OUM USMLE Pathway

The Pre-Clinical Phase of the curriculum includes:

• General Principles Unit
• 9 Organ System Units
• Ethics and Methods in Research Unit

General Principles Unit

The 8-week General Principles Unit, following Orientation, provides introductions to a number of basic sciences, including Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology.

Organ Systems

In 9 Organ Systems, students build on the foundational knowledge gained during the General Principles Unit. As students progress through each Organ System, they develop and improve clinical reasoning skills and apply their knowledge to medical scenarios depicting unique, as well as common, human conditions and ailments. Basic sciences are integrated throughout the units, providing students with material that combines the basic and clinical sciences in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) case format.

• Cardiovascular
• Urinary
• Pulmonary
• Endocrine
• Neuroscience
• Heme-Immune
• Reproduction
• Gastrointestinal
• Musculoskeletal

Journal Club

Once in practice, doctors must be able to read and understand the implications and possible role in patient care of information found in medical journals. OUM pre-clinical students must participate in Journal Club meetings, which involve the presentation of a peer-reviewed article, followed by faculty-led discussion. Students must present at least once during Organ Systems and attend at least 50 sessions in total, with a minimum of 30 during pre-clinical years.

Clinical Transition Phase

The Clinical Transition Phase serves as a crucial bridge between the knowledge gained during your preclinical studies and the hands-on experience of clinical rotations. It focuses on preparing you to apply core medical concepts in real-world clinical settings while introducing you to medical specialties.

After completing all Organ System Units in the Pre-Clinical Phase of the MD Program, students progress to the Clinical Transition Phase (~1 year), which includes:

• Clinical Transition Unit 1 (CTU 1)

• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 Prep Course

• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE)

• USMLE Step 1

• Clinical Transition Unit 2 (CTU 2)

• Submitted Research Proposal*

*Students must submit their research prospectus to the Director of Research before entering the Clinical Phase.

This phase is designed to ensure a smooth transition to clinical rotations by reinforcing medical knowledge and essential clinical skills.

• CTU 1 focuses on integrating concepts from Health Sciences.

• CTU 2 introduces students to Medical Specialties and concludes with a hands-on, in-person week to assess competency.

The CTUs follow a fully asynchronous, competency-based learning model with engaging modules. The total duration is 16 weeks (8 weeks per unit), though students may complete them at an individualized pace.

Students intending to practice medicine in the United States must pass the USMLE Step 1 exam in order to begin clinical rotations, and the USMLE Step 2 exam in order to graduate from medical school. To ensure exam readiness, OUM has developed an extensive program to prepare its students for both examinations. The Prep Program consists of the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Prep Courses. The cost for both courses is included in student tuition.

The Clinical Phase is ~2 years and includes:

• Clinical Core Rotations (56 weeks)
• USMLE Step 2 Prep Course
• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Clinical Science Exam (CCSE)
• USMLE Step 2 or MCCQE Part 1 for residents of Canada
• Clinical Elective Rotations (16 weeks)
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) or the National Assessment Collaboration Exam (NAC) for residents of Canada.
• Research Project
• Pathway 3*

Clinical Rotations

The clinical curriculum consists of 72 weeks of core and elective clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals or clinics.

Core Rotations

The core clinical rotations take 56 weeks to complete and their durations are:

• Family Medicine (8 weeks)
• Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
• Internal Medicine (10 weeks)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (8 weeks)
• Pediatrics (8 weeks)
• Psychiatry (8 weeks)
• Surgery (10 weeks)

Length of the USMLE Pathway

The Clinical Phase is up to 100 days longer for USMLE Pathway students, who must take the USMLE Step 2 Prep Course, NBME Exam, and USMLE Step 2.

Elective Rotations

Students complete 16 weeks of elective rotations.

Note: One 4-week mandatory core or elective rotation must be completed in Samoa.

Monthly Grand Rounds

As part of your clinical education, you’ll take part in Grand Rounds, which are live, interactive sessions held via Zoom once a month. These sessions give you the opportunity to present and discuss real clinical cases, explore complex and unique patient scenarios shared by peers and faculty, and strengthen your diagnostic and communication skills in a collaborative setting.

During the clinical years, students are expected to attend at least 13 live Grand Rounds sessions.

Research Project

Completing a research project, including writing a publishable quality manuscript, is a graduation requirement. Several resources are available to assist students in preparing for and completing their project including the Ethics and Methods in Research Unit, Research Advisors, Research Club, Journal Club, Library, and the Research Committee.

Pathway 3:

• Per the ECFMG website, Pathway 3 is chosen when, “Applicant’s medical school is currently accredited by an agency recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).”
• OUM is currently accredited by PAASCU, which is recognized by WFME. See the Accreditation page for details.
• Please visit the ECFMG website for the latest information on requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

Final Clinical Assessments

Once core rotations are completed, USMLE Pathway students must pass the USMLE Step 2 and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as graduation requirements. Completion of elective rotations, also a graduation requirement, can be facilitated throughout one’s clinical curriculum, dependent upon possible prerequisites and/or permission from the student’s Regional Dean.