[Evaluation of a clinical course in an oncology department during the second cycle of medical education. A 12-year study by questionnaire among 321 students].
The comprehensive cancer center in the Southwest of France, Bergonié Institute hosts medical students in 4th-6th year of their studies, for 4-month courses. This course was evaluated at its end by a questionnaire, during two periods of 6 years: 1983-88. 161 students; 1990-95, 160 students. Due to the policy of the Bordeaux University, these students were significantly younger during the second period: 48.4% in 4th year vs 25.8% in the first period (P = 0.00024). The main reasons for choosing this hospital were to meet cancer patients (54.8%), to improve knowledge in oncology (49.7%) or to see a variety of diseases, unlike in other specialty services (20.8%). At the end of the course, the main investigation in oncology appeared to be pathology (40.8%), radiology (38.2%) or blood cell counts (14.5%). Their training was highly (2+) or very highly (3+) rated by 67.9% of the students in theoretical matters, by 66% in clinical practice and by 92.5% in behavior. The best-learned fields were relations with patients (67.4%), treatments (24.5%) and clinical examination (23.5%). Students declare to have been negatively impressed by failures and deaths (34.7%), patients in poor condition (24.7%) or treatments poorly tolerated or not efficient enough (12.2%). They declare to have been well impressed by cooperation of caregivers (26.5%), comprehensive care (22.7%), teachers' efforts (22.1%), patient-caregiver relations (21.%) and courageous patients (18.1%). Finally students' presence during consultation is useful to see outpatients in good condition or cured patients. Between the first and the second period, there is a significant decrease of clinical training and a trend in favor of improved treatment and better prognosis. Thus this hospital appears mainly useful for training in patient-doctor relations and in clinical practice in a variety of diseases. Efforts have to be made to further improve clinical training. Such an investigation should be pursued to check the students' training periodically. This will allow the adaptation and improvement of the teaching, in accordance with changes in patients' conditions and treatments.
Hoerni
B
B
Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France.
Kantor
G
G
Lemasson
J L
JL
Soubeyran
P
P
Quénel
N
N
Marée
D
D
D000328:Adult; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Evaluation d'un stage hospitalier en cancérologie au cours du deuxième cycle des études médcales. Enquête par questionnaire chez 321 étudiants en 12 ans.