Evaluating Student Perspectives on Current Orthopaedic Teaching in Undergraduate Medicine

Description

In this presentation, Ciaran O'Hanlon discusses a research study evaluating medical students' perspectives on orthopedic education amidst changes to curricula influenced by GMC recommendations. The study highlights a decline in students' clinical exposure to trauma and orthopedics due to a growing emphasis on generic skills and community-based treatment, resulting in a significant gap between the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions students will encounter and the training they receive. O'Hanlon emphasizes that, despite the high incidence of MSK disorders in the UK, T&O placements have been reduced from four weeks to 2.65 weeks, often combined with other specialties, limiting hands-on experience for students. A survey was conducted among students attending a trauma and orthopedic finals revision workshop to assess their self-rated competence in trauma and orthopedic surgery and their views on the effectiveness of virtual learning due to COVID-19. The findings showed that 28% of final-year students felt unprepared for their duties in trauma and orthopedics; many lacked adequate assessment experience in these areas. O'Hanlon notes a growing reliance on virtual learning environments and student societies to fill educational gaps left by formal curricula during the pandemic, but he questions whether this should be the responsibility of student societies or if the undergraduate curriculum requires review. The discussion raises critical points on the future of orthopedic education in medical schools as they adapt to evolving healthcare demands.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221521

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