Introducing electives in the undergraduate medical training period: Points to ponder

The period of undergraduate medical training is fully packed owing to the extensive amount of information and skills that needs to be passed on to the medical students. This calls for the need to incorporate an elective within the curriculum that gives an opportunity to the students to not only opt for their preferences but also to suit their career likings. While designing an elective course, it is a must that the organizers should state the specific learning objectives, the duration of the course with scheduling and timetabling of the sessions, the course organizer, resource materials, and prerequisites for joining the elective. Moreover, due consideration has to be given toward carrying out the evaluation of the elective course. In conclusion, electives represent an important aspect of the medical training and prepare the students for their future career by increasing vocational opportunities. The need of the hour is that all the medical institutions should sensitize the faculty members and initiate a series of elective courses for the benefit of students.