Attitude and perception of urology by medical students at the end of their medical school: An appraisal from Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the attitude and perception of the graduates of King Saud University (KSU) College of Medicine regarding the quality of their urology rotation, urology exposure during this rotation, confidence about managing common conditions, and career prospects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2013, a questionnaire regarding the students’ perceptions of urology rotation was developed and E-mailed to all final (5(th)) year medical students and interns of KSU College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Individual responses were recorded, tabulated and compared using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 67.7%. Respondents included 101 (49.8%) males and 102 (50.2%) females. All the respondents but 18 (8.9%) were enrolled in a urology rotation during undergraduate years. Only 27 (13.3%) were willing to choose urology specialty as a future career. Significant gender differences were found regarding choice of urology as a future career (P = 0.002) and the need for more urology exposure during surgical rotation (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of medical school graduates is insufficient in many urologic subjects, and there is a need for more urology exposure. Social reasons and lack of knowledge about urology hinder the choice of urology specialty as a future career. Clearance of learning objectives, immediate and prompt feedback on performance and adequate emphasis of common problems and ambulatory care are some aspects that should be taken into account by curriculum planners as they consider improvements to urology rotation program.