Medical school fifth -year students' opinions about pediatric surgery internship: The evaluation of feedback surveys and exam success rates Tıp fakültesi beşinci sınıf öğrencilerinin çocuk cerrahisi stajı için düşünceleri: Geribildirim anketlerinin ve sınav başarı oranlarının değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

© Cocuk Cerrahisi Dergisi. All rights reserved.Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate retrospectively, the thoughts of Cerrahpasa Medical School Turkish and English student groups about Pediatric Surgery education during their internship and the Pediatric surgery post-internship exam success rates. Material and Methods: Questionnaire forms were given to fifth-year medical students who participated for two weeks of pediatric surgery internship during the years 2009 and 2013 and their feedback was evaluated. The questionnaire form included multiple choice questions about theoretical and practical training, predominantly written (30 %), and verbal (70 %) exams following internship period. Additionally, students were recruited to express their personal advice in order to supply a more efficient internship for future students. The results of this survey of the last 4 years together with Pediatric Surgery exam success rates were evaluated simultaneously and written personal future suggestions for the 2013-2014 term were examined thoroughly and subdivided into groups. Results: The most high-rated feedback in the survey was efficient use of class time by instructors (85.7 %) and maintaining necessary and helpful information they will benefit during their medical practice (87.4 %). Short span of bedside education (51.4 %) and physical limitations of the classroom (52.2 %) were also emphasized. Despite the common attitude about the objectivity of the verbal exam, some student criticisms mentioned this part as “unfair”. While the internship success rates of the groups were evaluated, high percentage of the students (77.6-95.8 %) got successful results. However, despite the steady success rate of English program students, a decrease was determined in the grades of Turkish program students during the last four years. Conclusion: Student surveys have revealed that, theoretical lectures were deemed to be efficient by the students, but the main emphasis was on the inadequate time of practical education. Our comment about this criticism is related to the short duration of the internship. Exam success rates of the students in the English program were higher. Surveys and exam success rates are helpful for directing the revisions of intern education for the following terms.