Dear Dr. Adarsh Kumar
Hon. Secretary
Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
On the name of up-gradation of medical education under Vision 2015, MCI’s move to eradicate Forensic Medicine from medical curriculum I would like to clarify followings from BOG:
· What is the difference in status of subjects of Group A, B &C? Do these belong to core part of curriculum?
· In the non-core part of curriculum most of the topics (Ethics & legal Medicine, Immunology, Genetics, Nutrition, Lab Sciences, Ethics, Accident and Emergencies (A&E), Community Projects, HIV, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaco-dynamics, Assisted Reproductive Technology) are taught in MBBS at one or other level while others like Bioinformatics, Tissue Processing, Computer and Computer Applications, Sports Medicine, Research Methodology, Tissue Culture, Pharmaco-economics and Medical Education are not relevant at MBBS level. Most of the students of this era are well versed with the use of computer.
· Evaluation of subjects especially of Forensic Medicine, ENT & Ophthalmology
And put our views regarding their comment on subject as, “though Experts of medical education recognize the importance of “Professionalism and Ethics” in Forensic Medicine probably because most of them are clinicians but they have ignored most of the parts of subject as they have proposed the teaching of Forensic Medicine should be integrated with other subjects as mentioned on page 15 “Forensic Medicine can be effectively taught during Gynecology & Obstetrics (rape, assault), surgery (injuries) and pharmacology (toxicology)”. Of course it is better to teach not only Rape but Medicolegal aspects of virginity, pregnancy, delivery, abortion, assisted reproduction & live birth etc in Forensic Medicine after teaching the basic of these topics in Obstetrics & Gynecology classes but only by Forensic teachers. A Gynecologist can’t do justice with these topics. This is also true for injuries & toxicology and these three topics is not the whole subject.
We could not understand the relevance of “Legal experts can be called for medico-legal issues” while Forensic Medicine is developed to help Judiciary, legal & police personnel in medicolegal issues and their experts are called in the court throughout the world. Regarding training in internship, as it is mentioned on page 15 “Forensic medicine skills such as documentation of medico-legal cases of alcoholism, suicide/homicide, rape, assault and injury cases can be acquired during internship” is a good step and that can be achieved by compulsory posting of interns in Forensic Medicine at least for one month. But this is feasible only when proper teaching of these topics in undergraduate classes. So in the interest of Medical Education at large, Forensic Medicine must be taught as a major full-fledged subject with periodical and university examinations of students..
In these context I would like to emphasize you that “Medicolegal and Post Mortem Examination” is one of the compulsory duties of doctors and more than 75% of the work is conducted by MBBS & other specialists due to lack of Forensic experts and they may not be available in sufficient number to takeover whole medicolegal work of the country even in coming 50 years. So a comprehensive study of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at MBBS level is a National Need that can be/should be taught & evaluated only by teachers of Forensic Medicine.
In my opinion there should be yearly examination. Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry should be examined at the end of 1st year and Pathology, Microbiology & Pharmacology at the end of 2nd year. The teaching of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology including Professionalism & Ethics should be started in 3rd semester & evaluated with Eye & ENT at the end of 3rd year and rest of the subjects in final year.
Examination to assess the skills and competence at the end of internship is of a praise-worthy step and it should be cleared by medical graduates before starting independent practice. The marks of all the yearly examinations and marks after internship should be taken as sole criteria for admission in post graduate courses. This will improve not only the interest of students in undergraduate teaching but also they will concentrate more on internship training too.
I feel again the time has come to represent our view/grievances to BOG and Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine should lead us.
Dr A K Srivastava
Professor & Head
Deptt. of Forensic Medicine
Subharti Medical College Meerut
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