Evolution of medical education in India: By Harjeet kakkar
It is a known fact that India has one of the oldest medicinal systems in the world. It takes us back to the days of sacred texts, chakras, and unani medicines. Even the cross-cultural exchanges that happened during the colonial times gave a new perspective to the Indian medical system. It was the Portuguese who introduced Western medicine to India in the 16th century. And from then, the Western medicine started to become popular.
The first medical school of India was founded in 1835 by Lord William Bentinck in Bengal, and that was the beginning of the evolution of medical education in India. Eventually, there were more institutions that opened up in other provinces too. Medical education in India has evolved significantly over the last seven decades.
The beginning
Initially, medical education was primarily focused on providing students with a theoretical understanding of medicine and limited clinical experience. However, with time, there has been a shift towards more hands-on and practical training, as well as increased emphasis on research and community service. Additionally, we have seen an increase in the number of medical schools and colleges in India, along with the number of seats available for medical students.
Privatization
One of the major changes in medical education in India has been the increase in the number of private medical colleges. Private medical colleges have played a significant role in increasing the number of seats available for medical students in India. These colleges have also been instrumental in providing students with more hands-on and practical training. Many private medical colleges have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment; some of them have collaborations with foreign universities to provide students with international exposure. For example, Manipal University has collaborations with numerous international universities, such as the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and the University of South Wales, UK. These collaborations make it accessible for students to study abroad and gain international experience.
Research and development
Another major change in medical education in India has been the emphasis on research. The Indian government has been promoting research in medical education to improve the quality of healthcare services in the country. The government has set up several research bodies; one such example is the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It promotes and funds medical research in India. The ICMR has been instrumental in promoting research in various fields such as diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. Additionally, the government has been encouraging medical colleges and universities to set up research centers and promote research among students and faculty members. For instance, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has several research centers, such as the Center for Community Medicine and the Center for Dental Education and Research, which are dedicated to promoting research in different fields of medicine.
Part played by the government
In addition, the government has also been promoting community service among medical students. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which was launched in 2005, has been instrumental in promoting community service among medical students. The NRHM has set up Community Health Centers (CHCs) in rural areas, where medical students can work and gain experience in providing healthcare services to the rural population. This has helped medical students to understand the healthcare needs of the rural population and has also helped to improve the quality of healthcare services in rural areas.
The government is even working on improving the quality of medical education in India. The Medical Council of India (MCI) has been established to regulate medical education in India. The MCI has been instrumental in setting up standards for medical education in India and ensuring that the quality of medical education is maintained. However, the MCI was replaced by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in 2019, which has been set up to regulate medical education in India. The NMC is responsible for maintaining standards of medical education in the country, and ensuring that the quality of medical education is maintained. The NMC has also been promoting continuous medical education (CME) to ensure that medical practitioners keep themselves updated with the latest developments in the field of medicine.
Overview
In conclusion, medical education in India has evolved significantly over the last seven decades. Private medical colleges have played a significant role in increasing the number of seats available for medical students and providing them with more hands-on and practical training. The government has been promoting research and community service among medical students to improve the quality of healthcare services in India. The government is also working on improving the quality of medical education in India, and the National Medical Commission (NMC) has been established to regulate medical education in India and ensure that the brightest and the most dedicated get the best possible education nationwide. Moreover, now the medical colleges in India are leveraging the Medical College Management System, to ensure a seamless flow of processes so they can focus on providing the best of education.