Deficiencies in the education of musculoskeletal medicine in Ireland

Abstract

Background: Basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine is essential for many specialties being particularly relevant to primary care.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the adequacy of musculoskeletal education at multiple levels of medical training from undergraduate level to primary care.

Methods: A previously validated musculoskeletal examination was administered to 303 volunteers consisting of medical students, orthopaedic specialist registrars, general practice trainees and general practitioners.

Results: Forty (71%) general practitioners and 74 (71.8%) general practice trainees failed to obtain the passing score of 70. Sixty-three (87.5%) medical students who had completed an intensive 1-week long course in musculoskeletal medicine failed the examination. The pass rate improved significantly for general practitioners who had completed a postgraduate rotation in musculoskeletal medicine (47.8 vs 18.1%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that training in musculoskeletal medicine is inadequate at multiple levels of medical education with reform urgently required.