Paolo Gallipoli compares his medical training in Naples and Glasgow

In Italy the medical curriculum takes six years to study as an undergraduate degree. The British system is based on five years that can be extended in the case of intercalated degrees.

The first three years of the Italian course are exclusively intended to provide pupils with basic instruction in related sciences such as biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, genetics, and histology. This is among the hardest parts of the medical education, as the subjects are taught intensively and with a great attention to detail. At this stage every subject is studied separately. Many Italian students think that it would be more appropriate to devote less time to such intensive and exclusive theoretical instruction, although it does seem to be an advantage later on.

In the case of medical education in Britain, I understand that basic instruction in sciences are sometimes tackled through problem based learning. This kind of learning emphasises the integration among different topics and focuses on the solution of real problems. I think this is more useful when you are just beginning to do clinical work and, in fact, problem based learning is now being introduced in Italy.

The last three years of the medical education in Italy are focused on the study of clinical subjects, such as cardiology, neurology, haematology, and others. Every course consists of a theoretical component, based on class lectures, and of a practical component based on clinical activities under the supervision of tutors. At the end of each course the students have to pass an examination in order to proceed with their studies. Although the study during this period is clinically oriented, students feel that the practical component could be improved, with a special need for closer supervision by tutors and more exposure to clinical experience. In Britain the situation is quite different, as students spend most of their time in hospital wards and gain a wider clinical and practical experience.

Every student in an Italian institution has to produce a final dissertation for their degree to be awarded. Students usually write the thesis on topics relating to the field they intend to select as their specialty, under the supervision of a professor. The dissertation period also entails the attendance of wards with supervisors in order to gain additional experience in the specialty. This is an elective experience based on students' individual initiative. The work towards the final thesis can be compared with a Bachelor of Science degree in Britain, whereas the elective period which the students spend in wards can be compared with a clinical elective in Britain.

There are major differences in the medical training in Italy and Britain but things are changing so that there are now more similarities. I believe this is important as doctors trained in the European Union are now able to work in any country in the union. I think there should be some consistency and regulation of medical training so that all EU doctors are trained to similar standards.