Reorientation of medical education: implications and challenges. a sewagram experience from india

Background: The Reorientation of Medical Education (ROME) Program has been adopted by World Health Organization. The implementation of ROME in spite of its visible and tangible benefits has not been possible in most of the medical colleges in India. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sewagram, is one of the exceptions where ROME programme is being implemented since last fourty years. The present study is an attempt to understand the student’s perspectives and learning during the reorientation of medical education programme. Methods: The quantitative data was collected with a questionnaire with banks of questions regarding perceptions and knowledge gained during the ROME Programme using a five-point Likert scale. This was done before and after the programme. This utility scale was administered at end of the ROME camp. The Weighted mean and consensus was calculated for both scales. The pre and post programme weighted mean and consensus were analysed using students paired t test. Results: There is significant difference between weighted means of scores regarding Knowledge about implementation of national health programmes, research methodology Sessions on personal development before and after the camp. There is no significant difference in weighted mean scores of the students before and after camp. (P=0.0746) regarding the knowledge of clinical skills. Conclusion: To conclude ROME programme is an effective tool to bring about much needed shift in the focus in medical education. The ROME programme could be revitalized in all medical colleges in India.