Plan to reform MBBS comes under censure

Updated on: Thursday, March 31, 2011

Academicians and heads of medical institutions from across the country have given the thumbs-down to most of the path-breaking changes recommended in the MBBS curriculum by the Medical Council of India (MCI) earlier this year. A salient feature, shortening the MBBS course to four years from four-and-half years, came in for strong protest from the experts.

Last week, the heads of medical institutions and university vice-chancellors, who had gathered in New Delhi to give their opinions on the Vision 2015 document, made it clear that certain changes were "unacceptable". The MCI, said sources present at the meeting, has agreed to rework recommendations like making subjects such as forensic medicine, ophthalmology and ENT optional.

The idea of having a single exam after the completion of MBBS is likely to be shelved as well. The sources confirmed that the MCI was planning to restore the old pattern of holding exams at the end of every semester. But for those aspiring to take the postgraduate (PG) entrance soon after, there may be a worrying development. The MCI is toying with the idea of holding the entrance examination within two months of the completion of the MBBS exams.

According to Dr S D Nanandkar, head of forensic medicine, JJ Hospital, who was present at the meeting, the idea of holding the PG entrance soon after the MBBS exams had the approval of all. Under the existing pattern, students get started on their one-year internship soon after the MBBS exams, but end up using most of the time to prepare for the PG entrance, which is conducted after the internship. "Now the idea is to hold the PG entrance soon after the MBBS finals so that the students are done with preparing for the entrance and can sincerely concentrate on patient care," Dr Nanandkar said. "After all, students get hands-on training only during their one-year internship."

Among steps to enhance better equation with patients, the MCI has decided to introduce a two-month long Foundation Course for MBBS students at the first year in order to accustom them with patient-care, social values, idea of health financing, etc. But, some academicians are debating that the course should be introduced in the second year of MBBS rather than the first one as students will be left with less than eight months in their first year.

Forensic experts are particularly happy with the MCI rethinking some of their recommendations. Member of Board of Governor of MCI Ranjit Roy Chaudhury said that subjects like forensic medicine will rather be taught over a longer period and assigned more marks. "Many of our recommendations have not been favoured. We are reworking them," he said. The new recommendations will be put on the MCI website for suggestions from students and stake-holders, he said.

Plan to reform MBBS comes under censure

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