In recent years, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines has made several updates to its policies regarding medical education, specifically the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program. These changes have been made in response to various challenges faced by medical schools in the country, such as outdated curriculum and insufficient resources. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the latest CHED news about MBBS in the Philippines.

Latest CHED news about MBBS in Philippines

One of the most significant changes made by CHED is the adoption of the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach in medical education. OBE is a teaching and learning methodology that focuses on the results or outcomes of education rather than the traditional input-focused approach. This means that the MBBS curriculum will be designed to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become competent physicians, rather than just memorizing information for exams.

The OBE approach is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of medical education in the Philippines. It will promote student-centered learning, encourage critical thinking, and help students develop practical skills that are essential in real-life medical practice. Furthermore, the OBE approach is aligned with international standards, which will improve the chances of Filipino medical graduates passing international licensure exams and being recognized abroad.

In addition to the adoption of the OBE approach, CHED has also implemented new guidelines for medical schools in the country. These guidelines cover various aspects of medical education, such as admission requirements, faculty qualifications, and program outcomes. The guidelines are designed to ensure that medical schools in the Philippines adhere to high standards of quality and provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to become competent physicians.

One notable guideline is the requirement for medical schools to have a minimum passing rate of 75% in the Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) for three consecutive years. The PLE is a national licensure examination that medical graduates must pass before they can practice medicine in the Philippines. This requirement will encourage medical schools to focus on the quality of education and ensure that their graduates are well-prepared for the PLE.

Moreover, CHED has also established a Medical Education Review Center (MERC) to oversee the implementation of the new guidelines and ensure that medical schools in the Philippines comply with the standards set by the commission. The MERC will conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of medical schools to identify areas for improvement and provide support to help them meet the requirements.

Aside from these updates, CHED has also announced plans to increase the number of medical schools in the Philippines. The commission recognizes the need to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country, especially in rural areas. By increasing the number of medical schools, more students will have the opportunity to pursue a career in medicine and contribute to the healthcare needs of the country.

However, some critics have raised concerns about the quality of education in new medical schools. They argue that new schools may not have the necessary resources and facilities to provide high-quality education, which could compromise the competence of their graduates. CHED has acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of ensuring that all medical schools, both old and new, comply with the same high standards.

It’s worth noting that these updates and changes are not without challenges. Implementing the OBE approach and enforcing new guidelines may require significant resources and effort from medical schools and faculty members. It may also take some time for the effects of these changes to be seen in the quality of medical education and the competence of graduates.

Despite these challenges, the latest CHED news about MBBS in the Philippines is an encouraging development for medical education in the country. The adoption of the OBE approach and the implementation of new guidelines and monitoring mechanisms will promote high standards of quality and ensure that medical graduates are well-prepared for real-world medical practice. Increasing the number of medical.