Course Description

Many of the courses listed in this curriculum are pre-requisites for successive courses and therefore the sequential order must be maintained.

Basic Sciences

Gross Anatomy I & II

Two semesters, totaling 240 hours of
theory and practice, are dedicated to the study of the human body in a descriptive, morphological, and functional view.

The theoretical lectures are an in-depth study of the parts of the body to be further explored by dissecting cadavers. During dissection, the students team up and are guided by professors to learn to recognize structures and to correlate morphology and function of each part studied.

Laboratory

Our Institute of Anatomy offers students and professors all the necessary facilities. No more than eight students per group are assigned to each cadaver and instructor. At the end of each course the students are evaluated and required to demonstrate the knowledge acquired in their work with cadavers.

Biochemistry

Our biochemistry program covers approximately 90 hours and encompasses all topics, which are fundamental and important to the study of the biochemical phenomena. This includes chemical mechanisms of biochemical reactions, biosynthesis, the utilization and degradation of major constituents present in organisms to help explain common diseases.

Metabolic pathways, enzymatic structures, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, their role in the body and metabolic processes. Additionally, genetic aspects of metabolism, DNA and RNA structures, among others are studied.

Embryology

Sixty hours of theory cover the whole process of embryological and fetal development. Generally, this course comprises Gametogenesis, fertilization, and formation of the placenta. The origin and formation of organs and systems is studied in minute detail. Knowledge acquired in this process will allow the student to understand the most frequent congenital deviations and malformations in the embryo.

Histology

This course has 120 hours of theory and practice, and its objective is to allow the student to acquire a sound knowledge regarding the aspects and functions of the primary tissues and their specialization and to know the different tissues in the system and organs. This understanding will serve as a basis in understanding the changes these tissues will undergo during disease process. The program is divided into two parts: The first part comprise the study of cells and primary tissues, including techniques for histological preparation. The second part includes a detailed histological study of organs and systems.

Laboratory

The different tissues will be identified in the laboratory using audiovisual and microscopes. This material will be provided to each student, under supervision.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

These are three independent courses related to the other, with the common objective of providing the vital tools of understanding the area of public health. This program includes statistical calculations applicable to the variables of health, preventive medicine and general and specific epidemiological data such as the health issues in the XXI century.

Physiology

Our physiology program is dedicated to teaching the normal functions of the human body integrating biochemical, embryological, and neuroscientific principles.

It gives the students a general vision of the most important facts and theories in the field of human physiology. Biological fundamentals of the different body functions is covered as well as its integration in a holistic point of view. It also emphasizes on the specific function of an organ to understand the possible repercussions resulting from an organic dysfunction, using such knowledge as a preamble for the study of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics.

Laboratory

During the course, practices, demonstrative experiments are conducted coveringphysiological principles. Research animals are used with modern instruments such as physiographs, kymographs, stimulators, simulators, etc.

Neuroanatomy

The anatomy and topography study of the central nervous system is separated from the anatomy study of the remaining systems and structures so that the student may gain solid and detailed knowledge of the structure. As with the remaining anatomies, practices are conducted on cadavers and specimens that serve as models to reaffirm knowledge of that subject.

Parasitology

This course comprises 60 hours of theory and practice. Its general objective is to teach the student to differentiate among the vast number of parasites, the fundamental mechanisms in the parasite-host relation and defense mechanisms. In addition, it includes the study of the physiological mechanisms of the different parasites and their relationship with the pathological processes.

Among the group of parasites studied we find the protozoa, helminthes, and arthropods. Emphasis is also placed on the epidemiological, symptomatological, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic application.

Laboratory

Studies in search of parasites are carried on, in the laboratory, by processing and analyzing fresh samples of matter such as blood, urine, vaginal, and urethral secretion and others. The laboratory has a collection of specimen preparations that serve as models for the detailed study of parasitology.

Microbiology

This course comprises 150 hours of theory and practice and its contents are based on the teaching of basic and general notions of modern microbiology.

It further involves the study of the mechanisms of diseases by infectious agents known in the field of bacteriology, mycology, and virology. Basic principles include classification and epidemiological concepts, among others.

The program stresses symptomatology, pathogenia, laboratory diagnosis and treatment of the majority of the known infectious agents. Topics on frequent and important viral diseases from the epidemiological and pathogenical points of view are developed in the program.

Laboratory

Through direct participation, the students become involved in demonstration of laboratory techniques or methods to study microbiological agents. The students are taught bacteriological and mycology smear and cultivation techniques. This includes the study and handling of specimens from biological material to conventional microbiological studies.

Pathology I & II

One of the objectives of teaching pathological anatomy is to initiate the student in the study of diseases as a dynamic process, including causes, mechanisms, consequences, and in general, the factors determining the most important diseases as well as their clinical expression and application of the diagnosis.

Currently, Pathology needs to be considered as the integration of knowledge on general pathology, experimental pathology, microbiology, immunopathology, biochemistry, and other related sciences that will serve as clues to clarify the factors which determine the process and dynamic changes taking place in disease.

In general, the emphasis is placed on the physiopathology of disease, stressing the changes or reactions the organs or systems undergo throughout the process. The topics included in general pathology are cellular injury, necrosis, inflammation, the tromboticphenomena, vascular damage, tumors, immuno-efficiencies, etc. The second portion of the program deals with Special Pathology, involving specific subjects of known diseases and the damage they cause on the different organs of the human body.

Laboratory

Our Pathological Anatomy laboratory has a wide collection of histopathology preparations, which are provided to the students during the course of the theoretical and practical lessons.

Physical Diagnosis

This course is offered in the fifth semester and represents the first contact between students and patients. The program comprises 180 hours of which 96 hours are in hospital situations, in direct contact with the patients.

Semiology is considered one of the fundamental tools to direct diagnosis. Students must learn to prepare a correct and detailed clinical history and will acquire the necessary skills to conduct a good physical examination. They will learn, recognize, interpret, and group signs and symptoms in syndrome complexes, which will point towards certain signs, and symptoms that characterize surgical emergencies.


Pharmacology

The pharmacology program comprises 120 hours of theory and practice. The theoretical portion deals with general pharmacology subjects such as absorption, elimination of drugs, pharmacokinetics, biotransformation, action mechanism of drugs, synergy, and antagonism. The second part of the program deals with drugs used in clinical practice, namely choloidics, adrenergics, hypnotics, psycho pharmacy, analgesics, diuretics, and antihypertensors. This program includes a broad chapter on modern antibiotherapy.

Laboratory

The pharmacological laboratory is oriented to teaching the students the pharmacological effects of drugs and how they are administered. Practice is conducted in laboratory animals where different phenomena caused by the drugs administered are reproduced and recorded.

Pathophysiology

The program on this subject includes 120 hours of theory distributed in modules that deal with cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and other physiopathologies. Each module is developed by professors specialized in each area. In this course we find the physpathological explanations for alterations instructures and functions, signs, and symptoms, and known clinical symptomatology.

Clinical Pathology

The objective of this course is to demonstrate the different laboratory tests that support clinical diagnosis. The different tests are described, analyzed, and interpreted with the intention of preparing the student in the correct use. At the end of the course the students will be capable of interpreting and evaluating laboratory results.

Laboratory

The students attend the clinical laboratory where they learn the basic techniques for performing laboratory tests such as blood tests, urine, diverse biochemical tests, immunoenzymatic essay, etc.

Forensic Medicine

This course is structured to enable students to acquire forensic medicine skills and concepts, to understand its implications in the exercise of medicine and to acquire the basic knowledge for the practice of forensic medicine.

The course includes the legal importance of forensic medicine and its contribution to justice. It includes penology and criminology as a science, as well as all the aspects related to death and the cadaver. The concepts of identify and identification are stressed.

Traumatology receives special attention with regards to criminal injuries, different types of wounds, traffic accidents, burns, and the concept of the forensic medicine prognosis. In addition, asphixiology receives a broad and in depth attention so that the students may distinguish the juridical causes of death.

Sexology and legal obstetrics are highlighted due to their frequency in the practice of forensic medicine.

Medical Ethics

This course is offered in two parts: the first part contemplates a study of the philosophic concept of ethics and the main ethical models in the history of morals. The second part is based on the practical applications of ethics within the framework of the practice of medicine.

Introduction to Surgery

This course introduces the student to the field of surgery. It aims to expose the student to the basic principles of surgical techniques, which will serve as basis to the clinical cycle. Basic surgical knowledge is given to the students, as well as pre-surgical and post-surgical preparation, sutures, handling, and knowledge of surgical instruments, asepsis measures, etc.

Clinical Sciences

The clinical cycle extends from the sixth through the eleventh semesters of the Medical Level. Its encompasses medical and surgical specialties with an emphasis on theoretical and practical aspects, offered by specialists in each area.

Each semester of this cycle includes an internal medicine module including Surgery, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry. Gynecology and Obstetrics have duration of three semesters.

Cardiology

A basic updated cardiology program is developed in the course of 45 hours of instruction. This course stresses the evaluation and handling of cardiovascular diseases, as well as the knowledge and application of non-invasive and invasive techniques.

Practical work is conducted at the Institute of Cardiology of the Dominican Republic, which has available all the necessary tools required for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Pneumology

Due to the high incidence of respiratory diseases our program gives a broad and complete coverage of the different pathologies of the respiratory system. Physical examination, clinical history data as well as radiology, spirometry, and optical bronchoscope are some of the diagnostic tools students become familiar with.

Infectious Diseases

This course has been designed to train students to recognize and handle infectious diseases according to the different causal microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and rickettsia. It also comprised the so-called tropical diseases, since our country is located in that sphere.

Diagnosis through Imaging

The interpretation of images through conventional and sophisticated methods is fundamental for the diagnosis of different pathologies. The teaching of radiology, sonograms, MRI images, computerized axial tomography, and isotopic techniques, are of capital importance in current medicine.

During the theoretical and practical lessons, the students receive the necessary instruction in the use and interpretation of these most important means of diagnosis.

Endocrinology

This subject has a broad and updated endocrine metabolic pathology program. Knowledge of relevant diseases due to their frequency, such as diabetes, is studied in all their dimensions.

The students participate in the most commonly used diagnostic tests to learn to diagnose certain endocrine pathologies and to adequately handle the complications of these entities. This teaching is conducted at the Institute of Diabetes, unique hospital in its field, equipped with modern facilities for the treatment of the disease.

Gastroenterology

Conscious of the importance of this subject, we offer a gastroenterology program, which comprises the description of the pathologies of the digestive tract and the liver, as well as the current means of diagnosis such as video-endoscopy procedures.

Therapeutics means such as the sclerosis of varicose veins and the use of interferon for hepatitis are all described in the program.

Nephrology

Theory and practical lessons develop the nephrology program focused on the students acquiring thee basic notions for the diagnosis and handling of kidney patients. The practical lessons are designed to give the students a basic training in the handling of kidney dialysis. National Institute for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition (INDEN) hospital has a modern dialysis unit, which enables close contact with patients suffering from kidney deficiency.

Dermatology

This course is conducted at the Dominican Institute of Dermatology, an institution specialized in the field of skin pathologies. In the theoretical-practical program of this important field, professor and students form a learning unit. The course encompasses all the dermatological pathologies and sexually transmitted diseases expressed in the skin.

Rheumatology

Diseases of the connective and articular tissues have a relevant position in internal medicine. This subject comprises topics related with rheumatic pathology and well-known clinical entities such as
auto-immune disorders.

Hematology-Oncology

These two relevant areas of internal medicine are offered in a program that encompasses the study of hematological pictures related to systemic diseases. Understanding of the tumor process and the different ways of dissemination, and the tumor biology, are developed in this course. In the field of hematology, stress is placed in the study of the anemic patient: diagnostic, ethiological perspective, and handling. The onco-hematological processes such as lymphomas, leukemia, monoclonal gammapathy, are extensively dealt. Practice is conducted at the Cancer Institute of the Dominican Republic, a popular specialized referral center.

Neurology & Neurosurgery

In this block the student studies the clinical and surgical diseases of the nervous system. Stress is placed on the adequate and detailed neurological examination for the diagnostic orientation of neurological syndromes.

Anesthesiology

For the period of 30 hours of instructions and two weeks of hospital practice in the operation room, the students acquire a basic knowledge in the handling of the different modalities of anesthetics and anesthesia.

They also receive training in the areas of intubation, cardio-respiratory resuscitation and reanimation, and the importance of pre-anesthetics visits and follow up in the intensive care unit.

General Surgery

This course has been designed to immerse the student in the wide field of surgery. Recognition of the surgical patient, the handling and support, as well as the basic knowledge of survival techniques, are some of the topics it covers. The theoretical portion makes a revision of the most relevant surgical pathologies, particularly abdominal surgical events. Students will play an important role in the operating room, where they will integrate with the Surgeon General in every day surgical cases. Pre-surgery and post-operative follows up evaluations are tasks directly involving the student.

Urology

This course teaches the students, the clinical and surgical pathologies of the genitourinary way, the practical handling of the urological patient, such as the insertion of vesicle catheters, and others. This rotation shows the student the modern surgical techniques to deal with urological pathologies.

Vascular Surgery

The principles and generalities of vascular and thoracic surgery are detailed in this program. It also provides a brief description of the most used and updated surgical techniques in the handling of vascular and thoracic surgical pathology.

Ophthalmology

This course is taught in the modern Ophthalmology Department attached to our University Hospital.
The students benefit from a teaching program, which includes daily outpatient assistance and surgical procedures, as well as the use of modern ophthalmologic means of diagnosis and treatment.

Otorhinolaryngology

The study of otological and throat pathology is integrated in a theoretical-practical module. The students, along with the specialists, participate in the attention of outpatients and surgical procedures in this field. As in other subjects, presentation of cases and seminars is mandatory for the participants.

Orthopedics & Traumatology

These two subjects have been inserted into on program since they share situations and diagnostic techniques, as well as common treatment.

The managing of traumatized patients is dealt with from the diagnosis, handling, support, and treatment points of view.

Physical Medicine

Recuperation and rehabilitation of patients with traumas or limitations is fundamental. This course has been integrated to the program so as to give the student the opportunity to gain basic notions in this interesting field.

Rehabilitation methods and techniques such as hydrotherapy, diathermy, use of ultraviolet radiation, and electrotherapy are widely demonstrated in this course.

Sub-Internship

Their duration is three semesters (48 weeks). Clinical sub-internships include rotations in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynecology-Obstetrics, and Psychiatry. During these rotations students work closely with instructors at the hospital caring for ambulatory patients. During this semester the different types of medical attention will be covered paying special attention to primary care.

Research Project

All students must present a research project proposal during the first semester of sub-internship and be presented on the last semester of the sub-internship.

Psychiatry

The ability to recognize non-organic pathology and mental unbalance is a challenge in the exercise of medicine.The psychiatry program places emphasis on the correct compilation and organization of the data in the psychiatric clinical history, differential diagnosis, and treatment methods, handling of psychopharmacology and knowledge of their adverse effects, and the abuse of controlled substances.

Gynecology & Obstetrics

The objective in this rotation is to provide the students with the knowledge and necessary experience to manage the normal and abnormal change occurring during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium, as well as diagnosis and treatment of gynecological problems.

Through the physical examinations of patients, students master the correct use of the speculum as a mean to explore the cervical canal.

At the end of the course, the students will have participated in surgical procedures in this field, including childbirth sessions.

Pediatrics & Neonatology

This block of subjects encompasses the medical aspects of child development. The objective is to allow students to acquire the knowledge necessary for the normal physical and mental evaluation of a child from birth to adolescence.

Students learn the interrelation of the child's environmental, social, and educational factors with his/her growth and development. Furthermore, they are taught to recognize and understand common childhood diseases, their diagnosis and treatment, and their prevention.