Sj. Pinney et Wd. Regan, Educating medical students about musculoskeletal problems - Are community needs reflected in the curricula of Canadian medical schools?, J BONE-AM V, 83A(9), 2001, pp. 1317-1320
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Ortopedics, Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine","da verificare
Background: Musculoskeletal problems are a common reason why patients prese
nt for medical treatment. The purpose of the present study was to review th
e curricula of Canadian medical schools to determine whether they prepare t
heir students for the demands of practice with respect to musculoskeletal p
roblems.
Methods: The amount of time spent on musculoskeletal education at each of C
anada's medical schools was reviewed by surveying the directors (or equival
ents) of all sixteen undergraduate musculoskeletal programs. With use of da
ta from this survey and the Association of American Medical Colleges' guide
to curricula, the percentage of the total curriculum devoted to musculoske
letal education was determined. The prevalence of disorders related to the
musculoskeletal system among patients of primary care physicians was determ
ined on an international basis by reviewing the literature and on a local b
asis by surveying all primary care physicians affiliated with the Universit
y of British Columbia's Department of Family Medicine.
Results: The curriculum analysis revealed that, on the average, medical sch
ools in Canada devoted 2.26% (range, 0.61% to 4.81%) of their curriculum ti
me to musculoskeletal education. The questionnaires completed by the direct
ors of the undergraduate programs indicated widespread dissatisfaction with
the musculoskeletal education process and, specifically, with the amount o
f time devoted to musculoskeletal education. Our literature review and surv
ey of local family physicians revealed that between 13.7% and 27.8% of Nort
h American patients presenting to a primary care physician have a chief sym
ptom that is directly related to the musculoskeletal system.
Conclusion: There is a marked discrepancy between the musculoskeletal knowl
edge and skill requirements of a primary care physician and the time devote
d to musculoskeletal education in Canadian medical schools.