Analysis of practical training needs in Primary Care for medical students: an approach based on the mentoring model

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the mentoring model is to coordinate a learning model of Family and Community Medicine (FCM) through an individualised and continuous relationship between the student and the family physician assigned as the mentor. It is proposed to work in an environment in which observation, critical dialogue and a timely and continuous approach to clinical practice are emphasised. This study seeks to understand the perception that medical students have of primary care internships based on the mentoring model. Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study based on a survey of undergraduate medical students at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in the year 2022-2023. Results. A total of 337 responses were obtained from medical students out of a total of 1894 enrolled students (17.7%) with representation by course and teaching unit. In relation to the 6 questions of the survey, it is noteworthy that 79.8% of the students (95% CI: 75.1% - 84.0%) consider the implementation of the mentor figure in primary care internships to be suitable. Regarding the extension of internships, 57.9% (95% CI: 52.4% - 63.2%) ask to extend them in primary care and 70.3% (95% CI: 65.1% - 75.2%) in the hospital. Regarding the quality of the internships, 83.4% (95% CI: 79.0% - 87.2%) consider them to be of good quality. Regarding quantity and duration, 58.5% (95% CI: 53.0% - 63.8%) would like to do more and 59.9% (95% CI: 54.5% - 65.2%) would like it to last for 6 or more weeks. Conclusions. The study shows that the majority of medical students favour the mentoring model in primary care internships. They also positively perceive the quality of the internships but express the need to extend them and to have longer rotations in the last year. These results suggest that mentoring could improve the educational experience of medical students in primary care.