Evaluation of Medical Students' Attitudes and Perceptions of Community-Based Medical Education (CBME)

Abstract

Introduction: Community-based medical education (CBME) enhances medical students' engagement with real-world health issues, fostering competencies needed for community health challenges. This study aims to evaluate medical students' attitudes toward CBME and its impact on their preparedness for future practice, while identifying perceived benefits and challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a private medical college in Tamil Nadu, involving pre-clinical and clinical students. Data were collected using the Community-Based Medical Education Attitudes and Perception Scale (CBME-APS) via a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Results: The mean age of participants was 20 ± 1.4 years, with 61.6% female. Most participants were in clinical years (66%) and had over three months of CBME experience (67.5%). A majority viewed CBME positively, with 71.6% believing it is crucial for their education and 74.8% reporting better understanding of real-life healthcare. CBME was also perceived to enhance clinical skills (71.1%) and communication with patients (74.3%). CBME positively influenced career intentions, with 56.4% considering a career in rural healthcare and 66.2% showing interest in global health or outreach programs. Conclusion: This study assessed the impact of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) on medical students' attitudes, skills, and preparedness for community-based practice. Most students reported positive outcomes, including improved clinical skills, communication, and confidence in handling patients. CBME also influenced career intentions, with many students expressing interest in rural healthcare, and public health. However, challenges such as limited resources and diagnostic tools were noted. Despite these barriers, CBME was deemed valuable for fostering community-oriented healthcare professionals.