Medical Officers’ Certificate Programme (MOCP) Competencey Based Curriculum Of Public Health, Maharashtra.

ABSTRACT

Background: We herewith describe a novel methodology of teaching Medical Officers working at the Primary Health Centers under the Public Health Dept. of Maharashtra State. This course intends to develop competencies to manage adult and pediatric patients with common emergencies at primary health centre. There has been an immense shortage of Pediatricians & Physicians for the last 5 years due to 50-60% vacancies. Besides this, many of the patients in rural areas need to be addressed by a Pediatrician or Physician. With this in mind a short term certificate programme for the Medical Officers was designed. Method: Medical Officers working at Primary Health Centers were deputed like resident doctor for 6 months in the Pediatric/ Medicine Dept. of a Medical College. The methodology used was videoconferencing lectures, motivational lectures by renowned Pediatricians and Physicians, Professors, Padma Awardees from Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Aurangabad. The sessions were interactive with active involvement of the Doctors . They also attended all postgraduate programmes of the Department of the Medical College. They attended night duties, speciality clinics like resident doctors. An examination was taken at the end of 6 months after they had learnt state-of-the-art techniques in the subject. 169 students were taught from 2011 in 4 batches till date. The passing percentage varied from 88 to 96%. Result: At the end of the training, the students had acquired sound knowledge of theory and practicals in Medicine/ Pediatrics, had acquired necessary hands on skills, learnt state-of-the-art methodology and had established linkages with teachers in Medical Colleges. Conclusion: MOCP is thus a unique course successfully working only in the State of Maharashtra in India.