Demonstration of Working Models of Medical Education through Open and Distance Education Mode

Abstract

PCF10 Sub-theme: Fostering Lifelong Learning [POSTER] // Medical Education is the backbone of health care of a country. Over the years medical education in India has been restricted mainly to the conventional system of education where graduation and post-graduation is offered through a network of medical colleges both by the government and the private institutions. However, they are not only a far cry for the health manpower resource of the country, but also are not able to address the continuing medical education requirements of the medical fraternity which is the dire need today due to changing disease patterns, advancement in medical management and technologies being increasingly used for diagnosis and treatment. Indira Gandhi National Open University through it’s School of Health Sciences established in 1991 has been offering a variety of continuing medical education programmes for doctors through open and distance mode using the blended approach. Through this panel discussion, the speakers will demonstrate the different models that have been adopted over the period of almost three decades. Awareness and skill enhancing programmes have been developed in the area of health care like yoga and health care waste management, targeted to a mixed group of health professionals and paraprofessionals. Innovative models have been developed for Continuing Medical Education of in-service doctors and dentists for updating their knowledge and providing hands on training in programme specific skills at identified medical colleges and hospitals both at the tertiary and district level. Subjects not covered in the conventional system like MCH, HIV medicine, Geriatric medicine and CBRNE disasters have been taken up. Experimental models have also been developed for PG Medical Education targeting doctors for specialization and super specialization for statutory recognition of the qualification. These programmes when offered through the blended mode would be more cost effective and feasible for a larger target group as compared to the conventional system. // Paper ID 3173