COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Community Medicine and Public Health course, as outlined by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), seeks to provide medical students with the knowledge and abilities required to handle public health issues and advance community well-being. This course focuses on a comprehensive understanding of health and disease prevention, focusing on population health rather than individual patient care.

The course is aimed at preparing students to provide comprehensive health services that include preventive, promotional, curative, and rehabilitative care. It trains them to provide primary health care and essential service packages to communities effectively. Furthermore, students gain epidemiological skills, allowing them to undertake studies on common health issues and make data-driven decisions. The curriculum also emphasizes teamwork, providing students with the ability to collaborate as members of health teams and cooperate with national and international health organizations and projects.

The course covers key concepts such as epidemiology, which studies the distribution and determinants of diseases in populations, and biostatistics and research methodology, which apply statistical methods to biological and health research. Environmental health studies the effects of environmental elements on human health, whereas public health nutrition investigates the role of nutrition in preserving population health. Behavioral science provides information about how human behavior influences health outcomes. Furthermore, health policy and management provide an overview of health systems, policies, and administrative procedures.

Additionally, the course uses a variety of instructional methods to ensure thorough learning. Lectures give fundamental knowledge on many public health issues, whilst fieldwork and community visits provide hands-on experience in assessing and meeting community health needs. The Residential Field Site Training (RFST) program encourages students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world public health concerns. By integrating academic learning with practical field experience, the Community Medicine and Public Health course prepares future physicians to effectively contribute to the health and well-being of communities across Bangladesh.