BACKGROUND: The cognitive process of critical thinking (CT) involves the examination of the existing reasons and an analysis of the information to draw conclusions and make decisions. The goal of the study was to determine how concept mapping (CM) technique affects family medicine residents’ capacity for critical thought. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial among family medicine residents aged between 26 and 28 years. A total of 100 residents were involved; over the course of 3 months, 50 residents were exposed to the conventional teaching model and 50 residents to the CM model. Data was collected using California CT skills test (CCTST) modified Arabic version and a self-administered questionnaire. The primary intervention was teaching method, experimental group received CM lessons while control group had conventional lessons. First session was carried out at baseline and second session one week after baseline, whereas 3rd, 4th, and 5th sessions conducted at end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd months, respectively. Both groups were assessed at baseline and at end of 3rd month. Both groups were reassessed at end of three months. Quantitative data was presented as mean and SD, whereas frequencies and percentages used for qualitative data. Pre- and post-intervention CT scores for study groups were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Groups were compared on pre- and post-intervention CT grades using Chi-square test. RESULTS: Vast majority (98%) of participants were females, nearly half were 27 year old, and belonged primarily to urban areas (76%). There was no difference in the CT scores between the groups at baseline. The post-intervention CT scores for study group were statistically significantly higher (18.36±2.68) compared to control group (15.94±1.94) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The CM approach was superior to the conventional teaching approach in terms of improving CT.

Background: The Family Medicine Specialty was endorsed to fulfill the needs of qualified Primary Health Care providers. Family Medicine Postgraduate Training in Egypt had started in the universities under the umbrella of Medical Colleges in the form of postgraduate trainings and degrees. Objectives: This paper aimed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different clinical rotations in Family Medicine in relation to the learning outcomes and to assess trainees' satisfaction. Methods: A mixed research exploratory study was conducted among 48 postgraduate family physicians' candidates in their final year of training from two purposively selected universities (Cairo University and El Menoufia University) during 2019.Results: The attitude of the physicians towards their clinical education experience differs significantly between the Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. About 72% of participants were from Cairo University and 28% from Menoufia. Internal Medicine training was the best perceived among trained physicians. More than (71%) of the physicians believed they understood the common clinical cases. Conclusions: These findings can be useful for the policy makers to emphasize the importance of raising awareness among staff member regarding family practice and to implement the suggested recommendations and deal with obstacles to improve the Family Medicine training in order to provide effective and efficient primary care services.