The Alternative Medical School Curriculum: a Reality in Physician Training at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract:

A survey was conducted in late 2001 with 63 graduating students in the School of Medicine at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study analyzed extracurricular professional activities in health care services outside the teaching hospital. Students answered an open-ended questionnaire on medical training in other institutions, with no supervision by medical school faculty. Some 93.7% of the interviewees had participated in at least one extracurricular activity during their medical studies. Emergency and intensive care services were chosen by students as the most frequent areas. Improving their training was cited as the main reason for participating in these activities. The authors conclude that a reevaluation of the medical curriculum is important to clarify the situation and establish strategies to improve medical training.

Key-words:
Education Medical; Curriculum; Medical Ethics