Vertical Modules

Our vertical modules are designed to provide a holistic and integrated approach to medical education. The vertical modules run concurrently with the horizontal modules. Taught and assessed throughout all six years of the program by subject specialists and practicing clinicians, these modules focus on clinical practice, professional development, and key knowledge and skills that are best learned linearly.

The KU MD curriculum applies vertical integration through the Hakeem Bundle of modules.

Key Goals of Vertical Modules in the KU MD Curriculum

Understand medicine as an integrated whole, connecting theory, health knowledge, and clinical practice.

Longitudinal Competency Development through the Hakeem Bundle.

Early and Progressive Clinical Immersion.

Integrate knowledge of biomedical and human sciences to enhance the interpretation of the patients' narratives, physical signs, and social data.

Preparation for Lifelong Learning and Medical Innovation.

Develop and demonstrate professionalism, commitment to medical duties, and ethical and legal principles

Hakeem: The well-rounded KU Doctor

The vertical modules that run throughout the MD program are:

Doctor as Scientist

Develop skills in clinical practice guidelines, evidence searching, scientific critique, and evidence evaluation. We will prepare students to apply evidence-based knowledge in real-world practice and explore the transformative impact of big data and innovations on healthcare.

Doctor as Practitioner

Gain essential practical skills, including clinical procedures, effective clinical methods, and ensuring safety and quality in practice. Students will become proficient in utilizing electronic health records, develop effective prescribing practices, and understand healthcare governance structures critical for responsible and informed decision-making.

Doctor as Leader

Nurture personal qualities essential for collaborative work, effective leadership in multi-disciplinary teams, and service management. Students will learn to improve healthcare services and set strategic direction, equipping them to lead with impact in dynamic healthcare environments.

Culturally Competent

Cultural competence is developed through three key components. Awareness of Self encourages personal reflection on values, biases, and beliefs, while fostering the ability to advocate for equity in healthcare. Students develop empathy for vulnerable groups and gain skills in addressing and mitigating social stigma. Awareness of Others emphasizes understanding how different cultures perceive illness and healthcare. Students explore how religious values influence healthcare delivery in Jordan and the region, promoting culturally sensitive care. They also gain insights into traditional healthcare practices, spiritual health, and the role of the Arabic language, philosophy, music, and psychology in healthcare, broadening their cultural perspective. Awareness of the System focuses on how societal factors, including health disparities, legal considerations, and health systems, affect healthcare equity. Students are trained to navigate these challenges and advocate for systemic change. Throughout the module, students practice multi-disciplinary teamwork, effective communication, and shared decision-making within an ethical and legal framework.

Patient and Public Health Advocate

This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to advocate for both individual patients and broader public health initiatives. It addresses critical topics in public and global health, including health inequalities, the mind-body connection, and principles of health promotion and disease prevention. Students will explore communicable disease control, the biopsychosocial model, and social determinants of health, developing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence well-being. Emphasizing patient advocacy, the module also prepares students to navigate healthcare systems, support vulnerable populations, and champion equitable access to care.

KU's vertical modules embody the KU Physician Competency Framework, with each module designed to cultivate a specific competency essential for the development of the 'Hakeem,' a well-rounded KU physician. These modules strategically support the growth of key skills and attributes that define an exceptional physician, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic approach to medical education.

Immersive Learning Experience

The learning in the vertical modules is delivered through a range of activities including:

Integrated Teaching Sessions:

Lectures, small group work, tutorials, and practical classes embedded within horizontal modules.

Dedicated Learning Time:

Specifically targeted lectures, small group work, tutorials, practical classes, self-directed learning and placements

Online Learning:

Virtual learning resources and portfolio activities.

Workplace-Based Learning:

Hands-on experience through placements with healthcare professionals.