Learning Through Oral Case Presentations and Impact on Medical Students' Clinical Training and Career Development: A Mixed-Method Study.

INTRODUCTION: While oral case presentations at academic conferences (OCPCs) require lengthy preparation and active involvement, they offer unique learning opportunities for medical students during clinical clerkships (CCs). However, students' specific educational experiences and long-term impacts remain underexplored. This study clarifies the significance of OCPCs and their influence on CCs, residency and career development. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining questionnaire data with interviews of physicians who made OCPCs during CCs in the field of internal medicine at Chiba University. The approach focused on learning experience and the impact of OCPCs on CCs, residency and career development. Interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and applying a Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) framework. RESULTS: Twenty-two physicians responded to the questionnaire survey, and 17 (77.3%) selected internal medicine as their specialty. Thirteen (59.1%) selected the department in which they had experienced OCPCs as their subspecialty area. They perceived their experiences of OCPCs as highly beneficial for CC and residency. Key categories identified through interviews with 10 physicians included enhanced presentation skills, clinical practice and relationships with supervising doctors. OCPCs also influenced career development, as selecting specialties aligned with their OCPCs increased motivation for academic activity and education among junior colleagues. CONCLUSION: During CC, OCPCs may enhance presentation skills, support clinical practice and strengthen professional relationships. They can also influence specialty choice, encourage academic and educational engagement and potentially yield long-term benefits for clinical training, residency preparations and early career development. Additionally, OCPCs may contribute to the development of self-efficacy, consistent with SCCT.