NMC Guidelines Encourage Medical Teachers to Serve as Role Models as Researchers

New Delhi: In the recently released guidelines on "Professional Responsibilities of Medical Teachers", the National Medical Commission (NMC) has encouraged medical teachers to serve as role models as researchers.

Further, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC has also mentioned that the teachers should inculcate a scientific and research temper in students.

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

Addressing the responsibilities of medical teachers in the conduct of research, NMC mentioned that the teachers are required to conduct research in "letter and spirit" as part of their commitment in higher education, to contribute to the growth of knowledge in their respective fields, and for the good of society.

"As a researcher, teachers must be particularly aware of the issues of plagiarism, authorship guidelines, falsification and fabrication of data, and duplication of papers. These are serious breaches in research ethics and undermine public confidence in genuine research," mentioned the guidelines.

NMC has also advised the medical teachers to pay special attention to the rights of research participants, their fully informed, understood, and written consent and their right to withdraw from research.

"The use of students as research volunteers must be with the provision that there is no coercive influence for participation. Their participation should have no bearing on their evaluation during examination," stated the guidelines.

"Medical teachers are responsible for the oversight of research conducted as principal investigators and of student research done under their supervision. It is important that medical teachers mentor their students not only on subject knowledge and skills related to their research but on the issues of research ethics," it further added.

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