The University of Turin was founded in 1404 and, in 1412, Antonio Cusano, a municipal physician, was given a mandate (for 100 florins per year) to establish the Faculty of Medicine. In more than 600 years of history, academic Medicine in Turin can boast the achievements and important awards, such as Nobel Prizes awarded to Salvador Luria, Renato Dulbecco and Rita Levi Montalcini.
The new structure of the University of Turin is the result of a long journey that, after the approval of Law No. 240 of December 30, 2010, and following the amendment of the new University Statute, provided for the establishment of the Schools as structures for the coordination and rationalization of the teaching activities of the Departments and Degree Courses and the management of common services. The School of Medicine is also entrusted with the priority task of managing clinical-assistance relations with the National Health Service (NHS).
Therefore, the School of Medicine of the University of Turin represents the new seat of education in the biomedical and health fields and is the reference for clinical-assistance relations with the SSN.
The School of Medicine is divided into two Seats, placed respectively in the context of the "Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (AOU) 'Città della Salute e della Scienza'" of Turin and the "Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria 'San Luigi Gonzaga'" of Orbassano (TO). What's more, the two locations are also a fundamental part of the network of educational offerings of numerous hospital and local health enterprise facilities included in the Regional Health and Social Plan.
Belonging to the School of Medicine are 7 Departments grouped according to criteria of disciplinary affinity and/or complementarity and in relation to the clinical care functions performed:
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences;
- Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”;
- Surgical sciences (italian website);
- Public health and pediatric sciences;
- Medical sciences;
- Oncology;
- Clinical and Biological Sciences.
Overall, the teaching, scientific research and clinical-support organization of the Turin University School of Medicine has a student population of more than 8,000, and a teaching and technical-administrative staff of about 900.
The Teaching Activity of the School of Medicine
The School of Medicine offers its students educational paths in different areas of the health professions, with the aim of training physicians, specialists, health workers, and researchers dedicated to the care, assistance, and health of human beings, finding innovative diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive solutions aimed at improving their quality of life.
Specifically, the educational programs offered by the School of Medicine of the University of Turin include more than 30 degree programs including an English-language Bachelor of Medicine degree program.
The School of Medicine also offers specialized training through its Schools of Specialization (medical area, surgical area and service area).
In addition, the School of Medicine ensures an educational pathway with the activation of numerous Level I and II Biomedical Specializing Masters.
Of particular note and originality at the national level is the School of Medicine's MD-PhD Program, which represents a superior undergraduate and doctoral educational offering, with the educational objective of educating a small group of students so that they develop interest and competence in research and are motivated to continue after graduation with the acquisition of a PhD.
Finally, Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Distance Learning (FAD) activities, e-Learning Services and the Erasmus+ Program with International Mobility are part of the School of Medicine's educational programs.
School of Medicine and Scientific Research
The Turin School of Medicine consistently ranks at the top of national Censis reports in terms of scientific production with publications in top-ranked international journals. The main topics of basic, translational and clinical scientific research are developed in the laboratories of the different Departments belonging to the School of Medicine, addressing in particular the biomolecular, oncological, hematological, immunological, cardiovascular, endocrine-metabolic, neurobiological and surgical fields.
Research results allow significant application integrations with national and international research institutions and industrial areas aimed at the continuous development of biotechnology, diagnostic-therapeutic instrumentation and clinical trials.
Clinical care role of the School of Medicine
University clinical care activities reside mainly in the AOUs “Città della Salute e della Scienza” in Turin and “San Luigi Gonzaga” in Orbassano (TO), where there are numerous hospital Complex Units directed by personnel belonging to the School of Medicine of the University of Turin. In addition to the Complex Units of the Integrated Hospital Authorities, there are others present in local Hospital Authorities.
In the AOUs “Città della Salute e della Scienza” of Turin and “San Luigi Gonzaga” of Orbassano (TO) there are all the medical, surgical and service specialist areas providing a complete training course correlated with a high degree of complexity.
University-directed Complex Facilities contribute very significantly to the clinical care product of their respective Hospital Districts. In particular, the primary role of the University-directed Complex Unit in the provision of high complexity care that is expressed, at the level of international excellence in numerous areas, is prominent.
