ENT and Ophthalmology :
New Delhi: The recent shift of ENT and Ophthalmology from the third year to the final year of MBBS has created confusion among students due to the lack of clear guidelines regarding the examination pattern. With no official statement from the National Medical Commission (NMC), students and faculty members are left speculating about how these subjects will be evaluated.
Earlier, when ENT and Ophthalmology were part of the third-year syllabus, they had separate theoretical and practical examinations. However, now that they are included in the final year, uncertainty looms over whether they will continue to have independent examinations or if they will be merged with broader subjects like Surgery and Medicine.
A section of students and educators believe that ENT and Ophthalmology will have standalone exams, similar to their previous format in the third year. On the other hand, some argue that they might be integrated with Surgery and Medicine, following the pattern of other subjects like Dermatology and Psychiatry (merged with Medicine) and Radiology and Orthopedics (merged with Surgery). If this integration happens, there may be no separate papers for ENT and Ophthalmology, significantly altering the way students approach their preparation.
The ambiguity surrounding the examination pattern has led to growing concerns among final-year MBBS students, who are already under immense pressure due to the vast syllabus. Many are demanding that the NMC release official guidelines at the earliest so that they can plan their studies accordingly.
“The delay in clarity is causing anxiety among students. Final-year MBBS is already packed with multiple subjects, and if ENT and Ophthalmology are integrated into Surgery and Medicine, the approach to preparation will change drastically. The NMC must release clear guidelines to avoid last-minute confusion,” said Rohit, a final-year medical student from NMCH Patna.
Medical education experts also emphasize the need for timely communication from the NMC. “Examinations play a crucial role in determining a student’s understanding and competence in a subject. Any changes in the evaluation pattern should be clearly communicated in advance so that students and institutions can adapt accordingly,” said a senior faculty member from a government medical college.
As speculations continue, students across the country urge the NMC to take prompt action and provide an official statement regarding the examination structure for ENT and Ophthalmology. Clarity on this matter will help ensure that students can effectively prepare and perform well in their final-year examinations without unnecessary stress and confusion.
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