The Role of Health Care Apprentice Program on the Level of Medical Students’ Knowledge and Skills

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Background: According to the important role of Health Care Apprentice Program on medical students’ performance, especially in relation with Social Accountability of Medical Education, it is attempted to assess efficacy of Health Care Apprentice Program on the level of medical students’ knowledge and skills in the context of Primary Health Care at Babol University of Medial Sciences    Methods: In this interventional study, the level of medical students’ theoretical and practical knowledge was evaluated in the context of primary health care before and after Health Care Apprentice Program. The study   population includes 80 medical students attending two consecutive semesters that were introduced to Department of Social Medicine. The data were collected via a questionnaire designed by the researcher including 38 questions in the following fields: health education, controlling communicable and indigenous diseases, vaccination, maternal and child health, health food, environmental sanitation, safe drinking water supply, and occupational health.      Results: students’ mean score was 2.1 ± 2.4 and 26.7 ± 5.3 in pre-test and post-test, respectively (p>0.01). In post-test, the female students’ mean score was 27.5 ± 5.3, and the male students was 25.7 ± 5.2. Among male students, average rating of practical skills in sound  level measurement and measuring chlorine in water was 86.3 & 81.3%  which was higher than female students (64.3 & 75.7%). However, the female students’ skills in communication and health systems management were slightly higher than male students.  Conclusions: The influence of Health Care Apprentice Program on increasing the level of medical students’ knowledge and skill in the context of primary health care was noteworthy. However, it appears that emphasis on increasing practical skills is essential due to future professional needs of medical graduates.