[What medical student characteristics are associated with improved knowledge and attitudes toward family medicine?].
OBJECTIVE
To find out what sociodemographic and academic variables are associated with better knowledge and attitudes towards family medicine, before and after carrying out an assignment in primary care.


METHODS
"Before-after" study.


METHODS
Faculty of Medicine.


METHODS
Students enrolled in a primary health care assignment.


METHODS
Knowledge and attitudes on family medicine have been evalaluated as dependent variables, using an ad hoc designed questionnaire, consisting of 34 questions with 5 response options on a Likert type scale. The questionnaire, which also included questions on the sociodemographic and academic characteristics of the students was administered the day before classes started and at the end of the course. The scores on knlwledge and attitudes have been evaluated according to the different values of the sociodemographic and academic variable using multiple linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
A total of 44 students filled in both questionnaires (54.3% of those enrolled). Sex was the only variable that was associated with the questionnaire total score before starting the classess (P=0.004). However, when age was was included in the model as a dichotomic variable (19 years vs. 20 years or more) and the sex-age interaction, these were also significant (P=0.011 and P=0.031, respectively). At the end of the course, only sex showed a significant association (P=0.013).


CONCLUSIONS
Females and younger student are the ones who demonstrate more favourable attitudes towards family medicine and primary health care.
Escobar Rabadán
Francisco
F
Centro de Salud Universitario Zona IV de Albacete, España; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, España. fjescobarr@sescam.jccm.es
López-Torres Hidalgo
Jesús
J
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult