Medical education in Philippines is principally offered and developed by accredited and government recognized medical schools in the country.
Medical schools in the Philippines are professional 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.
History Formal medical education was introduced in the Philippines by the Spaniards through University of Santo Tomas “Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia” on May 28, 1871. The undergraduate curriculum was patterned after the Spanish medical system which consisted of 6 years of undergraduate study and 1 year of internship. Following the government transition under the American commonwealth system in the late 20th century, the medical curriculum was transformed and patterned after the American curriculum.University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery https://www.jmust.org/page/aboutfms
Admission to medical schools Before applying to any medical school, a candidate must earn a bachelor's degree with credits in certain required subjects. A candidate must be at least 18 years of age. The most common pre-medical degrees include biology, psychology, pharmacy, medical technology, biochemistry, microbiology, nursing, radiologic technology and physical therapy.Medical education, Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, 2007.
In addition, a candidate must take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), the national entrance exam for all medical schools in the Philippines.CHED Memorandum Order no. 10, series of 2006.
Foreign students may apply and attend medical school in the Philippines. NMAT and bachelor's degree are required for admission to the medical program. Students from countries with direct entrance programs to medicine without a bachelor's degree, such as countries that follow the British system of training, are required to attend a two-year pre-medical program that leads to a bachelor's degree in biology. The pre-medical degree for foreign students is typically conducted online. Once deemed eligible for application to medical school, applicants must pass a background screening, medical exam, and interview prior to admission to the program.
Undergraduate Medical Education The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is a four-year professional degree program dealing with medical theories, practices, technologies, and problem solving. The curriculum is patterned after the American-system. The first year is composed of basic sciences courses including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology (Histology), Embryology, Microbiology, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology. Introduction to medicine courses are also thought such as physical exam, interviewing skills, and research. The second year is composed of organ-based abnormal physiology (pathophysiology) courses such as Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Hematology/Oncology, Nephrology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Neurology, and Urology. Students in their second year are also introduced to limited clinical rotations in clinics/hospitals to supplement theoretical knowledge. The third year is composed of rotations in different inpatient and outpatient departments such as Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Family medicine. The fourth year is composed of subspecialty rotations such as neurosurgery, dermatology, otolaryngology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, urology, cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, and forensic medicine/pathology.
Philippine medical schools Medical schools in the country are regulated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines. Voluntary accreditation are granted by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities but are not necessary for medical schools to operate. PAASCU is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME), an affiliate of the World Health Organization, to accredit medical schools for inclusion in the WFME directory of medical schools.
Partial List of CHED-approved Medical Schools
Medical programs are regulated and approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines which is the government regulatory agency for higher education in the Philippines. Each medical schools may undergo voluntary accreditation by the Philippine Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) which is a non-governmental organization tasked to ensure quality in basic medical education. Currently, not all medical schools in the Philippines are accredited by the PAASCU but are approved to operate by CHED. Several medical schools are currently under review for accreditation by PAASCU. Approval by CHED to operate a medical education course is necessary for medical schools to offer an M.D. course. Programs approved by CHED are recognized by WFME, WHO, and Medical Board of California. Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California https://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensing/Physicians-and-Surgeons/Apply/Schools-Recognized.aspx World Directory of Medical Schools https://www.wdoms.org/ Most medical schools in the Philippines are members of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges which is a non-governmental association that provides technical support to each medical schools and administer the ENIPS internship matching service.Accredited medical schools in the Philippines by PAASCU https://paascu.org.ph/index.php/accredited-medical-schools/
Name Dean Location University of Perpetual Help – Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University Winnie P. Siao, M.D. Biñan, Laguna Angeles University Foundation School of Medicine Evelyn B. Yumiaco, M.D. Angeles, Pampanga Manila Theological College-College of Medicine May Emmeline B. Montellano, M.D. Manga Ave., Manila Manila Central University College of Medicine Lilybeth R. Tanchoco, M.D. Caloocan Our Lady of Fatima University Reynaldo A. Olazo, M.D. Valenzuela Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Angeline D. Alabastro, M.D. Intramuros, Manila San Beda University, College of Medicine Fernandino Jose A. Fontanilla, M.D. Mendiola, Manila St. Luke's College of Medicine – William H. Quasha Memorial Susan Pelea Nagtalon, M.D. Sta. Ignacia St., Quezon City UERMMMC College of Medicine Norbert Lingling D. Uy, M.D. Aurora Blvd., Quezon City Brokenshire College School of Medicine Brokenshire College School of Medicine http://brokenshiremedicalcollege.com/index.html Melchorita S. Salvador, PhD Davao City University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Ma. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao, M.D. España, Manila University of the Philippines College of Medicine Agnes Mejia, M.D. Pedro Gil, Manila Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Rey Delos Reyes, MD West Fairview, Quezon City Pines City Colleges, School of Medicine ]] Baguio, Benguet Saint Louis University International School of Medicine John Anthony A. Domantay, M.D. Baguio, Benguet Lyceum-Northwestern University Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Medical Foundation Ellen Manzano, M.D. Dagupan, Pangasinan University of Northern Philippines Pablo R. Quedado, M.D. Vigan, Ilocos Sur Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation Aurora R. Espinoza, M.D. San Carlos, Pangasinan Cagayan State University Antonino Paguirigan M.D. Tuguegarao, Cagayan De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute Madeleine M. Sosa, M.D. Dasmariñas, Cavite Bicol University College of Medicine Ofelia Samar Sy, M.D. Legazpi, Albay Central Philippine University College of Medicine Glenn A. M. Catedral, M.D. Iloilo City Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine Ludovico Jurao, M.D. Iloilo City University of St. La Salle Ricardo Gallaga, M.D. Bacolod, Negros Occidental West Visayas State University Joselito F. Villaruz, M.D. Iloilo City Cebu Doctors' University Enrico B. Gruet, M.D. Cebu City Cebu Institute of Medicine Thelma L. Fernandez, M.D. Cebu City Silliman University Medical School Jonathan C. Amante, M.D. Dumaguete, Negros Oriental Southwestern University (Philippines) Peter S. Aznar, M.D. Urgello St., Cebu City St Paul University Philippines Geraldine Ramirez M.D. Tuguegarao City Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine Inc. Arlene M. Diaz, M.D. Redemptorist Plaza, Camputhaw, Cebu City University of the Visayas Gullas College of Medicine Niño Ismael S. Pastor, M.D. Mandaue, Cebu Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical School Foundation Ma. Elvira G. Casal, M.D. Tacloban, Leyte University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences in Leyte Salvador Isidro B. Destura, M.D. Palo, Leyte Mindanao State University College of Medicine Cristina D. Achacoso, M.D. Iligan, Lanao del Norte Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine Ruth S. Beltran, M.D. Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental Davao Medical School Foundation Erwin Rommel N. Hontiveros, M.D. Bajada, Davao City
Graduate Medical Education Graduate medical education programs are composed of residency and fellowship programs. These specialty programs are offered jointly by medical schools in partnership with hospitals or independently by private/public hospitals. Medical graduates are referred to as residents or fellows depending on their education level. Residents are physicians (M.D.) who are in an internship or residency program. Fellows are physicians who have completed a residency program in their primary specialty (ie, Anesthesia, Surgery, Internal Medicine...) who are pursuing subspecialty training. Residency and fellowship curriculum include didactics (lectures, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conferences) and practical exercises (clinical simulation, skills/procedures training on a manikin or standardized patient) in a classroom, simulation lab, and clinical laboratory settings. Trainees in a GME program are given progressive level of responsibility and increasing level of independent practice depending on their post-graduate year/level. 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.
Internship A general medicine/surgery internship is compulsory to obtain a medical license in the Philippines. Medical graduates must spend one-year in general medicine, pediatrics, or surgery prior to entering residency. Internships are usually integrated with residency programs, however, medical graduates may complete their internship and residency at different institutions. Medical students must apply through a national matching service called ENIPS, similar to the American system called NRMP. An algorithm will match applicants to different partnering institutions based on a ranking system.Electronic National Internship Program System https://apmcf-ph.net/enips/ Medical graduates who have completed an internship may obtain a license to practice independently as a general practitioner or pursue further training by applying to residency programs.
Medical specialization