Departments of Medical Education; Establishment is the Need of Hour

Abstract

Medical education is among the professions directly related with human life. Learners of today will be the medical leaders of tomorrow working at different levels in the health care systems. The professionals, governments and relevant organizations are trying to develop, maintain and scrutinize the educational process. These concerns have resulted in the audit of teaching and appraisal activities. A fully established and functioning department of medical education (DME) provides the required support for these initiatives(1). There are multiple functions of the DME in a medical school including faculty development, teaching and learning, curriculum development, planning and implementation. Assessment of learning activities, evaluation of educational programs and promotion of research culture are also considered as the major functions of a DME. An operational and equipped DME is a requirement to perform these functions effectively. Moreover, the proper establishment of DMEs is a mandatory requirement for the accreditation of any medical college by Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC). The main guidelines for the formation of DMEs may be generalized, however the role and functions may vary according to the local settings(2). These departments are established to improve the quality of medical education, in response to different expectations and pressures of the community. Expeditious changes in the educational strategies, assessment methods and legislative requirements at national and international level are some other factors for the formation of DMEs. The information explosion through the print, electronic and social media has increased the expectations of general public. This flow of information has made people more informed about their rights and available health care services. The growth of the latest techniques in diagnosis and patient management has also resulted in a more demanding society. As a result, the community is asking for capable, qualified, skilled and trained health care professionals. On the other hand, the mission of medical education is to enhance the quality of health care delivered by the doctors in their respective fields. The working of doctors actually depends on the quality of medical education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Quality assurance and development of academic standards are among the major challenges faced by medical education. The modern era demands for the maintenance of standards and good practices as a pre-requisite for medical professionals(3). Additionally, governments, nongovernmental organizations, media and general public have increased the focus on health care systems to produce good physicians for the society(4). Relevant bodies are also imposing new standards and in some cases the funding agencies have linked financial resources with the attainment of required outcome(5). Similarly, the privatization of the medical education is directly associated with the issues of quality and accountability. This is the high time to focus on the establishment of departments of medical education in every medical college. It will serve as a center for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the educational activities resulting in a better outcome.