TEACHING INFECTION TO MEDICAL STUDENTS

Dr.T.V.Rao MD

Today the MBBS students have to learn many topics, as knowledge has
grown beyond imagination, we prescribe textbooks and leave them to
their choice and little coordination on many matters no feedback
collected. If the subject of Microbiology to be made interesting to our
students at every stage of our teaching we have to convert major
topics incorporating with Principles and Practice of Infectious
diseases, The great revision is needed in Systemic bacteriology we
should give least priority on Biochemical reactions, which are only
useful to the practising Bacteriologists, These are matter of reference
facts, which can be verified in times of need, and stop imposing on
undergraduate students, for grading the performance. And
incorporate more knowledge on rationalism of Antibiotic
prescriptions. It is not feasible that we can teach all that students need
to know, but must instead teach them how to continue learning within
the discipline to be familiar with Infectious diseases and their control
and optimal remedial measures, Todays top priority remain with
Hospital and community associated infection and its prevention All of
this underlines the importance of teaching students not only what to
know within microbiology, but also how to think as a professional
Doctor who has a role to save many lives in future. At present in many
medical colleges, students exposure to microbiology and infection is
minimal and experience with Problem based learning, has been
limited to few topics. The microbial world is vast and unfamiliar to
students Moreover; the intersection between the practice of medicine
and this unseen world is constantly expanding and shifting. Even with
conventional teaching, students need time to familiarize themselves
with the different names and concepts in infection. I feel that simple
measures to make the student to understand why a particular
infection is important to our patients, what are available resources in
diagnosis,. With the rapid advancement of new discoveries in
microbiology research, many of us will give their under-graduate students
a more fascinating and rewarding experience in the course. So I started
with activities that took a clinical approach, as Infection prevention
and control is now a major priority for modern medical care, we
should provide an opportunity to review in more depth the use of
standard infection prevention and control measures in their own
occupational setting. We can introduce and start teaching general
principles for preventing catheter-related infections and Hospital
acquired inactions, As learners benefit from information on how to
reduce infection risks associated with using vascular access devices,
and understand how these risks arise and how they can be minimised.
Our constructive thinking can certainly change how the students
accept the Microbiology and Infectious diseases; We should bring
major changes in the era of SUPERBUGS, MDR-TB and Antibiotic
Resistance. I wish many new generation of Microbiologists consider to
transform Medical Microbiology to Infectious diseases which will be
more interesting and useful to our Medical Students

Dr.T.V.Rao MD Professor of Microbiology Freelance writer