"Flying the Nest" - The Transition from the Pre-Clinical to Clinical Years in Medical Education: A Pilot Study...

Transitioning from preclinical to clinical training is a pivotal phase in medical education, accompanied by substantial psychosocial and academic challenges. There is limited research exploring the experiences of students in Northern Ireland (NI). This pilot study aims to examine the perspectives and lived experiences of third-year medical students at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) during their transition, and to identify ways in which institutional support can be strengthened to better address their needs.

This mixed-methods study employed a sequential design combining survey and focus groups. A survey was distributed to all third-year students, containing four Likert-scale and two open-text questions assessing preparedness, confidence, anxiety and support needs. Survey data were analysed descriptively, while focus group transcripts underwent thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's framework.

Thirty-nine students (13%) completed the survey. Participants described feeling unprepared and anxious. Two subsequent semi-structured focus groups (n=8 and n=5) explored these themes. Key themes included communication challenges, mental health concerns, mentorship and the hidden curriculum. Respondents expressed desire for enhanced wellbeing support from clinical tutors.

This exploratory study suggests that the transition to clinical training presents substantial challenges for some medical students at QUB. Given the low response rate and single-institution design, findings may not be generalizable. However, they indicate areas warranting further investigation, including communication strategies, structured mentorship programs and wellbeing support during transitions. Future research with larger, more representative samples is needed to validate these preliminary findings and inform evidence-based interventions.