TN Dr MGR Medical University to launch soft-skills course for MBBS students
Tamil Nadu- Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has recently decided to introduce a dedicated soft-skills course for its undergraduate students. The new course will be designed specifically for medical students.
This decision was taken in the backdrop of a study by the university. A majority of errors in medical practice can be traced to gaps in soft skills such as communication, critical reasoning, decision-making, and teamwork, according to a study by Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.
The program will cover a broad range of soft skills, with locally and globally relevant content. This training will help students manage stress, work efficiently, and recognise and manage emotions. Empathetic interactions can also reduce patient anxiety, which is especially important in areas such as cancer treatment and palliative care.
Currently, about 8,700 students are enrolled in medical and paramedical programs at the university and its affiliated colleges. A senior professor said that the program will operate at two levels: a basic medical soft-skills course and an advanced course.
Professional trainers will conduct the courses at approximately 15 nodal centres across the state. Each centre will train at least 500 students annually, although this number may vary as seats increase or new institutions open.
The professor noted that “Many Indian medical graduates lack effective soft skills because these are not taught formally. So they often miss attributes such as empathy, compassion, ethics, professionalism and moral values. The National Medical Commission has also observed that communication gaps are the most common cause of complaints against doctors”, reports DTNext.
He added that first-year MBBS students were particularly receptive to such training, and early exposure to humanities can help them develop these abilities. He said, “Teams with good communication and interpersonal skills provide safer and more effective patient care with fewer errors. Leadership and conflict-resolution skills lead to better patient outcomes, higher staff morale and improved team satisfaction”.
