From classroom to community: teaching Community Medicine in India

Abstract

Despite the huge demand for public health doctors in India, the framework of public health remains unsatisfactory. Despite it being the preferred subject among postgraduate medical students, Community Medicine is considered to be at the bottom of the medical educational system. This paper explores the possible reasons for this, which may be attributed to faulty teaching methods, scarcity of career opportunities or personal choice. The Medical Council of India and Departments of Community Medicine in medical colleges and professional public health organizations have a pivotal role to play in arousing the interest of the student towards pursuing a specialization in this vital subject.