Incorporation of emergency medicine in the undergraduate curriculum.
BACKGROUND
Emergency medicine has been recognized as a specialty in western countries. However, in India, most hospitals and medical colleges have no provision for teaching this specialty. This study was done to assess the feasibility of incorporating emergency medicine in the undergraduate medical curriculum.


METHODS
Sixty final year undergraduate students underwent a special training programme in emergency medicine. A feedback was obtained from the students.


RESULTS
While the practical experience was rated above satisfactory by 65% of them, 98.2% of them appreciated the lecture sessions. Overall, the programme was rated as more than good by 92.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
As a specialty that emphasizes basic clinical skills, emergency medicine should be incorporated in the undergraduate medical curriculum.
David
S S
SS
Emergency Services, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Selvaranjini
S
S
Thomas
M
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D003906:Developing Countries; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India