Evolution in medical education: Perception of evolution among medical students and resident training doctors in Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Evolution constitute a precise paradigm in life sciences in understanding organismal forms and functions, including those of human. This case imposes the inclusion of evolutionary approach in medical education. Although this is the case, perception and acceptance of evolution among medical community is almost unknown. This study aims to measure these aspects among the medical community, in Turkey. Medical students and resident training doctors were targeted groups. Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire including 25 items aiming to measure three aspects (factors); (i) familiarity with evolution, (ii) acceptance of evolution, and (iii) knowledge on evolutionary medicine. Answers were scored on a five points scale and analyzed with the arithmetic mean approach. Total of 394 participants belonged to three groups; 278 pre-clinic and 63 clinical period medical students, and 53 resident training doctors. The mean score of the first (Q1-Q7), second (Q8-Q15) and third (Q16-25) factors were 3.526, 3.99 and 3.957, respectively, all corresponding “high level” category. Of the 25 items, one (Q3) in “low”, four (Q8, Q10, Q18 and Q19) in “very high” and remaining 19 in “high” score categories. Following conclusions were made: (1) The high score levels of all factors indicated that medical students and resident training doctors are interesting in evolution, learning and accepting it. (2) Not teaching evolution does not hinder the learning it, or even may arise desire to learn. (3) Evolutionary paradigm provides a magnificent functionality in understanding and evaluating human biology, and adding it to personal medical curriculum become inevitable.