A quarter of a century is enough time to justify a reappraisal of any effort. Nearly 25 years have passed since the existing Regulations on Graduate Medical Education (GMER) were notified in 1997, and it is time to revisit all aspects of the system and adapt them to the changing needs including demographic, socio-economic has come. context, and progress in science and technology. The new GMER of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which was withdrawn without explanationEfforts were made to catch up and steer in the right direction, wherever necessary. The medical world is a changed place since the last time the rules were made, emerging diseases, changing demands and expectations of stakeholders have also changed the game dramatically. The new regulations aim to make medical education more learner-centred, patient-centred, gender-sensitive, result-oriented and environment-appropriate, while also laying emphasis on the basic principles of medical teaching. Approach to young medical students, introducing a longitudinal program based on ethics and communication competencies, emphasis on ethical values, being responsive to patient needs and better communication, early clinical experience – all skills benefiting young physicians The rules were progressive in doing so. from the real world. It specified that didactic lectures would not exceed one-third of the schedule; While most part of the course will consist of interactive sessions, practical, clinical experience and case studies. A family adoption program through village outreach and an ‘epidemic module’ for each MBBS student were also started afresh. Other important changes include reducing the total time period for students to complete the MBBS course to nine years (from 10), fixed number of attempts to pass the paper and common counseling for admission from 2024. He could appear in the supplementary examination, the results of which were to be processed within three-six weeks. If successful, the students could proceed with the same batch.
There is no doubt that a quick cleanup of medical education in India is necessary to clear the remnants of the cobwebs of the past. While a new GMER will enable the country’s medical students to become future-ready, the question to be asked is whether the system will be ready to handle the needs of students who cross barriers to access medical seats. As the NMC takes a step back with rolling back the rules, perhaps it will pause to speculate and face, with minimal confrontation, the opposition of many states to common consultations and exit tests.