The Ultimate Guide to Study Community Medicine for UnderGrads

Community Medicine subject is included in the third year of the MBBS curriculum and is considered challenging because the chapters of Community Medicine are extended and complicated- full of case studies, observations from different parts of the world, and healthcare practices and experiments that are carried out across the globe. A medical student often finds the chapters time-consuming and monotonous. The Community Medicine for Undergrads syllabus is divided into 3 phases – phases 1, 2, and 3. Phase 1 consists of 14 umbrella topics and examinations. Phase 2 consists of the following segments – epidemiology, environmental health, medical entomology, biostats, tests of significance, and artificial intelligence in medicine. Phase 3 contains broad topics. A medical student must have a detailed understanding of the segments that are covered under each topic before starting with the preparation schedule.

There are numerous terminologies used in Community Medicine. To grasp information in less time, it is advised that medical students must memorize the fundamental terms before starting a chapter or a concept. A good Community Medicine online course designed by eminent faculty, recommends every medical student correlate the topics of Medicine with real case scenarios. For instance, preventive measures for a particular type of flu may vary in urban and rural areas. Standard healthcare practices for the same may even vary greatly in developed nations as compared to developing and under-developed nations. To stay up to date, a medical student must rely on the latest print editions as well as updated resources from the internet. If a student is unable to collect upgraded study materials, then subscribing to any Community Medicine online course is a convenient option as not only the course will offer good quality study materials that are easy to understand and grasp, but the faculty will also help students to relate topics across other medical subjects through extensive video lessons and doubt clearing sessions.  

Here are the guidelines for Community Medicine students to study the subject more efficiently. These tips will make their efforts bear fruit.

1.       One must begin Community Medicine preparation with a well-planned strategy. The study plan must include chapters aimed at each month, dedicated time for monitoring progress in learning (weekly), and a review of mock test papers.

 

2.      Make notes after completing each chapter. Even if a medical student chooses to learn from audio versions of a Community Medicine Chapter, one should make it a habit to summarize the chapter and highlight important information, terms, etc. Notes taken concisely are extremely beneficial for revisions.

3.      Instead of downloading diagrams or charts randomly, one should focus on collecting high-definition diagrams containing depictions/illustrations down to the last detail. Segregating each diagram topic-wise and saving them in individual folders instead of a common dumping zone, will help a student manage the sheer quantity of study materials collected periodically. Subscribing to a Community Medicine course will help in this practice.

4.      When solving mock questions, a student must not focus specifically only on short questions or long questions. Rather than solving short questions, long questions and IBQs will help to prepare better. Apart from the questions mentioned in a mock test paper, making diagrams and flowcharts proactively will help a medical student develop a deeper understanding of topics.

While learning online, a medical student should concentrate individually on each of these segments – epidemiology, vulnerable population care, health management, mass health determinants, and practical. A good course on Community Medicine for Undergrads covers all these segments and even contains additional sections for inquisitive minds.