M.B.B.S?. One of the toughest courses that leads one to the noblest profession ever. Taking responsibility of the life and health of a fellow human is surely satisfying, but not devoid of its fair share of stresses. Restoring the health of an individual requires, not just the ability to care, but also competence, confidence and knowledge in equal measure. It is no wonder that M.B.B.S. students are often seen walking around with fat textbooks in their hands. Something as intricate and complex like the human body required centuries to be even partly understood by man, and retaining the knowledge gained over decades in a span of four-and-a-half years is certainly a feat. Considering the sheer expanse of this ever-evolving field, the medical curriculum in India has been broadly classified into 14 subjects with additional 5 minor subjects divided evenly over the years of the course.

However, when doctors actually jump into medical practice, it dawns rather quickly that practicing medicine as an art is far more nuanced than medicine as a science. While spending years studying the anatomy of the body and the pathophysiology of disease and the pharmacology of drugs used to treat the disease, they do not realize that there are many more aspects involved in transitioning from a medical student to a doctor. It makes young doctors like me wonder, was reading those fat textbooks enough? Were there things which medical colleges should have included in their curriculum to facilitate this transition? Some introspection and discussion with fellow batchmates have led me to think that medical college should include some subjects, which although  may not teach us about health and disease but certainly would aid in the making of a doctor.

1. Research- The ever-evolving nature of medicine requires doctors not just to be well versed in what is taught, but also requires them to be inquisitive and ask questions about the unknown. While a person of science usually has an inquisitive mind, the process of carrying out a research project and getting it published could be a roadblock for many doctors. It is not only established practitioners but also young medical students who need to be well versed with the procedure of conducting research projects.

2.  Medical devices and entrepreneurship- We often hear of hackathons challenging medical students to come forward and show their innovative side by identifying a problem and creating a device to solve the same. However, only a select few medical students show interest in activities like these. Which is why we often see that startups made around health technology usually have engineers, MBAs, etc at the helm of things, while the doctor often ends up playing a supporting role. A detailed study of medical devices and pushing doctors in the direction of medical innovation would help to change this scenario. Along with developing a product or service, it is equally important for the creator of the product to know how to market it which is why a sense of entrepreneurship should be inculcated among doctors right from medical college.

3. Medical insurance- An illness not only takes a toll on the body and mind of an individual but also on the finances. Insurance is a way by which a person pays instalments in order to avail of a large sum in times of need to make sure that a major illness does not burn a hole in ones pocket. Despite this provision, doctors still seem to be lacking in knowledge pertaining to it. Educating young medicos about insurance will not only help them guide their patients pertaining to medical expenses, but will also be useful for the doctors themselves in their own times of need

4. History of medicine- It has taken many great scientists and doctors and years of their blood, sweat and tears to bring medical science to the stage that it has reached today. While some discoveries took years of systematic research, some have been a result of serendipity. Either way, every step in medical science has an interesting story behind it. Knowing the history behind our day-to-day medicines, devices and techniques connects us medicos to the roots of our profession, helps us to learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, inspires us with stories of resilience and makes us appreciate how far we have come today. While some professors so make it a point to teach these things to students, including it as a subject would help a student gain more profound knowledge of the same.

5. Psychology- Medicine is not just about treating an ailment but ensuring that the patient heals as a whole. A disease may have a regimen for treatment but human beings are complex creatures which is why treating a patient is beyond the realm of one single regimen. This is why a doctor’s skill in treating a patient is a culmination of clinical acumen, effective communication and a sense of empathy. Medical colleges have focused on making a clinician out of a medico and the newer competency-based pattern in M.B.B.S. does include communication as a subject. However basic training in psychology would not only help a doctor to elicit history more effectively but also aids the doctor in knowing patients? understanding of their own health

6. Artificial intelligence- It is said that change is the only constant in life. With the internet boom and Chat GPT answering every question that we have, it is important for us doctors to not be left behind in the race. While ensuring that patients do not use these facilities as a substitute to doctors, it is necessary for us medicos to know how to use them to our advantage. This can be achieved by including a preliminary training session in artificial intelligence in the medical curriculum.

7.  Alternative medicine- There has always been a state of war between allopathy and alternative traditional medicine. While allopathy is definitely more evidence based, alternative medical practices have their own set of staunch supporters who swear by its beneficial effects. Including basic knowledge of these practices in M.B.B.S. would not only help to increase mutual respect among practitioners but understanding the basis of these would also help the allopathic doctor to suggest the necessary alternatives as an adjuvant to their own therapy for better and quicker results.

While medical education in certain western countries have subjects such as medical ethics and law, evidence-based medicine and public health, the new CBME (Competency Based Medical Education) pattern, that has been incorporated in M.B.B.S. in India, does include research and communication as an integral part of its curriculum. However, just like the IITs, it should be considered imperative to focus on the overall growth of a medical student by promoting them to pursue activities such as sports, art, photography, writing, etc. not just by choice but as a part of their medical education. Such pursuits would not only shape the doctor as an individual but would also help them cope with stress, which often tends to be a doctor?s companion throughout their professional life.

Just like the human body, the doctors role is complex and intricate, far more than just being a healthcare service provider, and it takes more than just an updated curriculum to make a doctor. This is why, irrespective of the number of subjects, what actually shapes a doctor is the role of teachers, the experience one gains in college and in practice and ultimately the intention of an individual behind becoming a doctor.

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