Perceptions about formative instances in primary care in medical students: a qualitative research

Abstract

Introduction: According to international institutions, Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy is the central axis to improve the population’s health. In this regard, Chile ascribes to promote medical education guided toward primary care. However, the facts show ME with a hospital-centered focus and oriented to specialty. The effects of formative instances about and in PHC on medical students are unknown. Objective: To explore from a phenomenological perspective the intern’s perception regarding the changes that occur during the PHC internship and the assessment of the experience as a change factor of their job expectation or the professional exercise view. Method: Qualitative research with phenomenological approach. 15 semi-structured interviews were performed to interns who approved PCH internship and recently graduated physicians working in primary care centers. Therefore, information was analyzed with investigator triangulation strategy using NVivo software. Results: The opinions presented by the participants coincide with the literature showing the presence of hidden curriculum and role modeling which reproduces the prevailing paradigm. A series of variables that promote the practice in primary care perception as a transition to the specialty are described, including the invisibility of family medicine as a specialty. Conclusions: Even though the PHC internship does not change the long-term professional expectations, it could influence the short-term expectations. Besides, it allows to generate critical thinking about the ongoing guidelines on medical education and the PHC strategy, being these essential promoters for a paradigm change.