Nanomedicine awareness among medical students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives

The study’s aim was to assess the medical students’ knowledge and understanding of concepts related to basic nanotechnology and its applications in nanomedicine among medical students at King Saud University.

Methods

An observational cross-sectional study was carried out by using an online questionnaire that was sent to all the medical students studying at King Saud University during the summer of 2016 July–August. The sample size of the study was 162 medical students. The questionnaire consisted of 11 items, including both fixed and free answer-type questions. The questionnaire was sent to 1413 medical students, with a response percentage of 8.72%.

Results

Students’ perception of the basic nanotechnology was assessed, 63.0% ( n = 102) of the students identified the correct definition of nanoparticle size. Unfortunately, only 40.7% ( n = 66) of the students heard about nanomedicine. Most of the information sources where from university 25.3%, 24.1% from internet, and 11% from television. 81.8% of our medical students, had little knowledge about the risk-benefits of nanomedicine. Interestingly, about 72.8% ( n = 118) of the students think that nanotechnology is not effectively used in the medical field.

Conclusion

Medical students at king Saud university, showed that they have inadequate knowledge about nanotechnology and its applications in nanomedicine. Nanomedicine education should be implemented in the curriculum of the medical colleges in Saudi Arabia, to improve the awareness and future involvement in nanomedicine.