A Critical Appraisal of the New Competency-Based Medical Undergraduate Curriculum in Biochemistry

Abstract

The new competency-based medical education undergraduate curriculum (CBMC) was launched for the 2019 admission batch of MBBS students. The programme is designed to create an “Indian Medical Graduate” (IMG) possessing the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and responsiveness, so that the graduate may function appropriately and effectively as a physician of first contact with the community while being globally relevant. Given that implementation of this curriculum is still in its infancy across the country, we stand to gain from a unified approach to its implementation. Phase I of the curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry along with professional and personal development modules. Biochemistry enjoys an enviable position in the medical curriculum as it explains the molecular basis of diseases. We present an appraisal of the curriculum in Biochemistry by reviewing the components against Harden’s six themes which are considered when planning or developing a curriculum. Further, five core components of CBME are selected on the basis of three research papers to characterize underlying assumptions of CBME to suggest ways of logical implementation for achieving the competencies expected of the Indian Medical Graduate. The insight gained shall help students to be equipped with competencies which they shall be able to use in their day- to- day work, which shall ultimately help benefit patient care and the society at large.