Abstract
BackgroundThis University Medical School offers a 6-year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year consists of seven blocks of 6 weeks each of which 2 weeks are mixed rotations in specialities such as ophthalmology, ear–nose–throat and urology. The purpose of the study was to assess the current urology knowledge and skills confidence amongst undergraduate medical students regarding urological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in order to evaluate the current curriculum for possible need of improvement.MethodsThis was a qualitative survey of 250 fifth-year medical students from September 2019 to February 2020. The survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire consisting of two parts: The first component covered the students perceptions of the urology rotation, and the second component contained the students self-evaluations. The aim of the study was to evaluate students perceptions of the current urology curriculum and to assess the possible need for improvement in urological knowledge and skill.ResultsOf 250 (100%) voluntary participants, 159 (63.6%) were female and 91(36.4%) were male. The majority of students considered their urology knowledge on lithiasis/stone disease and erectile dysfunction sufficient and were comfortable with male catheterisation. Voiding dysfunction, paediatric urology and uro-oncology were the subjects students commonly expressed a deficit in. There was a statistical significant difference in females having a more positive attitude to urology, than males (p = 0.02). No statistical significant difference in attitude to urology was found between students who rotated in one center opposed to students who rotated in another center. Indeed, the majority of students had a negative attitude to urology at the end of the mixed block rotations regardless of the training location. Unattractivity and lack of knowledge were the most common reasons for not choosing urology as a career.ConclusionThe study reveals a need for improvement in basic urological knowledge and skills during the mixed block rotation. A more practical curriculum, taking into account: bedside teachings, attendance of urological clinics and more exposure to urological patients, are some suggestions to be considered in improving the urological educational curriculum.
Highlights
This University Medical School offers a 6-year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year consists of seven blocks of 6 weeks each of which 2 weeks are mixed rotations in specialities such as ophthalmology, ear–nose– throat and urology
1 Background The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Medical School offers a 6-year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year is more of a clerkship, consisting of didactic and practical (work in Tshiala et al Afr J Urol (2020) 26:81 hospital wards or in an outpatient clinic) study
The questionnaire was distributed to the fifth-year medical students at the end of their 6 week rotation consisting of ophthalmology, ENT and urology at the end of the 7th block of rotations, on the day of the examinations
Summary
This University Medical School offers a 6-year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year consists of seven blocks of 6 weeks each of which 2 weeks are mixed rotations in specialities such as ophthalmology, ear–nose– throat and urology. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Medical School offers a 6-year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year is more of a clerkship, consisting of didactic (lectures and assigned readings) and practical (work in Tshiala et al Afr J Urol (2020) 26:81 hospital wards or in an outpatient clinic) study It consists of seven block rotations of 6 weeks each in surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, specialities 1 (ear–nose–throat (ENT), ophthalmology, urology), specialities 2 (psychiatry, family medicine, public health) and specialities 3 (traumatology, anaesthesia, emergency medicine). The urology course covers history taking, urological examination, diagnosis and treatment of common urological disorders This exposure is important because most urological symptoms are primarily managed by general practitioners. The USA estimated that genitourinary conditions can total up to 10% of general practitioner visits [2, 3]
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