The pre-clinical medicine specialty is an essential part of medical education that focuses on the basic sciences that support the practice of medicine. During this stage, students study scientific subjects that provide them with the basic knowledge necessary to understand the functions of the human body and the diseases that can affect it. This stage includes theoretical study and practical training in laboratories, and is the foundation on which students build their medical skills before moving on to clinical training.

Fields of study in pre-clinical medicine:
Anatomy:

• Human Anatomy: The study of the anatomical structures of the human body including bones, muscles, organs, and the nervous system.
• Comparative anatomy: The study of the anatomy of other organisms to understand differences and similarities with human anatomy.

Physiology:

• Physiology: The study of how different organs and systems in the body work, such as the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the digestive system.
• Biological homeostasis: Understanding how internal balance is maintained in the body (haemostasias).

Biochemistry:

• Chemical processes in the body: the study of chemical reactions and biological processes within cells and tissues.
• Metabolism and Energy: Understanding how energy is produced and used in the body.

Microbiology:

• Microorganisms: The study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and how they affect human health.
• Immunology: The study of the immune system and how the body responds to infections and diseases.

Pathology:

• Pathological mechanisms: the study of how diseases develop and affect tissues and organs.
• Diagnosing diseases: Understanding the scientific foundations for diagnosing various diseases by studying pathological changes in cells and tissues.

Pharmacology:

• Medicines and their effects: Study of how medicines work inside the body and their therapeutic and side effects.
• Dosages and drug interactions: Understand how to determine appropriate doses and potential interactions between different medications.

Genetics:

• Genetic materials: the study of genes and how they affect hereditary traits and pathological patterns.
• Genetic Diseases: Understanding how genetic diseases and disorders are inherited.

Basic skills acquired in pre-clinical medicine:

• Scientific analysis: The ability to analyze data and reach conclusions based on scientific evidence.
• Critical Thinking: The ability to think critically and apply scientific knowledge to solve problems.
• Laboratory experiments: Acquiring practical skills in conducting laboratory experiments and analyzing their results.
• Effective Communication: Ability to write scientific reports and deliver presentations clearly.

Challenges in studying pre-clinical medicine:

• Large volume of knowledge: the need to absorb a large amount of information in a short period of time.
• Balance between study and personal life: Manage time effectively to achieve a balance between intense study and personal life.
• Practical learning: applying theoretical knowledge in laboratories and dealing with practical complexities.

Professional development after preclinical medicine:

• Clinical Training: Moving into the clinical training phase where students learn how to apply the knowledge they have acquired in a clinical setting.
• Medical Specialties: Choose from a wide range of medical specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and others.
• Scientific research: Participation in medical research to contribute to the development of medical knowledge and scientific progress.

Future areas of work:

• Hospitals and clinics: Working as doctors in various medical specialties.
• Research centers: Contributing to scientific research and clinical trials.
• Academic education: teaching basic medical sciences in universities and medical colleges.
• Pharmaceutical industry: work in developing and testing new drugs and treatments.

The Pre-Clinical Medicine major is a crucial step in the medical education journey, as it provides the theoretical and practical foundation that enables students to understand the human body and the diseases that can affect it, which prepares them for the next stage of clinical training and medical specialization.