Detecting is living: Evaluation and promotion of oncological knowledge in medical students through the incorporation of exploration workshops, an initiative led by the Oncology Student Interest Group of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla endorsed by ASCO.

Abstract

342 Background: In Mexico, cancer accounts for more than 190,000 new cases and 83,000 deaths annually. Therefore, it is crucial for primary care physicians to identify signs and symptoms indicative of neoplastic processes to achieve timely detection, referral, and treatment. For the first time, this study assesses the knowledge and skills acquired by undergraduate students participating in clinical examination workshops organized by the OSIG BUAP association as part of its “3rd Oncology Congress for Primary Care Physicians.” Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The learning outcomes and skill improvements of 119 students were evaluated using a Google Forms questionnaire with Likert-scale and multiple-choice items. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS v24.0, with emphasis on non-parametric distribution (K-S test) and Spearman correlation. Results: Among the respondents, the majority were aged 22 to 25 years (79.82%), female (73.9%), and fifth year/IRP students (65.5%). A total of 61.3% of students reported insufficient practical training at their institutions, and 56.4% indicated a lack of knowledge to detect signs of cancer. Additionally, 71 respondents (59.7%) acknowledged that their institutions provide clinical examination materials, though these could be of better quality, and 87 (73.1%) considered that the availability of equipment and tools is only occasional. Statistically significant differences were found in the scores for the organization (x̄ = 4.66, IQR = 0.83) and learning (x̄ = 4.37, IQR = 0.63) categories, with notable benefits observed in the gynecological examination (66.3%) and head and neck examination (77.3%) workshops. The results demonstrate that the workshops had a significant impact on participants’ knowledge and skills. Finally, 56 attendees (47.1%) considered that the time allotted was sufficient to achieve quality learning, and 93.7% found the cost accessible. Conclusions: The workshops contributed significantly to the training of primary care physicians. Despite some limitations, the students acquired clinical knowledge and skills, demonstrating the quality, innovation, and relevance of these educational initiatives. Through this study, the OSIG BUAP student association encourages other groups to reaffirm the importance of maintaining and further promoting workshops focused on prevention and early cancer detection.