Design of Medical Biochemistry Undergraduate Laboratory Based Curriculum to Address Unmet Needs

Background and objectives: Review of the undergraduate medical curriculum in India is not done regularly. Strengths and weaknesses need to be identified in order to develop strategies to improve the curriculum. Objective was to critically appraise, modify and implement biochemistry laboratory based curriculum for undergraduates as an endeavour for critical introspection and to set a platform for change.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire for faculty and interviews for students were used to identify needs which would help to create an educational environment conducive to change and innovation. The existing undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum was analysed using Kern’s framework, triangulating the qualitative and quantitative data, to develop a modified curriculum. As a pilot study, a checklist was made for one laboratory unit and the faculty was trained to use it. Kirkpatrick’s model was used for evaluation of training.

Results: The major strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum were identified. Accordingly, the objectives, teaching - learning methods and assessment strategies were aligned. For the first time, measures for honing and assessing interpretative skills of students were incorporated. The results showed that three levels of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model were achieved for the training of the checklist. Paired ‘t’ test was used to check the differences in marks of students before and after applying the checklist of marks allotment. The mean score of the marks of one laboratory experiment unit (urine report) after applying checklist pattern (M=9.18) was compared with the mean score of the marks without applying checklist pattern (M=10.12).

Conclusions: Evaluation of curriculum provided a snapshot of the strengths and weaknesses of current biochemistry practical curriculum and also guided improvements particularly with regards to inclusion of more clinically relevant curriculum with group based learning. The data derived from this study will help to make suggestions to the decision making bodies i.e. Medical Universities (both national & state based) in India.