A first-year, student-managed course to correlate basic sciences with clinical medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Biochemistry and Physiology Integration

Background:

• Traditional medical curricula often present a disconnect between basic sciences and clinical practice.
• Early exposure to clinical scenarios is crucial for medical student comprehension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a course linking biochemistry and physiology to clinical applications for first-year medical students.
• To foster independent learning and critical evaluation of scientific literature.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated early clinical problem exposure and patient-centered learning.
• Facilitated joint teaching by basic science and clinical faculty.
• Gradually shifted course responsibility from faculty to students for a fully student-led experience.

Main Results:

• Students successfully managed the entire course presentation, including patient interviews and basic science correlation.
• Demonstrated effective integration of theoretical knowledge with practical clinical scenarios.

Conclusions:

• A student-led, integrated curriculum effectively bridges basic science and clinical practice in medical education.
• This model promotes active learning and enhances students' ability to connect scientific principles with patient care.