Undergraduate teaching of orthopaedic surgery

Orthopaedics is an important component of clinical practice and education in this subject is important. In order to discover how best to teach it a questionnaire was presented to undergraduates at Bristol University at the conclusion of their course. From their replies a course length of 6 weeks with maximum clinical contact, small groups and minimum number of lectures is recommended. Orthopaedic courses nationally have also been analysed and found to rely overmuch upon lectures, to have student group which are too large and to combine orthopaedics with other courses too frequently. It is concluded that undergraduate and postgraduate medical training should be integrated and that 1 clinical year should contain courses which would be optional.