Attitude and perception of urology by 5th year (GEMPIII) students at the end of their mixed block rotation at Wits
Date
2022
Authors
Tshiala, Alain Kabongo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Background
The University of the Witwatersrand Medical School has a six year MBBCh programme, of which the fifth year is more of a clerkship consisting of both didactic (lectures and assigned readings) and practical (work in hospital wards or in an outpatient clinic) study, consisting of seven blocks of six weeks each of which two weeks is mixed rotations in specialities such as ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat and urology.
Methods
This was a qualitative survey of fifth year medical students at Wits Medical School 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 assess the current urology knowledge and confidence among undergraduate medical students regarding urological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in order to evaluate the current curriculum and the assess the possible need for improvement in urological knowledge and skill.
Results
Of 250 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 had the most common deficit in. There was a statistical significant difference between 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 CMJAH and those who rotated in CHBAH. 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 reason for not choosing urology as a career.
Conclusion
The study reveals a need for improvement in basic urological knowledge and skills during the mixed block rotation. A more practical and adjusted curriculum, taking into account bedside teachings, attendance of urological clinics and more exposure to urological patients are some suggestions to be considered to improve the urological educational curriculum.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Urology to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022
Keywords
Urology, Urology knowledge and confidence, Urological diagnostic procedures, Paediatric urology, Urological therapeutic procedures, Uro-oncology, Lithiasis/stone disease, Erectile dysfunction, Urological clinics, Urological patients, Urological educational curriculum, UCTD
Citation
Tshiala, Alain Kabongo. (2022). Attitude and perception of urology by 5th year (GEMPIII) students at the end of their mixed block rotation at Wits. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/35483