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Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree is a five year graduate program intended to teach students the
essentials of being a Medical Doctor. The program consists of three years of academic instruction, one
year of clinical clerkship and one year of post-graduate internship.

In the first year, the subjects integrated in the curriculum are mainly composed of basic sciences such as
Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Preventive Medicine, Community health, Psychiatry and
Medical Practice I. The second year is spent studying fundamental concepts in Pathology, Microbiology
and Parasitology, Pharmacology, Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatry II and Medical Economics. During the
third year of studying Medicine, students are taught subjects that deal with common diseases
encountered in clinical practice, as well as interesting or rare conditions. The pathophysiology, clinical
features, diagnostic approaches and the management of these diseases are also given emphasis. The
final year of the Doctor of Medicine program is spent in hospital duty.

The first two years of the Doctor of Medicine program are spent in class lectures delivered through
computers using LCD projectors complemented by slide/ film showings, laboratory work and group
discussions. In the third and fourth year, students begin to meet patients in actual hospital setting.
Students are rotated in various hospital departments, spending up to two months in each department in
the fields of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics, and several weeks in
other specialties under the supervision of a faculty. After each clinical duty, students undergo periodic
evaluation to assess their performance.

The Doctor of Medicine 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.

Is Medicine a Profession?

Medicine is a profession. A graduate of Medical Studies who passes the Philippine Physician’s Licensure
Examination is called a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Physician. Physician’s responsibilities vary greatly
depending on the area of specialization. Generally speaking, duties may include undertaking patient
consultations and physical examinations, analyzing reports and findings of tests and of examination,
diagnosing conditions, assessing and planning treatment requirements, monitoring and administering
prescribe treatments and drugs, referring patients to medical specialist or other practitioner for
specialized treatment, writing reports, maintaining records and promoting health education.

What are the admission requirements for the M.D.

program?

Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:
(See sources 1, 2, 3 and 4)
o Pre-med bachelor's degree
The preferred pre-medicine programs for entry into medical school are Biological Sciences programs
that are primarily structured as pre-medicine courses, such as B.S. Biology, and Healthcare programs
such as B.S. Medical Technology, B.S. Pharmacy, B.S. Nursing, B.S. Public Health, and B.S. Physical
Therapy.

However, students can still be admitted to medical school provided that they meet the following
requirements:

o Must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree or their equivalent and must have
taken in four years the following subjects with their corresponding number of units:
o English: 12 units
o Latin: 3 units
o Mathematics, including Accounting and Statistics: 9 units
o Philosophy, including Psychology and Logic: 12 units
o Zoology and Botany: 15 units
o Physics: 8 units
o Chemistry: 21 units
o Library Science: 1 unit
o Humanities and Social Sciences: 12 units
o Applicants whose courses are completely unrelated to medicine are required to take
a preparatory medical course by the Board of Medical Education before they can proceed to the
M.D. program. These applicants must complete the number of years designated for the
preparatory course. Once the applicant completes the course, the Board of Medical Education
will issue a certificate of eligibility permitting the applicant to proceed to the Doctor of Medicine
program.
o NMAT – applicants to medical schools are required to take the National Medical Admission
Test (NMAT). The NMAT scores obtained by a medical school applicant are deemed sufficient and
 valid as basis for evaluating applicants for admission to a college of medicine. There are schools that
require an NMAT result of 80% or higher.
o College entrance exam – must take the entrance examination and get an above average grade,
depending on the specified rating set by the school.
o Interview – must pass a panel interview composed of professors.
o Police clearance – must submit a copy of Police or NBI clearance showing no involvement in cases of
moral turpitude (rape, robbery, forgery, etc).
o Recommendation Letter – must submit a recommendation letter from reputable source and from
previous college dean or any faculty of member of his/her previous school.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in

this course?

o Critical thinking – demonstration of cognitive skills and memory necessary to measure, calculate and
reason in order to analyze, integrate and synthesize information
o Analytical skills – the ability to understand complex medical situations, create connections among
different clinical manifestations and make sensible decisions to implement plan of care
o Communication skills – ability to speak, hear and observe patients and coherently summarize a
patient's condition and management plan, verbally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively
and sensitively with patients, families, employees and other health-care practitioners
o Scientific inclination – having a wide knowledge about the different branches of science and ability
to understand and connect certain concepts together; essential, because without this, a student will
not be able to understand the pathophysiology of certain diseases thus diagnosis and treatment is as
well affected.
o Patient Care Skills – the ability to understand and take care of patients from all ages and walks of
life; involves empathy, compassion and the sincere desire to help the sick.
o Observation skills – ability to demonstrate skills in observation. In particular, a student must be able
to accurately observe a patient and acquire visual, auditory and tactile information.
o Organization – the ability to manage different patients at a time, efficiently giving them the same
amount of medical attention
o Clinical efficiency – a physical ability of using medical instruments and performing medical and
surgical procedures efficiently and safely.
How difficult is this course?

The Doctor of Medicine program is a very difficult course. The workload in medical school is immense.
The amount of information you'd have to grasp will be higher than most people studying other courses.
As a clinical student, your timetable dramatically changes. Medicine is a very time-intensive degree and
one that will increasingly have high financial demand. Students are thrown in at the deep end of some of
the most challenging scenarios and confronted with patients that have different diseases. During clinical
duty, your sleep wake pattern is greatly disturbed because the schedule is shifting.

How long does it take to complete the M.D. program in

the Philippines?

Generally, the M.D. program takes five years to complete. In schools that follow a trimestral curriculum,
the program may be completed in less than five years. The M.D. program includes three years of
academic and clinical study, one year of clinical clerkship and one year of post-graduate internship.

3 to 6 months are usually spent in a comprehensive review program for the Philippine Physician’s
Licensure Examination. The program features classes and lectures from members of the faculty as well
as other medical practitioners. It doesn’t just end there; a residency will follow as well as a post-grad
study in your chosen specialization.

The residency period, in which you are trained in your specialized medical field, takes another 3-6 years.

Post-graduate Internship

To be able to take the Philippine Physician’s Licensure Examination, a graduate of the M.D. program
must first undergo a post-graduate Internship. It is a shared responsibility of the medical school and the
hospital. The Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Foundation is the supervising body for the post-
graduate internship.

As to the required number of hours, it varies from school to school.

Specializations

The most common fields of specializations in Medicine are as follows:

o Family Practice – a family physician is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the
family and is trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages
o Internal Medicine – internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infections, and
diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, and digestive, respiratory, and vascular systems.

Internal medicine includes many sub-specialties, such as:

o Cardiology
o Endocrinology
o Gastroenterology
o Geriatric Medicine
o Oncology and Hematology
o Hospice and Palliative Medicine
o Infectious Diseases
o Nephrology
o Pulmonary Diseases
o Rheumatology
o Emergency Medicine – an emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and
action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the prehospital setting by directing
emergency medical technicians and in the emergency department.
o Pediatrics – pediatricians provide preventive health maintenance for healthy children and medical
care for those who are seriously or chronically ill; physicians trained in pediatrics are experts in
emotional and behavioral assessment and can be powerful advocates for troubled children and
adolescents.
o Obstetrics-gynecology – a diverse and vibrant specialty that utilizes both medical and surgical skills
to address specialized aspects of women’s health during the female life cycle, including the pre-
pubertal, reproductive, and post-menopausal years.
o Orthopedic Surgeon – an orthopedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation, and
restoration of the form and functions of the extremities, spine, and associated structures by medical,
surgical, and physical means; involved with the care of patients who have musculoskeletal problems.
o General Surgery – a surgeon establishes the diagnosis and provides the preoperative, operative, and
postoperative care to surgical patients and is usually responsible for the comprehensive
management of the trauma victim and the critically ill surgical patient.
o Psychiatry – a psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental,
addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood
disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and
adjustment disorders.

Philippine Physician’s Licensure Examination

To be a full–fledged medical doctor in the Philippines, a graduate of the M.D. program needs to pass
the Philippine Physician’s Licensure Examination. The Board of Medicine (BOM) facilitates the exam
under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

There are two general categories included in the exam each having six subjects under them. The first
category is basic sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology and
Pharmacology) and the second category is clinical sciences (Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Pediatrics, Surgery, Legal Medicine and Preventive Medicine). The passing average is 75%, with no grade
falling below 50% in any subject.

A medical graduate needs to pass the medical board exam in order to obtain his license. He or she must
pass the Med Boards within his first three attempts; otherwise, he would have to take a 1-year refresher
course given only by certain medical schools. Currently, there is no limit to the number of times a
medical graduate may attempt taking the board exam.

Medical Residency Training

After passing the Licensure Exam, graduates are eligible to enter the Residency Training Program in their
field of specialization. The Residency training program in the Philippines is regulated by their respective
Medical Societies (Philippine Board of Psychiatry, Philippine Board of Pediatrics, Philippine Board of
Cardiology, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, etc). Each society has created an Accreditation
Committee/Board whose goal is to assure the delivery of the highest quality medical care by
implementing a structured residency program and a standard curriculum in order to ensure the
competence of those undergoing training in different fields of specialization in the different training
institutions nationwide (see sources 1 and 2).

Medical specialization usually takes three to six years of residency training in accredited hospitals and
clinics, and the taking of diplomate board examinations by the medical societies. Resident doctors are
supervised by a superior. They are also given full compensation with overtime pay and night differential
pay (see source).

Career opportunities for Doctor of Medicine graduates

o
Jobs for licensed Doctors(board exam passers)
o Entry Level jobs
Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:

o Resident Physicians – also known as an intern, resident physicians work in hospitals under the
supervision of the medical staff of the hospital and a senior doctor
o Junior Physician in a private clinic– works as assistant to a more experienced doctor; assists in
consultation and minor procedures and surgery
o Company Doctor – a physician employed by a company; performs general physical
assessment, prescribes basic remedies and treatments to employees
o School Doctor – a physician employed to make periodic examinations to students.
o Private Practice Doctors – licensed physicians who opt not to undergo residency training and
create their own private clinics; usually the scope of practice is general.
o Mid-Level Positions

Completed the residency training program and successfully acquired a field of specialization:

o A specialist at a government hospital – a medical doctor working as a specialist (ENT,

Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist, Gynecologist, Urologist, Pediatrician, etc).
o A specialist at a private hospital – same as the above, but working in a private hospital
 o Private practice specialist – a doctor who works at a specialized private clinic. Examples can
be an Ophthalmology clinic, a Cardiology clinic or a Gynecologist.
o Government Official – working in an administrative position in the Department of Health or
similar government offices dealing with healthcare.
o Advanced Positions

Require years of extensive experience and practice:

o Surgeon – a surgeon performs operations, related to different sub-specialties of medicine like

general surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular, cardiothoracic surgery, ENT, maxilla-facial
surgery, plastic surgery, oral surgery, transplant surgery, urology, etc.
o Medical Consultant – provides a medical analysis of complex claims files ensuring that
paperwork and the filing of medical claims follow compliance procedures established by
government regulations and laws; monitors work capacity of employees or labor issues
between the hospital and union, and in-charge of the overall working environment within a
health care setting.
o Hospital Administrator – oversees clinical units, departments or an entire hospital. These
professionals manage personnel, finances and facility practices according to a distinct set of
policies and procedures established by trustees. They keep abreast of new laws and
regulations in the industry and advances in medicine and medical technology.
o Senior Government Official – working in a senior administrative position in the Department of
Health or similar government offices dealing with healthcare.
o
Jobs for Non Board Passers:
These jobs will mainly depend on the undergraduate course that one has finished. Most students
who study medicine graduated with a degree in biology, medical technology, nursing or physical
therapy; they may opt to practice those professions if they fail to pass the board examination for
medicine.
o
Career Opportunities Abroad
Filipino doctors are not in high demand abroad. However, there are many licensed Filipino doctors
who aspire to work in other countries due to the much higher compensation abroad. To do this,
 Filipino doctors need to pass the relevant board exam of each country. Countries like the United
States allow foreign doctors to practice the profession there. To be able to practice medicine in the
United States you need a Certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical
Graduates (ECFMG). Through its program of certification, the ECFMG assesses the readiness of
international medical graduates to enter US residency or fellowship programs. After ECFMG
certification, physicians who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must complete an accredited
residency training program in the U.S. or Canada - this process will take at least three years. You also
need to pass a state licensure examination before you can practice medicine (see source).
o
Salary Levels
The salary levels of physicians in the Philippines vary greatly. It will depend on your specialization,
your skills and abilities, where you are employed and your years of experience. Generally speaking,
salaries for licensed medical doctors are higher than the average salary in the Philippines.

Find schools offering Doctor of Medicine:

Reviews of Doctor of Medicine graduates:

R. V.
◈ Studied Medicine
◈ At University of Santo Tomas
◈ Graduated 1985

Why did I choose Doctor of Medicine:I liked the idea of being a doctor. Everyone

respects you. You can either help or destroy life.

About my college education:It was interesting. Specially when you dissect living creatures.

You need steady hands, a lot of patience, a lot of dedication, and you must not have religion because it
would affect your morality.
 My current job:I am a doctor. I cure the sick and help the needly.

Am I using what I learned in college:Yes. I have. I am a doctor after all. And what doctors

study, doctors use. It is a very specific line of study.

How long did it take to find a job:A year, since I had to finish my residency to become a

full fledged doctor.

Do I recommend studying Doctor of Medicine:Not much opportunities because as I

said I am a doctor. Fulfilling, everyone looks up to you, as if you were some kind of hero. Salary is very
high specially if you choose cosmetics.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:You need lots of money,

patience, understanding. If you get demotivated easily, consider another course.

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