ANTICIPATED DIFFICULTIES IN HOUSE-OFFICERSHIP FOR GRADUATING MEDICAL STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA KUBANG KERIAN, KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Abstract

To aid future curriculum revision and planning, a batch of newly graduated medical students were surveyed using a questionnaire containing items representing possible areas of concern during house-officership. Students rated items representing communication issues as areas of concern. They did not agree that areas concerning responsibilities as a doctor, continuing medical education, theoretical and practical skills and potentially stressful working conditions were problem areas. Communication skills should remain among the priority areas for undergraduate training. Students should also be given more information about the houseofficership period prior to graduation. Further study is needed to confirm perceived strengths of the USM curriculum suggested by the study, which are skills in finding resources for further learning and skills in leadership. A task-analysis of the houseofficership period is also needed.