The National Medical Commission, NMC has issued an important guideline for students pursuing MBBS. The NMC has released a set of new guidelines for the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum, which will be implemented from this 2024-25 academic session. In such a situation, the students need to know these guidelines.

What was said in the notice?

The official notice states that “The Board of Undergraduate Medical Education, after consultation with groups of experts and in the exercise of the powers conferred by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, particularly by Sections 10, 24, 25 and 57 of the NMC Act, has released the Competency-Based Medical Education Guidelines, 2024 along with CBME Competencies Sections-I, II, and III.” The new CBME guidelines aim to transform medical education to meet the requirements of the healthcare sector in both national and international scenarios.

What is CBME Curriculum 2024?

According to the NMC, the emphasis of the new guidelines is on the continuity and development of medical education based on the feedback and experience of CBME in the last 5 years since its inception in 2019. It aims to make medical education more learner-centered, patient-centered, gender-sensitive, outcome-oriented, and environment-appropriate, making it in line with global trends.

Through the CBME curriculum, the aim is to prepare an "Indian Medical Graduate" (IMG) in the country who has the requisite knowledge, skills, attitude, values, ​​and accountability to function properly and effectively as a better doctor in the society and a with global level facility. The CBME curriculum has also set national and institutional goals in its official notice which are expected to be followed by the IMGs.

Goals for the country:

• Indian medical graduates must be able to recognize “Health for All” as a nationwide goal and a health right for all citizens.
• He should learn the key aspects of national policies on health and dedicate himself to their practical implementation.
• IMGs must acquire proficiency in the practice of medicine, including promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases.
• IMGs are required to develop a scientific temper, acquire educational experience for proficiency in the profession, and promote a healthy lifestyle.
• He should become an ideal citizen by following medical ethics and fulfilling his social and professional obligations, so that he can fulfill the expectations of the country.

Goals for the Institute:

• IMGs must be able to work progressively with increasing complexity in an integrated multi-departmental involvement in the health care team from Stage 1 MBBS to Mandatory Rotary Medical Internship (CRMI).
• To be able to practice preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative medicine about commonly encountered health problems.
• Understand the rationale behind various therapeutic modalities and become familiar with the administration of "essential drugs" and their common adverse effects.
• Appreciate the socio-psychological, cultural, economic, and environmental factors affecting health and develop a humane approach towards patients while discharging professional responsibilities.
• An inclination towards continuous self-learning, and an inclination to pursue further specialization or research in any chosen area of ​​medicine, action research, and documentation skills.
• To become familiar with the basic factors required for the implementation of national health programs including practical aspects of family welfare and maternal and child health (MCH), sanitation and water supply, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, immunization, health education, and advocacy, Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), bio-medical waste disposal, organizational and institutional arrangements at various levels of service delivery.
• Acquire basic management skills in human resources, material, and resource management relating to health care delivery, general and hospital management, key inventory skills, and consultancy.
• Identify community health problems and learn to work towards their resolution by designing, implementing, and evaluating corrective measures with maximum community participation.
• Be able to work as a leading partner in health care teams and have proficiency in communication skills.
• Be able to work in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Possess the personal characteristics and attitudes necessary for professional life, including personal integrity, a sense of responsibility and reliability, and the ability to form relationships with or show concern for other individuals.