UQ considers a Doctor of Medicine program

The University of Queensland’s School of Medicine has announced that it will seriously consider the introduction of an MD (Doctor of Medicine) program to replace the current MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery) program.

This decision was unanimously agreed to by a Working Party last week.

The party was chaired by the UQ Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Keniger.

It included the UQ Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Executive Deans of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Science, with the Heads of the School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences.

The MD is a Masters level award that will require students to undertake a three year Bachelor’s degree before entering the four year postgraduate medical program.

“If UQ is to introduce an MD Program then we are determined that it will be future-focused and best in class,” said Professor David Wilkinson, Dean and Head of the UQ School of Medicine.

Planning will commence immediately to determine when the School may be in a position to commence an MD Program (with the target being 2014).

Consultation with key internal and external stakeholders will then follow to gain critical input.

“There is still plenty of careful planning to be undertaken before a final decision to proceed is made and this decision will be contingent on University approval,” Professor Wilkinson said.

“Also, if we do go head, we will make sure that no student, current or future, is disadvantaged in any way.”

Further information can be found at http://www2.som.uq.edu.au/som/OurSchool/Pages/mdprogram.aspx

Media: Brian Mallon, Marketing and Communication Officer, School of Medicine. Tel: 07 3365 5254 / 0403621109 b.mallon@uq.edu.au