Elevating the MD/MS/MDS Qualification: A Curriculum Update from a Public Sector Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract | MD/MS/MDS program is a postgraduate clinical degree offered at several medical universities of Pakistan including King Edward Medical University. It is classified as a Level III degree by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and falls within level 7 category, according to National Qualifications Framework, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. In this report, we propose curricular changes in the MD/MS/MDS degree along with improvements in research standards so it may be raised to a level 8 degree.

This would improve quality of consultants produced and raise university rankings at the same time. A draft ‘MD Psychiatry Curriculum’ has been drafted as a model curriculum, which fulfills these criteria. This curriculum has a course work of 51 credit hours, covered in 8 semesters spread over 4 years. Detailed weekly time tables have been defined for the entire 4-year duration of the program. The research thesis requirements are upgraded to match Ph.D thesis requirement. This curriculum has been designed so that it is compatible with the ‘King Edward Medical University MD/MS/MDS Amended Regulations 2014’. It is anticipated that adoption of such curriculum upgrades would raise the prestige and ranking of the University.