Medical education in the Philippines
Medical education in the 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 professional degree program which qualifies the degree holder to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines.
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, pharmacy, medical technology, biochemistry, nursing, and physical therapy.[1]
In addition, a candidate must take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), the national entrance exam for all medical schools in the Philippines.[1][2]
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.[1]
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.[1]
Top Philippine Medical Schools
The Board of Medicine of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines.[1] has released a list of the outstanding colleges of medicine in the Philippines with percentage passing above the national average (62.71%) based on the Physician Licensure Examinations from 2007-2012. They were recognized in the oath-taking of the new physicians held at the PICC Plenary Hall in Pasay City on September 15, 2012.[3][4][5]
| Rank | Name | Number of Examinees | Passed | Passing Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM)[6] | 390 | 388 | 99.48% |
| 2 | University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UP) | 962 | 948 | 98.54% |
| 3 | University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (UST-FMS) | 2355 | 2269 | 96.34% |
| 4 | Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine (PLM-CM) | 701 | 658 | 93.86% |
| 5 | Mindanao State University College of Medicine (MSU-COM) | 276 | 254 | 92.02% |
| 6 | West Visayas State University College of Medicine (WVSU-COM) | 621 | 555 | 89.37% |
| 7 | Saint Luke's College of Medicine (SLCM) | 482 | 430 | 89.21% |
| 8 | Saint Louis University International School of Medicine (SLU-SoM) | 501 | 435 | 86.82% |
| 9 | Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine (XU-JPRSM) | 337 | 289 | 85.75% |
| 10 | Cebu Doctors' University College of Medicine (CDU-CM) | 443 | 368 | 83.06% |
| 11 | UERMMMC College of Medicine | 1294 | 1068 | 82.53% |
| 12 | Cagayan State University College of Medicine | 134 | 109 | 81.34% |
| 13 | Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) | 1558 | 1249 | 80.16% |
| 14 | Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine (AdZU-SOM) | 154 | 121 | 78.57% |
| 15 | Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. College of Medicine | 508 | 393 | 77.36% |
| 16 | University of St. La Salle College of Medicine (USLS-CM) | 141 | 107 | 75.88% |
| 17 | De La Salle Health Sciences Institute | 1197 | 823 | 68.75% |
List of APMC (Accredited Philippine Medical Schools)
There are 38 APMC member schools and colleges as of 2009.[7]
| Name | Dean | Location |
|---|---|---|
| AMA College of Medicine | Esperanza C. Lansang, M.D. | Makati |
| Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health | Manuel M. Dayrit, M.D. | Pasig |
| Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine | Fortunato L. Cristobal, M.D. | Zamboanga City |
| Emilio Aguinaldo College | Asuncion Abaya-Morido, M.D. | Ermita, Manila |
| Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation | Linda D. Tamesis M.D. | Fairview, Quezon City |
| University of Perpetual Help Rizal Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine | Aretas P. Singson-Alday, M.D. | Las Piñas |
| Manila Central University – Filemon D. Tanchoco Sr. Medical Foundation | Ma. Lilybeth R. Tanchoco, M.D. | Caloocan |
| Our Lady of Fatima University | Reynaldo A. Olazo, M.D. | Valenzuela |
| Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila | Rose Anna R. Banal, M.D. | Intramuros, Manila |
| San Beda College of Medicine | Fernandino Jose A. Fontanilla, M.D. | Mendiola, Manila |
| St. Luke's College of Medicine – William H. Quasha Memorial | Brigido L. Carandang, Jr., M.D. | Sta. Ignacia St., Quezon City |
| UERMMMC College of Medicine | Alfaretta Luisa T. Reyes, M.D. | Aurora Blvd., Quezon City |
| University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | Jesus V. Valencia, M.D. | España, Manila |
| University of the Philippines College of Medicine | Agnes Mejia, M.D. | Pedro Gil, Manila |
| Baguio Central University | Ma. Ana P. Custodio, M.D. | 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 | Felipe H. Rodriguez, M.D. | Dagupan, Pangasinan |
| University of Northern Philippines | Larguita P. Reotutar, M.D. | Vigan, Ilocos Sur |
| Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation | Estrella S. Valerio, M.D. | San Carlos, Pangasinan |
| Cagayan State University | Pablo M. Afidchao, M.D. | Tuguegarao, Cagayan |
| Angeles University Foundation School of Medicine | Evelyn B. Yumiaco, M.D. | Angeles, Pampanga |
| De La Salle Health Sciences Institute | Dina C. Gonzales, M.D. | Dasmariñas, Cavite |
| University of Perpetual Help – Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University | Winnie P. Siao, M.D. | Biñan, Laguna |
| Bicol Christian College of Medicine | Sonia G. Rosario, 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 School of Medicine | Peter S. Aznar, M.D. | Urgello St., Cebu City |
| Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine | Arlene M. Diaz, M.D. | Redemptorist Plaza, Camputhaw, Cebu City |
| Gullas College of Medicine University of the Visayas | Leonardo Raymund C. Cimafranca, M.D. | Mandaue, Cebu |
| Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical School Foundation | Jesus G. Reyes, 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 |
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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 Cardiology, Philippine Board of Pulmonology, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians Board of Examiners etc.).[1]
Medical practice
Medical practice in the Philippines is developed, monitored, and regulated by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), 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.).[8]
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.[9]
Notable Filipino doctors
- José Rizal - the National Hero of the Philippines
- Mariano Ponce - Filipino propagandist, was managing editor of La Solidaridad
- Juan Flavier - former Health Secretary and Senator of the Philippines
- Manuel Dayrit - former Health Secretary and Officer of the World Health Organization, current Dean of Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health
- Ramon Gustilo - Orthopedic surgeon; responsible for the commonly used Gustilo open fracture classification.[10]
- Senen Reyes - the first and only Filipino Cosmonaut-Doctor[11]
- Fe del Mundo - First Filipino woman and female medical student to enter the Harvard Medical School. A pioneer of Pediatrics in the Philippines.[12]
See also
- List of medical schools in the Philippines
- Higher education in the Philippines
- Philippine College of Physicians
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Medical education, Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, 2007.
- ↑ CHED Memorandum Order no. 10, series of 2006.
- ↑ Statistical Data of Medical Board Exam Passing Rates, Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, 1998-2011
- ↑ Souvenir Program of Oath-taking of New Physicians, 15 September 2012
- ↑ http://www.prcboardexams.com/2007-2012-top-medical-schools-in-philippines/
- ↑ http://infolikes.com/board-exams/top-medical-schools-in-the-philippines-2007-2012/
- ↑ http://www.apmcf-ph.net/member-schools-and-colleges
- ↑ Allied organizations, Philippine Medical Association, 2007.
- ↑ Public Information Office, Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines, 2007.
- ↑ Rüedi, etc. all. AO principles of fracture management, Volume 1. p. Page 96.
- ↑ Beta Mu Sigma.
- ↑ http://www.feu-alumni.com/announcements/fdm.htm