Article

AIM: Evaluate the need for integrated teaching on normal and pathological gait at
medical school. A questionnaire filled out by 91 French general
practitioners (GPs, 130 of whom were contacted) with an average of 19 years of
practice and 56 sixth-year medical students. Assessment of the students'
knowledge of normal and pathological gait. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of the
GPs and 82% of the students considered gait to be a frequent reason for
consultation. Eighty-nine percent of the GPs and 98% of the students stated that
they had difficulty analysing a gait disorder. Eighty percent of the GPs and 50%
of the students considered that the teaching on gait and gait disorders at
medical school was insufficient. The responses notably highlighted the poor
coordination between teachers from the various disciplines involved. The
students' knowledge of gait was poor (only 20% of their answers were correct).
This was especially true for semiological questions, which were correctly
answered by less than one student in 10. CONCLUSION: The results of the present
study demonstrate that French medical schools need to provide better teaching on
gait. We, therefore, propose the implementation of an integrated teaching
programme with a sufficient focus on functional and semiological approaches.
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Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS