Undergraduate medical students' perceptions of their learning experience in pediatric rotation at King Abdulaziz University Medical College in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate fifth-year medical students' perception of their learning experience during pediatric rotation at the medical college of King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to fifth-year students who attended the pediatric rotation at KAU, during 2013-2014.

RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six out of 360 students agreed to participate, representing a response rate of 99%. More than 90% were satisfied with the module, and 80% reported the usefulness of the orientation session. The mean scores for the usefulness of morning experience and afternoon activities were 7.20 ± 2.40 and 6.40 ± 2.70, respectively. A significant difference in the mean scores for supervision was observed between the clerkship sites (p = .0001), with the highest score for consultants' supervision (7.01 ± 2.90) and lowest for interns' supervision (4.81 ± 3.30).

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, although the program was satisfactory to the majority of participants, areas of concern were identified. Students reported more effective learning and development of clinical skills , during the morning rounds, when supervised by consultants and senior specialists, and in activities that involved examining patients, presenting cases, and participating in discussions.