Perception of MBBS Students to the New Competency-based Medical Education Curriculum in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North East India

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, experience, and perception of the students of our institute toward the newly implemented competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among the Phase II Students of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam. A self-administered feedback questionnaire was used for the study after acquiring written informed consent from the students. The responses to the questions were based on the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of the students and were assessed on a 3-point Likert scale. Results: The questions were categorized under four broad headings. Under the first category, 49.3% were in assent as to their general awareness of the new curriculum and its structure and in agreement as to the changes proposed by it. In the second category, 55.7% were in agreement as to the beneficial effects of early clinical exposure and problem-based learning. 51.7% of the students in the next category were in agreement on the role of vertical and horizontal integration in the new curriculum in making them understand the topic better. Finally, 55.2% of Phase II students were in agreement on the importance of attitude, ethics, and communication and the role of assessment to improve the learning of the students. Conclusion: As we got positive responses from most of the students, we can conclude that CBME is the need of the hour. The few negative and equivocal responses indicate the challenges to be considered while implementing CBME.