The Department of Medicine was established in 1975. Entry into the clinical programme started in 1980.  The Head of Department was Prof. E.H.O. Parry.  The first batch to complete the final MB ChB passed out in 1982.  The academic staff who manned the the Department of Medicine in it’s early years were Prof Parry, Prof. Sir J.W. Acheampong, Prof. T.C Ankrah and Dr J.G.A. Wood.

There has been a consistent increase in student numbers to date.  Academic staff numbers have been augmented by expatriate specialists who come on short term visits.  Link with academic institutions in the UK and USA have been set up and there is a steady stream of specialists who visit for a couple of weeks to teach undergraduates and graduate students in the Department.  Currently, the Department of Medicine has links with the School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, University of Durham, St. George’s Medical School (University of London) and University of Utah.

Structure of Faculty

Academic staff is made up of the Head of Department of other senior members

The examinations committee consists of all senior members

The coordinator of examinations is the examinations officer

Resident medical officers teach first year clinical students clinical methods.

Rationale

(a)The primary goal of undergraduate medical education is to produce graduates who are fit to practice medicine in accordance with the professional standards set by the Medical and Dental council for all doctors.

(b) Objectives: The objectives are set to ensure that medical graduates will:

Demonstrate an ability to think critically, gain a proficiency in clinical reasoning, an insight into research and an ability to cope with uncertainty.

Possess a clinical knowledge relevant to the understanding management of problems and conditions encountered in the registration house-officer year.

Demonstrate attitudes consistent with the duties of a Doctor

Demonstrate appropriate behaviour in relation to all aspects of clinical practice.

Projected student enrolment is not possible since admissions are done in the pre-Clinical years.

Attrition Rate: 02%

Student Staff Ratio: 1:15

Student Workload: 18 credit hours per week

The medicine programme has two phases. Phase 1 is the first year clinical programme. This comprises a core course in Internal Medicine and clinical methods.  The core course offered relate to a system of the body or topic of relevance.  Early clinical experience is provided in the form of attachments to various teams for teaching and learning of clinical skills.

The subject strands comprise the following:

• History taking and examination of the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal and nervous systems
• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular medicine
• Renal medicine
• Respiratory medicine
• Neurology
• Infectious diseases

This forms the foundation of clinical practice and junior rotations

Phase 2 is the third year clinical programme. It consists of clinical science and investigative medicine. The teaching and learning of Phase 2 (final year) focuses on are and management of patients, especially emergencies.

Requirements for graduation:

• Minimum Credit of 194 Hours
• Pass all required Courses
• CWA of 50% and above

The medicine department has an overriding duty to ensure that on graduation, candidates are fit to practice in accordance with the professional standards set by the Medical and Dental Council for all doctors.

Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on progressive assessment.  Progressive assessment encourages and rewards transfer of learning from phase 1 to phase 2.

Assessment methods used during Phase 1 include:

• A written paper
• Clinical methods (assessment)
• Mock examination
• Final MB, ChB examination which comprises:
• Paper 1 which covers case presentation, investigations and treatment
• Paper 2 (Multiple Choice Questions)

Practicals where students are assessed on the following:

• Long Case
• Short Case
• Viva

Examinations are scrutinized by External Examiners to ensure that the requisite Standards are maintained.

Assessment:

Students are classified as having

• Passed with Distinction
• Passed with Credit
• Passed

Failed if total score is less than 50% or if they fail the clinical assessment

The department of medicine offers postgraduate training in internal medicine.  Successful candidates are usually recruited to join the academic staff

The department has trained eight consultants and fourteen specialists.  There are ten physicians in training currently