My friend Kalpana Desai asked :
“The proportion of doctor to population is very low...specially in rural
India....can u share your views regarding this and a viable solution so all may
benefit and make the world a better place for all. “
Before suggesting a solution , let us study following
data :
( A ) Number of Medical Colleges in
India
Ø Total No ……… 706 ……… having…… 108,940 seats
Ø Private ………… 365 ……. having …… 52,193
seats …. ( Fee >
Rs 10-25 lakh / year )
Ø Govt …………… 350
….. having….. 56,748 seats ….
( Fee > Rs
1 – 3 lakh / year )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( B ) Number of Hospitals
Ø Government …………….. 25,778
Ø Private ……………………….43,486 ( only Allopathic )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( C ) Number of Doctors
|
Country Name |
Doctors per 1,000 Population |
|
Austria |
5.2 |
|
Norway |
5.1 |
|
Switzerland |
4.9 |
|
Germany |
4.8 |
|
Spain |
4.6 |
|
Italy |
4.3 |
|
Australia |
4.0 |
|
United Kingdom |
3.7 |
|
United States |
3.5 |
|
Japan |
3.4 |
|
India |
~1.0** |
( D ) Number of Students appearing in NEET exam :
|
·
Year |
·
No. of Candidates Appeared |
·
Percentile Requirement |
·
Candidates Met Requirement |
·
Candidates Failed
Requirement |
|
·
2021 |
·
16,14,777 |
·
50th (General) / 40th (Others) |
·
~8,70,074 |
·
~7,44,703 |
|
·
2022 |
·
18,72,343 |
·
50th (General) / 40th (Others) |
·
~9,93,069 |
·
~8,79,274 |
|
·
2023 |
·
20,38,596 |
·
50th (General) / 40th (Others) |
·
~11,45,976 |
·
~8,92,620 |
|
·
2024* |
·
24,00,000 |
·
50th (General) / 40th (Others) |
·
~13,20,000 |
·
~10,80,000 |
Despite
domestic push in Budget 2025, medical students likely to stick to studying
abroad
( Eco Times / 6 Feb 2025 )
Dear Shri J P Naddaji
( Health Minister / jpnadda@gmail.com
/ min-hfm@gov.in
/ jp.nadda@sansad.nic.in )
In her budget speech last week, Smt Sitharamanji announced that the Govt
will add 10,000 additional seats ( presumably in Govt Medical colleges where
annual tuition fees are Rs 10,000 / - as against
Rs 1 CRORE , for 4
year MBBS degree course , in Private colleges ) . Over the next 5 years , Govt
plans to add 75,000 new seats
Even if this bold plan were to materialize , it comes no-where near the
demand for seats considering that in NEET-UG 2025 exam , some 25 lakh students
are expected to appear
Among many things that could be – and should be – tried , one is :
Creation of a VIRTUAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY ,
where aspiring students can attend lectures from their
homes
This could have many formats such as :
Ø A dedicated TV Channel ( or several TV Channels , for
each stream of specialization, Eg : Dentistry – Ophthalmology – Pathology –
Nursing etc )
Ø Several YouTube Video Channels ( different as above )
Ø Several Web Portals – each dedicated to a given
specialization
Ø Many Mobile Apps
Ø “ AR
– VR – AI “ Eye Glasses-based learning of PRACTICALS ( including Surgical Procedures , LIVE STREAMED from each and every OPERATION THEATRE from
each and every HOSPITAL ). By appropriate Govt-level tie-ups , such LIVE
STREAMING ( accompanied by an highly experienced Medical Doctor – Professional
explaining each step of the procedure ) , would substitute the shortage of
Medical Hospitals / Colleges. Registered examinees / students will login with
Password and Facial Recognition . Initially , students will learn to perform simple
“ Surgical Procedures “ using their AR-VR-AI enabled Eye-glasses. Using same
devices, they will give exams. Gradually – and under supervision of Expert
Surgeons, they will be allowed to perform “ Remote Surgeries “ ( gradually from
simple to complex ), using ROBOTS
Ø Exams of
students will also be conducted in HYBRID METHOD for NEET as recommended by
Radhakrishnan Committee and already implemented at > https://www.my-teacher.in/test-basic-details-form
. Just like MCSE ( Microsoft Certified Software Engineer ) certificate , a
registered student can appear on such ONLINE exams whenever she is ready
Ø In all of the above-mentioned ALTERNATIVES ,
Artificial Intelligence will be playing a CENTRAL ROLE in terms of :
# Syllabus /
Curriculum development
# Pedagogy
# Exam
Generation and Testing / Candidate Assessment
#
Certification / Registration
Ø “ Virtual Medical University “ eco-system will have
dynamic access to the Medical History database of all the persons registered
under Ayushman Bharat Scheme ( currently approx.. 40 crore persons ). This “
database “ will be used for “ training “ of MEDICAL AI AGENT
Ø In addition to this, over a period of next 5 years,
MEDICAL AI AGENT will train itself by being “ internet connected “ with all the
Health Monitoring Devices , as envisaged in my following blog / email :
# https://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/07/2024-v-20-of-orwellian-1984.html . 7 July 2017
Extract :
There are 7,000 million people on the earth
It is possible that , at any given time , some 7 million of these are lying in
ICU , connected with :
* Electroencephalogram ( Brain Monitor )
* Electrocardiogram ( Heart Monitor )
* Pulse Rate Meter
* Oxygen Level Meter
* Glucose Level Meter........etc
As soon as these instruments get embedded with Internet of Things ( IoT ), a
central server could collect all of these " measurements / readings "
on 24*7 basis , for all 7 million persons
Then it will combine these readings with following data about each of those 7
million persons :
* Country / Region / City / Language
* Race / Religion / Gender / Age
* Height / Weight / Colour /
Biometrics
* Blood Group / DNA / Past Medical History.....etc
It will also record , who died / when !
Using such massive data base, can BIG DATA / Artificial Intelligence / Machine
Learning , figure out what " Customized healthcare / Medical treatment /
Supplementary diet " should be " prescribed " for each human on
this earth ?
Shall we support such " Invasion of Individual Privacy " , in the
larger interest / benefit of entire mankind ?
I think , we should
===========================================
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
www.My-Teacher.in / 06
Feb 2025
Here is what different
AI PLATFORMS viewed
my suggestion of Virtual Medical University, to address the problem of shortage
of doctors , not only in India but everywhere else :
ChatGPT :
Here's a
tabulated assessment of the feasibility and desirability of
various features of your proposed Virtual Medical University (VMU):
|
Feature |
Feasibility |
Desirability |
Challenges &
Considerations |
|
Dedicated TV Channels for
Medical Education |
High |
High |
Requires govt/private
funding, quality control, and content curation. |
|
YouTube Video Channels for
Specializations |
High |
High |
Effective for theory, but
lacks practical hands-on training. |
|
Web Portals for Specialized
Learning |
High |
High |
Needs interactive tools,
assessments, and engagement mechanisms. |
|
Mobile Apps for Medical
Education |
High |
High |
Useful for continuous
learning, but requires regular content updates. |
|
AR-VR-AI Eye Glasses for
Practical Learning & Surgeries |
Medium |
Very High |
Expensive to implement,
needs high-speed connectivity and expert trainers. |
|
Live Streaming from Hospital
Operation Theaters |
Medium |
High |
Requires hospital
partnerships, legal clearance, patient privacy concerns. |
|
AI-Powered Exam Generation
& Online Testing |
High |
High |
Already being implemented in
tech exams (MCSE, etc.), but validity for medical licensing must be
ensured. |
|
Hybrid NEET-style Exams for
Medical Certification |
High |
High |
Needs regulatory approval,
but feasible with AI-based monitoring. |
|
Medical AI Agent for Diagnosis
& Learning |
Medium |
High |
Requires large-scale data
collection, ethical concerns around patient privacy. |
|
Integration with Ayushman
Bharat Patient Database |
Low |
Very High |
Faces privacy, security,
and regulatory challenges. |
|
AI Training via IoT Health
Monitoring Devices |
Medium |
High |
Needs global cooperation,
data privacy concerns, and high-tech infrastructure. |
|
Remote AI-Assisted Surgeries
via Robotics |
Medium |
Very High |
Feasible in the long run,
but needs massive investment in robotics and connectivity. |
Final Thoughts:
1.
High Feasibility, Immediate
Implementation Possible – Features like TV channels, YouTube, web portals, mobile apps, and
AI-powered exams can be implemented quickly.
2.
Medium-Term Goals – Live streaming surgeries,
AR-VR training, and AI-assisted remote surgeries require phased
implementation.
3.
Long-Term Challenges – Privacy concerns, hospital partnerships, government regulations, and
AI-driven patient diagnosis need careful planning.
Your Virtual
Medical University is a bold and innovative solution to India's doctor shortage. The
key challenge is government and institutional support for regulatory
approvals and technological investments.
DeepSeek :
The proposal
to establish a Virtual Medical University (VMU) to address the
acute shortage of doctors in India is innovative and forward-thinking.
Below is
a feasibility-desirability analysis of the various features of
the VMU, presented in a tabulated format:
|
Feature |
Feasibility |
Desirability |
|
Dedicated TV Channels /
YouTube Channels |
High Feasibility: Existing infrastructure
(TV, internet, and YouTube) can be leveraged. Content creation and
distribution are scalable. |
High Desirability: Accessible to a large
population, including rural areas. Cost-effective for students. Can
democratize medical education. |
|
Web Portals and Mobile Apps |
High Feasibility: Web and mobile app
development is well-established. Can be integrated with existing e-learning
platforms. |
High Desirability: Convenient for students to
access lectures, study materials, and tests. Can be personalized for
different specializations. |
|
AR-VR-AI Glasses for
Practical Training |
Moderate Feasibility: AR-VR-AI technology is
advancing but is still expensive. Requires significant investment in hardware
and software. |
High Desirability: Immersive learning experience.
Can simulate real-world surgical procedures. Reduces dependency on physical
infrastructure. |
|
Live Streaming of Surgical
Procedures |
Moderate Feasibility: Requires collaboration
with hospitals and high-speed internet infrastructure. Privacy and ethical
concerns need to be addressed. |
High Desirability: Provides real-time
learning opportunities. Bridges the gap between theory and practice. |
|
Hybrid Exams (Online +
Offline) |
High Feasibility: Online exam systems are
already in use (e.g., NEET). AI can automate question generation and
evaluation. |
High Desirability: Flexible and scalable.
Reduces logistical challenges of conducting physical exams. |
|
AI-Driven Curriculum
Development and Pedagogy |
High Feasibility: AI can analyze data to
optimize curriculum and teaching methods. Requires collaboration with
educators and technologists. |
High Desirability: Personalized learning
paths for students. Ensures up-to-date and relevant content. |
|
Integration with Ayushman
Bharat Database |
Moderate Feasibility: Requires robust data
privacy laws and secure infrastructure. Ethical concerns about data usage
need to be addressed. |
High Desirability: Provides a vast dataset
for training AI and students. Can improve diagnostic and treatment accuracy. |
|
IoT-Enabled Health
Monitoring for AI Training |
Moderate Feasibility: IoT infrastructure is
growing but requires standardization and integration with healthcare systems.
Privacy and security are major concerns. |
High Desirability: Enables predictive and
preventive healthcare. Can revolutionize medical training and practice. |
|
Remote Surgeries Using
Robots |
Low Feasibility: Technologically complex
and expensive. Requires regulatory approvals and extensive training for
students. |
Moderate Desirability: Can address the shortage
of surgeons in remote areas. However, ethical and safety concerns need to be
addressed. |
|
Certification and
Registration |
High Feasibility: Can be implemented using
blockchain or centralized systems. Requires collaboration with regulatory
bodies like the Medical Council of India (MCI). |
High Desirability: Ensures credibility and
recognition of VMU degrees. Can integrate with global medical education
standards. |
Key Challenges and Recommendations:
1.
Infrastructure and Funding:
o
Establishing a VMU requires significant investment in technology, content
creation, and infrastructure. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help
bridge the funding gap.
2.
Regulatory Approvals:
o
The VMU must comply with the Medical Council of India (MCI) and other
regulatory bodies. Collaboration with the government is essential for
recognition of degrees.
3.
Digital Divide:
o
Rural areas may lack access to high-speed internet and devices. Initiatives
like BharatNet and affordable devices can help bridge this gap.
4.
Data Privacy and Ethics:
o
The use of patient data for training AI raises privacy concerns. Robust
data protection laws and ethical guidelines are necessary.
5.
Quality Assurance:
o
Ensuring the quality of education and practical training is critical.
Regular audits and feedback mechanisms can help maintain standards.
6.
Cultural Acceptance:
o
Traditional medical education stakeholders (e.g., colleges, hospitals) may
resist the VMU model. Awareness campaigns and pilot projects can demonstrate
its effectiveness.
Conclusion:
The Virtual
Medical University is a highly desirable solution to address the
shortage of doctors in India.
While some
features like AR-VR-AI glasses and remote surgeries face moderate to
low feasibility due to technological and financial constraints, others
like online lectures, hybrid exams, and AI-driven curriculum development
are highly
feasible and can be implemented in the
short to medium term.
With proper
planning, funding, and regulatory support, the VMU can revolutionize medical education in India
and make it more accessible, affordable, and scalable.
ChatSUTRA (https://chat.two.ai/ ) :
Here’s an evaluation of the suggestion for a Virtual Medical
University in addressing the shortage of doctors in India, presented in a
tabulated format assessing the feasibility and desirability of its various
features:
|
Feature |
Description |
Feasibility |
Desirability |
|
Dedicated TV Channels |
Broadcasting lectures
for various medical specializations. |
Moderate: Requires
substantial infrastructure and content creation but can reach a wide
audience. |
High:
Accessible to many, especially in remote areas. |
|
YouTube Video Channels |
Educational content on
medical topics. |
High: Low cost and easy
to set up, with existing platforms available. |
High:
Popular among younger audiences; promotes self-paced learning. |
|
Web Portals for Specializations |
Dedicated online
platforms for each specialization. |
Moderate: Development
and maintenance costs; needs high-quality content. |
High:
Provides focused resources tailored to specific fields. |
|
Mobile Apps |
Interactive applications
for learning and practice. |
Moderate: Requires
investment; must be user-friendly and engaging. |
High:
Convenient for users, especially in mobile-first environments. |
|
AR/VR for Practical Learning |
Immersive technology for
simulations and live surgeries. |
Low to Moderate: High
initial costs and technological barriers; requires skilled personnel for
implementation. |
Very High: Offers hands-on
experience; enhances understanding of complex procedures. |
|
Hybrid Exam Methods |
Flexibility in
examination formats. |
High: Technologically
feasible with current platforms. |
High:
Increases accessibility and reduces pressure on candidates. |
|
AI in Curriculum and Assessment |
Integration of AI for
personalized learning and evaluations. |
Moderate: Requires
advanced tech development and data management. |
High:
Customizes learning experiences; can improve educational outcomes. |
|
Access to Medical History Database |
Using Ayushman Bharat
database for AI training. |
Moderate: Ethical
concerns and privacy issues need addressing; requires compliance with
regulations. |
High:
Enhances the quality of training through real-world data. |
|
IoT Integration for Health Monitoring |
Real-time data
collection from health devices. |
Low: Significant
technological challenges and privacy concerns; requires widespread IoT
adoption. |
Moderate:
Potential for improved healthcare insights, but raises ethical questions
about privacy. |
Summary
The concept of
a Virtual Medical University presents innovative solutions to the acute shortage of
doctors in India.
While several
features are highly
desirable due to their potential impact on accessibility and learning
outcomes, challenges remain regarding feasibility, particularly with advanced
technologies like AR/VR and IoT integration.
Addressing
ethical considerations and ensuring regulatory compliance will be essential for
successful implementation.
Overall, this approach could significantly enhance
medical education and training if carefully executed.
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