Students’ Evaluations of Medical Internships in Primary Healthcare

ABSTRACT

The medical internship structure at Santa Catarina Federal University (UFSC) was modified in 2012 by the establishment of two training periods in Primary Healthcare, each with a duration of eight weeks (one in the ninth and the other in the tenth semester). The aim of this study was to analyze UFSC medical students’ evaluations of this internship. A quali-quantitative analysis of the evaluations of the internship was carried out, with the questionnaires voluntarily answered by the students at the end of each period (83.75% of the total 240 students were included). The internship was evaluated as ‘excellent’ (66.7%) or ‘good’ (27.9%) in 94.5% of the answers, especially in terms of the tutors, considered ‘excellent’ in 82% of cases. Learning on clinical abilities was evaluated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ in 93.5% of the questionnaires, and on communication and patient-doctor relationships in 98.5% of cases. The main criticisms were the lack of financial aid for transportation and eating, long distances and infrastructure issues, as well as some differences of opinion on classes. In conclusion, it may be said that the internship was very highly regarded by students, demonstrating that it makes an important contribution to medical education, and is therefore deserving of more attention and investment by medical courses.

Medical Education; Internship and Residency; Curriculum; Primary Health Care; Medical Students