The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program is a foundational and comprehensive undergraduate course designed to train individuals to become qualified medical doctors. Spanning over a period of 4.5 years, this course is a blend of rigorous academic education and practical clinical training, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to enter the medical profession with the necessary knowledge and skills.
The MBBS course is structured into three main phases: the pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical phases. The pre-clinical phase focuses on building a strong foundation in the basic sciences, including subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. These subjects help students understand the structure and function of the human body, laying the groundwork for more advanced medical studies.
Following this, the para-clinical phase introduces students to subjects such as Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, and Community Medicine. In this phase, students learn about the nature of diseases, the principles of pharmacology, the role of microorganisms in health and disease, and the application of medical knowledge to legal matters. This phase also emphasizes public health and preventive medicine, preparing students to address health issues at the community level.
The final phase, the clinical phase, is where students apply their theoretical knowledge in practical settings. They study clinical subjects such as Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Orthopedics, among others. During this phase, students undergo clinical rotations in various hospital departments, gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. This practical training is crucial in developing the clinical skills and judgment necessary for medical practice.
A significant aspect of the MBBS course is the 1-year mandatory internship that follows the academic portion of the program. During this internship, students work as interns in different departments of a hospital, applying their knowledge in real-life situations and further honing their clinical skills. This period of intensive training provides invaluable experience and prepares students for the challenges of medical practice.
Assessment throughout the MBBS course is continuous and multifaceted. Students are evaluated through internal assessments, practical examinations, and university-level exams at the end of each academic year. The final year examinations are particularly important, as they determine the student's readiness to proceed to the internship phase and, ultimately, to become a licensed medical practitioner.