The Undergraduate Batch of 2021 at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sevagram, recently concluded a 15-day ROME (Reorientation of Medical Education) camp at the rural health training centres of MGIMS at Anji and Bhidi. Organized by the Department of Community Medicine, this camp aimed to enhance students' knowledge and skills in addressing community health needs, ignite their personal growth, and foster camaraderie among students.
The camp featured an array of activities aimed at equipping students with essential competencies and insights into healthcare delivery. Key sessions included in-depth explorations of career opportunities within the medical field, strategies for improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), tools like Kobo for enhancing research capabilities and efficient data collection and methodologies for conducting effective community needs assessments. Furthermore, students gained insights into the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), and the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), contributing to their understanding of early detection and management of health conditions.
"The Community Oriented Medical Education provides our students with first-hand insights into the functioning of the healthcare system at the grassroots level.” Said Dr Subodh Gupta (Head of Community Medicine at MGIMS). “The practical exposure is complemented by theoretical sessions on primary health care principles and practices, emphasizing preventive care and community engagement," said Dr. Amey, In-Charge of the ROME Camp at Bhidi and Assistant Professor of Community Medicine.
"Beyond academic sessions, we also aimed for the holistic development of students through activities and games focused on personality development, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and social sensitization. For instance, the career anchor activity aimed to help students discover their talents, skills, motives, needs, attitudes, and values. These activities helped students not only with technical skills but also with the empathy and interpersonal skills necessary for effective healthcare delivery," said Dr. Arjun Jakasania, In-Charge of the ROME Camp at Anji and Associate Professor of Community Medicine.
"The 15-day ROME camp exemplifies MGIMS's commitment to advancing medical education and cultivating a new generation of healthcare professionals equipped to address the multifaceted challenges of healthcare delivery," said Dr AK Shukla (Dean, MGIMS).
"At MGIMS, we are given hands-on exposure to rural solace. During the ROME camp, we were exposed to various cases across different subjects and gained first-hand social-demographic exposure. This camp is not only an academic extravaganza but also a festival that we all enjoy together," said Mr Gaurav Mittal, a third-year MBBS student at MGIMS. The students also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the department of Community Medicine - both faculty and residents- for providing the enriched learning experiences and fostering an environment conducive to personal and professional growth.