7 M.D. Degree Programs in Czech Republic

The curriculum of the study programme General Medicine is identical to the one pursued by Czech medical students, apart from being taught in English. It conforms to the European Union standards, and is also accredited by the Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE).

Second Faculty of Medicine offers a six-year full-time M.D. study program in General Medicine.

The standard duration of study is six years. The form of study is full-time only. Graduates of the programme receive a complete medical education and are awarded the title MUDr. (M.D.) after successful completion of studies, entitling them to apply for positions in all M.D. specialization fields. Since the academic year 1996/97, tuition takes place adhering to a modernized and revised study programme that allows students to gain integrated knowledge in theoretical and preclinical fields. Common clinical problems are explained using problem-oriented learning and clinical training focuses not only on the application of theoretical knowledge but also on developing practical skills. Tuition goals are in accordance with the European Program for Medical Faculties Euroskills, which the Third Faculty of Medicine is taking part in. Study at the Third Faculty of Medicine is compatible with study at other medical faculties.

The Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen offers courses in General Medicine (six years) in both Czech and in English languages. For medical students, the first two years of study are devoted to theoretical disciplines, such as Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Physiology. During the third and fourth years, pre-clinical subjects, such as Pathological Anatomy, Pathological Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, and Pharmacology are studied. Bedside teaching is also introduced in the third year. The last two years of study are fully devoted to clinical subjects. For students of Dentistry, the first two years of study are devoted to theoretical disciplines and pre-clinical Dentistry, the third, fourth, and fifth years are devoted to clinical stomatology. The academic years for theoretical disciplines and pre-clinical subjects are organized into winter and summer semesters. Each semester consists of a teaching period followed by an examination period. The clinical courses are organized in a block system.

The graduating dentist reveals broad academic dental education and has to be able to realize proper clinical dental practice. He/she is sufficiently trained in clinical practice and has relevant manual skills. He/she is able to work together with other dental and health care professionals in the health care system. He/she has to be able to communicate adequately. He/she is prepared for adequate continual self-education and professional development. He/she is able to practice evidence-based dentistry using extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The study program is designed as a six-year program without an interstage bachelor's degree. This type of study has always been one of the fundamental study programs at universities since the Middle Ages. The core, obligatory subjects taught in the first years of study will help students to recognize and become familiar with the normal physiological processes in a living organism. The third-year subjects introduce the pathological processes and, in addition, help students to acquire and master basic practical skills within the propaedeutic of inner medicine and the basics of surgery. The subjects taught in the fourth and fifth years are focused on individual fields of clinical medicine. Finally, the subjects in the sixth study year are introduced and taught mainly as long-term practical training in the departments of internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, the maternity ward, and pediatrics. Additionally, the students also have similar practical training within subjects covering preventive, social, and public health medicine. Our goal is to provide students with the necessary theoretical background and enable them in particular clinical fields to master the diagnosis of conditions and provision of the most suitable treatments to a patient. Furthermore, the students also master an appropriate approach to patients. It is necessary to attain a reasonable balance between the amount of new information from individual medical fields and basic core knowledge so that in the particularities we do not lose focus on the whole: an ill person, a patient.

n the first two years the curriculum principally covers theoretical courses (Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, etc.). The third year of studies comprises preclinical courses (Pathophysiology, Pathology) and prepares students for the study of clinical courses (Surgery, Internal Medicine).