Medical education is a blend of theory, clinical exposure, and skill assessment. For a student, it is not enough to attend lectures; practical competence must also be tracked. This is where logbooks come into play.
In India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has made logbooks mandatory for MBBS students. These logbooks record attendance, clinical skills, case presentations, and procedures performed. But the question arises for Indian students studying abroad:
Is the NMC logbook also used in Bangladesh MBBS programs?
This article explores the role of logbooks in Bangladesh medical colleges, whether the Indian NMC logbook format is followed, and how it affects students planning to return to India for licensing exams.
The NMC logbook is a structured record maintained by MBBS students in India.
Track attendance in theory and practical sessions
Document skills performed (e.g., injections, dressings, catheterization)
Record clinical cases studied and presented
Maintain evidence of competency-based medical education (CBME)
Encourage self-assessment and faculty feedback
This ensures that students not only learn but also prove their participation and progress throughout the MBBS program.
Mandatory requirement for internal assessment
Submitted before university exams
Signed regularly by faculty and verified by departments
Includes competency checklists, case notes, and reflection entries
Acts as a bridge between learning and evaluation
Thus, in India, the logbook is officially standardized and compulsory.
Bangladesh has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for Indian MBBS aspirants due to its:
Affordable tuition fees
Similar curriculum structure to India
English-medium instruction
NMC, WHO, and other international recognition
The MBBS course in Bangladesh is 5 years + 1-year internship, closely aligned with India’s medical education.
But when it comes to logbooks, Bangladesh has its own system, not directly based on India’s NMC format.
The straight answer is: No, the official NMC logbook is not used in Bangladesh MBBS.
The NMC logbook is a regulation by India’s National Medical Commission, which governs Indian medical colleges.
Bangladesh medical education is regulated by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), which has its own rules.
BMDC does not mandate the Indian NMC logbook format.
Instead, Bangladesh medical colleges use their own institutional logbooks and clinical record systems to track student performance.
Bangladesh MBBS students maintain practical and clinical logbooks, but these differ from India’s NMC logbook.
Records of practical experiments in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc.
Case records and histories during clinical years
Attendance tracking in practical and ward postings
Faculty signatures for verification
Internal assessment marks linked with logbook entries
Some private colleges in Bangladesh have even adopted formats inspired by NMC logbooks, especially those catering to international students.
Indian students studying MBBS in Bangladesh usually:
Maintain the Bangladesh institutional logbook as required by their college
Sometimes keep a parallel record following the Indian NMC logbook style, especially if guided by consultants in India
Focus on clinical case documentation, which aligns well with NMC requirements
This dual approach ensures they are prepared both for their Bangladesh MBBS exams and for NMC-related requirements in India.
| Aspect | NMC Logbook (India) | Bangladesh MBBS Logbook |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Body | NMC (India) | BMDC (Bangladesh) |
| Usage | Mandatory nationwide | Varies by college |
| Format | Competency-based, standardized | College-specific, practical & case records |
| Clinical Skills | Detailed competency checklists | Case presentations + procedures |
| Relevance in Exams | Required for internal & final exams | Used for internal assessment |
| Alignment with India | Direct | Indirect but similar |
Even though not identical to the NMC logbook, the Bangladeshi logbook serves essential functions:
Improves accountability – students must regularly document their work
Enhances clinical learning – repeated exposure to case history-taking
Builds discipline – regular sign-offs from faculty ensure consistency
Encourages practical engagement – prevents students from relying only on theory
Preparation for FMGE/NEXT – recording clinical work strengthens revision
Lack of uniformity – each college has its own format
Not competency-based – unlike NMC logbooks, Bangladesh logbooks may not cover every skill checklist
Limited exposure in smaller colleges – fewer patient interactions may restrict case entries
No direct NMC linkage – Indian students may feel disconnected from India’s CBME structure
Even though the official NMC logbook is not followed, Bangladesh logbooks indirectly help Indian students in:
Documenting clinical skills and case histories
Building confidence for practical and viva exams
Structuring study patterns aligned with NMC curriculum
Keeping evidence of medical training, useful for licensing documentation
To conclude, Bangladesh MBBS does not officially use the NMC logbook, as it is specific to India. Instead, Bangladesh medical colleges follow their own logbook systems, which are quite similar in purpose—tracking clinical exposure, practical skills, and attendance.
For Indian students, this is not a disadvantage, since Bangladesh’s MBBS structure is already closely aligned with India. By maintaining the institutional logbook in Bangladesh, and optionally following the NMC logbook model for personal preparation, students can be well-prepared for both Bangladesh university exams and India’s FMGE/NEXT licensing exams.
Thus, while the NMC logbook per se is not in use, the spirit of clinical documentation and skill assessment is very much alive in Bangladesh MBBS education.