Medical Students’ Perceptions of the Family Medicine Course at Yarmouk University: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: This study aimed to assess medical students' perceptions of the Family Medicine (FM) course at Yarmouk University, focusing on course experience, teaching methods, learning resources, and overall satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Yarmouk University between November 2023 and January 2024. An online questionnaire was distributed to 5th- and 6th-year medical students who had completed the FM clerkship. The survey assessed students' perceptions of course structure, educational experience, assessment methods, learning outcomes, and attitudes toward FM as a future career. Data were analyzed using chi-square and binomial tests. Binomial logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of overall course satisfaction and intention to pursue FM residency. Results: A total of 224 medical students participated, 62.9% had completed the Family Medicine course in their 5th year and 37.1% in their 6th year. Overall, 66.1% were satisfied with the course, 87.1% reported benefiting from it, and 92.4% reported better understanding of family medicine after the rotation. Most students considered the lectures comprehensive (81.3%), while 81.7% reported that large group size negatively affected their learning. Although 80.8% considered family medicine important in practice, only 44.2% indicated that they would choose it as a future career. In multivariable analysis, taking the course in the 6th year, finding lecture content adequate, course duration sufficient, and the number of instructors adequate were significant predictors of course satisfaction. Perceiving family medicine as offering a competitive salary and believing that patients rely on family physicians predicted intention to pursue family medicine residency. Conclusion: The Family Medicine course was generally well perceived and improved students' understanding of the specialty. Satisfaction was mainly related to educational factors, whereas career intention was more strongly linked to perceptions of the specialty itself. These findings support continued refinement of the course to improve student experience and strengthen interest in FM.