Involvement of the clinical departments of a medical college in a rural area in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in India

Introduction: In addition to their role in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, medical colleges are involved in imparting knowledge and skills to the future generation of medical doctors. In order that RNTCP runs smoothly, it is important that all clinical departments are involved in RNTCP and manage their TB patients according to their guidelines. Objectives: To assess the attendance of TB cases at the clinical departments of a medical college and the categorizing practices of these departments reflecting their involvement in RNTCP. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the NBMC between August and October 2015. Data on patients diagnosed as tuberculosis and categorized as per RNTCP in the clinical departments of the medical college were collected from the office of the MO-TC using pretested schedules and analyzed. Results: Of the 230 diagnosed cases, 83 were diagnosed at the chest and 147 at the other non-chest departments. Most of the pulmonary TB cases were diagnosed by the chest department (61.9%) but most of the extra-pulmonary cases were diagnosed by the non-chest departments (82.7%). Most of the cases of tuberculosis, and that were diagnosed at the chest department were categorized and treatment initiated by the same department. In non-chest departments categorization was done in 81.1% of pulmonary and 64.5% of extra-pulmonary cases. Discussion and Conclusions: Students at the non-chest departments are not being acquainted with the treatment protocols and categorization principles of RNTCP. Only by actively associating with it, can doctors in the making be encouraged to follow RNTCP in actual practice.