Toward a clinical orientation in the basic medical biochemistry curriculum

A re-evaluation of biochemistry in medical school curricula is presented, with reference to designing more effective courses. Responses to a survey conducted among 103 medical students enrolled in two general biochemistry courses indicated that basic biochemistry would be considered more relevant to the medical curriculum if clinical applications were emphasized over basic principles. A majority of students (91%) expressed interest in applying biochemical principles to pathological conditions. They recommended that the biochemistry curriculum should include lectures on the significance of biochemistry in medical practice and its role in the life processes, laboratory comparisons of normal and pathological specimens, and course titles that reflect a more clinical orientation.