The perceptions and attitudes of medical students towards trauma and orthopaedic teaching: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aimed to identify how undergraduate students perceive learning opportunities available to them and to determine whether students with an interest in trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) surgery have different perceptions and attitudes towards learning. Methods: All fourth year medical students from the University of Birmingham Medical School (UK) were surveyed regarding their career intentions and their attitudes towards the teaching received in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. The questionnaire was designed to capture student perception of learning environments, core knowledge and career motivations. Results: Of the 157 respondents, 35 (22.3%) expressed an interest in a career in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Medical students who reported educational value for trauma and orthopaedic surgery revealed that bedside teaching with a consultant was perceived extremely useful by 57.8% (n = 89). A similar ranking was awarded to small group teaching seminars and bedside teaching with a junior doctor or trainee by 54.5% (n = 85) and 51.6% (n = 79) of students, respectively. In contrast, trauma meetings and operating theatre learning environments were perceived to be of low educational value. Seeing patients within the clinical setting and the quality of teaching received were reported as the most motivating factors in career interest towards trauma and orthopaedic surgery, rated 43.9% (n = 69) and 35% (n = 55), respectively. Conclusions: Perceptions of educational benefit derived from each learning environment vary among undergraduate medical students. Overall the most valuable learning environment perceived by the students is formal patient-based teaching. Despite diverging speciality choices students demonstrate similar learning needs.