Evaluation of the knowledge level of intern physicians on periodic health examinations

The aim of our study is to evaluate the knowledge levels and influencing factors regarding periodic health examinations among final-year medical students at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, to identify deficiencies, and to raise awareness. Our research was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 295 final-year medical student at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers, comprising 33 items investigating sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about periodic health examinations. The avarage number of correct responses to 25 knowledge-based questions related to periodic health examinations was calculated as 11.91±3,32 (%47,6). Interns who reported being familiar with the national primary care guideline on periodic health examinations in Türkiye had significantly higher knowledge scores. A statistically significant difference in knowledge levels was found between those who had completed family medicine and internal medicine rotations and those who had not, whereas other rotations did not show a statistically significant difference in this regard. In terms of child-focused periodic health examinations, the public health rotation was found to make a statistically significant difference. For adult-focused periodic health examinations, the family medicine rotation showed a significant impact. Regarding the geriatric population, both public health and family medicine rotations were associated with statistically 63 significant differences. As for cancer screenings, the public health and general surgery rotations were found to have a significant effect. Interns demonstrated higher levels of knowledge in areas such as folic acid supplementation, screening for retinopathy of premature and developmental dysplasia of the hip, adult weight monitoring, and colorectal cancer screening via colonoscopy. On the other hand, knowledge deficiencies were observed in topics including vitamin D supplementation in children, specific learning disorder screening, lipid screening in adults, throid hormone testing, and some types of cancer screening. In conclusion, although interns possessed a high level of knowledge in certain aspects of the primary care periodic health examinations recommended for Türkiye, there remain areas in need of improvement. We believe that promoting practical training and developing appropriate educational materials may be beneficial. Furthermore, we emphasize that preventive medicine practices from the foundation of medical care and that all specialties should have a voice and contribute in this regard. Key words: periodic health examination, knowledge, medical interns, Family Medicine