Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore medical students’ perceptions and curriculum needs concerning oncology within the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialty, to develop an undergraduate training program tailored to their specific needs.
Methods: The study used a qualitative methodology to collect detailed information from medical students. Participants were recruited from the University of Bisha and included medical students who had completed or were undertaking their ENT clerkship. The information was collected by talking to people in a structured way and recording them on the phone. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns, themes, and categories within the data.
Results: Around 35 medical students from the University of Bisha participated in semi-structured interviews, providing valuable insights into their experiences and perspectives. Many medical students expressed limited exposure to oncology within the ENT specialty during their undergraduate education. Medical students expressed the need for a well-integrated curriculum that combines didactic teaching with clinical experiences.
Conclusion: This qualitative study contributed to developing an undergraduate oncology training program within the ENT specialty by exploring medical students’ perceptions and curriculum needs. The findings would inform curriculum developers and educators about medical students’ specific challenges and requirements in understanding and managing oncological conditions within the ENT specialty.
Key words: Undergraduate education, oncology training, ENT, perceptions, curriculum needs.
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