EXPOSURE OF STUDENTS TO PEDIATRICS IN A
MEDICAL SCHOOL IN ISRAEL
Urkin J, Galil
A, Tal A, Bar-David Y, Katz M
Joyce and Irving
Goldman Medical School, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva,
Israel
Objective:
To present an overview of medical students’ exposure to pediatrics
during their formal studies at the Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School,
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
Methods:
A descriptive study of the formal curriculum.
Results:
The medical school program consists of 6 years of formal studies and
a 7th year of internship.
Years 1, 2, and 3 are devoted to the traditional studies in basic
sciences, clinical sciences and body systems. The Goldman Medical School has a tradition of exposing
medical students to patients from the first year of their studies. Following this philosophy, exposure
to pediatrics is integrated within these formal studies in the form of
student participation in clinical rotations in pediatrics, clinical
confrontations linking basic sciences with clinical aspects using
pediatrics as an example, clinical days which involves exposure to
newborns, well-baby clinics, community health centers and child development
centers, and clinical weeks devoted to pediatrics. Pediatric aspects are emphasized in
the studies of body systems.
Years 4,5, and 6 are devoted to rotations and electives each with
pediatric components.
Conclusion: The pediatric experience the Goldman Medical School is
distributed within the seven-year program beginning immediately in the
first year. It provides many
experiences exposing the student to the diversities of the pediatric
profession.