Impact of AETCOM module about autonomy, empathy and equanimity on ensuing clinical practice: Perceptions of medical undergraduates

Abstract

Objectives: In India, medical education is currently experiencing a significant transformation facilitated by the National Medical Commission through the implementation of competency-based medical education (CBME). The primary objective of CBME is to ensure that Indian medical graduates possess the necessary competencies to effectively address the health-care requirements of patients, emphasising on acquisition of skills over traditional knowledge-based training, with a specific focus on attitude, ethics and communication (AETCOM) competencies, striving to cultivate health-care professionals who can deliver comprehensive and compassionate care while upholding global standards of excellence. This study aimed to analyse the perceptions of medical undergraduates regarding the effectiveness of the AETCOM module pertaining to autonomy, empathy and equanimity in their foreseeable clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in April 2023, where a structured questionnaire designed as Google Form was emailed to the 2nd phase MBBS students of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad. The questionnaire was composed of 10 Likert scale-based statements on fundamentals of AETCOM pertaining to autonomy, empathy and equanimity with five options of ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘neutral’, ‘disagree’ and ‘strongly disagree’ and a subsection where students were asked to disclose their age and sex. Among all responses, ‘strongly agree’ and ‘agree’ were considered positive responses for questions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, whereas for questions 4 and 5, they were ‘strongly disagree’ and ‘disagree’. Pre-session and post-session assessment tests with ten multiple-choice questions based on AETCOM were also conducted. The results were analysed using SPSS Statistics 25.0. Results: One hundred and fifteen out of 125 undergraduate medical students responded to the email by filling up the Google Form Questionnaire. The mean age of students was 20.60 ± 1.38 years. On analysis, it was found that the mean of overall positive responses was increased after the session from 38.20 ± 6.60 to 91.30 ± 9.27 (P < 0.001). The mean score of the assessment test also increased after the session from 4.86 ± 1.43 to 9.05 ± 0.99 (P < 0.001). Mean positive responses were increased after the session for both sexes: 17.11 ± 5.13 to 42.44 ± 7.95 for males (P = 0.001) and 20.89 ± 3.95 to 48.56 ± 6.42 for females (P = 0.001). The positive responses were increased for each statement after the session. Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of AETCOM sessions on autonomy, empathy, and equanimity in evolving a positive perspective in medical undergraduates of all sexes regarding ensuing clinical practice in the future. By nurturing values, empathy, and effective communication skills, medical professionals can build stronger relationships with patients and contribute to a more compassionate and ethical healthcare system.