Global Pediatric Curricula Survey : IMCI within Global Curricula
Fina Hidayati Tams, Madarina Julia
Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) in 1997 as a broad strategy to facilitate management of childhood illnesses in primary health care settings, especially in areas with limited resources Medical students, as future doctors, will be the first line in providing health care in that setting. There is a need to observe what they learn during their pediatric curricula including IMCI.
Aims: The aims of this study are (1) to describe what medical students learn during their paediatric curricula (2) to ascertain what clinical skills taught in the paediatric ouricula, and (3) to find out what medical students know and learn about IMCI during their paediatric curricula.
Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey from January 2007 until June 16, 2008. It is an on-line global survey of medical students provided on the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA) website. Data was analyzed with the assistance of staff at the WHO Child and Adolescent Health headquarters in Geneva. Quantitative and semi-qualitative data is presented.
Results: We obtained responses from 617 medical students in 225 medical schools located in 65 different countries. Of these, 59% were female medical students and 41% were male. From those countries participated, only 24% which had implemented IMCI. Their mean age was 23.727+1.9246 ranging from 20 to 31 years old. Topic in specific medical skills, case management and public health based on WHO packet book are available in their pediatric clerkship with various levels of competencies. Of the responses, 19.1% (n=594) know about IMCI and 47.2% in=448) believe IMCI to be important. However, information about IMCI was only taught in 14.3% (n=548) of pediatric curricula of those surveyed.
Conclusion: Most of the students have learned basic pediatric case management including public health ie epidemiology of childhood illnesses and basic clinical skills. Less students learned topic about management of a sick children according to MCI. More medical schools in developing countries implemented IMCI. IMCI was more taught in countries with fewer resources.
Key words: IMCI (Integrated Management Childhood Illness), paediatric curricula, medical students, online global survey
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