“Flying the Nest” – The Transition from the Pre-Clinical to Clinical Years in Medical Education: A Pilot Study Exploring Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancement

This exploratory study suggests that the transition to clinical training presents substantial challenges for some medical students at QUB. Given the low response rate and single-institution design, findings may not be generalizable. However, they indicate areas warranting further investigation, including communication strategies, structured mentorship programs and wellbeing support during transitions. Future research with larger, more representative samples is needed to validate these preliminary findings and inform evidence-based interventions.