KMU to include Behavioral Sciences in curriculum of MBBS, BDS

Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar has planned to incorporate a new subject of Behavioral Sciences in the curriculum of MBBS/BDS at medical and dental colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was disclosed by Prof. Dr Mohammad Hafizullah, Vice Chancellor of KMU while chairing a high level meeting of medical educationists and psychiatrics of various institutions and hospitals.
The meeting besides others was also attended by Principal KMC Prof. Dr Ejaz Hassan Khan Khattak, Principal KGMC Prof. Dr Abid Hussain, Director AA&QA KMU Prof. Dr Shad Mohammad, Controller of Examination Dr Syed Muttahir Ali Shah, Heads of Psychiatry Units of LRH, KTH, HMC and KIMS, Kohat.
The participants were apprised that aims and objectives of the newly planned course is to ensure the training of medical and dental students in bio-psychosocial model of healthcare.
According to the proposed plan, the course would be taught in 1st and 2nd Years of MBBS/BDS and at the end there would be a paper of 100 marks consisting MCQ’S,SAQ’S, Internal Assessment and Objective Structured Examination (OSCE).
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Dr Mohammad Hafizullah said that reforms in the examination as well as  in the curriculum of MBBS/BDS is not only in the better interest of patients but it is also need of the hour. He elaborated that behavioural factors are important in the treatment and prevention of almost all the major diseases and nearly half of preventable deaths are due to behavioural factors therefore we planned to inculcate Behavioural Sciences as a new subject in the curriculum of MBBS / BDS.
Earlier, Head of Psychiatry Unit KTH Prof. Dr Mohammad Sultan was presented a detailed presentation and gave answers to the questions of participants about the out lines, objectives and structure of the proposed curriculum of Behavioural Sciences. Later on a committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr Mohammad Sultan was constituted for further deliberations to get feedback from all the stakeholders and to furnish a draft document of the proposed curriculum for final discussion and decision within two-week time.