Nearly 74% of medical students face clerical burdens; 40% find work environment toxic: FAIMA Survey

73.9 percent of medical students have reported excessive clerical workload while 40.8% find their work environment as toxic, according to the the Federation of All India Medical Association - Review Medical System (FAIMA-RMS) survey results. Over 2,000 students, teachers, and professors from medical colleges across 28 states and union territories responded to the survey.

Highlighting serious deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty strength , and overall training standards in newly established medical colleges, the FAIMA report found that 89.4% of the participants think that poor infrastructure compromises quality of medical education .

Only 71.5% of respondents, who also included professionals from AIIMS, PGI, JIPMER, reported adequate patient exposure. 54.3% confirmed regular classes, and 69.2% were content with the laboratory and equipment facilities in medical colleges . Faculty adequacy stood at 68.8%, while just 44.1% reported the availability of functional skills labs.

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Only half of the medical student population is receiving stipend payments on time, shows the FAIMA analysis. A mere 29.5% resident doctors said to have fixed working hours , indicating a lack of structural and administrative discipline.

The study witnessed 90.4% participation from government medical colleges and 7.8% from private institutions, including those from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enabling the federation to compare the functioning of the two different types of institutions. The results were noteworthy as private colleges showed better teaching sessions and faculty strength. While government institutions provide greater student exposure, they are burdened with heavy administrative duties, the report reveals.

Gap between theory and practical, 'dismal' implementation

When it comes to practising independently, only 57.4% feel prepared, suggesting an ever-increasing gap between theoretical knowledge and practical competence, shows the FAIMA survey.

Responding to the “alarming” results, FAIMA noted that despite the recommendations of the National Task Force including fixed duty hours for residents and interns, mental health support systems, and structured wellness measures, implementation seems “dismal” and “largely superficial”.

“This disconnect between recommendations and real-world action is unacceptable and continues to endanger the quality of medical education and the well-being of future doctors,” the association remarked.

FAIMA has urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission ( NMC ) for immediate intervention. The association emphasised the need for urgent reforms including improved infrastructure, adequate staffing, reduction of clerical burdens, timely stipends, and mandatory skills lab facilities in every medical college.