KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY (KAU) STUDENTS PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THEIR SURGICAL ROTATION

A 4 pages Arabic (native language) questionnaire was designed by the author to explore the final year>s medical student perceptions towards their clinical rotation in department of surgery. One hundred forty-one students participated in the study. Females predominated (n=75). Only 66 male students completed the questionnaire. A total of 127 students returned the filled questionnaire. Fourteen questionnaires were incomplete and therefore not included in the final analysis. The students> opinions and suggestions about their education in surggery course were reported and analyzed. Upto my knowledge, that was the first research of its type in a clinical department of King Abdulaziz Medical College, it is felt that findings were interesting and different from similar researches. Majority of our students (74%) were satisfied with the amount of theoretical knowledge and instructional methods (64%). Howeever, they suggested replacing the lectures with more clinical sessions. Fifty-seven percent stated that lectures were not attractive and 35% believed that amount of clinical sessions were insufficient. In assessment 24% of the group preferred MCQs over essays. Their views about their teachers were sub-optimum particularly about the percentage of role models among them. In summary, students look forward for more respect of their teachers, more clinical exposure and less theoretical elements in their future curriculum. The results of this small study should encourage us more to support.