagnosis and management of common muscle disorders and infections as well as enhance your clinical reasoning and interpersonal communication skills.  

Cardiology, Pulmonology, Renal, and Hematology(CPRH):
The Cardiology, Pulmonology, Renal, and Hematology (CPRH) module begins the third spiral of the basic science curriculum. The disciplines of Pathophysiology and Introduction to clinical medicine (ICM) will reinforce and integrate the basic science knowledge taught from Term 1 until the end of the MNI module into a more systemic and clinical approach. Students will also start interacting with real patients and practicing physicians - which will heighten their exposure to clinical medicine. 

Gastroenterology, Obstetrics, Endocrinology, and Reproductive (GOER):
The Gastroenterology, Obstetrics, Endocrinology, and Reproductive (GOER) module is 4 weeks and continues the third spiral of the basic science curriculum. It will integrate the knowledge of structure and function with major diseases focusing on symptomatology, pathology, diagnosis, and management as supported by evidence-based medicine. Additionally, the module will review the basic concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology. Students will continue to participate and demonstrate competencies in communication and interpersonal skills, physical exam, and clinical reasoning for both real and standardized patient encounters with common medical disorders. 

Dermatology, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Rheumatology (DNPR):
The Dermatology, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Rheumatology (DNPR) module completes the course and at the end, achieves the third spiral of the basic science curriculum. This module emphasizes and builds on neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and includes the study of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with their pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Cutaneous and musculoskeletal systems will similarly incorporate the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology into common disease processes and management. In the final week, the focus will be on disorders affecting multiple organ systems and processes that are integrated throughout the body. Real and standardized patient encounters will continue to promote intellectual curiosity, clinical reasoning skills, professionalism, and ethical behaviors.