Awareness and perceptions of medical students and doctors regarding Tropical Medicine education and training in Europe: An international, online-based survey

Abstract

Background: Multifactorial health determinants and shifts in global patterns of disease increase the need for Tropical Medicine training across Europe. A survey of university and postgraduate opportunities in Europe was conducted to identify and analyse gaps.

Method: An online survey was circulated to medical students and doctors in Europe between April and June 2021. Significance tests and a thematic analysis of the data were conducted.

Results: 500 respondents (285 students and 215 doctors) from 27 countries were included. 17.2% of doctors were unsure whether postgraduate training in Tropical Medicine was available in their country. 20% of students and 10.7% of doctors said they were unsure whether they had been taught Tropical Medicine during university. 67.7% of students and 79.1% of doctors stated that the amount of Tropical Medicine training they encountered was or had been "not enough".

Conclusions: Respondents demonstrated great interest in Tropical Medicine. Their self-reported knowledge, awareness, and perceived competence were partly dependent on whether there is specific teaching accessible at the university. Postgraduate training options were available in some countries but not all respondents were aware of these. There is a pressing need for harmonized curricula and expanded postgraduate training to improve Tropical Medicine competencies across Europe.

Keywords: Communicable diseases; Education; European Region; Global health; Imported; Infectious disease medicine; Medical; Students; Tropical Medicine.