Over the past few years, I have seen a remarkable increase in the number of MBBS seats in medical institutions across India. With this precipitous rise, the competition for the PG entrance exams has intensified significantly. It is now fairly common to see medical students starting their preparations for the entrance exams right from the first professional year, purchasing subscriptions, collecting entrance exam-focused study material and orienting themselves to the exam requirements.
As this entrance exam-centric approach becomes prominent, their inclination to attend the clinical postings declines. As a result, many medical students and interns ask me this question these days: Should we focus on our upcoming PG entrance exam instead of attending our internship rotations?
And my answer is always a clear no.
While there is no problem inherent with students focusing on the entrance exams in the early part of their career, this should not come at the cost of learning important clinical skills. One may argue that with the increase in the number of medical students every year and intensifying professional competition, it becomes important for medical students to gain a PG qualification. However, it is precisely this reason that having a strong clinical foundation becomes indispensable.
Clinical competence cannot be delayed or replaced by exam performance. An internship is a crucial period when medical students can learn critical thinking, develop their communication skills, and practice the clinical knowledge they have gained. These skills become the bedrock of a successful medicine career. Preparing for the entrance exams may determine what one studies next, but sound clinical training sets the stage for that.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Priyash Jain
Editor, Minds Newsletter
