Perceptions and Challenges in the Implementation of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) among Medical Students and Faculty: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

Abstract

Background: India is transitioning from traditional teacher-centred medical education to Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) to develop graduates as competent clinicians, communicators, and lifelong learners. Our study aimed to analyse faculty and student’s perceptions of CBME and identify the challenges in its implementation.

Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. Faculty and CRMI (2019 batch) at Thanjavur Medical College, India has completed a validated structured questionnaire via Google Forms. Focus group discussions were conducted and thematic analysis was applied to the data.

Results: A total of 83 students and 48 faculty members participated. Faculty rated the utility of the Foundation Course (p=0.015), small-group-discussions (p<0.001), large-group-discussions (p=0.009), formative (p<0.001) and summative assessments (p=0.024), self-directed learning (p<0.001), and logbooks (p<0.001) higher than students, who strongly disagreed on the utility of logbooks. Both groups equally endorsed early-clinical-exposure, AETCOM, alignment and integration, skill training, and feedback. Students were more positive about electives enriching career goals (p<0.001) but questioned CBME’s effectiveness in preparing them for the NEXT exam. Key challenges included faculty shortages and time constraints impacting early clinical exposure, small group discussions, skills training, and assessments. Students advocated for a shorter foundation course, interactive teaching, better interdepartmental coordination, uniform skill training, and standardized assessments. They also found logbook maintenance tedious and unproductive.

Conclusion: Both students and faculty value early clinical exposure, AETCOM and skill training. Addressing the challenges such as faculty shortage, time constraints and standardized assessment is crucial for successful CBME adoption.

How to cite this article:
Panneerselvam S, Lakshmanan M. Perceptions and Challenges in the Implementation of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) among Medical Students and Faculty: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation. IAP J. Med. Educ. Res. 2025;2(2):13-18.