Special staff training college for medical teachers

PUNE: The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has sent a proposal to the Union Ministry of Health for setting up of a special staff training college for medical teachers at Aundh in the city.

This is first this kind of training in the country, the staff training college is expected to enhance the quality of teachers by update them on the latest advantages in the field of medicine.

MUHS vice-chancellor Mrudula Phadke on Monday, shared the action plan on recommendations of a committee appointed by the State government with Sakaal Times.

The seven-member high-level committee in its report in September 2008, had suggested a paradigm shift in the approach to medical education.

Phadke said, “Medical colleges are concerned about the widening gulf between new practices in vogue in medical world and theoretical teaching at the college level. Theoretical knowledge is totally cut off from the insights gained in actual practice.”

To bridge the gap, the committee recommended the setting up of the staff college. MUHS has pursued it and has sent a proposal to the Health ministry. The MUHS vice-chancellor said, “This college will impart training at three levels — lecturers, associate professors and professors. Certificate and diploma courses in Medical Education Technology will be designed on the lines of B Ed and M Ed.”

Pune is the natural choice for staff training college as the city is host to finest talent in medical field, Phadke added.

To update teachers about latest techniques in medical field, refresher courses like Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are likely to be made compulsory at every promotion, the committee has recommended.

Medical students may also benefit from the experience of practicing surgeons and specialists as MUHS has created posts of adjunct teachers.

As a part of this campaign, MUHS has organised a two-day conference of all medical colleges in State, which began on Monday.

The Foundation of Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) in United States is the co-organiser of the event. Director General of Health Services Dr R K Srivastava inaugurated this conference.