The teaching faculty of medical colleges from across the country has expressed their concern on the proposed vision 2015 of MCI-BOG. In an attempt to ‘revolutionize’ the undergraduate medical curriculum, the proposed vision 2015, seems to be ready for a long- jump, but unfortunately, with blindfolded eyes and tied feet.
The medical teachers are made to understand that the medical course can be effectively taught in four years, replacing the existing duration of four and a half years’
While all the para-clinical subjects (Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine and Pathology) are affected, Forensic Medicine is the worst hit. The explanations and efforts put forth by the faculty of Forensic Medicine, regarding the issue, till now might have been fallen on deaf ears. This may be supported by the facts conveyed from a recent meeting that the forensic medicine delegation held with MCI-BOG, on 21st Jan 2011, at New Delhi. In the meeting, it was said to have been told that ‘use of forensic medicine in medical care is least and hence it is not required to be taught as subject in undergraduate medical curriculum. If it is required, it should be at post graduate level’. MCI is not concerned about medicolegal works including post mortem examinations. They have also been quoted as saying ‘it is the requirement of home ministry, Law and Judiciary and hence they should manage it’
These words are highly unbecoming on the part of the apex body of Medical Education, the MCI. Medical professionals from various streams of specialties as well as general practitioners have time and again expressed their inability in handling a medicolegal case. The MCI shall educate itself to know the role of forensic medicine in medical practice. To be more polite and precise, the phrase ‘role of forensic medicine in medical practice’ is used rather than putting it as ‘importance of forensic medicine in undergraduate medical curriculum’ The latter phrase may look as words of apprehension by the forensic fraternity, while the former phrase is a lucid picture of the current scenario. It is really surprising to note that why MCI BOG is repeatedly failing to understand the facts and figures, the forensic delegation is putting forth in documents, justifying the need and relevance of forensic medicine in undergraduate medical curriculum. It sends the message that the MCI-BOG has determined to remain ignorant about knowing the role/importance of forensic medicine in medical practice/ undergraduate medical curriculum. Why the forensic faculty must not think that the MCI-BOG has been tutored by some vested interests against the subject of forensic medicine?
The forensic faculty of medical colleges from across the country submits with much humility, a suggestion to MCI-BOG. Let it conduct an open survey amongst all doctors about the pros and cons of proposed Vision 2015. Then it may get some enlightenment about the flaws of the proposal. Surveys have been conducted to this effect at various centers (Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore, from Karnataka), which have unanimously opined that course curriculum shall be retained for four and half years and forensic medicine shall remain as a core subject with more weightage than it has been given now.
If one goes with the blunt words of MCI BOG that medicolegal work is not the concern of medical schooling at all, with due apologies, one may be forced to submit that, none of the skills and knowledge acquired during MBBS training are the concern of the council/board. That transpires that all subjects be made elective and those who are specifically interested may opt for the subject as the post graduate course. The very tone of this idea seems so illogical and imbecile.
In the present given scenario, a MBBS doctor feels comfortable with reading an ECG (General Medicine), conducting a labour (OBG), draining an abscess (General Surgery), doing a lumbar puncture on a new born (Pediatrics), BUT, certainly fears and gets apprehended of conducting a post mortem examination and later attending the court as expert witness!! (FORENSIC MEDICINE) Is this not sufficient and self-explanatory about the role of forensic medicine in medical practice and retrospectively, the importance of forensic medicine in undergraduate medical curriculum? The learned policy makers shall note that the scope and objectives of VISION 2015 shall be at identifying the weaker areas and strengthening them and NOT shying away from the problem itself.
It is hereby insisted that, until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt and with reasonable justifications, the subject of Forensic medicine shall at all cost remain as the core subject of undergraduate medical curriculum.
Regards
DR. ARUN M
MBBS,MD,Diplomate NB.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
FORENSIC MEDICINE
JSS MEDICAL COLLEGE
MYSORE - 570015
KARNATAKA, INDIA
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