Non-communicable disease risk reduction training for medical graduates in India: context, challenges and opportunities.

Abstract

Physicians' hold pivotal roles in improving non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Studies conducted in India revealed that physicians' feel unprepared to address NCDs risk reduction and provide counseling. We conducted a gap analysis using desk reviews to identify inclusion of NCD risk reduction in medical curricula, and a scoping review to assess knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice related to NCD risk reduction among the undergraduate medical students in India. We also conducted key-informant interviews to understand perceptions among medical students and physicians. We found a lack of knowledge about NCDs and strong interest and perceived need for NCD risk reduction training among both medical students and their teachers. Our findings suggest promoting NCD prevention by physicians and allied health workers in clinical settings can enable the learning environment for medical students to adopt these practices.