Bedside Teaching is Integral part of education and training of Medical Students: NMC Guidelines

New Delhi: Among several issues, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has also addressed the issue of Bedside Teaching in the recently released "Professional Responsibilities of Medical Teachers" by referring to it as an integral part of the education and training of medical students.

In the guidelines, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) has specified the factors that medical teachers need to consider and ensure in the context of bedside teaching.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC in the guidelines has discussed about the personal attributes and conduct of teachers including several factors such as teacher as a role model, the teaching-learning process, and assessment and examination process. Apart from this, NMC has also discussed the teacher-student interactions, bedside teaching, responsibilities of teachers to their colleagues, and responsibilities of teachers to the community.

The guidelines have also discussed the role of teacher as a researcher and a voice of science- including the responsibilities of teachers in the conduct of research. NMC has also specified the support framework to ensure optimal functioning of medical teachers at both National and Institutional level.

However, releasing the guidelines, the apex commission has clarified that "The intention behind these Guidelines is not to penalize or point a finger at any teacher but to remind him/her of the professional role of a medical teacher in the training of medical students & other healthcare professionals and in life of students and the nation. The hope is that they will introspect in light of these guidelines and improve the quality of teaching and reduce gaps in learning in light of expectations of students and society."

Also Read: NMC releases Guidelines on Professional Responsibilities of Medical Teachers, details

While specifying the duties of medical teachers in the context of bed-side teaching, NMC mentioned that the medical teachers need to ensure that bed-side teaching is central to the practical and skills teaching of medical students.

The Guidelines further has asked the teachers to constantly demonstrate to students correct elements of the doctor-patient relationship including soft skills of communication, respect for the dignity, autonomy, consent taking, confidentiality and the rights of patients.

NMC has mentioned that the teachers should ensure that the students understand the patient's needs are as important as their own learning and the students are sensitive to the patients' suffering and gentle during physical examination.

"Patients should not be seen as a means to an end in medical teaching," the NMC guidelines further emphasized. Teachers have also been directed to conduct bed-side discussions in a sensitive manner that respects the dignity and rights of patients.

Apart from this, NMC has also asked the teachers to teach the students the correct procedures of eliciting history and examining patients particularly women, minors, the elderly, and others with special needs.

The Guidelines further asked the teachers to emphasize the immense importance of correct and complete documentation and added that "teaching bedside clinical skills may be more useful in community setting so as to ensure early detection of diseases and their cost-effective management."

Also Read: Medical Teachers Must Participate in Examination Process to ensure sanctity and fairness of exam: NMC Guidelines