KMU to add new subject of 'Behavioural Sciences' in curriculum

Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar has planned to add a new subject "Behavioural Sciences" in the curriculum of MBBS and BDS of all medical colleges of the province. It was disclosed by Professor Dr Mohammad Hafizullah, VC of KMU while chairing a high level meeting of medical educationists and psychiatrics of various institutions and hospitals.
The meeting also attended by Principal KMC Professor Dr Ejaz Hassan Khan Khattak, Principal KGMC Professor Dr Abid Hussain, Director AA and QA KMU Professor Dr Shad Mohammad, Controller of Examination Dr Syed Muttahir Ali Shah, Heads of Psychiatry Units of LRH, KTH, HMC and KIMS, Kohat.
The participants were apprised that aims and objectives of the newly planned course is to ensure the training of medical students in bio-psychosocial model of healthcare, to equip them in the use of Behavioural Sciences principles to enhance their learning skills and help them to become active learner, to create a sensitivity and understanding of the psychosocial aspects of health, to inculcate highest standards of medical/dental ethics and character building drawing from the rich medical, cultural and religious heritage.
According to the proposed plan the course would be taught in 1st and 2nd years of MBBS and BDS. While addressing the meeting Professor Dr Mohammad Hafizullah said that reforms in the examination as well as in the curriculum of MBBS and BDS is not only in the interest of patients care but it is also need of the hour. He elaborated that behavioural factors are important in the treatment and prevention of almost all the major diseases and nearly half of preventable deaths are due to behavioural factors therefore we planned to add Behavioural Sciences as a new subject in the curriculum of MBBS and BDS. Earlier, Head of Psychiatry Unit KTH Professor Dr Mohammad Sultan presented a detailed presentation and gave answers to the questions of participants about the out lines, objectives and structure of the proposed curriculum of Behavioural Sciences.
Later on, a committee under the chairmanship of Professor Dr Mohammad Sultan was also constituted for further deliberations to get feedback from all the stakeholders and to furnish a draft document of the proposed curriculum for final discussion and decision within two weeks.