What Do Medical Students Learn about Community Care from Discussions with General Physicians? A Thematic Analysis

Background and Objectives: Sustainable healthcare is fundamentally rooted in community medicine education. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global advancement in integrating traditional teaching and experiential learning. Additionally, an alarming decline in interest in community care has been observed among senior medical students. Here, we examined the perspectives on community care obtained from conversations with general physicians in rural medical universities. Materials and Methods: Using a constructivist lens, a qualitative methodology was employed to examine the perceptions of second-year medical students from Shimane University Medical School regarding community care, informed by dialogues with general physicians. We conducted a thematic analysis at Shimane University, Japan, an area known for its aging population. In 2023, 116 second-year students participated, none of whom had prior formal training in community care. The study was structured into three phases: (1) Pre-education: Students wrote essays about their initial understanding of community care, its advantages, disadvantages, and potential improvements; (2) Dialogue: Grouped by topic, students engaged in discussions that culminated in a comprehensive session with general physicians; and (3) Reflection: After discussions, students wrote essays reflecting any shift in their views on community care. A thematic analysis of essays from the pre-education and reflection phases provided a comparative perspective on the students' understanding. Results: Five dominant themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) Re-evaluating community care: Recognizing diversity and addressing societal challenges; (2) Interdisciplinary collaboration: Promoting shared roles and teamwork; (3) Learning and practice: Emphasizing hands-on experience and self-reflection; (4) Technological influence: The mutual relationship between community care and technological advancements; and (5) Challenges and resolutions: Identifying problems and crafting solutions. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the evolution of medical students' views on community care and underscores the importance of continuous adaptation in medical education programs.