Course to Hone Doc's Tech Skills

Sunday April 20, 2008

Written by Mohana Dam
Published in The Hindustasn Times (HT Live)

In an effort to counter the dearth of technically updated physicians in the city and its adjoining areas, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, has decided to extend its distance education programme in family medicine to Kolkatans.  The course, Post Graduate Diploma of Family Medicine (PGDFM), will start from July 10.

"We realized the need for technically upgraded physicians long ago and last year we started the distance education programme.  Now, Kolkatans too can enrol for the course," said A.K. Jana, associate director of CMC.

The two-year programme, which carries the option of being extended to a maximum of four years, will cover nine centres in Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Vellore, Tejpur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata.

CMC's distance education department has prepared a problem-based curriculum comprising 75 modules and 12 illustrated course booklets put together by the CMC faculty after consulting 12,000 doctors.

Mercy Hospital in Kolkata is one of 10 institutions CMC has collaborated wit.  The course would be conducted on the hospital premises.  A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been signed. 

After screening 37 applicants, 25 physicians, mostly independent, have been short-listed to participate in the programme in Eastern region.  While there are 12 physicians and Asansol have sent two each and one will come from Nadia. 

The course fee is Rs 32,000 and the amount can be paid either in two or four instalments.  No extra cost would be charged from those who want to extend their course.

CMC would send 10 to 12 of its faculty to teach the course.  There would be three sessions, a two 10-day session and one 6-day session of the contact classes per year on the Mercy Hospital ground.

At least 75 video lectures will be screened, with a follow-up supplementary instruction session in the second year: Video teleconferencing sessions will also be held everyday.  Medical experts from CMC will interact with the participants and answer their questions.