Medical education in the Philippines
Medical education in Philippines is principally offered and developed by accredited and government recognized medical schools in the country.
The Philippine medical schools are graduate schools offering the Doctor of Medicine degree. The M.D. is a four-year professional degree program which qualifies the degree holder to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines.
Admission to medical schools
Before applying to any medical school, a candidate must earn a bachelor's degree with credits in certain required subjects. The most common pre-medical degrees include biology, psychology, pharmacy, medical technology, biochemistry, microbiology, nursing, radiologic technology and physical therapy.In addition, a candidate must take the National Medical Admission Test, the national entrance exam for all medical schools in the Philippines.
Professional medical degree
The Doctor of Medicine is a four-year professional degree program dealing with medical theories, practices, technologies, and problem solving.The completion of the degree program with one-year postgraduate internship qualifies a candidate to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines.
Philippine medical schools
Medical schools in the country are regulated by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, and accredited by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges.Top Philippine medical schools
The Board of Medicine of the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines. as on September 2018 announced that 3717 out of 4542 students passed in the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao City.The top performing schools in the September 2019 Physician Licensure Examination as per Commission Resolution No. 2010-547 series of 2010 were:
| RANK | SCHOOL | TOTAL NO.OF EXAM. | TOTAL NO.PASSED | PERCENTAGEPASSED |
| 1 | ATENEO DE MLA UNIV. SCHOOL OF MED. & PUBLIC HEALTH-PASIG | 133 | 133 | 100.00 % |
| CEBU INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE | 127 | 127 | 100.00 % | |
| PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA | 103 | 103 | 100.00 % | |
| 2 | UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS | 433 | 430 | 99.31 % |
| 3 | UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST RAMON MAGSAYSAY MEM MEDICAL CTR | 297 | 293 | 98.65 % |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA | 148 | 146 | 98.65 % | |
| 4 | FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-NICANOR REYES MEDICAL FOUNDATION | 301 | 296 | 98.34 % |
| 5 | SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY | 157 | 153 | 97.45 % |
| 6 | DAVAO MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION | 178 | 170 | 95.51 % |
| 7 | DE LA SALLE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES INSTITUTE | 238 | 214 | 89.92 % |
| 8 | CEBU DOCTORS UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | 126 | 110 | 87.30 % |
List of APMC (Accredited Philippine Medical Schools)
There are 38 APMC member schools and colleges as of 2009.| Name | Dean | Location |
| Manila Theological College-College of Medicine | May Emmeline B. Montellano, M.D. | Manga Ave., Manila |
| Manila Central University College of Medicine | Lilybeth R. Tanchoco, M.D. | Caloocan |
| Our Lady of Fatima University | Reynaldo A. Olazo, M.D. | Valenzuela |
| Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila | Angeline D. Alabastro, M.D. | Intramuros, Manila |
| San Beda College of Medicine | Fernandino Jose A. Fontanilla, M.D. | Mendiola, Manila |
| St. Luke's College of Medicine – William H. Quasha Memorial | Susan Pelea Nagtalon, M.D. | Sta. Ignacia St., Quezon City |
| UERMMMC College of Medicine | Norbert Lingling D. Uy, M.D. | Aurora Blvd., Quezon City |
| University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | Ma. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao, M.D. | España, Manila |
| University of the Philippines College of Medicine | Agnes Mejia, M.D. | Pedro Gil, Manila |
| Far Eastern University - Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation | Linda D. Tamesis, M.D. | Sampaloc, Manila |
| Baguio Central University | Ma. Ana P. Custodio, M.D. | Baguio, Benguet |
| Saint Louis University International School of Medicine | John Anthony A. Domantay, M.D. | Baguio, Benguet |
| Lyceum-Northwestern University Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Medical Foundation | Felipe H. Rodriguez, M.D. | Dagupan, Pangasinan |
| University of Northern Philippines | Pablo R. Quedado, M.D. | Vigan, Ilocos Sur |
| Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation | Aurora R. Espinoza, M.D. | San Carlos, Pangasinan |
| Cagayan State University | Antonino Paguirigan M.D. | Tuguegarao, Cagayan |
| Angeles University Foundation School of Medicine | Evelyn B. Yumiaco, M.D. | Angeles, Pampanga |
| De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute | Madeleine M. Sosa, M.D. | Dasmariñas, Cavite |
| University of Perpetual Help – Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University | Winnie P. Siao, M.D. | Biñan, Laguna |
| Bicol Christian College of Medicine | Ofelia Samar Sy, M.D. | Legazpi, Albay |
| Central Philippine University College of Medicine | Glenn A. M. Catedral, M.D. | Iloilo City |
| Iloilo Doctors' College of Medicine | Ludovico Jurao, M.D. | Iloilo City |
| University of St. La Salle | Ricardo Gallaga, M.D. | Bacolod, Negros Occidental |
| West Visayas State University | Joselito F. Villaruz, M.D. | Iloilo City |
| Cebu Doctors' University | Enrico B. Gruet, M.D. | Cebu City |
| Cebu Institute of Medicine | Thelma L. Fernandez, M.D. | Cebu City |
| Silliman University Medical School | Jonathan C. Amante, M.D. | Dumaguete, Negros Oriental |
| Southwestern University School of Medicine | Peter S. Aznar, M.D. | Urgello St., Cebu City St Paul University Philippines |
| Southwestern University - Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine Inc. | Arlene M. Diaz, M.D. | Redemptorist Plaza, Camputhaw, Cebu City |
| Niño Ismael S. Pastor, M.D. | Mandaue, Cebu | |
| Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical School Foundation | Jesus G. Reyes, M.D. | Tacloban, Leyte |
| University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences in Leyte | Salvador Isidro B. Destura, M.D. | Palo, Leyte |
| Mindanao State University College of Medicine | Cristina D. Achacoso, M.D. | Iligan, Lanao del Norte |
| Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine | Ruth S. Beltran, M.D. | Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental |
| . | Petronilo A. Basa, M.D. | Bajada, Davao City |
[Philippine Physician Licensure Examination]
The licensure exams for physicians are administered by the Philippine Board of Medicine, a professional regulatory body under the general control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines.Advanced medical studies
After graduation from medical school and passing the board exam for doctors, a Filipino doctor is labelled as a general medical practitioner. He may seek further training by way of graduate programs in medicine, or by way of medical specialization.Graduate medical programs
Graduate programs are offered in some medical schools in the country and abroad. Candidates usually attend lectures and practical exercises in an academic environment and in laboratory settings. The program may require the presentation and defense of a graduate-level thesis, an independent research project, or supervised professional practice as a final graduation requirement. The entire academic program may last from one year to five years, depending on the requirements of the curriculum; the demands of the institution; and the academic load, availability, and dedication of the individual student.Medical specialization
Medical specialization usually takes three to six years of residency training in accredited hospitals and clinics, and the taking of diplomate board examinations conducted by a board of medical specialists in a particular field.After specialization, the doctor may practice his field of specialty or pursue one to three years of subspecialty training / fellowship such as
A) Pediatrics and internal medicine: cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious disease, oncology etc.
B) Surgery: thoracic and cardiovascular, pediatric, transplant, trauma, minimally invasive, oncology
C) Anesthesiology: pain, cardiovascular
D) OB Gyn: oncology, ultrasound, reproductive endocrinology and infertility
Straight programs for subspecialties are also offered : urology, orthopedics, plastic and reconstructive, neurosurgery
Medical practice
Medical practice in the Philippines is developed, monitored, and regulated by the Philippine Medical Association, the largest organization of medical doctors in the country. Other medical and health societies co-exist to pursue more specific interests in the medical field.The Department of Health, a cabinet-level department under the Office of the President of the Philippines, exercises general monitoring supervisory powers over medical practitioners and allied health personnel in the Philippines.
Notable Filipino doctors
- José Rizal - the National Hero of the Philippines
- Mariano Ponce - Filipino propagandist, was managing editor of La Solidaridad
- Jose Fabella - first Health Secretary
- Juan Flavier - former Health Secretary and Senator of the Philippines
- Ramon Gustilo - Orthopedic surgeon; responsible for the commonly used Gustilo open fracture classification.
- Fe del Mundo - First Filipino woman and female medical student to enter the Harvard Medical School. A pioneer of Pediatrics in the Philippines.