Relating undergraduate musculoskeletal medicine curricula to the needs of modern practice

International studies have demonstrated significant discrepancies between undergraduate musculoskeletal curricula and the needs of modern medical practice.

To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in primary care, General Practitioners, assessment of their undergraduate musculoskeletal training and that considered ideal for several clinical skills, and the relative importance of the ability to recognise selected clinical presentations.

A postal survey of 200 General Practitioners using a detailed questionnaire.

The response rate was 50.5%, with respondents being an average 18.5 years in practice. They saw a mean 140.3 patients/week (range 10-270) of which 17.4% presented with musculoskeletal complaints (range 5-50%). Respondents felt their musculoskeletal education was poor, with a significant difference between it and their ideal (p = 0.007). The most important skill for a graduating doctor was history taking, examination and appropriate investigation of a musculoskeletal problem. The most important clinical presentation was recognition of traumatic quadriplegia.

A large proportion of primary care in Ireland is devoted to musculoskeletal complaints, however, there are deficiencies perceived in undergraduate musculoskeletal education. A review of undergraduate musculoskeletal curricula, emphasising the clinically relevant aspects of this discipline is needed.