The National Medical Commission, NMC has issued an important guideline for MBBS students. 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, it is very important for the students 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 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 issued the CBME Competency Sections-I, II and III as well as Competency-Based Medical Education Guidelines, 2024.” The new CBME guidelines aim to transform medical education to meet the requirements of the healthcare sector in both national and international scenario.

What is CBME Curriculum 2024?

According to 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, attitudes, values ​​and accountability to function appropriately and effectively as a better doctor in society 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 IMG.

Goal for the country:
The Indian Medical Graduate should be able to identify “Health for All” as a nationwide goal and the health right of all citizens.

He should learn the key aspects of national policies on health and devote himself to their practical implementation.

The IMG should acquire proficiency in medical practice, including promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases.

The IMG should develop scientific temper, acquire educational experience for proficiency in the profession and promote healthy life style.

He should become an ideal citizen by adhering to medical ethics and fulfilling social and professional obligations so as to fulfil the expectations of the nation.

Aims for the Institute:

The IMG should be competent to work in a progressive manner with increasing complexity in an integrated multi-disciplinary partnership in the health care team from Phase I MBBS to Compulsory Rotary Medical Internship (CRMI).

Be able to practice preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative medicine in respect of commonly encountered health problems.

Understand the rationale of various therapeutic modalities and be 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 their professional responsibilities.

Possess a tendency for continuous self-learning, and a desire to acquire further specialization or to undertake research in any chosen area of ​​medicine, action research and documentation skills.

Be familiar with the basic factors required for implementation of national health programmes, 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 resource, material and resource management related to health care delivery, general and hospital management, key inventory skills and counseling.

Can 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 participant in health care teams and have proficiency in communication skills.

Be able to work in a variety of health care settings.

Possess personal characteristics and attitudes necessary for professional life, including personal integrity, a sense of responsibility and reliability, and the ability to build relationships with or show concern for other individuals.