This paper concentrates on the syllabus of MBBS as revised by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), which introduced revolutionary alterations to the syllabus of MBBS that intend to reform compulsory healthcare needs. Here is the list of modifications made to the current curriculum:
• New subject offerings
• Compulsory night duties
• Extension in the number of hours spent in studying.
• Research Projects
• Hawlera Regulation No. (94) For the year 2012/2013, specific changes to the internal assessment rules
Let us now discuss all these changes and their effects on medical students.
Addition of new subjects: all the scientific disciplines, such as Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, and Quran Education.
One of the most important changes to the MBBS course curriculum is the addition of new subjects. Each of these subjects will widen and deepen training in medicine.
Emergency Medicine
We know that the number of emergent cases rises each day. Hence, the addition of Emergency Medicine to the package will be instrumental in enabling medical students to manage emergency cases effectively. Students will be able to respond instantly and be very efficient with it. It will concern an expanded range of problems associated with traumatology, life-saving measures, and stabilization of the patient; it is critically important for any practising doctor.
Family Medicine
This subject is designed for the primary health care level management of chronic diseases of children, adults, and older adults, regardless of gender. Family Medicine is mainly about treating the illnesses that are frequently encountered and setting up the doctor-patient rapport.
Quran Education
This is why a current attempt to introduce the teachings of the Holy Quran into the medical syllabi is aimed at raising prospective doctors’ ethical and moral standards. This subject will produce healthcare providers with compassion, empathy and ethical practices in the health profession. It will also assist them in acquiring the values of the Holy Quran and leading their lives in conformity to the religion of Islam.
Compulsory Night Duties
Because of choices made by PMDC for its students to have a practical feel of operations, night duties have become compulsory during medical courses. This decision shows that real exposure will be a reality that will let the students practice and be in control of various medical situations and crises. Night duties will give students a feel for and outlook on real-life practice during their training. Practical interaction with other experienced healthcare workers during night shift students enhances critical thinking and decision-making, cardinal activities in every successful medical practice.
Total Study Hours have been brought up to 6200
To sum up, to enhance medical education, the total number of hours of study has been raised to 6200 to complete the MBBS course. This colossal development unarguably enables students to train on all medical education and practice requirements. The changes will touch on areas of basic science and clinical competencies. This will give the students an excellent ground to work on later. The extra hours will also prepare the graduate for the current and future healthcare systems competition.
New Internal Assessment Rules
Because of better attendance and discipline, PMDC has recently changed the internal assessment rules. All these changes will encourage the students to improve their attendance and to bring their discipline to par. The following changes are made to internal assessment:
Extra Marks for Attendance: University of Health Science(UHS) Lahore has raised the criterion to attend classes and sit for annual examination admission from 75% to 85%. Due to the internal assessment rule, the students used to attend fewer and fewer lectures, so to overcome this, PMDC again changed the internal assessment rule to attend more and more lectures. Hence, to encourage the students to participate in the class regularly, students with 95% or above attendance will get an extra two marks. The correlation between high-class attendance and improved performance and comprehension of course content is well known.
Discipline Rewards: This means that 3 marks will be added to the scores of any well-disciplined student throughout the course. This reward system should instil a culture of respect and professionalism that will assist them in medical practice throughout their lives.
Research Opportunities
PMDC also encouraged research projects in the new institution’s curriculum. The new syllabus of MBBS will give students the chance to research. This will unveil new possibilities for learning for future generations of doctors. It will assist in coming up with new diseases and probably their treatments.
Conclusion
Change in MBBS syllabi is one of the PMDC’s objectives, and better medical education in Pakistan has become closer with the help of the PMDC. With the introduction of the new curriculum, the council intends to produce well-equipped, competent doctors who can embrace the challenges of modern society and healthcare delivery systems. By making these changes, the PMDC sets the foundation for a not-too-distant future of medical education in Pakistan.
