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VOLUME 6 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2019 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Integrated Learning: Need of the Hour in Medical Education

Arunabha Dasgupta

Citation Information : Dasgupta A. Integrated Learning: Need of the Hour in Medical Education. Bengal Physician Journal 2019; 6 (3):62-66.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10070-6127

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 09-10-2020

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2019; The Author(s).


Abstract

With the introduction of competency-based medical education for undergraduate medical education by the Medical Council of India in our country, the need for reorientation of medical education as per societal needs requires a strengthening link with new reforms in the educational system of which integrated teaching–learning methods are of paramount importance. There is a shift from traditional didactic lectures to interactive discussions, group discussions, and integrated learning sessions. With shedding of too much of information overload from basic science subjects, proposals and efforts are there to incorporate basic science in the context of clinical orientation and teach them in system-wise fashion not in discipline-wise way as in the traditional teaching system it was followed. Hence, the new teaching system where teaching will be system-wise and for one system basic science teaching will be followed by clinical teaching along with clinical exposure at wards is the basic essence of integrated learning. The literature says teaching in this way helps students to understand, retain, and build concepts more effectively than the traditional system. Problem-based learning that enhances integrated learning methods provides relevance to the subjects studied. The need of the hour is a socially accountable medical education in India in alignment with global needs also. So, changes are inevitable. Faculty reorientation as per needs of new education system forms the backbone for successful launching of the program country-wise along with gaining of student's trust. Implementation of the integrated teaching–learning concept is a challenge as it needs extreme cooperation from college administration, medical education unit, college routine committee, individual departments, and individual teachers. There are different models of integrated teaching methods and each one of them is unique. To implement them, there are multiple strategies and for success of running the process smoothly the college administration needs to create environments. Assessment of students too needs certain modifications as the aim of the assessment needs to get aligned with launching goals. The aim of such effort is to create an Indian medical graduate competent in possessing requisite knowledge, exercising requisite skills, having values and attitudes as desired, and act with responsiveness and accountability. They will act with confidence in discharging their duties as the physician of first contact of the community and simultaneously will be globally relevant.


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