Medical school is an institution offering a curriculum that culminates in a medical degree. The fundamental mission of these schools encompasses medical instruction, research, and patient care. The primary aim of all medical schools is to train students in both the art and science of medicine, equipping them with the foundational knowledge necessary to commence graduate medical education. Typically, the medical school years before graduate education are divided into preclinical and clinical phases.Despite medical students engaging in clinical experiences throughout their education, the initial two years are often referred to as the "preclinical" phase. This phase generally spans the first two years following enrollment. During this period, students learn about the normal structure and function of human systems through courses in gross anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, behavioral science, and neuroscience. The focus then transitions to understanding the abnormalities in body structure and function, diseases, and general therapeutic principles through subjects like microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and immunology.Throughout these two years, the clinical relevance of basic science topics is emphasized. The preclinical period always includes a course that introduces students to the fundamentals of physical examination and patient interviewing. In their initial clinical medicine courses, students frequently practice interviewing "standardized patients," who are either individuals with real physical findings or trained actors simulating specific conditions.Lectures now constitute less than half of the scheduled contact time in most medical schools. The remainder consists of small-group discussions, self-directed learning, labs, case studies, and other educational experiences. The incorporation of computer technology and computer-assisted instruction in the preclinical phase has further diversified the methods of teaching and learning fundamental medical sciences.Many schools incorporate small-group tutorial and discussion sessions centered on patient cases, which emphasize problem-solving skills. This method encourages students to independently gather information and cultivates active learning, preparing them for lifelong learning in their professional careers.The clinical phase typically takes place during the last two years of medical school and focuses on education within clinical settings. Instruction periods, known as clerkships, generally last between 4 to 12 weeks. During these clerkships, students interact with patients and their families in both inpatient and outpatient environments.Every school includes essential "core" clerkships such as internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and family medicine. Depending on the institution, required clerkships might also cover family medicine, primary care, and community or rural medicine.In hospital or community settings, students work under the guidance of physician faculty members (referred to as "attending physicians") and residents, collaborating with other healthcare team members. Students often engage in "preceptorships," where they are assigned to community physicians' offices to gain firsthand insight into the functioning of a medical practice.Whether in hospitals or community settings, students must "work-up" several patient cases during their clerkships by collecting pertinent data and presenting it to peers, attending physicians, faculty members, and residents. They are part of a medical team, contributing to the ongoing clinical care of patients, and develop skills in clinical decision-making and patient management.Ideally, students follow their patients over time, whether during hospital stays, preceptorships, or outpatient treatments. Standardized patients (SPs) are used throughout the clinical years to expose students to various diseases and conditions they might not encounter otherwise. SPs also help assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Other instructional methods in the clinical phase include "rounds" (discussing inpatient cases), bedside teaching, case-based lectures, and small group discussions.All accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada are represented by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). For more detailed information about medical schools in the US and Canada, you can contact the AAMC.
