Qualitative assessment on student perceptions of conflict within the course. Results Conflict existed between departments in what was taught. Significant differences existed between students from lectures in different departments on diagnosis and management. Conclusion Medical students are left with confusion in this area due to discrepancies in teaching. In the undergraduate medical course many subject areas are covered by several different disciplines.
Students often complain that differing advice is given and they are left in confusion.
There is controversy both in the literature and between branches of medicine regarding the most appropriate methods of diagnosis and management. Medical students at the University of Western Australia are taught the management of the acute sore throat by departments of microbiology, general practice, ENT and paediatrics. This study examines what is taught and what is learnt by students in these departments, highlighting contrasting area of teaching. It also examines whether what is taught correlates with the evidence based literature. Subjects 15 students were randomly selected from each teaching group using random number tables.