Introduction & Objective: Semaglutide, a novel type 2 diabetes (T2D) medication, offers significant advantages over other antidiabetic drugs by facilitating weight reduction, preventing cardiovascular complications, and minimizing hypoglycemic risks. Prescriptions for Semaglutide, to treat obesity and T2D have surged by 150% in the past year, according to recent data. While medical students play a crucial role in the healthcare workforce, limited data exists regarding their knowledge on use of Semaglutide. Enhancing students' awareness and understanding of this drug is expected to improve the management of T2D. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and academic practice of Semaglutide among clinical year medical students.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among clinical year medical students (years 3 to 5). Data were collected by administering a questionnaire focused on Semaglutide awareness, including 14 knowledge-based and 8 academic practice-related questions.
Results: Among 243 respondents, the average student scored 57% on the knowledge questionnaire. Year 5 students exhibited higher knowledge scores (78%) compared to other years. The majority of participants reported minimal coverage of Semaglutide in classroom (72%), bedside (74%), and clinical clerkship (71%). Although 86% students agreed on the utility of learning newer drugs through PBL, lectures were chosen as the preferred method when selecting the single best (62%) choice. Participants from all academic years reported minimal observance of Semaglutide prescription during their clinical placements.
Conclusion: Our data highlights a knowledge gap among medical students regarding newer therapeutics for T2D. These results emphasize the importance of integrating educational content on emerging diabetes drugs into various teaching methods throughout the medical curriculum to enhance clinical care standards.
N. Alam: None. A. Meem: None. S. Shamsher: None. S. Rahman: None.
