MCI makes 8-week research methods course must for PG

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 10

In a significant step that acknowledges the importance of research in learning along the lines of western countries, the Medical Council of India (MCI) Board of Governors today introduced a compulsory online course in basic research methods for all postgraduate students in the country and for faculty with no prior research training.

The eight-week course will be mandatory for medical PG students being admitted from academic year 2019-20 onwards. The course would have to be completed by the end of the second semester.

A top MCI BoG source today told The Tribune that the introduction of the course was overdue. “To comprehend the evidence published in biomedical literature, doctors need to have understanding of research methods. Therefore, acquiring research skills is an integral component of postgraduate training in the country. To ensure that all postgraduate students and faculty acquire the necessary skills, the MCI Board of Governors has decided to introduce an online course in basic research methods for all PG students in the country and also for the faculty training them,” the source said.

The National Institute of Epidemiology of the Indian Council of Medical Research will conduct the course, and students will have to register on NIE portal. “The course allows flexible time to register and study through an eight-week module with inbuilt time-bound assignments and assessments,” an MCI member said. The course completion requires the candidate to appear for an online offsite exam, which will be held at fixed time twice a year.

An online certificate will be generated on successful completion of the course and examination. This will work as the proof of completion of the course. Sources said there will be no fee for the online course, but students will have to pay exam fee, details of which will be available once they register.

The portal for registering for the course for the current academic year will open by August 1, 2019. “Details of the site, process of registration will be communicated in due course of time both on MCI websites and by notification to the college,” MCI sources said.

Western trend takes root

• MCI move comes on the lines of western countries, which lay thrust on research 
• National Institute of Epidemiology will conduct the course
• Students will have to register on NIE portal for the course, to be held twice a year
• The portal for registering for the course for current academic year will open by Aug 1