Abstract
In order to review the strengths and weaknesses of medical biochemistry practical curriculum for undergraduates and to generate ideas to improve it, a questionnaire was sent to 50 biochemistry faculty members selected (through simple random sampling method) from 42 medical colleges of Maharashtra, India. 39 responded to the questionnaire, representing a 78% response rate. The internal consistency of the questionnaire sections was found to be satisfactory (>0.7). The respondents did not agree that the ongoing curriculum was in alignment with learning outcomes (8%), that it encouraged active learning (28%), helped to apply knowledge to clinical situations (18%) and promoted critical thinking and problem solving skills (28%). There were a number of qualitative experiments that were rated ‘irrelevant’. Qualitative and quantitative experiments related to recent advances were suggested to be introduced by the respondents. Checklists for the practicals and new curriculum objectives provided in the questionnaire were also approved. The results of the curriculum evaluation suggest a need for re-structuring of practical biochemistry curriculum and introduction of a modified curriculum with more clinical relevance.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge Dr. Maulik S. Doshi for valuable inputs and Mr. Umesh Gandhi for secretarial assistance. This research project was supported in part by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). However, the findings and conclusions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this organization.
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Dandekar, S.P., Maksane, S.N. & McKinley, D. A Survey Validation and Analysis of Undergraduate Medical Biochemistry Practical Curriculum in Maharashtra, India. Ind J Clin Biochem 27, 52–60 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-011-0174-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-011-0174-7