The panel had of Medical Colleges, Dr Sudha Seshayyan (Director, SASTRA University) Dr S Sacchidanand (Former Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Medical College) and Dr Sharad Kumar Agarwal (National President, Indian Medical Association) on stage addressing the issues and talking about the solutions. (Picture Source – Express Photo | P Jawahar)
In today’s world, students and their parents face significant pressure to excel in competitive examinations. This situation in India presents two prominent aspects: challenges and opportunities. Two critical dynamics are at play in this scenario.
Firstly, there is a strong desire for a level playing field. Where all students, regardless of their background, mode of communication, language, demography, or geography, have equal opportunities. This calls for the establishment of a single examination that can determine the eligibility of students aspiring to pursue a career in medicine.
Currently, the eligibility criteria for participating in such competitive examinations are often tied to school education. Which may not be reflective of a student’s true potential in the medical field.
However, it’s important to recognize that as we emphasize more on competitive examinations, a coaching culture tends to take root and gain strength. This situation increases stress for students and makes the competition among them more intense. It’s important to find a balance between the importance of 12th-grade examinations, which show how well a student studies. And having one test for different fields like medicine, engineering, law and others.
This way, students can have a fair chance to follow their chosen career paths.
Handling education means balancing regular achievements with a fair system that helps students follow their career dreams.
Chennai: In a startling revelation, Indian Medical Association (IMA) President, Dr. Sharad Kumar Agarwal, disclosed a concerning fact at the 13th ThinkEdu Conclave in Chennai. More than 700 medical colleges across India admit 1.10 lakh students, yet a staggering 50% lack sufficient faculty. This revelation has ignited worries about the overall quality of medical education in the country, pointing to a critical issue demanding immediate attention and reform.
The conclave hosted a panel discussion titled “The Right Prescription: Revamping Medical Education” on its second day. The panel, chaired by senior journalist Kaveree Bamzai had esteemed members: Dr. S Sacchidanand, former vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Dr. Sharad Kumar Agarwal, National President of Indian Medical Association, and Dr. Sudha Seshayyan, Director of SASTRA University.
During the discussion, Dr. Sacchidanand emphasized existing gaps between the medical curriculum and societal requirements. He stressed the need to tailor the curriculum to address pressing societal needs such as malnutrition, anaemia in women, leprosy, and tuberculosis.
“There exists a disparity between the curriculum taught in medical colleges and the pressing societal needs. It is imperative to customise our curriculum to address the current challenges faced by the public. Issues such as malnutrition, anaemia in women, leprosy, and tuberculosis persist and demand focused attention in our educational approach,” said Dr Sacchidanand.
Dr. Seshayyan highlighted the inadequate access to quality healthcare facilities in rural India and proposed the integration of value-based education in the curriculum to encourage and motivate the students to work in rural setups.
“Managing patients individually in a rural setting differs significantly from supervising cases in a well-established setup. These are the aspects where medical education in India requires enhancement. We must inspire students to engage in rural practice. And there needs to be an inclusion of value-based education within the curriculum to facilitate this,” stated Dr Seshayyan.
The panelists collectively pointed up the importance of skill and competency-based learning in medical education. Dr. Sacchidanand proposed a shift in prioritizing attitude cultivation over knowledge, emphasizing the training of students not only in what they know but also in how they interact with patients.
However, the surge in the number of medical colleges over the last decade has presented a significant challenge. Dr Agarwal pointed out that 50% of medical colleges face a shortage of faculty. Raising questions about the dedication to standard operating procedures and necessary landmarks.
The faculty shortage is escalated by unattractive positions in medical colleges. Dr. Sacchidanand highlighted the need for the National Medical Council to make faculty positions more appealing, especially for young doctors.
Addressing the ongoing discussions around the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Dr Agarwal expressed disagreement with the pushback against NEET, emphasizing its benefits in streamlining the entrance process. However, he advocated for changes in the counselling process, suggesting the implementation of unified software for seat allotment.
In conclusion, Dr Sacchidanand supported NEET as a means to create a level playing field for aspiring doctors. But suggested equal importance to Class 12th board exams to address the current coaching culture.
The revelations from the ThinkEdu Conclave shed light on the urgent need for detailed reforms in India’s medical education system to ensure quality and accessibility. The discussions are prepared to influence the trajectory of medical education in the country. They aim for a brighter and broader future for aspiring medical students.
