Perceptions of AETCOM module amongst medical students: a questionnaire-based study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20251831Keywords:
AETCOM, Bioethics, Formative Assessment, Summative assessmentAbstract
Background: The Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) module is a cornerstone of competency-based medical education (CBME), implemented in the medical curriculum. It aims to instill effective patient communication skills in students. The present study evaluates students' perspectives on the implementation of the AETCOM module.
Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted through Google form filling in 2nd phase MBBS students. Questions about knowledge attitudes and perspectives about the implementation of the AETCOM module in their MBBS curriculum were assessed.
Results: 172 students filled out the Google forms with a response rate of 86%. 169 (98.25%) students felt that it was essential to learn this module. 170 (98.83%) opined that ethics in medical practice is very important and learning it will help them in their future practice of medicine. 34% students reported of getting burdened in exams. Students preferred case-based scenarios and role plays most effective methods of learning. 53.5% of participants felt both summative assessment (SA) and formative assessment (FA) are essential for the complete evaluation of AETCOM competencies.
Conclusions: The participants reported inclusion of AETCOM is important because it helped them improve their communication skills and good relationships build with doctors. 34% of participants reported being stressed during exams due to the burden of the already existing heavy curriculum. These findings draw the attention of all stakeholders for a revision in the implementation of the module to ease learning. Students think that even though time-consuming, conducting both FA and SA is justifiable.
Metrics
References
Sahadevan S, Kurian N, Mani AM, Kishor MR, Menon V. Implementing competency-based medical education curriculum in undergraduate psychiatric training in India: Opportunities and challenges. Asia-Pac Psychiatry Off J Pac Rim Coll Psychiatr. 2021;13(4):12491. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/appy.12491
Noone PH, Konapur KS, Mehta G, Kumar K, Prasad M, Reddy JN. Summary and Reflection on the Introductory Implementation of Attitude, Ethics and Communication Skills (AETCOM) Module. Medico-Legal Update. 2025;25(1):64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37506/mwwh4x38
Nayak V, Nayak KR, Goyal S, Jain S, Prabhath S, Palimar V, Komattil R. Tangible impact of patient communication modules on medical students and interns. Adv Physiol Edu. 2024;48(1):40-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00092.2023
Sahanaa C, Niranjan R, Pradeep K, Gopinath S, Dhanasekar E, Vendhan S, et al. Innovative AETCOM session on health care as a right: Experience at the medical college in Puducherry. J Educ Health Promot. 2023;12(1):386. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_267_23
Jain T, Mohan Y, Maiya GR, Nesan GSCQ, Boominathan C, Eashwar AVM. Evaluating the effectiveness of ‘AETCOM Module’ on the medical interns posted in peripheral health centres of a tertiary care medical college in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2022;11(6):2828–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1647_21
Lal S, Sehgal P. Integration of Attitude, Ethics and Communication Competencies into Competency-based UG Curriculum. Indian J Community Med Off Publ Indian Assoc Prev Soc Med. 2022;47(1):4–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_1022_21
Udgiri R, Ganganahalli P. Perceptions of Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) Modules Among Indian Medical Graduates in Their First Professional Year: An Educational Observational Study. Cureus. 2020;16(7):64611.
Modi JN, Gupta P, Singh T. Competency-based medical education, entrustment and assessment. Indian Pediatr. 2015;52(5):413–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0647-5
Sharma V, Aggarwal M, Kumari P, Parashar L, Bhati RK, Singh A, Gupta PK. Impact of AETCOM module about autonomy, empathy and equanimity on ensuing clinical practice: Perceptions of medical undergraduates. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2024;68(4):344.
Verma A, Shete S. Perceptions of 1st-year MBBS students and 1st-year medical faculties toward AETCOM-based medical curriculum. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2024;14(3):592–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2023.13.0945702310102023
Sharma V, Aggarwal M, Kumari P, Parashar L, Bhati RK, Singh A, et al. Impact of AETCOM module about autonomy, empathy and equanimity on ensuing clinical practice: Perceptions of medical undergraduates. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2024;68(4):344–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25259/IJPP_346_2023
Ganguly B, D’Souza R, Nunes R. Challenges in the Teaching–Learning Process of the Newly Implemented Module on Bioethics in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum in India. Asian Bioeth Rev. 2022;15(2):155–68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-022-00225-2
Cross AJ, Elliott RA, Petrie K, Kuruvilla L, George J. Interventions for improving medication‐taking ability and adherence in older adults prescribed multiple medications. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;8(5):2419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012419.pub2
Lowe D, Ryan R, Santesso N, Hill S. Development of a taxonomy of interventions to organise the evidence on consumers’ medicines use. Patient Educ Couns. 2011;85(2):101–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2010.09.024
Nieuwlaat R, Wilczynski N, Navarro T, Hobson N, Jeffery R, Keepanasseril A, et al. Interventions for enhancing medication adherence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;20(11):6711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000011.pub4
Shanmugam J, Ramanathan R, Kumar M, Sridhar MG, Palanisamy KT, Narayanan S. Perspectives of Indian medical students regarding the competency based medical education curriculum – A qualitative, manual, theoretical thematic content analysis. Ann Natl Acad Med Sci India. 2024;60(3):206–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25259/ANAMS-2023-6-14-(965)
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
