An integrated curriculum for MBBS.

OBJECTIVE To report the formulation and implementation of an organ system based integrated curriculum for MBBS students at Ziauddin Medical University (ZMU) Karachi. STEPS OF INTEGRATION The Basic Medical Science Faculty (Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry) along with representatives from Medicine, Surgery and Community Health Sciences held joint meetings spread over weeks to design a system based integrated curriculum for the first two years of the MBBS class. Objectives of an integrated course were devised and the duties of term coordinator determined. CONCLUSION Horizontal integration of Basic Science subjects can be achieved, with the subject specialists coordinating the teaching of a system based as opposed to subject based curriculum. The basic sciences can also be integrated with Community Health Sciences to achieve partial vertical integration.