Kasr El-aini Parasitology Department, ?New Educational Experiment?

Background: Medical parasitology is One of the largest fields in parasitology, medical parasitology is the subject which deals with the parasites that infect humans, the diseases caused by them, clinical picture and the response generated by humans against them. It is also concerned with the various methods of their diagnosis, treatment and finally their prevention& control. A parasite is an organism that lives on or within another organism called the host. These include organisms such as: Plasmodium spp. , the protozoan parasite which causes malaria. Medical students have to pass a specific course in medical parasitology to complete the academic stage and start their clinical years. Objective: The aim of this study is to asses the performance of parasitology department, the progress of learning strategies in the department and knowledge obtained by student after passing the course. Also highlight the methods of learning used by the department to enhance its performance to recommend these methods for other departments. Doctors have the duty to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date. . Practicing clinicians often spend a considerable amount of time undertaking courses, conferences, workshops, journal clubs and reading relevant literature and clinical guidelines. Methods: Study design and study setting: The study is an observational cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on third, fourth and fifth year students from Kasr El Aini Faculty of Medicine- Cairo University. Sample technique and sample size: All year 3, 4, and 5 medical students who study parasitology course under supervision of the same head of department were eligible to participate. Results: 130 students from 3rd year, 298 students from 4thand 38 students from 5thyear students. Students aged between 19-24 years old and average age is 20.95. When asked about theoretical content of parasitology course, 86.7 % of the students thought it is appropriate, 12 % thought it was too much and 1.3 % thought it is insufficient course conclusion: Results of the new approach used in the department were outstanding. Good knowledge gained by the students making the department capable of graduating better doctors for the future. It is the experiment to be applied.