BCMGA officials led by their President Ibrahim Kimani, Secretary General Koome Ndegwa and Treasurer Ouko Felix. [PHOTO: HANDOUT]The Bachelor of Clinical Medicine Graduates Association (BCMGA) is
advocating for the formal recognition of Bachelor of Science in Clinical
Medicine graduates (BCMCH) as "Clinical Doctors," distinguishing them
from "Medical Doctors" (MBChB graduates).
The association, in a press statement on Tuesday, said the distinction is
crucial for providing clarity to patients and ensuring accurate role
identification within the healthcare system.
They averred that it is essential for preventing role confusion, fostering
trust, and improving transparency in healthcare.
“The title 'Clinical Doctor' reflects the unique training and scope of
practice of Bachelor of Clinical Medicine graduates (BCMCH), who play a
critical role in healthcare. It ensures that patients understand who is
treating them and their qualifications, helping to maintain trust in healthcare
services,” said the Bachelor of Clinical Medicine Graduates chairman, Dr.
Ibrahim Kimani.
“The adoption of clear titles, such as 'Clinical Doctor' for BCMCH graduates
and 'Medical Doctor' for MBChB graduates, aligns with international models and
highlights the importance of recognizing healthcare professionals based on
their training and expertise.”
The association stated that the refusal to grant BCMCH graduates the title
"Doctor" stems from outdated medical hierarchies that do not reflect
modern healthcare realities.
They argued that denying them the title may undermine their confidence and
professional identity despite their critical contributions.
“Expanding the recognition would promote fairness and inclusivity in the
medical field. Secondly, the refusal fails to recognize the expanded roles of
healthcare professionals in the modern medical landscape,” the association
treasurer, Felix Ouko, noted.
“As healthcare systems become more diverse and collaborative, it's essential
to re-evaluate these rigid hierarchies and recognize professionals based on
their competence, clinical skills, and contributions to patient care.”
A 'Doctor' courtesy title is a form of address used out of respect rather
than an indication of an earned academic doctorate. It is commonly applied to
medical practitioners, alternative medicine practitioners, and certain
professionals in healthcare and academia.
Other healthcare professionals outside the MBChB/MD pathway also use the
courtesy title "Doctor," including dentists (BDS/DDS), pharmacists
(PharmD), physiotherapists (DPT), and optometrists (OD), among others. If
dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and optometrists, among others, can
use "Doctor" despite not practicing general medicine, BCMCH
graduates—who diagnose, treat, and prescribe like medical officers—should also
qualify.
The association’s secretary general, Koome Ndegwa, emphasized that they are
not seeking to replace other professionals but to supplement the healthcare
system.
“The goal is to ensure that all professionals’ contributions are properly
recognized and that patients receive care from the right professional.
Distinguishing the titles of 'Clinical Doctor' and 'Medical Doctor' will avoid
role confusion, ensuring that each professional's scope of practice is clearly
understood,” he said.
Ndegwa said the Bachelor of Clinical Medicine (BCMCH) graduates have
demonstrated significant surgical capabilities, adding that comprehensive
training and practical experience enable them to perform a variety of surgical
procedures, contributing substantially to the healthcare system.
“The Bachelor of Clinical Medicine is an international medical degree
offered in many countries. For instance, in China, universities such as Tongji
University School of Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
(HUST), and China Medical University (CMU), among others, offer the Bachelor of
Clinical Medicine (MBBS) program,” Ndegwa said.
“It is worth noting that many universities refer to this degree as MBBS, as
indicated above. In China, the program takes six years to complete—one year for
learning the Chinese language and one year for internship, leaving four years
of study. Similarly, in Kenya, the Bachelor of Clinical Medicine consists of
four years of study followed by one year of internship, making it a total of
five years.”
The group raised concerns about why Kenyan students who study for a Bachelor
of Clinical Medicine in China return home and get registered as doctors, yet,
on the other hand, Kenyan students who study for a Bachelor of Clinical
Medicine in Kenya—despite having the same curriculum and clinical training—are
not recognized as doctors.
“This is an unjust contradiction in Kenya’s medical education and licensing
system,” Kimani said.
The Bachelor of Clinical Medicine degree is a comprehensive program that
equips graduates with substantial clinical skills and knowledge.
While traditionally, the Master of Medicine (MMed) programs have been
designed for those holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
(MBChB) degree, the depth and rigor of the BCM curriculum have led institutions
to recognize its merit.
Many Bachelor of Clinical Medicine graduates (BCMCH) have undertaken MMed in
different specialties.
“The acceptance of BCMCH graduates into advanced medical programs
underscores the comprehensive nature of the BCMCH curriculum. It highlights the
degree's robustness and the preparedness of its graduates for specialized
medical training,” Ouko said.
