The National Medical Commission (NMC) has embarked on a significant policy reform in the country's medical education sector. Clinical research, which was previously considered an optional or subsidiary subject, has now been decided to be made mandatory in the core curriculum of medical education. This will make clinical research an integral part of the curriculum, training, and evaluation system in both undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate (MD-MS) levels of medical education. The NMC board has already given policy approval to this proposal. NMC Chairperson and President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) Abhijat Sheth announced this on Monday.
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The chairperson told the media, "Clinical research is an extremely important subject. We have realized that it is essential to integrate this subject with the mainstream of clinical medicine rather than keeping it as an optional or side subject." According to NMC sources, in the new structure, clinical research will not be limited to just theoretical curriculum. Research-based work will also be made mandatory for regular practical evaluation, hands-on training, and skill assessment of medical students. As a result, the commission believes that emphasis on evidence-based treatment methods in medical education will increase further. The chairperson informed that the NMC board has recently given policy approval to this decision. Now implementation is the target.
ICMR, IISc and IITs to help frame implementation plan
Towards that goal, it has been decided to form a committee comprising the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), multiple Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) from the country, and distinguished experts in the medical field. The responsibility of the proposed committee will be to create a clear and effective framework for how clinical research can be incorporated on a broader scale at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Additionally, ICMR has expressed interest in launching new PhD courses in clinical research. IISc and several IITs have already expressed support for this proposal.
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According to NMC officials, this initiative will help improve the quality of medical education as well as develop a research-based culture among the country's medical community. Abhijat Sheth commented, "Developing a culture of clinical research in the medical community is now the demand of the times."
