Global surgery education in Belgium

Student’s knowledge, attitudes and exposure

Bibliographic Data

ID21448971
AuthorsNicholas Rennie (0000-0003-3957-4194, Ghent University, corresponding author), Eva Degraeuwe (0000-0003-2523-3022, Ghent University), Charlotte Deltour (0000-0003-4759-8006, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital), Miryam Serry Senhaji (Ghent University), Judith Brusselmans (0000-0002-5356-7241, Ghent University), Margo Vandenheede (Ghent University), Frederik Berrevoet (0000-0002-3575-5345, Department of General and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital), Elke Van Daele (0000-0003-0336-4179, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Ghent University Hospital), Wouter Willaert (0000-0002-0885-6749, Ghent University)
Year2024
Volume46
Issue7
Pages971-977
Publication date2024-07-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Teacher (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0142-159X • E-ISSN: 1466-187X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0142159x.2023.2289849
PMID38071668
OpenAlexW4389521085
LanguageEN
References cited30

PURPOSE: Understanding how medical students perceive global surgery will be essential in strengthening the global surgery workforce by 2030. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and exposure of Belgian medical students towards global surgery and identified avenues for medical institutions to include meaningful educational opportunities. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to first to final year medical students across Belgian universities using social media. Data were collected on demographics, exposure, knowledge and attitudes towards global surgery. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 304 medical students participated from four Belgian universities. A minority reported having exposure to global surgery (24.7%), and most wanted more exposure (75.3%). Almost all respondents agreed (94.4%) that it is a relevant topic for medical students, and most agreed (71%) more compulsory education on the topic is needed. Only 13 to 44% of students could correctly answer questions testing global surgery knowledge. Personal/family responsibilities were the most important barrier to pursuing global surgery careers. CONCLUSIONS: Global surgery knowledge and exposure is limited among Belgian medical students despite interest in the field. These results advocate for the inclusion of decolonised global surgery education alongside equitable international clinical internships in medical education worldwide

Demographics · Family medicine · Global health · Inclusion (mineral) · Internship · Medical education · Medical knowledge · Odds · Political science · Public health · Sociology · Workforce · Demography · Global Health and Surgery · Global Health Workforce Issues · Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

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