Perceptions of usefulness and preparation for the national examination in medicine in ten faculties of medicine, Peru-2017

Introduction: The National Medical Examination (ENAM) is a mandatory test that students are given to complete after their medical internship. With the changes in law, it now serves as a requirement for the Rural and Urban-Marginal Health Service (SERUMS). Objective: To determine perceptions of usefulness and preparation for ENAM in ten Peruvian medical faculties. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was based on 11 questions from a self-administered questionnaire, with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.65. The variables were crossed according to the type of university, year of studies, and if courses were repeated, with the generalised linear models. Results: Almost all of them (92%) knew what the ENAM is, 82% for what it served, 74% thought they would pass it, and 27% perceived that the knowledge gained in their university was sufficient to pass it. The year of studies was the variable that was most related to the knowledge and perceptions about the ENAM, but some differences were also found according to the type of university and to have failed a previous course. Discussion: The ENAM is still the most important national medical examination, as it compares the level of teaching between universities, and now serves to work in SERUMS. Most students knew what it was and what it was for, but the minority thought they could pass it or that the knowledge they received was sufficient, being occasionally influenced by the year of studies and to a lesser extent by other variables.