Pramukhswami Medical College (PSMC) was established in 1987. Since its establishment, it had been affiliated with Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar. From 2019, with the establishment of Bhaikaka University, it is now one of its constituent institutes.
The college is recognized for its Under Graduate MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) Program by the National Medical Commission of India and admits 150 students every year. It also has recognition (and permission) from the National Medical Commission / Medical Council of India for its Post Graduate MD (Doctor of Medicine) / MS (Master of Surgery) Program in all medical and surgical branches. A total of 100 postgraduate degree seats are offered from Academic Session 2020-21.
The associated Shree Krishna Hospital and Medical Research Centre offer additional Super Specialty Degree programs, DNB [Diplomate of National Board] in Cardiac Anaesthesia and Neurology with 2 seats in each.
Pramukhswami Medical College differs from other medical colleges in the way the curriculum is designed and executed. It lays more emphasis on integrated teaching and learning, thereby ensuring that the education provided is neither fragmented nor repetitive, but complete and thorough in every way. Clinical Exposure from day one, Village Stay, and Fitness Program are other unique features of our college. Emphasis is also given to the overall development of the students with opportunities provided to participate in sports at University, State, and National levels along with exposure to cultural as well as literary activities.
Our Under Graduate and Post Graduate students regularly participate in National and International conferences and have received awards for their papers.
The college has experienced and dedicated faculty having more than 500 original research papers published in reputed scientific journals in India and abroad.
The institute has a strong central library with adequate research facilities. The musea [museums] attached to the departments of Anatomy, Community Medicine, Pathology, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, and Pharmacology offer a treasure trove of information.
In December 2010, the Medical Council of India [MCI] recognized Pramukhswami Medical College as MCI Regional Center for faculty development. The regional center at PSMC is the top performer among all centers in the country.
In February 2014, the Medical Council of India [MCI] recognized it as Nodal Center for faculty development to conduct Advance Course in Medical Education starting in September 2014. In July 2014, MCI President Dr. Jayshree Mehta presented a certificate of appreciation to the college for its contribution to the national faculty development program.
With many of our faculty being Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research in India (FAIMER) fellows, the college has been accorded the recognition of being the first education centre of FAIMER in India.
Charutar Arogya Mandal [the Trust] entered into an MOU for education and research with the University of Massachusetts, Worcester Campus in July 2013 for a term of three years.
We constantly strive to upgrade the existing management structure, to make it more relevant to cater to the need of the hour. The management has taken the initiative to utilize the expertise and experience of the senior faculty members by creating a unique management support system. Under this system, the institute has 3 Associate Deans - Clinical Services, Academic Services, and Research Services.
Under Associate Dean – Clinical Services, there are 4 Assistant Deans – Medical Services, Surgical Services, Diagnostic Services, and Clinical Excellence & Accreditation whereas under Associate Dean – Academic Services, there are 6 Assistant Deans – Basic Sciences Education, Clinical Sciences Education, Professional Development, Academic Administration, Academic Excellence & Accreditation and Student Support. The Dean along with Associate Deans & respective Assistant Deans are actively engaged in working in their respective areas and taking policy decisions for benefit of not only students but also patients of the associated hospital.
Horizontal and Vertical integration in undergraduate medical education has been introduced since 2008. For the first two years, it is system-based integration and for the third year, it is disease-based integration. The concerned faculty members plan the teaching and follow the plan. Feedback is taken at the end of the integrated module and suggestions are incorporated in the following sessions. Case Base learning facilitates the integration approach, including the clinical application part.
The Foundation course has been a unique feature of our institute even before it was introduced by the Medical Council of India in the academic session 2019-20. It is conducted when a new session commences and covers not only professional skills but also includes areas like ethics, integrity, mutual respect, trustworthiness, sympathy, empathy, and managing the self-etc. It is mandatory for all the students at all levels to attend this course as it is being conducted for all MBBS years.
The institute organizes orientation for undergraduates, interns as well as postgraduates whenever a fresh batch joins the institute.
It is held in the first week of admission to the MBBS program wherein the students interact with the Chief Executive Officer [CEO, Charutar Arogya Mandal [the Trust]] along with the Dean and faculty members of the college. Students are made familiar with the campus life, different departments of the college, hostels, activity centre, etc. They are appraised regarding the members of the anti-ragging committee and how to approach them in case of need. The impetus to the medical program is through topics like Medicine and society, attributes of a physician, time management, team learning, stress management, self-directed learning, etc. to name a few.
The institute understands that majority of students may have studied in vernacular language up to class XII. To facilitate language transition, a special session is arranged for such students to provide them with tips for English language proficiency. A few sessions to orient the students to work in the village are also organized. Students are appraised about the mentorship program and alumni association of the college. Orientation ends up with a Health checkup, vaccination, and thalassemia screening.
The first day of the postgraduate program starts with interaction with the CEO, who speaks about professionalism in medicine followed by the Dean who appraises the new joiners about the Trust, Charutar Arogya Mandal, its Mission and Vision, and the uniqueness of the college. As the week progresses, various faculties indulge students in topics of the humane dimension of care, rational care, cost consciousness, needle stick injury, Evidence-Based Medicine, Accreditation [s] fire safety, and quality indicators to name a few. The program ends with their health checkup, vaccination, and feedback.
The institute provides mentorship programs to both undergraduate as well as postgraduate students. For undergraduates, in each professional year, a group of students is allotted to a faculty of the same year as a mentor, who regularly, through mentorship sessions formally as well as informally, interacts with their student mentees, where the issues like attendance, academic performance, hostel life in campus, and any other problems faced by the students are discussed, with the aim of providing psychological and moral support.
Postgraduate students have their respective guides as mentors. The whole program is looked after by the Head of the Mentorship Program assisted by Co-ordinators for different professional years of MBBS.
Students admitted to the institute are covered under a suitable scheme for hospitalization provided by the trust, Charutar Arogya Mandal.
Village stay organized by the Community Medicine department enables the students to understand the health status problems of the village people. Problem Solving for Better Health [PSBH] is another unique project undertaken by our institute.
Court visits organized by the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology provide first-hand exposure in court proceedings for future medical experts.
Assistant Dean, Student Support along with faculties plans and implements activities which involve the students and promote their overall development. A Calendar for Co-curricular activities spread over the whole academic year is prepared that includes CAM-Med-Olympics (Sports), HORIZON (Sports, Cultural, and Literary), HM Patel Night Tournaments [Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball & Football], Fresher’s week, Student Picnic, etc. Various student committees function under Student Support namely Literary, Cultural, Sports, Food & Community Service wherein members are selected from all batches of the undergraduate program and carry out their respective activities all around the year.
