Microbiology Module for Elective Posting of Medical Students- A Novel Approach

Introduction: Elective posting, a newly introduced concept in the CBME curriculum helps student decide his/her aptitude in the PG subject, students are given choice of one clinical and one pre / Para-clinical subject in their III-major course. The study aimed to develop and validate the newly designed elective module in microbiology subject. Methods: The module was introduced to 33-medical students who voluntarily selected microbiology electives and feedback taken. Organized, well designed module for elective posting in microbiology (15 days duration) was prepared by four qualified microbiologists which covered different topics including paperless audits in infection control (hand hygiene, BMW and antibiotic usage), visit to microbiology laboratory, breaking bad news (informing patient about HIV positive report), prevention of HAIs including device associated infections, clinical application of microbiology in practice, interpretation of reports and antibiotic-stewardship program, etc. Hands on practice was given for three types of audits, bedside teaching and device associated infections. Results: A validated feedback form was distributed to the 33 participating students to assess their experiences and satisfaction levels. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed high satisfaction scores across various parameters, including the relevance of the elective to future medical practice (score rating: 4.27) and overall enjoyment (score rating: 4.07). Notably, 72.72% of students found the elective extremely relevant, while 45.45% reported being extremely satisfied with their experience. Conclusion: The innovative approach to microbiology education could serve as a valuable model for future curricula, facilitating a deeper comprehension of microbiological principles among medical students.