Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration

Introduction: The introduction of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India in 2019 has reshaped medical education by integrating foundational courses, learning strategies, and assessment methods that emphasize competencies essential f...

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Main Authors: Amit Kumar Kamboj, Mudit Sharma, Rashmi Ramanathan, Vivin Vincent, Jeevithan Shanmugam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: National Board of Examinations 2025-01-01
Series:National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences
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Online Access:https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=VllHSG93Y3JTQ1d0alFZVXl6YVlEdz09
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author Amit Kumar Kamboj
Mudit Sharma
Rashmi Ramanathan
Vivin Vincent
Jeevithan Shanmugam
author_facet Amit Kumar Kamboj
Mudit Sharma
Rashmi Ramanathan
Vivin Vincent
Jeevithan Shanmugam
author_sort Amit Kumar Kamboj
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The introduction of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India in 2019 has reshaped medical education by integrating foundational courses, learning strategies, and assessment methods that emphasize competencies essential for modern healthcare. Unlike the traditional knowledge-centric model, CBME aims to produce well-rounded physicians equipped with clinical skills, ethical grounding, and communication abilities. This study aims to examine medical students' perspectives on the CBME curriculum, focusing on its foundational components, learning strategies, integration practices, and assessments. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted over April and May 2023 at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Port Blair, among MBBS students from the 2019-2022 batches. Students were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire addressing key CBME components. Open-ended questions were utilized to capture students' insights on CBME’s perceived benefits, challenges, and improvement suggestions. Thematic analysis was applied to identify recurrent themes, offering a comprehensive understanding of student experiences within the CBME framework. Results: Feedback revealed high student appreciation for foundational components, notably Basic Life Support and ethics. Recommendations for new curriculum elements included mental health support, interactive learning formats, and direct patient exposure. Common challenges cited were the extensive logbook requirements and lengthy assessments. Notably, students suggested restructuring self-directed learning (SDL) to include more guidance and advocated for case-based, scenario-driven assessments over traditional formats. Integration practices were valued, though students expressed a need for alignment between subject teachings and integrated sessions to maximize holistic learning. Conclusion: This study highlights a generally positive reception of the CBME curriculum, with specific areas identified for enhancement, including reducing administrative burdens, incorporating more practical learning activities, and adjusting assessment formats. Student feedback underscores the curriculum’s strengths in fostering competency but also suggests the need for flexibility and responsive updates to meet evolving educational demands.
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spelling doaj-art-c81d037e764c4a96a3d930b8be0493232025-01-07T10:14:53ZengNational Board of ExaminationsNational Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences2583-75242025-01-0131293810.61770/NBEJMS.2025.v03.i01.005Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational IntegrationAmit Kumar Kamboj0Mudit Sharma1Rashmi Ramanathan2Vivin Vincent3Jeevithan Shanmugam4Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JNUIMSRC, Jaipur -17Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JNUIMSRC, Jaipur - 17Professor, Department of Physiology, KMCHIHSR, Coimbatore – 14Professor, Department of Community Medicine, JNUIMSRC, Jaipur – 17Professor, Department of Community Medicine, KMCHIHSR, Coimbatore – 14Introduction: The introduction of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India in 2019 has reshaped medical education by integrating foundational courses, learning strategies, and assessment methods that emphasize competencies essential for modern healthcare. Unlike the traditional knowledge-centric model, CBME aims to produce well-rounded physicians equipped with clinical skills, ethical grounding, and communication abilities. This study aims to examine medical students' perspectives on the CBME curriculum, focusing on its foundational components, learning strategies, integration practices, and assessments. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted over April and May 2023 at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Port Blair, among MBBS students from the 2019-2022 batches. Students were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire addressing key CBME components. Open-ended questions were utilized to capture students' insights on CBME’s perceived benefits, challenges, and improvement suggestions. Thematic analysis was applied to identify recurrent themes, offering a comprehensive understanding of student experiences within the CBME framework. Results: Feedback revealed high student appreciation for foundational components, notably Basic Life Support and ethics. Recommendations for new curriculum elements included mental health support, interactive learning formats, and direct patient exposure. Common challenges cited were the extensive logbook requirements and lengthy assessments. Notably, students suggested restructuring self-directed learning (SDL) to include more guidance and advocated for case-based, scenario-driven assessments over traditional formats. Integration practices were valued, though students expressed a need for alignment between subject teachings and integrated sessions to maximize holistic learning. Conclusion: This study highlights a generally positive reception of the CBME curriculum, with specific areas identified for enhancement, including reducing administrative burdens, incorporating more practical learning activities, and adjusting assessment formats. Student feedback underscores the curriculum’s strengths in fostering competency but also suggests the need for flexibility and responsive updates to meet evolving educational demands.https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=VllHSG93Y3JTQ1d0alFZVXl6YVlEdz09competency-based medical educationqualitative studycurriculum assessmentmedical studentsintegrated learning
spellingShingle Amit Kumar Kamboj
Mudit Sharma
Rashmi Ramanathan
Vivin Vincent
Jeevithan Shanmugam
Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences
competency-based medical education
qualitative study
curriculum assessment
medical students
integrated learning
title Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
title_full Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
title_fullStr Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
title_short Evaluating Medical Students' Perspectives on the CBME Curriculum: A Qualitative Exploration of Curriculum Structure, Pedagogical Approaches, and Educational Integration
title_sort evaluating medical students perspectives on the cbme curriculum a qualitative exploration of curriculum structure pedagogical approaches and educational integration
topic competency-based medical education
qualitative study
curriculum assessment
medical students
integrated learning
url https://natboard.edu.in/ejournal/articledtl?x=VllHSG93Y3JTQ1d0alFZVXl6YVlEdz09
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