National Medical Council issues guidelines on professional responsibilities of students, teachers

The guidelines for teachers state that education is a moral enterprise and teachers should ensure that students are competent, caring and empathetic and ethical in their practice.

The Indian regulatory body for medical education and medical professionals, the National Medical Council, has for the first time issued a set of guidelines specifying professional responsibilities of medical students, teachers and institutions. 

The 25-page document has explained the code of conduct for teachers and students while studying/working, relationship between a teacher and student, expectations from the two (personal attributes and conduct) and their collective responsibility to the community. 

“Sexual orientation, gender and socio-economic class should not be the base for any discrimination,’’ the guidelines said.

It stated that for students the intention behind these guidelines is to make them understand the grave responsibilities of their chosen profession. For teachers the guidelines are not to penalise or point fingers, but to remind them of their professional role in the life of a student and nation, said the document.

Speaking exclusively to The Hindu Dr. Yogender Malik, member, Ethics and Medical Registration Board, NMC, said: “We have been getting complaints and coming across cases that were hampering the holistic growth of medical students. This document will serve as the guide to medical colleges across India. It would be prudent that medical education unit in medical colleges use these guidelines to train teachers and that establishments offer them the right atmosphere to work.’’

He added that these guidelines are expected to be used by teachers and institutions to instil a sense of responsibility in medical students rather than use them for punitive actions.

Among various listed responsibilities of a students, the NMC has said that a medical student is expected to be diligent about their study and research work, be responsible for their personal growth and stay away from substance abuse while seeking help in case of addiction.