TEACHING INFECTION TO MEDICAL STUDENTS Dr.T.V.Rao MD

Today the MBBS students have to learn many topics, as knowledge has grown beyond imagination, we prescribe textbooks and leave them to their choice and little coordination on many matters no feedback collected. If the subject of Microbiology to be made interesting to our students at every stage of our teaching we have to convert major topics incorporating with Principles and Practice of Infectious diseases, The great revision is needed in Systemic bacteriology we should give least priority on Biochemical reactions, which are only useful to the practising Bacteriologists, These are matter of reference facts, which can be verified in times of need, and stop imposing on undergraduate students, for grading the performance. And incorporate more knowledge on rationalism of Antibiotic prescriptions. It is not feasible that we can teach all that students need to know, but must instead teach them how to continue learning within the discipline to be familiar with Infectious diseases and their control and optimal remedial measures, Today’s top priority remain with Hospital and community associated infection and its prevention All of this underlines the importance of teaching students not only what to know within microbiology, but also how to think as a professional Doctor who has a role to save many lives in future. At present in many medical colleges, students’ exposure to microbiology and infection is minimal and experience with Problem based learning, has been limited to few topics. The microbial world is vast and unfamiliar to students Moreover; the intersection between the practice of medicine and this unseen world is constantly expanding and shifting. Even with conventional teaching, students need time to familiarize themselves with the different names and concepts in infection. I feel that simple measures to make the student to understand why a particular infection is important to our patients, what are available resources in diagnosis,. With the rapid advancement of

new discoveries in microbiology research, many of us will give their under-graduate students a more fascinating and rewarding experience in the course. So I started with activities that took a clinical approach, as Infection prevention and control is now a major priority for modern medical care, we should provide an opportunity to review in more depth the use of standard infection prevention and control measures in their own occupational setting. We can introduce and start teaching general principles for preventing catheter-related infections and Hospital acquired inactions, As learners benefit from information on how to reduce infection risks associated with using vascular access devices, and understand how these risks arise and how they can be minimised. Our constructive thinking can certainly change how the students accept the Microbiology and Infectious diseases; We should bring major changes in the era of SUPERBUGS, MDR-TB and Antibiotic Resistance. I wish many new generation of Microbiologists consider to transform Medical Microbiology to Infectious diseases which will be more interesting and useful to our Medical Students

Dr.T.V.Rao MD Professor of Microbiology Freelance writer