Division of Clinical Medicine
November 18, 2024 2025-05-06 7:13Division of Clinical Medicine
Division of Clinical Medicine
IPM – Intro to the Practice of Medicine Course
Medical Ethics and Law, Internal medicine
This course's main objective is for students to obtain a strong foundation in medical ethics. This goal is to ensure that each student can effectively navigate the challenging ethical dilemmas that will arise throughout their clinical and research careers. There is a secondary objective, which is that both students and teachers develop a functional appreciation for the value and efficacy of diverse approaches to medical ethics separately and, most importantly, when these approaches are deployed together. Crucially, we create a space where global bioethical discourse is prioritized, and many voices (African, Western, and beyond) are heard and valued.
Emergency Medicine
The primary focus of the hospital-based training will be on students gaining a greater understanding of the role of emergency physicians and the emergency department in the hospital and health system . This is an opportunity to learn the unique skills and knowledge base needed to care for undifferentiated acutely ill and injured patients.
Dermatology
Students will understand the different types of common bacterial, fungal, and viral infections and infestations, and they will elaborate on the causes, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of common skin infections and infestations. Students will learn how to perform simple laboratory tests to reach diagnose some skin infections and infestations. ...Students will also learn more about epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of common skin conditions, paying particular attention to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. The module will also deal with identifying and approaching such patients in the outpatient department and the wards.
Students will acquire a basic understanding of common sexually transmitted infections illustrating their causes, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. They will also learn about the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.
Psychiatry
The purpose of this clerkship is to provide students with knowledge and clinical skills required to understand, prevent, diagnose and manage common psychiatric disorders both in tertiary and community-based settings; and provide a basis on which students can continue to further develop this knowledge.
This course is designed to encourage students to develop an appropriate holistic approach to mental health disorders.
Students will rotate in Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital as well as different community health centres in the Butaro and Rwinkwavu districts.
Radiology
Under the Radiology module, students are provided with the skills and knowledge of the physics of imaging and the functions of different imaging modalities, including their limitations, advantages, and risks and precautions associated with using radiation in imaging. Under this module, students benefit from clinical exposure through a practical session of interpreting imaging findings of common and emergency conditions, enhancing their aptitudes to understand the role of radiology in clinical work-up and disease diagnostics of common and emergency conditions.
Anesthesia and Critical Care
This module aims to give students introductory exposure to principles of anaesthesia and perioperative care as well as an understanding of critical care. Students will be expected to gain some knowledge and skills related to these specialties though this will not be comprehensive, and assessments conducted during the clerkship will be reflective of this. The primary focus of the attachment will be on students gaining a greater understanding of the role of the physician anesthesiologists in the care of the surgical patient with our hope being to inspire a future generation of doctors to consider the field of anesthesia and critical care. The more you engage, the more you are likely to gain!
ENT/ OHNS:
The purpose of this clinical attachment in this specialty (variously called: ear, nose and throat (ENT) otorhinolaryngology- head and neck surgery (OHNS), hereafter abbreviated as ENT) is for senior medical students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for understanding diseases of the organ systems covered by this specialty. This includes common congenital, inflammatory, degenerative, metabolic, traumatic and neoplastic afflictions of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck organs. The course familiarizes the trainee with basic equipment used in the specialty and facilitates acquisition of skills to identify normal individual variations, enabling students to examine patients and recognize problems, understand basic and routine tests, perform minor procedures, prioritize steps in patient management, and refer patients in a timely and appropriate manner.
Dentistry/Oral Health
Oral diseases contribute to the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and are more prevalent than all other NCDs combined. Furthermore, it is now well understood that oral health and systemic health are intimately connected, and early presentation of systemic disease often occurs in the mouth. Well-trained physicians are in position to prevent and manage oral diseases as well as identify systemic disease at earlier stages for better outcomes. This course is designed to train undergraduate medical students with classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences related to oral health. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to promote oral health, recognize and manage common dental problems, and identify those patients who would require referral to a dentist. The course provides students with the principles of dental anatomy and oral disease processes, basic oral surgical and oral medicine concepts, and oral disease prevention and management.
Ophthalmology
This course iempowers undergraduate medical students with the skills and knowldge to competently and confidently identify and manage common ophthalmic problems in the community. Through the hands-on comprehensive training they receive, students will be able to diagnose and manage common ophthalmic problems. In addition, they will be able to identify those patients who would require referral to an ophthalmologist and refer them in a timely and appropriate manner. Key highlights of the course include:
· Foundational Knowledge: Gain a solid understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and vision, the mechanisms underlying ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases, and the principles of their management.
· Clinical Skills: Develop the ability to perform thorough ophthalmic assessments, especially for patients with systemic illnesses, and provide timely interventions to prevent complications.
· Preventive Care: Learn strategies to promote eye health, ensuring early detection and management of common ocular issues.
· Holistic Approach: Cultivate a deep appreciation for the importance of vision and its impact on overall health and well-being.
By the end of this course, students will be equipped to deliver effective and compassionate care in ophthalmology, bridging the gap between primary care and specialized treatment while prioritizing the preservation of vision and quality of life.
Internal Medicine
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in managing complex medical conditions using innovative teaching approaches.
In their junior clerkship, students focus on developing essential patient interviewing and physical examination skills. They gain practical experience in recognizing, evaluating, diagnosing, and managing adult patients with medical conditions, while actively participating in patient care discussions. During their senior clerkship, students build upon this foundation, becoming proficient in managing common medical disorders, responding to acute emergencies, and identifying complex cases requiring specialized care and referral.
Clinical rotations across multiple hospital sites expose students to diverse healthcare settings, patient populations, and medical conditions, enriching their learning experience. Additionally, working alongside experienced consultants from various global backgrounds introduces students to a spectrum of medical perspectives, evidence-based practices, and cultural approaches to care.
Pediatrics
This module is an introduction to pediatrics. Students will learn the knowledge and skills essential for performing a medical history and physical examination in a pediatric patient. The module emphasizes patient interviewing, acquiring a medical history, and performing a comprehensive physical examination. Lectures and reading assignments emphasize core concepts. Special sessions are used to optimize -the teaching of concepts in several subject areas. Close interaction occurs between students and physician preceptors in simulation and clinical settings. Groups of students are assigned to faculty tutors who will guide their introduction to history taking, examination, case write-ups, and presentations. While there is a final practical examination, acquiring and refining clinical skills are lifelong processes for any physician, so formative evaluation is a major component of this module.
Obstetrics - Gynecology
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Global Health is dedicated to providing cutting-edge medical education, equipping future physicians with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in women’s health. Our curriculum integrates contemporary, evidence-based teaching methodologies, ensuring the medical students receive the highest standard of training while embracing compassionate, respectful, and patient-centered care.
The program is built around junior and senior clerkships, ensuring students gain early clinical exposure, active participation in patient care, and increasing responsibilities across primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings.
Students undergo intensive, hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art skills laboratory, where high-fidelity models are used to simulate real-life clinical scenarios. Their hospital rotations are meticulously structured to enhance clinical knowledge and skills in managing pregnancy-related and gynecologic conditions while providing exposure to subspecialty disciplines in Obstetrics and Gynecology..
Beyond education, the department is deeply committed to advancing research and clinical excellence. Faculty and students are encouraged to actively engage in innovative research initiatives that address global challenges in maternal and reproductive health. Through strong collaborations with affiliated hospitals, our faculty members provide regular clinical services, ensuring a dynamic integration of academic learning, research, and patient care. Our students also benefit from mentorship by a diverse team of local and international faculty, bringing a broad spectrum of expertise and global perspectives to their education.
At UGHE, we do more than train medical students—we shape the next generation of equity-driven physicians who will lead the transformation of women’s healthcare through clinical excellence, research, and advocacy.
Surgery
The Department of Surgery at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is committed to delivering high-quality surgical education, research, and patient care. Through an innovative and hands-on curriculum, we equip future surgeons with the knowledge, technical skills, and global perspective needed to address surgical challenges in diverse healthcare settings. Our Junior and Senior Clerkship programs provide medical students with essential competencies in history-taking, physical examination, differential diagnosis, and surgical management through interactive lectures, bedside teaching, and clinical rotations across wards, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics. The Junior Clerkship builds a strong foundation in diagnosing and managing common surgical conditions, while the Senior Clerkship advances these skills with training in minor and emergency surgical procedures, such as appendectomy, laparotomy, and trauma care—preparing graduates to handle surgical emergencies in district hospital settings. Additionally, students gain exposure to specialized fields through rotations in Orthopaedics, Urology, Neurosurgery, and Paediatric Surgery. Our faculty, comprising experienced clinicians and researchers, fosters a supportive learning environment that prioritizes patient safety, research, and community engagement. Looking ahead, the department is actively working to establish a Surgical Residency Program, further enhancing surgical education and healthcare capacity in the region.
