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

New Delhi: In its recently released guidelines on "Professional Responsibilities of Medical Teachers", the National Medical Commission (NMC) has specified that in order to ensure the sanctity and fairness of the examination process, the medical teachers must participate in the examination process as and when asked.

"Teachers are required to be involved in examinations process as per norms based on the eligibility criteria. The examination process requires both internal and external examiners and teachers must participate in examination process as and when asked so that the sanctity and fairness of the examination system is ensured," stated the recent guidelines issued by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC.

Apart from this, the Ethics Board of the Commission has also asked the eligible teachers to evaluate the examination answer papers diligently to ensure that marking is done "fairly and timely". Teacher should not allow canvassing for extra marks during practical examinations, NMC mentioned.

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.

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

While specifying the personal attributes and conduct of teachers, NMC also discussed their roles in the assessment and examination process. NMC pointed out that Competency-based continuous assessments are an integral part of the medical curriculum.

"Teachers are required to conduct this with diligence, ensuring the students achieve these competencies at the required level. Certifying students to be competent when they are not, or vice-versa is unethical. Their role as gatekeepers is critical," stated the guidelines.

NMC also mentioned that the teacher's role is very crucial while certifying a student. Therefore, the teachers must ensure 360-degree evaluation of students. "The examination must go beyond the final summative assessment and should include regular formative assessments with more emphasis on the latter," the guidelines mentioned.