Short Communication
English
Gaith Al-Jayash, Abdelaziz Alahlafi
Omar Al-Mukhtar University. Al-Beida Central Teaching Hospital Al-Beida , Libya
JMJ 2010, Vol.10, No.1:65-67
Abstract
Background: There is no consensus regarding the dermatology learning needs of undergraduate medical students and priorities in teaching are given to conditions that are perceived by teachers to be important. Objective: To determine whether views of the dermatology educators in our teaching hospitals coincides with community-based practice. This will help in preparing our future doctors to be adequately educated in the common skin conditions. Material and Methods: Data from patients who attended an outpatient dermatology clinic from November 2003 till November 2004 were analysed to determine frequencies of skin diseases in our community. The frequencies were then compared with the time allocated for each group of disorders in the current undergraduate dermatology curriculum of Omar Al-Mukhtar University. Results: The commonest skin disorders seen in this outpatient clinic during the study period were eczema (26%), acne (15%), skin pigment changes (14%), psoriasis (13%), and hair- related problems (13%). In the current dermatology curriculum, more time is devoted to sexually transmitted diseases (12% of the curriculum time) and mycobacterial skin diseases (12% of the curriculum time), while eczema represents 6% of the curriculum time. Conclusion: Some common problems in the community such as skin pigment and hair disorders are not appropriately considered in our current medical education. Also, eczema dominates dermatology outpatient practice, but the huge impact of eczema in the community is not adequately reflected in the current curriculum.
Keywords: Dermatology, Medical curriculum
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/images/stories/spring2010/65.pdf