Existing And Expected Practical Medical Pharmacology Curriculum - A Survey

To collect the opinions of the junior doctors (interns, postgraduate students, and junior residents) regarding the existing and suggested changes in the undergraduate pharmacology curriculum to make it more relevant, useful, and applicable for clinical practice.A survey was conducted among junior doctors from various medical colleges by using a standardized questionnaire.A majority of the participants felt that the present practical pharmacology curriculum (experimental pharmacology and dispensing pharmacy exercises) was not relevant for clinical practice. A majority of the participants felt the necessity for prior exposure to the medicinal preparations and newer drug delivery devices. Prescribing in special risk groups, pharmacoeconomics, adverse drug reaction monitoring, and the critical evaluation of drug promotional literature were other areas where the participants needed more guidance. Hospital- based and real patient-based learning of pharmacology and integrating pharmacology with other clinical subjects was felt to be more relevant in the present scenario.The present survey indicates the opinion of the junior doctors regarding the nature and the extent of the changes which are necessary in the undergraduate pharmacology curriculum for a better clinical application of the knowledge of pharmacology.