Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Occupational medicine (OM) faces considerable challenges today, one of them related to the university training of future physicians considered suboptimal at a global level as it has been pointed out in many studies. The aim of this study is to update the state of OM medical education in European universities.Methods
Between March and August 2022, an e-mail survey regarding OM training to undergraduate medical students was conducted among OM professors at European universities in 28 countries (n = 347).Results
Of the 347 universities, 53 medical schools from 19 countries responded (response rate = 15.3%). In 89% of cases, OM was taught. The average number of hours per academic year was 24.3, with significant variation within the same country. Lectures were the most popular teaching technique (98%), with a considerable use of modern approaches such as problem-based learning (61%), and e-learning (57%). While occupational diseases and principles of prevention were covered, other subjects such as the environmental impact or collaboration with an OM physician were poorly represented in the educational program.Conclusion
According to data, several European medical schools may provide insufficient OM education and training to their students. The education of undergraduate occupational medicine students in European medical schools should be designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to meet today's challenges. It is critical that undergraduate OM education in European medical schools be enhanced, harmonized, and standardized.
SUBMITTER: Larrosa M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11304825 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Larrosa Marcos M Bulat Petar P Majery Nicole N Gehanno Jean-François JF Păuncu Elena-Ana EA Bastiaanssen Marjolein M Godderis Lode L Iguacel Isabel I Popescu Florina Georgeta FG Jungewelter Soile S Braeckman Lutgart L Martínez-Jarreta Begoña B
BMC medical education 20240806 1
<h4>Background</h4>Occupational medicine (OM) faces considerable challenges today, one of them related to the university training of future physicians considered suboptimal at a global level as it has been pointed out in many studies. The aim of this study is to update the state of OM medical education in European universities.<h4>Methods</h4>Between March and August 2022, an e-mail survey regarding OM training to undergraduate medical students was conducted among OM professors at European unive ...[more]