Perceptions of Medical Students about Family Medicine Rotation in India: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Sajitha Parveen Maniyam Fallur Rahman, Venkatesan Sankarapandian, Kirubah V David, Prince Christopher

Objectives: To explore the perceptions of medical students about family medicine rotation and to provide feedback to all the stakeholders. Design: Qualitative study using focus group discussion. Method: The study was conducted on five first clinical year students of Christian Medical College, Vellore in December 2013 using semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by qualitative methods. Results: Students valued the idea of small-group learning, bio-psycho social approach, symptom based approach to common illnesses and continuity of patient care and supervision. Conclusions: This study emphasizes that undergraduate rotation in a family physician based ambulatory unit of a secondary care hospital can provide distinct learning experience in holistic care, understanding patients’ context and longitudinal care..