DR. S.V. SINGH, OMBUDSPERSON - E-mail ID: ombudsperson@santosh.ac.in

The purpose of postgraduate (PG) education is to cultivate specialists who can deliver high-quality healthcare and contribute to scientific advancement through research and training. In the field of Community Medicine, an academic subject and branch of Medicine, the focus lies in promoting health, preventing diseases, and involving community participation while utilizing professional management skills. A Community Medicine specialist adopts a holistic perspective on health and medical interventions, with a primary emphasis on Community Health/Population Health. As such, they need to possess knowledge, skills, and competencies in primary, secondary, and tertiary care, as well as the control and prevention of outbreaks/epidemics, community diagnosis, health needs assessment, epidemiological evaluation, research, and planning evidence-based health policies and programs.

Therefore, the guidelines for teaching Community Medicine should be designed to develop a cadre of professionals capable of making meaningful contributions in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating Primary Health Care Programs based on scientific evidence. These competencies must encompass a wide range of skills, including technical, managerial, administrative, organizational skills, applied skills in Health Information Management, software application, and soft skills such as communication, motivation, decision-making, team building, scientific communication, and medical writing.

The purpose of the document at hand is to provide teachers and learners with illustrative guidelines to achieve defined outcomes through learning and assessment. The document has been prepared by subject-content specialists, and the Reconciliation Board of the Academic Committee has aimed to maintain consistency in purpose and content without compromising their integrity. Although the document has made compromises in the purity of syntax, the aim has been to preserve the purpose and content. This has resulted in the retention of "domains of learning" under the heading of "competencies."

 

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Program Objectives:

 

  • The purpose is to create skilled medical professionals in Public Health, Community Medicine, and epidemiology who contribute to national health policies and programs for holistic human development.
  • Standardizing teaching and training approaches for Community Medicine at the postgraduate level.
  • Research skills include formulating research questions, literature search, study design, data collection and management, analysis, and reporting.

 

The Team:

 

S.No FACULTY NAME  DESIGNATION
1 DR. SYED HASAN NAWAZ ZAIDI PROFESSOR & HOD
2 DR. DEEPIKA AGARWAL PROFESSOR
3 DR. GAJENDRA KUMAR GUPTA PROFESSOR
4 DR. ATISH ANAND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
5 DR. ANUPAMA SINGH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
6 DR. SHUBANGI SRIVASTAVA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
7 MS. UDITA SRIVASTAVA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
8 MR. PRADHUMN KATARA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
9 DR. NEHA JETLI ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
10 DR. ABHISHEK SENIOR RESIDENT

     

Click here to read more about the Community Medicine department.

 

Assessment:

 

Paper I: Conceptual (and applied) understanding of Public Health and Community Medicine, Communicable and Non- Communicable diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases, Applied Epidemiology.

Paper II: Primary Health Care system, Panchayat Raj system, National health Programs, Integration of alternative Health system, Occupational Health, Demography and Family Welfare, Disaster Management.

Paper III: Nutrition, Environmental Health, Social & Behavioral sciences- applied aspects, Mental health, Public Health Legislations, International Health & Global Diseases surveillance, Bio-statistics.

Paper IV: Health Economics, Health Policy planning, Health Care Administration, Health Management, Public Health Leadership, Health research, Medical Education technology, Scientific communications & Medical writing, Research Methodology, Information Technology, Recent advances in Public Health & Miscellaneous issues.

 

Practical/Clinical and oral examination (on CBME pattern):

A. OSCE:

1. One long Family case from the community

2. One long Case (30 minutes), 2 short cases (20 minutes each) – Cases with Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

B. OSPE:

1. Epidemiology and Statistics problem-solving exercises (5): (Epidemiological – 3, Statistical – 2)

2. Public Health Laboratory Spots (5)

C. Viva-voce Examination

 

Teaching and Learning Methods:

 

Teaching methodology:

The following is a rough guideline to various teaching/learning activities that may be employed:

  • Journal Club: Critical appraisal and discussion of research articles from indexed journals.
  • Seminars: Interactive sessions where students present and discuss topics.
  • Lecture/Discussion: Faculty-led lectures on emerging topics.
  • Clinical hands on training of basic skill: postings in specialist OPDs of Medicine, Gynecology and Paediatrics.
  • Case presentations: Presenting and discussing cases related to communicable diseases or family health, focusing on epidemiology, prevention, health needs assessment, and community management.
  • Public Health Management training: Hands-on training in immunization clinics, disease surveillance units, general preventive outpatient departments, national health program management at urban and rural health centers, and orientation in health administrative systems.
  • Participation in undergraduate student and intern teaching and training programs.
  • Mandatory training in research methodology.
  • Poster presentations, reading papers at conferences, and publishing research papers.
  • Special seminars/workshops by external faculty on health-related subjects.
  • Maintaining a log book to record training experiences and program implementation.
  • Encouraging e-learning activities within the department.

 

Career Prospective:

 

MD Community Medicine offers a wide range of career prospects for graduates. Some potential career paths and opportunities include:

Public Health Specialist: Graduates can work as public health specialists in government health departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international health organizations, and research institutions. They contribute to policy-making, program planning, and implementation of public health initiatives aimed at disease prevention, health promotion, and community development.

Epidemiologist: Community Medicine graduates can pursue careers as epidemiologists, conducting research on disease patterns, risk factors, and health outcomes. They analyze data, investigate disease outbreaks, design and implement studies, and contribute to public health surveillance systems.

Health Administrator: MD Community Medicine graduates can work in health administration and management roles in hospitals, healthcare organizations, and public health agencies. They oversee healthcare programs, manage resources, and ensure effective delivery of healthcare services.

Academician/Researcher: Many MD Community Medicine graduates choose careers in academia and research. They can become faculty members in medical colleges, universities, and research institutions, conducting research, teaching medical students, and mentoring future public health professionals.

International Health Consultant: With their expertise in public health and community medicine, graduates can work as consultants for international organizations, providing technical assistance and advice on public health programs, policy development, and implementation strategies in different countries.

Occupational Health Specialist: Community Medicine specialists can focus on occupational health, ensuring the health and safety of workers in various industries. They conduct workplace assessments, develop policies, and implement interventions to prevent occupational hazards and promote worker well-being.

Health Program Manager: Graduates can take up roles as program managers, overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs, such as immunization campaigns, disease control initiatives, and community health projects.

Health Researcher: MD Community Medicine graduates can work as researchers, conducting studies on various health issues, evaluating interventions, and contributing to the evidence base for public health practices.