Integration in teaching toxicology: Cross-roads and the way forward

The study of the harmful effects of chemicals and substances on the human body and environment is called toxicology, an important branch of medical science. The subject toxicology also deals with features of presentation on the human body and environment along with its methods of detection and treatment. Different toxins and poisonous substances affect differently based on various external and internal factors.

It is important to teach medical students in undergraduate and postgraduate level toxicology in detail for the effective management of patients. Competency-based medical education has been implemented by the National Medical Commission which mandates integrated teaching of toxicology keeping it aligned with other stakeholder subjects like medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, and others.

This concept of integration is helpful in organizing the teaching matters to interrelate or unify with other subjects taught in separate academic courses or departments. Ultimately it reduces the redundancy. Integrated learning of toxicology includes innovative teaching-learning materials and methods to promote contextual learning for better retention and performance. The correlation of contents between basic and clinical sciences plays a vital role in teaching and learning toxicology.

But it is not beyond challenges. Faculty development training is needed for the successful implementation of integration in toxicology. Lack of human resources, increasing number of medical colleges, and lack of motivation are a few more hindrances to count.

This article is aimed at discussing and roadmap of integration in teaching toxicology