Abstract
Background Several studies found that physicians develop a negative attitude toward biochemistry and genetics disciplines. Many medical schools adopt an integrated system-based curriculum supplemented with clinical correlations. Medical schools in Jordan switched to the integrated curriculum; however, studies that evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics are lacking. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics including the correlation of their curricula with clinical practice. Materials and Methods A structured questionnaire consisting of 40 statements was distributed to a random sample of 616 physicians practicing in private and governmental hospitals in Jordan. Participants earned their MD or MBBS degree from Jordan or other countries and were interns, residents, or specialists. Results More than half of the participants admitted that biochemistry and genetics are intellectually challenging and were among their least favourite subjects (59.1%); however, many of them were familiar with some of the contemporary advances in biochemistry and genetics and their translational potential (64.0%). Most of the participants felt that modifying the medical school curriculum by integrating biochemical and genetic concepts with clinical teaching will motivate the medical students (74%). In univariate analysis, residents showed the most positive attitudes and were the most knowledgeable about the biochemical changes associated with diseases and about the contemporary advances in biochemistry or genetics (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, physicians practicing in the private sector or those with more than five years of experience generally had a more positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics (P < 0.05). Conclusion Physicians in Jordan showed an overall positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics. This was more evident among residents, physicians with more than five years of experience, or those practicing in the private sector.
Highlights
Biochemistry and genetics are an integral part of the medical school curriculum [1]. ese basic medical sciences attempt to explain the activity of living systems at the molecular level including an understanding of various metabolic and signalling pathways operating within the cells during different environmental and health/disease conditions [1]
Our results demonstrated that most physicians appreciate the role biochemistry and genetics play in modern clinical practice including disease diagnosis and targeted therapy
It was observed that physicians practicing in the private sector generally have a more positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics than physicians practicing in the public sector. is was most evident in the attitude of physicians toward their need for continuous education in biochemistry and genetics. e reason behind this difference in attitude is not clear but could be related to a heavier workload on physicians in the public sector and a general lack of incentive for a continued education in biochemistry and genetics
Summary
Biochemistry and genetics are an integral part of the medical school curriculum [1]. ese basic medical sciences attempt to explain the activity of living systems at the molecular level including an understanding of various metabolic and signalling pathways operating within the cells during different environmental and health/disease conditions [1]. Ese basic medical sciences attempt to explain the activity of living systems at the molecular level including an understanding of various metabolic and signalling pathways operating within the cells during different environmental and health/disease conditions [1] Such an understanding is essential for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of multiple disease processes. Medical schools in Jordan switched to the integrated curriculum; studies that evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics are lacking. Is study aimed to evaluate the attitude of physicians toward biochemistry and genetics including the correlation of their curricula with clinical practice. Physicians practicing in the private sector or those with more than five years of experience generally had a more positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics (P < 0.05). Physicians in Jordan showed an overall positive attitude toward biochemistry and genetics. is was more evident among residents, physicians with more than five years of experience, or those practicing in the private sector
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