NMC, ICMR drafting framework to integrate clinical research into MBBS, PG training: Report

New Delhi: In a major boost to the medical education system in India, medical students may get greater exposure to clinical research, ethics, scientific writing, and research methodology, as the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have undertaken an initiative to integrate research more closely with mainstream medical education and patient care, TOI has reported.

One of the major components of the programme may be Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the authorities are reportedly examining how to integrate the AI tools into the clinical research for data analysis, predictive modelling, evidence generation, and research support, while simultaneously creating ethical and regulatory protections for AI-driven medical research.

Also Read: NMC, ICMR to soon launch PhD programme, boost clinical research: Dr Abhijat Sheth

Confirming this development, the Chairperson of the Apex Medical Commission, Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, told the Times of India that an expert panel, jointly set up by NMC and ICMR, is currently preparing a draft framework. 

As per the Daily, the proposal aims to set up a stronger research culture in Indian medical colleges and enhance the capacity of the country for evidence-based healthcare research.

TOI has reported that under the proposed framework, medical colleges may introduce post-doctoral PhD programmes for boosting advanced medical research. Simultaneously, the undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate medical students may also receive structured exposure to research methodology, clinical trials, scientific publication practices and ethical conduct of clinical research as a part of their medical training.

According to the officials, this initiative aims to integrate medical research with patient care in such a minute manner that research findings can be easily utilised for healthcare solutions, specifically for India.

Further, the proposal also focuses on the betterment of the training in thesis preparation, scientific writing, and research assessment. As part of this, the medical students and faculty may receive guidance on thesis selection, publication standards, and responsible conduct of clinical studies.

Additionally, this framework aims to strengthen competency-based research education and clinical research awareness among medical students, faculty and healthcare professionals. Officials added that priority is also being given for the betterment of the quality of thesis work and to create stronger institutional research repositories.

They further mentioned that the broader objective of the framework is to set up a research-oriented ecosystem within the medical institutes across the country by combining clinical medicine, ethics, innovation and emerging technologies. "The proposal is still at the discussion stage and different aspects are being worked out by the expert committee," clarified an official.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, aiming to promote indigenous innovations in medical devices and medicines, the National Medical Commission (NMC) had announced introducing a PhD programme and bolstering clinical research, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 

Last year, the Board of Governors of the National Medical Commission (NMC) had approved the integration of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) principles into the curricula of all MBBS, MD, MS, and PhD medical programmes. The approval was granted to elevate the scope of clinical and biomedical research among medical students at the graduation level.

Also Read: NMC BoG approves integration of ICMR principles into MBBS, MD, MS, PhD curricula: Report