Exploring the learners' perspectives on competency-based medical education

A novel innovation in medical education was initiated by the Medical Council of India after 21 years. Competency‑based medical education (CBME) is an effective outcome‑based strategy, which requires integration of knowledge, attitude, skills, values, and responsiveness. The aim was to assess the students’ perspectives on competency‑based medical curriculum.

This cross‑sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1st year MBBS students (2019–2020 batch). A validated questionnaire was administered through Google link among phase I medical students of various medical colleges across India by multistage sampling.

A total of 987 students from 74 medical colleges in India responded. Nearly three‑fourths opined that foundation course (FC), attitude ethics communication module, and early clinical exposure were necessary. Horizontal integration was more appreciated to vertical integration. Maintaining log books was perceived as time‑consuming and cumbersome.

The CBME when meticulously adopted will inspire student enthusiasm for learning. Few reforms such as curtailing the duration of FC, diffuse sessions on stress and time management, better synchronized vertical integration, and an exemplary implementation of adult learning techniques can be undertaken.