Community-based education in making of holistic primary care physician: Community-based Medical Education

Community based education is a way of experiential learning which provides a more meaningful, active and contextual learning for the medical students in the community where they can understand the social, psychological, cultural, economical and other determinants of health and helps them to develop a sense of connection with their communities. It is not only useful for the students but also provides an opportunity for the faculty, administrators, members of the community, community leaders, local health authorities, etc. to work together to focus on improving community health. This community exposure to the medical undergraduate students gives them a sense of social responsibility and accountability towards the medical profession from the beginning of their MBBS course and also prepares them to practice as holistic primary care physicians in rural areas thereby reducing the rural and urban disparity in health care service delivery resulting in provision of comprehensive health care services to each and every village across the nation.