The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore has introduced the subject of Behavioural Sciences in the IInd professional MBBS examinations to inculcate higher ethical standards and moral values in medical students and enabling them to provide better physical and psychological care to the patients in their educational and professional careers. The decision was taken in the 8th meeting of the UHS Board of Studies (Medicine) held here on Tuesday, with Professor Syed Sibit-ul-Hasnain, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, in the chair. Principals and senior professors of affiliated medical colleges also attended the meeting.

The board decided that the subject of Behavioural Sciences would be taught in first and second year MBBS classes. There would be 50 credit hours allocated to the subject (25 each in first and second year), and the examination would be held at the end of third year. The evaluation system for this subject would be a combination of Objectively Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

The board also decided to evaluate Paediatrics in Final Year and Eye/ENT in 4th Year MBBS as separate subjects in all the affiliated medical colleges. The decision would be effective on the new third year MBBS class of 2005.

Presently, Paediatrics is evaluated as a separate subject in final year MBBS for two colleges, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur and Nishtar Medical College, Multan whereas it is a component of Medicine paper for the rest of the affiliated medical college.

The members of the board agreed that this step would prove important in University's deliberations to harmonise the medical curricula and syllabi in various affiliated medical colleges.

After the meeting, UHS Board of Governors' Chairman Professor Mahmood Ahmad Chaudhry said that the UHS collaboration with the foreign universities was a big step towards the improvement and promotion of medical education in Pakistan. He advised the principals that they should strongly interact with him and show their institutions to explore areas of mutual interest for future collaborations.

"Two years ago some people believed that UHS was a metaphysical thing and not a reality. They were wrong and UHS, by the grace of Allah, is prospering and progressing in the field of medical and health education. Similarly the agreement between UHS and Texas University is a tangible reality and we will start benefiting from it very soon", he added.

UHS Vice Chancellor Professor Malik Husain Mubbashar said that introduction of Behavioural Sciences in medical curriculum was a vital step towards seeking exemptions for UHS graduates from the international licentiate examinations. "This will bring our medical syllabus at par with international standards as induction of behavioural sciences in curriculum is a basic prerequisite by General Medical Council of UK", he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005