Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Using Simulation Models to Train Clinicians in the Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Published on: August 9, 2024
The perceptions of a GP's work among fifth-year medical students in Helsinki, Finland
L Kuikka1, M K Nevalainen, L Sjöberg
1University of Helsinki, Department of General Practice, Helsinki, Finland. liisa.kuikka@helsinki.fi
Objective:
To explore medical students' potential interest in family medicine in the future and their perceptions of a GP's work.
Design:
A cross-sectional survey in 2008-2010.
Setting And Subjects:
Fifth-year medical students prior to their main course in General Practice at the University of Helsinki.
Main Outcome Measures:
The students' opinions regarding the GP's work and their perceptions of the main aims of a GP's work.
Results:
309/359 medical students (mean age 25.7 years, 64% females) responded to the survey. Among the students, 76% considered the most attractive feature in the GP's work to be that it is versatile and challenging. The least attractive features included: too hasty, pressing work, too lonely work, and too many non-medical problems. The majority of the students considered the main aim of a GP's work as to identify serious diseases/disorders in order to refer those patients for specialized care (82%). Treatment of chronic diseases is an important responsibility of a GP's work according to 63% of the students. Only 38% considered health promotion to be an important aim.
Conclusions:
Medical students may have perceptions of the GP's work that influence their career choices to specialize in other fields.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
02:16Surveys
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
01:08Obedience