NMC lists down Responsibilities of Medical Students Towards Society and National Goals

New Delhi: In the recently released guidelines on "Professional Responsibilities of Medical Students", the National Medical Commission (NMC) has specified the responsibilities of students towards society and national goals.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in the recently released guidelines on "Professional Responsibilities of Medical Students", NMC discussed several issues related to the students including responsibilities related to academic growth, responsibilities related to personal growth, responsibilities towards society and national goals, and support framework to ensure optimal functioning and growth of medical students.

Referring to the responsibilities of students towards society, the NMC Ethics and Medical Registration Board mentioned how medicine is a social and moral endeavour. In this regard, the Guidelines mentioned how the students need to dress modestly and appropriately in all their endeavours.

The Commission also addressed the duties of medical students towards the nation and mentioned, "Students are expected to assist in health services in situations like natural calamities, disasters, health emergencies etc. through proper channels and under supervision. Sense of social service and nationalism should be integral part of medical education."

"Students are expected to participate in community events related to health education, health promotion and prevention," it further added.

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Apart from this, the Commission has also mentioned that medical students are expected to learn the local language to be able to effectively communicate with patients during their studies.

In keeping with role of a citizen-doctor, students are encouraged to keep abreast of new health laws being discussed in parliament or at the state and to respond, when bills are opened for public views and comments, NMC mentioned in the Guidelines.

The Apex medical commission has also encouraged the students to organise regular environmental audits of the campus to identify the problem areas concerning the environment and initiate suitable programmes like tree plantation, reduction of use of single use plastic, judicious use of water etc.

"These guidelines may serve to remind them of their social obligations even during the training period, in the spirit of human service and excellence and help them align with the goals of curriculum for Indian Medical Graduate (IMG). It is expected that these guidelines will be used by Teachers, Medical Education Unit (MEUs) and Institutions to instill a sense of responsibility in Medical Students rather than using them for punitive actions," the NMC ethics board mentioned in the guidelines.

Also Read: NMC releases Guidelines on Professional Responsibilities of Medical Students