Online Early Clinical Exposure Emerged as Practical Alternative for Medical Training During the Pandemic, Finds Research

Traditional medical teaching in India largely relied on lectures and memorization, with limited focus on practical application. To bridge this gap, competency-based medical education (CBME) was introduced, aiming to develop practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. The National Medical Commission (NMC) implemented CBME for undergraduates in 2020, incorporating methods such as group discussions, problem-based learning, self-directed study, and early clinical exposure (ECE). ECE gives students clinical experience from the start, helping them link theory to practice, build confidence, and develop professional identity. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, disrupted hands-on training, making online teaching the only alternative.

“A structured online module like online ECE can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, helping medical students correlate concepts with real clinical scenarios, stay motivated, and retain complex information. This demonstrates that medical education can continue effectively even when physical access to clinical settings is limited,” the author of the study, Dr Akila Prashant, Professor & Head, Department of Biochemistry, Convener, Department of Medical Genetics, SS Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, India, told Medical Dialogues."

To implement this, Dr. Shobha CR, Dr Prashant and colleagues conducted a study in the Department of Biochemistry at a private NMC-recognized medical school, where an online early clinical exposure (ECE) session was held on “Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) and the Significance of Newborn Screening (NBS).” Students were provided information on prevalence, morbidity, mortality, significance of NBS, and available treatments, and engaged in discussions on four clinician-developed case scenarios.

On the selection of IEM and NBS as topic, Dr Prashant explained, “IEMs, though individually rare, collectively represent a significant public health concern requiring early intervention. Newborn screening programs offer a practical example of linking clinical medicine with public health, making them ideal for early clinical exposure. The topic allows students to learn communication with parents, understand diagnostic pathways, and interpret biochemical reports—all well-suited for online teaching.”

Out of 200 students, 175 attended the 4-hour online ECE session, which was conducted in smaller groups under faculty supervision. Their feedback was collected on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed. Among the 175 attendees, 152 students willingly participated in the questionnaire survey.

The study led to the following findings:

Dr Prashant added, “Our findings suggest that online ECE can enhance medical students’ understanding of newborn screening (NBS) and inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Students learned to differentiate screening and confirmatory tests, interpret laboratory findings, and communicate effectively with parents. Such training helps build a future healthcare workforce capable of promoting public awareness, ensuring timely diagnosis, and managing screening programs efficiently—thereby reducing potential complications, morbidity, and mortality.”

Reference: Ramachandra SC, Kempegowda SN, Shivashankar KK, et al. Role of Early Clinical Exposure in Medical Education: Effectiveness of Its Transition from Onsite to Online Sessions during the Pandemic. Indian J Med Biochem 2025;29(1):1–7.