MBBS course in India, some suggestions

Hello friends, 
Just reminiscing my old days of MBBS studies in college. In India, courses were mostly theoretical and importance is given for, how much one can memorize the definitions, and bookish knowledge.  There is no flexibility in the studies and finally it takes away precious years of the student without imparting much skills needed. ( It depends on individual capacity to learn )

What it signifies is, student lose much of their youth in learning something, which they will never use in real life while treating a patient. It results in an early burnout of student and subsequent disillusion from the course itself. This is not good for both doctors or the patients. Happiness is essential for optimal working capacity.

So, regarding this, I do have some suggestions. Hope someone works in these regards;


1. Make FIRST YEAR course of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry of one semester rather than a whole year. The studies be made optional i.e  Students will be given independence in attending the course without the risk of loss of attendance. ( 60% or more attendance is good ) 
Rather keep flexible timing for workshops, practicals, so that they can go in working hours and directly learn the knowledge and skills from the PG students and Teachers regarding the subject.

Attendance can be taken there too...and it will also instill a sense of professionalism and freedom in the students. 

2. Make SECOND YEAR course of 2 semester rather than 3 semester. In reality, second year course of Microbiology, Pathology, FMT, and Pharmacology take more than 3 semester, which is a wastage of time.
Other things are same as first point, flexibility and freedom. As, not all students need to memorise and use it in later life. Its also impossible to do so.

3. Make THIRD YEAR course of Ophthalmology, ENT and PSM, 1 semester. Reason is simple, its not needed by all. Just the basics can be learned and other things can be learned in practical classes or independent time.

4. Make FINAL YEAR course of Medicine, Surgery, Pediatric and O&G of 3 semesters. Final year have good 2 semester course but it doesn't impart the required skills effectively to all students equally. 
Thus an extra semester, where skills of First aid, Emergency care, Essential medicines, General medicine and diagnosis needed by the majority of patients like chronic diseases, pain, cold, fever and its differential diagnosis. 
Skills that are essential and required to know by all students who were passing out as MBBS doctors, and let them work as general practitioners.


One can do an exit exam from MBBS, which identifies their knowledge and aptitude towards a specific subject. It will directly help them join any post graduation courses or give additional weightage  in exams like NEET and DNB.


I would also like to suggest additional clubs like Sports and Arts. It would help bring some variety in monotonous studies in MBBS and also help them grow as a person. It would help them develop or pursue their hobbies too and also avoid burn outs.

So, the world is changing rapidly and we too need to change ourselves to keep with the pace of it. Freedom is all we seek, and our time is precious. Hope, this will decrease the 6 year course (including internships) into 4 years and give additional time to the students to enjoy there lives woo along with their profession.