CLINICAL PHASE
The clinical phase must be completed prior to matriculation into the residency program. The typical candidate shall have completed one of the primary care residencies that focus on the care of the adult patient. Completion of a formal residency will give the physician a sound clinical background useful in dealing with the complex medical problems encountered in the prison population. However, a candidate with one year of primary care training is eligible to apply for the program.
ACADEMIC PHASE (1st Year)
The Academic Phase of the program requires twelve months of intensive academic work that will lead to a Master of Public Health degree. It satisfies the academic requirements set forth by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) and the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health (PMCH) has a prescribed course-work that must be completed to obtain the Master of Public Health. It includes courses in statistical methods, epidemiology, research design and a survey of issues in preventive medicine and community health. The required course work, also, includes curriculum in social and behavioral influences on health, environmental and occupational health, and health services organization and administration. Residents may further concentrate their interests in preventive medicine by selecting from electives in such areas of study as nutrition, sociomedical sciences, environmental toxicology and quantitative analysis.
A research thesis , capstone project (in lieu of thesis), or a manuscript publication is required for completion of the degree program. Ample opportunities for research in several areas of preventive medicine and correctional medicine are available for the residents at UTMB and TDCJ facilities. The residents are encouraged to initiate research work in the academic year but have two years to finish their project.