Undergraduate medical students’ perceptions of their learning experience in pediatric rotation at King Abdulaziz University Medical College in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate fifth-year medical students' perception of their learning experience during pediatric rotation at the medical college of King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to fifth-year students who attended the pediatric rotation at KAU, during 2013–2014.

Results: Three hundred fifty-six out of 360 students agreed to participate, representing a response rate of 99%. More than 90% were satisfied with the module, and 80% reported the usefulness of the orientation session. The mean scores for the usefulness of morning experience and afternoon activities were 7.20 ± 2.40 and 6.40 ± 2.70, respectively. A significant difference in the mean scores for supervision was observed between the clerkship sites (p = .0001), with the highest score for consultants’ supervision (7.01 ± 2.90) and lowest for interns’ supervision (4.81 ± 3.30).

Conclusions: Overall, although the program was satisfactory to the majority of participants, areas of concern were identified. Students reported more effective learning and development of clinical skills , during the morning rounds, when supervised by consultants and senior specialists, and in activities that involved examining patients, presenting cases, and participating in discussions.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge all member of the Pediatrics Department, who delivered the curriculum, the members of the fifth year committee for managing delivery, the fifth-year students who agreed to participate in the study, as well as Ms. Rola Almalki, for her assistance with data collection and data entry.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

The publication of this supplement has been made possible with the generous financial support of the Dr Hamza Alkholi Chair for Developing Medical Education in KSA.

Notes on contributors

Nadia Fida, MBBS, CABP, is a Professor of Pediatrics at King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and previous head of medical education department, 2010–2012. She holds a Master’s in medical education from Nottingham University in Great Britain and is a member of the Arab Board in Pediatrics and of the AMEE and AAP.

Mohd Farouq, MBBS, ABP, has more than 30 years' experience as pediatric infectious diseases consultant at King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, (Department Chair/member of the Curriculum Committee for 6 years); has been Vice Dean of Rabegh Medical College since 2011; and has attended numerous national and international conferences.

Dhuha Alamawi, MBBS, CABP, has more than 30 years' experience as a general pediatrician and PICU consultant, has been a member of the Curriculum Committee of the Pediatrics Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for more than 10 years, and has attended several national and international symposia.

Hayat Zakaria Kamfar, MBBS, CABP, has more than 30 years in experience as general pediatrician, with a focus on diagnosis and treatment of asthma and chronic lung diseases in in-patient and out-patient settings. An avid researcher and teacher, he has attended various educational workshops and national and international conferences.