DM in Internal Medicine

4 year programme               Starting January or July

The DM programme in Internal Medicine is a four-year programme and consists of two parts as follows:

Part I (Years 1 and 2)

i. A duration of two years and includes one year in General Internal Medicine in approved institutions where the students will be working in both in-patient and out-patient settings under the supervision of senior residents and consultants.

ii. During Year 2, the resident is assigned to a rotation in sub-specialties at approved hospitals or institutions. The residents pursue 8 – 12 week rotations in the following subspecialties: Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Pulmonology. The residents should have exposure to all six subspecialties before the end of the second year.

Part II (Years 3 and 4) 

i. A duration of two years of which in Year 3 (the elective year) students will be substantially engaged in acquiring research skills while continuing clinical work. Students will be required to do their Clinical Research Project during this year.

ii. This elective year allows the resident the choice of spending it either at the teaching hospital or at any other approved Institution within the Caribbean region or outside. The residents are allowed to select the clinical or laboratory area they would like to work in. Specialty Board approval of the elective is required.

iii. During Year 4, the residents return to the teaching hospital where they will acquire further intensive training in General Internal Medicine.

Programme Assessment 

Each student will be assessed by a written and clinical examination every six months. During years one, two and four, the students will be assessed at the end of each month by the consultant with whom they have worked during that month. 6. During the elective year (year three) if the student is working in one of the subspecialty services, then the student will have monthly assessments by the consultants with whom they have worked during that month. 

Programme Examination

The DM Medicine examination consists of two parts:Part I and Part II.

Part I

i. The Part I examination is taken at the end of two years. Once the candidates have progressed satisfactorily through the first two years of the training programme (including satisfactory examinations and assessments) they are allowed to take the Part I DM examination. This consists of:

a. Written papers (Paper I - multiple choice questions

b. Paper II - essay)

c. A clinical examination (objective structured format)

ii. The candidate must pass all parts of the examination that is Paper I, Paper II and the clinical examination. Students will not be allowed to proceed to Year 3 of the programme until they have passed the Part I examination. Students are allowed two attempts at the Part I examination.

Part II

i. The Part II examination will be taken at the end of Year 4 of the programme. Having passed the Part I examination and then satisfactorily completed Years 3 and 4 in a similar manner to years 1 and 2 above, the candidate progresses to Part II of the examination. This examination consists of:

a. Written papers (Paper I - multiple choice questions, and Paper II - essay) 

b. A clinical examination (objective structured format)

c. An oral examination.

ii. Candidates must pass all parts of the examination, that is, Paper I, Paper II, clinical and oral examinations. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in Part II of the examination at the first attempt will be required to make one further attempt within one year and if unsuccessful will be required to withdraw.

Requirements for Entry in the Programme

• Applicants for entry to the DM Internal Medicine programme should, in addition to the general requirements, have 9-12 months experience post internship in General Internal Medicine and should have completed six months in general internal medicine in an approved institution/hospital working under the supervision of an internist with specialty training in internal medicine. Candidates will not normally be eligible for entry until 18-24 months from the start of their internship.
• Applicant should be a graduate in medicine of a University or Medical School recognized by the University of the West Indies.
• Registrable in the territory or territories in which the programme will be done. Criteria for registration should be obtained from the relevant medical council.
• Applicants will be eligible for entry after completing their internship, and for some programmes relevant work experiences. Applicants are also required to complete the Senior House Officer programme where required by the Government.
• Candidates will be required to submit a written application and relevant documentation (transcript, 2 current medical references, birth & marriage certificate, CV) and may be required to attend an interview to be eligible for selection to the programme.
• The date of entry will normally be January/July depending on the campus. Where applicable, it is determined by the date when the candidate begins to work in a recognized post in an accredited hospital. Application to enter the programme may be made before securing such a post. The applicant may then receive from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, on the recommendation of the Faculty Committee for Graduate Studies, provisional acceptance for entry to the programme contingent on obtaining an accredited post. After the successful applicant has secured an accredited post, the date of entry will be fixed by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the applicant notified accordingly.