Exploring the Students' Perspective: Unveiling Insights into Dermatology Clerkship in undergraduate medical students.

Objective: To assess medical students' perspective regarding dermatology clerkship and its implication on medical education and (ii) to observe the effect of clinical rotations on future career choices. Study Design: Cross-sectional Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from July 2023 till Jan 2024. Methodology: A total of 150 students of fourth year MBBS class who had completed their dermatology clerkship, were approached with the questionnaire out of which 109 responded. The questionnaire was administered electronically using Google Forms. Results: Out of 109 total participants, 59(54.1%) were male and 50(45.9%) were female. Ninety seven (89.0%) students reported to having learned basic dermatological problems however when it came to understanding cosmetology only 61(56.0%) students gained benefit. This rotation positively influenced the choice of dermatology as a post graduate specialty for 74(67.9%) participants. Around 68(62.4%) students found this clerkship helpful in terms of preparing for licensing and entrance exams later on. When asked about this clerkship experience to be helpful in their future medical practice 91(83.5%) gave a positive response. The most effective learning tool was reported to be live patient demonstrations stated by 95(87.2%) students. Conclusion: Most students reported learning basic dermatological problems, but understanding cosmetology was less consistent. Nevertheless, the clerkship influenced many participants to consider dermatology as a postgraduate specialty. The students also found clerkship helpful in licensing exams and the most effective learning tool was live patient demonstrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]