Medical students' attitudes towards early clinical exposure in Iran.
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to investigate the medical students' attitudes towards early clinical exposure at Tehran University of Medical Sciences.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2012-2015. A convenience sample of 298 first- and second-year students, enrolled in the undergraduate medical curriculum, participated in an early clinical exposure program. To collect data from medical students, a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions and structured questions, rated on a five-point Likert scale, was used to investigate students' attitudes toward early clinical exposure.


RESULTS
Of the 298 medical students, 216 (72%) completed the questionnaires. The results demonstrated that medical students had a positive attitude toward early clinical exposure. Most students (80.1%) stated that early clinical exposure could familiarize them with the role of basic sciences knowledge in medicine and how to apply this knowledge in clinical settings. Moreover, 84.5% of them believed that early clinical exposure increased their interest in medicine and encouraged them to read more. Furthermore, content analysis of the students' responses uncovered three main themes of early clinical exposure, were considered helpful to improve learning: "integration of theory and practice", "interaction with others and professional development" and "desire and motivation for learning medicine".


CONCLUSIONS
Medical students found their first experience with clinical setting valuable. Providing clinical exposure in the initial years of medical curricula and teaching the application of basic sciences knowledge in clinical practice can enhance students' understanding of the role they will play in the future as a physician.
Department of Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahboobeh
M
Khabaz Mafinejad
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azim
A
Mirzazadeh
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Soheil
S
Peiman
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nasim
N
Khajavirad
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mojgan
M
Mirabdolhagh Hazaveh
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam
M
Edalatifard
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyed-Farshad
SF
Allameh
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Neda
N
Naderi
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Morteza
M
Foroumandi
Department of Internal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ali
A
Afshari
Department of Medical Ethics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fariba
F
Asghari
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
early clinical exposure; reflection; undergraduate medical curriculum