Medical education in the Philippines

Medical education in Philippines is principally offered and developed by accredited and government recognized medical schools in the country.

The Philippine medical schools are graduate schools offering the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. The M.D. is a four-year and six months professional degree program which qualifies the degree holder to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines.

Health professionals are one of the biggest exports of the Philippines and a significant source of tax revenue for the government which subsidises medical education. [1]

Admission to medical schools

Before applying to any medical school, a candidate must earn a bachelor's degree with credits in certain required subjects. The most common pre-medical degrees include biology, psychology, pharmacy, medical technology, biochemistry, microbiology, nursing, radiologic technology and physical therapy.[2]

In addition, a candidate must take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), the national entrance exam for all medical schools in the Philippines.[2][3]

Professional medical degree

The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is a four-year professional degree program dealing with medical theories, practices, technologies, and problem solving.

The completion of the degree program with one-year postgraduate internship qualifies a candidate to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines.[2]

Philippine medical schools

Medical schools in the country are regulated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, and accredited by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges.[2]

List of APMC (Accredited Philippine Medical Schools)

There are 38 APMC member schools and colleges as of 2009.[4]

NameDeanLocation
Angeles University Foundation School of MedicineEvelyn B. Yumiaco, M.D.Angeles, Pampanga
Manila Theological College-College of MedicineMay Emmeline B. Montellano, M.D.Manga Ave., Manila
Manila Central University College of MedicineLilybeth R. Tanchoco, M.D.Caloocan
Our Lady of Fatima UniversityReynaldo A. Olazo, M.D.Valenzuela
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng MaynilaAngeline D. Alabastro, M.D.Intramuros, Manila
San Beda College of MedicineFernandino Jose A. Fontanilla, M.D.Mendiola, Manila
St. Luke's College of Medicine – William H. Quasha MemorialSusan Pelea Nagtalon, M.D.Sta. Ignacia St., Quezon City
UERMMMC College of MedicineNorbert Lingling D. Uy, M.D.Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and SurgeryMa. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao, M.D.España, Manila
University of the Philippines College of MedicineAgnes Mejia, M.D.Pedro Gil, Manila
Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical FoundationRey Delos Reyes, MDWest Fairview, Quezon City
Baguio Central UniversityMa. Ana P. Custodio, M.D.Baguio, Benguet
Saint Louis University International School of MedicineJohn Anthony A. Domantay, M.D.Baguio, Benguet
Lyceum-Northwestern University Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Medical FoundationEllen Manzano, M.D.Dagupan, Pangasinan
University of Northern PhilippinesPablo R. Quedado, M.D.Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Virgen Milagrosa University FoundationAurora R. Espinoza, M.D.San Carlos, Pangasinan
Cagayan State UniversityAntonino Paguirigan M.D.Tuguegarao, Cagayan
De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences InstituteMadeleine M. Sosa, M.D.Dasmariñas, Cavite
University of Perpetual Help – Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical UniversityWinnie P. Siao, M.D.Biñan, Laguna
Bicol Christian College of MedicineOfelia Samar Sy, M.D.Legazpi, Albay
Central Philippine University College of MedicineGlenn A. M. Catedral, M.D.Iloilo City
Iloilo Doctors' College of MedicineLudovico Jurao, M.D.Iloilo City
University of St. La SalleRicardo Gallaga, M.D.Bacolod, Negros Occidental
West Visayas State UniversityJoselito F. Villaruz, M.D.Iloilo City
Cebu Doctors' UniversityEnrico B. Gruet, M.D.Cebu City
Cebu Institute of MedicineThelma L. Fernandez, M.D.Cebu City
Silliman University Medical SchoolJonathan C. Amante, M.D.Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
Southwestern University (Philippines)Peter S. Aznar, M.D.Urgello St., Cebu City
St Paul University PhilippinesGeraldine Ramirez M.D.Tuguegarao City
Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine Inc.Arlene M. Diaz, M.D.Redemptorist Plaza, Camputhaw, Cebu City
Gullas College of MedicineNiño Ismael S. Pastor, M.D.


Mandaue, Cebu
Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical School FoundationMa. Elvira G. Casal, M.D.Tacloban, Leyte
University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences in LeyteSalvador Isidro B. Destura, M.D.Palo, Leyte
Mindanao State University College of MedicineCristina D. Achacoso, M.D.Iligan, Lanao del Norte
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of MedicineRuth S. Beltran, M.D.Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
Davao Medical School FoundationErwin Rommel N. Hontiveros, M.D.Bajada, Davao City

Philippine Physician Licensure Examination

The licensure exams for physicians (board exam for doctors) are administered by the Philippine Board of Medicine, a professional regulatory body under the general control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines.[2]

Advanced medical studies

After graduation from medical school and passing the board exam for doctors, a Filipino doctor is labelled as a general medical practitioner. He may seek further training by way of graduate programs in medicine (i.e., Master of Public Health, Master of Health Services Administration, etc.), or by way of medical specialization.[2]

Graduate medical programs

Graduate programs are offered in some medical schools in the country and abroad. Candidates usually attend lectures and practical exercises in an academic environment and in laboratory settings. The program may require the presentation and defense of a graduate-level thesis, an independent research project, or supervised professional practice as a final graduation requirement. The entire academic program may last from one year to five years, depending on the requirements of the curriculum; the demands of the institution; and the academic load, availability, and dedication of the individual student.[2]

Medical specialization

Medical specialization usually takes three to six years of residency training in accredited hospitals and clinics, and the taking of diplomate board examinations conducted by a board of medical specialists in a particular field (i.e., Philippine Board of Psychiatry, Philippine Board of Pediatrics, Philippine Board of Surgery, Philippine Specialty Board of Internal Medicine, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians Board of Examiners etc.). After specialization, the doctor may practice his field of specialty or pursue one to three years of subspecialty training / fellowship such as A) Pediatrics and internal medicine: cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious disease, oncology etc. B) Surgery: thoracic and cardiovascular, pediatric, transplant, trauma, minimally invasive, oncology C) Anesthesiology: pain, cardiovascular D) OB Gyn: oncology, ultrasound, reproductive endocrinology and infertility Straight programs for subspecialties are also offered : urology, orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive, neurosurgery [2]

Medical practice

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), is the largest organization of medical doctors in the country. Other medical and health societies co-exist to pursue more specific interests in the medical field (i.e. Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine Dermatological Society, Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity, etc.).[5]

The Department of Health, a cabinet-level department under the Office of the President of the Philippines, exercises general monitoring supervisory powers over medical practitioners and allied health personnel in the Philippines.[6]

Notable Filipino doctors
  • José Rizal - the National Hero of the Philippines
  • Mariano Ponce - Filipino propagandist, was managing editor of La Solidaridad
  • Jose Fabella - first Health Secretary
  • Juan Flavier - former Health Secretary and Senator of the Philippines
  • Ramon Gustilo - Orthopedic surgeon; responsible for the commonly used Gustilo open fracture classification.
  • Fe del Mundo - First Filipino woman and female medical student to enter the Harvard Medical School. A pioneer of Pediatrics in the Philippines.
  • Willie Ong - cardiologist and internist with large social media following, gives free medical advice online

See also

References
  1. "Southeast Asia's Big Export to the World: Health Professionals | Think Global Health".
  2. Medical education, Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, 2007.
  3. CHED Memorandum Order no. 10, series of 2006.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Allied organizations, Philippine Medical Association, 2007.
  6. Public Information Office, Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines, 2007.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.