Students' Perceptions of Community Health Field Practices I

Abstract

Introduction: Reflective analysis of the Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy and principles allows for a look back at the past, facilitating the identification of strengths and weaknesses, which is fundamental. Lafit et al. (2025).

Objective: To examine students' perceptions of field placements before and after the Community Health I course in Mar del Plata, 2025.

Materials and methods: This descriptive, non-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted with students in the Community Health I course of the Medicine program at a private university in Mar del Plata during the 2025 academic year. The sample consisted of 57 students, selected using non-probability convenience sampling.

Results: Regarding the expectations students expressed for their pre- and post-course field placements in Community Health I, 95% reported being able to plan and implement health promotion and prevention strategies, 88% reported identifying factors that influence health, and 84% reported learning about the problems in different areas of the city. However, they acknowledged the need for a deeper understanding of how other institutions collaborate with health centers.

Conclusions: The study of students' perceptions of the Community Health I course allowed for the identification of strengths and weaknesses in the data obtained through the pre- and post-test questionnaire. A strengthening of students' competencies during their initial training as health promotion and disease prevention agents was evident, although there are aspects that require further development.