AETCOM Modules: Teaching and Assessment in CBME

What are AETCOM modules and how are they taught and assessed in CBME? In the evolving landscape of medical education in India, technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. To shape compassionate, ethical, and communicative doctors, the AETCOM (Attitude, Ethics, and Communication) module was introduced as a core component of the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC). This article explores how AETCOM is taught and assessed across the MBBS years and why it plays a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare in India.

What is AETCOM Teaching and Assessment in CBME?

AETCOM stands for Attitude, Ethics, and Communication. These modules are designed to develop non-technical competencies essential for professional medical practice. The aim is to produce Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are:

Ethically grounded
Empathetic in patient care
Professional in conduct and decision-making
Effective communicators with patients, families, and healthcare teams

How AETCOM is Structured and Taught

AETCOM is introduced right from the first phase (Year 1) of MBBS and is integrated vertically and horizontally with other subjects throughout the 4.5 years of the course.

Year-wise Distribution:

Year 1 (Foundation): Introduction to doctor-patient relationships, empathy, respect, and basics of communication.
Year 2: Ethical dilemmas, patient autonomy, confidentiality, teamwork.
Year 3: Consent, medical negligence, social accountability.
Final Year: Breaking bad news, end-of-life care, medico-legal issues, professional conduct.

Teaching Methodologies:

Interactive lectures
Case-based discussions
Role plays and simulations
Small group discussions
Patient shadowing
Reflective writing and peer feedback

These methods emphasize active, experience-based learning over didactic lectures. AETCOM is often taught in interdisciplinary settings, involving faculty from medicine, psychiatry, community medicine, and even law or ethics specialists.

Assessment of AETCOM

Unlike traditional written exams, AETCOM modules are assessed using formative and competency-based evaluation methods. The emphasis is on observing behavior, attitudes, and reflective ability in real or simulated settings.

Key Assessment Tools:

Direct Observation: Faculty assess communication during clinical rounds or simulated interactions.
OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations): Specific stations designed to test communication and ethical handling.
Reflective Portfolios: Students write reflective pieces on patient encounters or ethical challenges.
Peer and Self-Assessment: Used to develop insight into professional behavior and areas for improvement.
Logbooks: Document AETCOM-related competencies demonstrated during the course.
Viva/Oral Exams: For assessing reasoning in ethical scenarios or professionalism issues.

Assessment is continuous, and feedback is structured to help students grow, not just to judge.

Why AETCOM Matters

With rising concerns about doctor-patient relationships, violence in hospitals, and the social perception of healthcare, the importance of AETCOM cannot be overstated. The modules help students:

Build trust and rapport with patients
Navigate ethical dilemmas confidently
Handle emotional and legal complexity in medicine
Strengthen interpersonal and leadership skills

It prepares doctors who are not just capable of saving lives, but also honor the dignity, values, and rights of every patient they treat.

AETCOM Teaching and Assessment in CBME modules bring heart and humanity to the science of medicine. In India’s CBME framework, they are not optional but essential. Teaching and assessing AETCOM effectively means investing in the future of ethical, compassionate, and socially responsible doctors.

As medical colleges continue implementing CBME across India, strengthening AETCOM teaching and evaluation should be a priority for faculty, for institutions, and for every aspiring doctor walking into their first classroom or clinic.