Military Medicine Module Training to Undergraduate Medical Students: A Unique Approach in National Defence University of Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health in the National Defence University of Malaysia is the only university in the country that offers a unique combination of medical education and military training into an integrated academic programme. Objective: To communicate to all the academic staff in the medical colleges about the military medicine module training to undergraduate medical students studying in National Defence University of Malaysia. Teaching-learning Methods: The training is charted into 5 modules: Military Trauma Life Support, Army, Aviation and Naval Medicine, Advance Trauma Life Support and Battlefield Medicine.  These modules are delivered across the 5 years of the medical programme in the form of lectures, demonstrations and field training in the medical battalion, aviation medicine and underwater medicine facilities. Visits to relevant medical institutions and simulator trainings will broaden the students’ perspectives on occupational hazards, anticipate suitable patient-care management and mode of casualty evacuation. The combination of classroom learning and field exposure will definitely promote critical thinking, develop problem solving, decision making and analytical skills.  Conclusion: The management of patient under stipulated harsh scenarios/environments have created opportunities for students to exercise critical thinking and decision making. All the positive feedback obtained from students after the completion of their posting in each year on the knowledge, skills and attributes suggest that the Military Medicine training programme enhanced their personal attributes and complemented their medical knowledge.