THE INFLUENCE OF EARLY CLINICAL EXPOSURE MODULE IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

In traditional medical curriculum basic science subjects were taught in isolation from clinical subjects. Students would thereby find it difficult to retain concepts in basic sciences, recall and co-relate it when clinical setting was encountered. Early clinical exposure is early authentic patient contact in clinical or social setting which helps to enhance the understanding of health or illness/disease and the role of medical professional. The objective of this study was to study the influence of early clinical exposure for a module on jaundice on undergraduate students and faculty perception. Materials and Methods: ECE module on jaundice was introduced for study in first MBBS students. Pre-validated questionnaire was used for data collection and student and faculty perception about the module was evaluated. Results: Participating students got better score in post-test (6. 03 + 1.701) as compared with pre-test (5.82+1.701) although the results were not statistically significant. 92% students and faculty positively rated and appraised ECE as a teaching learning tool. Conclusion: ECE module on jaundice generated interest in students and could help students co-relate basic science concepts with cases. This could lead to improvement in academic performance and better patient care. Keywords: Early clinical exposure; student, faculty perception