Foundation Course for the MBBS Undergraduates (Batch 2022-23)
The Foundation Course for the MBBS undergraduates admitted in 2022 (Batch 2022-23) was held in Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre (TMMC&RC) from December 2022 to February 2023. The Foundation Course was conducted by the Medical Education Unit and Foundation Course Committee of TMMC&RC as per the recent modification implemented by National Medical Association (NMC) under BOG for CBME Curriculum.
The foundation course has been divided into a total of 6 modules which included an orientation program, professional development including ethics, skill module, sports & extracurricular activities, field visit to the Community Health Center, and enhancement of language/ computer skills with a wide array of topics for the overall growth and development of students. The purpose of this foundation course was to orient students to all the aspects of the medical college environment, equipping them with certain basics and providing them with the opportunity to interact.
The team of speakers included -Prof. Ajay Pant (Principal, TMMC&RC), Prof. S.K. Jain (Vice Principal & HOD - Anatomy), Prof. V.K. Singh (Additional MS & HOD - Medicine), Prof. Prithpal S Matreja (Coordinator - MEU & HOD - Pharmacology), Prof. Seema Awasthi (HOD- Pathology), Prof. Shruti Chandak (Prof. - Radiodiagnosis), Prof. Sudhir Singh (Prof. - Microbiology), Dr. Ashutosh Kumar (Prof. - Pathology), Prof. Rohit K Varshney (Head - Emergency Medicine), Prof. Dr. N K Singh (Head - Surgery), Prof. U Farooq (Head - Microbiology), Prof. Faiyaz Ahmad (Prof. - Pathology), Prof. Prerana Gupta (Prof. - Psychiatry), Dr. Shweta R Sharma (Assoc. Prof. - Microbiology), Dr. Amit Kumar (Asstt Prof. - Community Medicine), Dr. Shilpa Pradeep (Asstt Prof. - Community Medicine), Dr. Aftab (Asstt Prof. - Community Medicine), Dr. Imran Ahmad (Asstt Prof. - Microbiology) and other members of foundation course committee.
The areas covered included not only domains of medical sciences but other areas for development. Domains of medical sciences included - Need for the program, holistic healing, medical profession, your journey through 4.5 years, doctors & beyond, ATCOM module, basic medical research, health care system & policies, IMG, doctor-patient relationship and teaching & learning methodology. Whereas other areas covered were - exploring the library for studies, introductory computer skills, about TMU, motivational enhancement techniques, learning & communication skills, ethics & its practice in life, expected behaviour, English language, key to success, co-curricular activities, protecting yourself and campus life to name a few of the components of various modules held.
The skill module involved modules on first aid, BLS, universal precautions, waste management, immunization and documentation which motivated the students. The Anatomy Department under Prof. Dr. S.K. Jain (Vice Principal & HOD) also conducted the cadaveric oath which dealt with humanely dealing with the cadaver as he was the first teacher in a medical college. The cadaver was a voluntary gift by individuals for the betterment of society and should be given appropriate respect. The aim of these sessions was that the first-year students do not feel lost in the Medical College and the expectation.
The program aimed to keep the students motivated and also emphasized their overall development as responsible individuals for themselves as well as their families, relatives and society at large. Students' engagement was highly active, and they expressed a need for additional contact with their seniors as well as frequent sessions at monthly intervals to keep their enthusiasm high.
