Clinical Training Program
CUCOM was a life-changing experience for me. You have faculty members and students from all over who come together with one goal in mind—to study medicine and provide good doctors to the world.
Md. Saqlain Ansari
MD – Class of 2019
Our MD program’s clinical sciences component spans 76 weeks at affiliated hospitals and clinical facilities, including 48 weeks of core clerkships and 28 weeks of elective clinical rotations. In clinical education students have the opportunity to learn medicine in some of the top and best-known hospitals. Located in Saint Lucia and United States, some of these hospitals have been designated by the University as clinical centers. Clinical centers allow students to complete all of their clinical training at one site, if they wish.
The clinical at hospitals conform to the curriculum, course descriptions, and educational goals of Commonwealth University College of Medicine, and are monitored carefully through site visits and faculty meetings. All core rotations and internships must be taken only in those hospitals with which the University has an active, written affiliation agreement, and in which there are appropriate CUCOM clinical faculty members. Students are placed in hospitals with approved postgraduate training programs in the subjects to be studied.
In the clinical years, students are taught by an educational method based on the practical experience found in hospitals and clinics under careful supervision by practicing physicians. In the clinical years, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to continue into postgraduate training. For all core rotations, the University has required reading assignments and the hospitals offer small-group teaching sessions, conferences, and lectures. Clinical skills introduced in Saint Lucia now become a major component of student’s education. In the hospital, students are involved in the care of patients and develop diagnostic decision making, history, physical examination, and test interpretation skills. Students learn to communicate with patients and their families, as well as other health care workers, and are expected to grow into their roles as professionals.
During the clinical years, we emphasize responsibility, maturity, and compassion as important attributes in the development of professional excellence. Students are expected to learn how to conduct themselves in the professional role of physician and are judged on their ability to take responsibility, relate to and work harmoniously with professional colleagues, exhibit maturity in conduct in the wards, and demonstrate the disposition of a mature and qualified physician.
Clinical Support
Clinical study is conducted at CUCOM’s affiliated hospitals in St. Lucia and United States. To continue the same level of student support provided at the Medical science level, the University has administrators, faculty, and staff dedicated to CUCOM students at each hospital, as well as our dedicated clinical student support services at the University. Each person plays a key role in supporting our students both academically and professionally, and ensuring that the clinical curriculum stays consistent at each hospital.
Affiliated Hospitals and Clinical Centers in Saint Lucia & USA
Clinical Rotation
- The clinical rotations are performed at hospitals in the United States & Saint Lucia.
- The clinical program in USA is conducted at ACGME affiliated teaching hospitals through our clinical administration office located in Maryland, near Washington D.C.
- These clinical facilities are state-of-art teaching hospitals under green book category.
- These facilities provide the student with superior clinical exposure that will ensure better career options. To undergo the Clinical Clerkship Program in USA, a student should complete Basic Medical Science Program along with USMLE STEP 1.
- The clinical program in Saint Lucia allows such integration to be possible. Students are encouraged to use their knowledge and skills creatively, whether it concerns the human body in health or disease. The prevention of disease and the promotion of good health are considered important aspects in educating a well-rounded physician.
