Effect of Teacher Shortage in Basic Subjects on Medical Education in Bangladesh

Background:
Medical college teachers now not only provide information but also
guide students to validate and identify key issues relevant to their future
practice. However, a shortage of teachers in basic medical science
subjects is a significant problem, impacting students and the entire
medical education system.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the effects of teacher shortage in basic
subjects on medical education in medical colleges in Bangladesh. 

Methods:
This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from January to
December 2021 in four medical colleges (two government and two
private) in Bangladesh, included 456 subjects. Of these, 96 were basic
subject teachers in medical colleges, and 360 were students in the 1st to
3rd phases of the MBBS course. Descriptive statistics and SPSS version
22.0 were utilized for data analysis.

Results:
In this study, all teachers (100%) and 82.22% of students expressed
concerns about a shortage of teachers in their medical colleges. A
significant portion of students (29.1%) believed that the shortage of
teachers hindered the delivery of sufficient knowledge. Additionally,
23.05% of students reported disruptions in regular and practical classes
due to the shortage of teaching staff. Among the 360 students, various
suggestions were proposed, with 55.5% advocating for the appointment
of more teachers in each basic subject, and 20.28% suggesting
increased facilities for basic subject teachers.

Conclusion:
The shortage of teachers in basic subjects within medical colleges in
Bangladesh significantly hampers the quality of education, leading to a
lack of sufficient knowledge among students. This shortage may also
have implications for their practical classes and training in the
institutions.