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MCI’s vision 2015 and PG Medical Selection
S. Chandra, Prabha Sowmyashree
S. Chandra, Prabha
Sowmyashree
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n201ed09html.pdf
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" The need for better methods of selection for postgraduate (PG) medical seats in different specialties has never been more keenly felt than in the current scenario. Multiple entrance exams, management quota and paid seats, the urgency to get into a PG seat at any cost and the mushrooming of PG entrance exam coaching centres have added to the angst and woes of medical students. Currently the Indian medical education system is one of the largest in the world with around 250 colleges fully recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The increasing demand for doctors trained in basic skills and the need to maintain the educational system on par with global standards is quite challenging, considering all the hurdles which come in the way of improving quality. One author of this editorial is a postgraduate teacher who has been involved in PG entrance examinations for several years and the other a medical student who has appeared for 30 entrance exams in the last two years! We have also taken the opinions of several students who have either got or not got a PG medical seat after going through several entrance exams across the country. Based on this, we speculate on the problems of the current system, review the VISION 2015 proposed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) to see if it improves the situation, and suggest some alternative strategies based on a review of literature on advanced and superior methods of selection in some other countries (1). Regarding the paper pattern for entrance exams, the current preference for multiple choice questions (MCQs) as a method of selection was initiated to enhance objectivity. However, even as late as the 1980s and ’90s, many institutions had recognised the need for getting to know the candidate either through an interview or through a brief clinical assessment. If candidates had qualified in the theory entrance exam, they had to undergo a face to face interview or some form of clinical assessment in several institutions. The suitability and aptitude of the candidate for the particular specialty would be discussed before the actual selection. While not being entirely fool proof, it was probably more gratifying for the selection panel and the student and resulted in a better fit."(PG 7)
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2012-01
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With permission of the license/copyright holder