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."