Medical students’ perspectives on training and professional concerns: a cross-sectional survey in Spain

Introduction. Medical education has undergone continuous evolution as a result of sociocultural, technological, and bioethical changes. However, academic curricula do not always reflect this transformation, and the systematic incorporation of students’ perspectives into educational processes remains limited. This study aims to explore medical students’ perceptions of their academic training and their concerns regarding their future professional practice. Methods. A face-to-face, anonymous, and voluntary survey was conducted among senior undergraduate medical students at a Spanish public university during an educational event in 2023. The sample was analyzed descriptively, and responses were categorized into three thematic blocks: training and job preparedness, professionalism, and challenges/improvements in medicine. Results. A total of 74 students participated (64.9% women; median age: 23 [22–33] years). Overall, 82.2% considered their preparation for professional practice to be inadequate. Additionally, 73% believe that current training is more comprehensive than that received by previous generations. The main challenges identified included humanization of care, public healthcare, and the integration of new technologies. Key areas for improvement highlighted by participants were working conditions, the physician–patient relationship, and teaching quality. Discussion. Students acknowledge progress in structural aspects of medical education but report feeling insufficiently prepared to navigate the professional environment. Their concerns reflect a critical and up-to-date awareness of the evolving nature of medicine, pointing to key areas for curricular redesign and the strengthening of medical education.