Medical Courses

Medical sciences are an extrapolation of knowledge that exists in the 20th century. Use of medicines, surgery, and specialized devices to heal the sick and injured seems little different in Trek than it does now, except that practice is a lot more successful and more painless. People rarely die in sickbay, and they are usually up and on their feet astonishingly quickly even after terrible injuries.

Chief Medical Officers of Starships have the responsibility of overseeing the health of the entire crew. Regular physicals are required annually, and officers who refuse the exams are reported to the Captain or First Officer and may be relieved of duty. A crewmember may also be removed from duty if their physical or psychological condition warrant it in the opinion of the ship's CMO or Counselor. CMO's are also tasked with overseeing the ship's stores of medical supplies, and choose which to employ as standard. Some CMO's also have strong talents as researchers, and this is encouraged in Starfleet as long as primary duties are met, and all research follows recommended procedures.

Typical staffing for Galaxy-class Starships includes one Chief Medical Officer, four Physicians, three Medical Technicians, and twelve Nurses. Eight to twelve research and laboratory personnel serve the Medical Department, and in emergencies, additional personnel with medical training can be drawn from other departments. These personnel are rotated on three eight-hour shifts, the "day" watch, the "night" watch, and the "graveyard" shift. These staffing guidelines should give GM's ideas on staffing for smaller Starships, Starbases, and planetary facilities.

It is recommended that the primary staff be chosen from a group with diverse skills in various branches of medicine (such as neurosurgery, genetics, etc.) and specialties in non-Terran races. A CMO should choose individuals for their staff that complement their capabilities and provide the Sickbay with a well-rounded staff.

Typically, the CMO is a surgeon with expertise in general medicine and research, although the Captain of the Starship is free to select any Doctor with officer training.

Knowledge of Andorian, Bajoran, Caitian, Klingon, Tellarite, or Vulcan physiology are recommended as these races are the most commonly encountered.

Medical personnel provide day-to-day medical care to the people aboard ship, and treat injuries just like any other doctor.

Medical Cadets do not usually Minor in any other field, but are required to take four elective skills, which may be any science or medical skill. More than two specialization fields are encouraged by Starfleet, but not required. Ship's Doctors should consider taking at least one Medicine: (other race) skill for most of the races that they would normally come in contact with during normal ship's operations. Each racial skill must be learned separately.

Medical Cadets have generally completed medical studies on their respective homeworlds, and thus generally start their Academy training at age 25. They go through a different type of training program than do any other type of Cadet. The Academy medical training lasts eight years, but does not include an internship.

Courses include:

* Denotes core course