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Ph.D. to MD Course around the world; Necessities, Evidence, and Suggested Curriculum in Iran

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Naseh Pahlavani 1
Houshang Rafatpanah 2
Naser Ajami 3
Omid Sadeghi 4
Behzad Mahaki 5
Ali Emadzadeh 6
Seyed Mojtaba Kashfi 7
Mohsen Soosanabadi Farahani 8
Anvar Soleimani 9
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh 10
1 a.Ph.D. Candidate in Nutrition, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran b,Ph.D. Candidate in Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Professor of Medical Immunology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Ph.D. Candidate in Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 Ph.D. Candidate in Nutrition, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Associate Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
6 Assistant Professor of Health Education and Health Promotion, Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7 Assistant Professor of Medical Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
8 Assistant Professor of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
9 Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10 Professor of Nutrition, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/nnj.2020.45043.1191
Abstract
Introduction: From the academic perspective, the differences between the educational curriculum of Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) are quite clear in basic medical sciences. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more effective relationship between these two programs to provide better clinical services and conduct joint research projects. In this regard, the present study was conducted to review the evidences of the Ph.D. in medical sciences to MD course  in other countries and to make suggestions for set up this course in Iran.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by reviewing the English articles published from 1960 to 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases using the keywords, such as "Ph.D." AND "MD" OR "Ph.D. to MD course" in combination with the "Curriculum" OR "Program" OR "Course".
Results: The results of the present study showed that the plans of the Ministry of Health in encouraging MD graduates to enter the Ph.D. courses in medical sciences have been effective in promoting clinical services. Therefore, this experience can be used to set up the Ph.D. to the MD course. Moreover, given the existence of the Ph.D. to MD course at some prestigious universities worldwide and considering the medical education program in Iran, this course can be set up at some internally accredited universities.    
Conclusion: It seems that launching the Ph.D. to MD courses in Iran as a 4-year course can provide an effective link between basic and clinical sciences, improve the quality of medical research, and increase the motivation of Ph.D. students and graduates.
Keywords
Curriculum
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Philosophy in Basic Medical Sciences
Review
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Navid No
Volume 22, Issue 72
Winter 2020
Pages 55-63