Fetal medicine as a part of early clinical exposure

CONTEXT: Clinical relevance of basic sciences is not well appreciated by the preclinical students. In an effort to remedy this, Medical Council of India has introduced the program of early clinical exposure. Although broad guidelines are provided, institutions have been bestowed with the responsibility of conducting this important program depending on the available resources and local logistics. AIMS: The aim of the study is to create an awareness of correlation of fetal medicine with the participants taught during preclinical year, particularly embryology. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Preclinical students were posted in the Division of Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as observers. The program enabled the students to appreciate the procedures performed in the clinics and to interact with the consultants and health-care staff during their posting. They interacted with the patients as well. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Preclinical students observed the clinical procedures performed in the clinics. Tests were conducted before and after the intervention, and their results were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Open-ended feedback was also taken to assess the impact of this program on the students. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the test scores. RESULTS: Test scores revealed that this program improved the general awareness about the scope of fetal medicine and its direct relevance to the fetal developmental events; they learn in embryology. Feedback comments reiterated this fact. CONCLUSIONS: Posting of preclinical students in fetal medicine during ECE program has observed the desired effect of them realizing the clinical significance of subjects; they are learning during their preclinical year of study. It has also impressed upon them the scope of fetal medicine as a subject.