Student satisfaction with conditions and performance in primary health care units during the final semesters of academic training at a Mexican university

Introduction In Mexico, to obtain a general practitioner degree, it is necessary to complete a year of community activities, known as community service. This stage follows the final semester of the medical program. This study analyzes the level of satisfaction among students in their final semesters at the University of Sonora during the period from February 2023 to January 2024. Material and methods A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire based on the Official Mexican Standard and the university's internal guidelines. Out of 104 eligible students, 85 students participated in the study, evaluating various aspects related to the community, the assigned health unit, and academics. Results Regarding community reception, unfavorable perspectives were highlighted in areas such as respectful treatment (10.6 %), community safety (17.7 %), and safe access (37.6 %). Academically, unfavorable perspectives ranged from 13 % to 43.5 %. The overall stage was rated with a mean score of 8.68 (SD = 1.598) on a scale of 1–10. Discussion The results revealed areas of lower satisfaction, with community problems such as a lack of communication and problem-solving by those responsible, safety in the different health units, and threats from authorities and community members standing out. In the health unit, dissatisfaction was reported with infrastructure, safety, furniture, and available materials. Academically, students perceived satisfactory levels concerning the conditions and performance during the final semesters of academic training in various primary health care units. Conclusion Improving primary care has a significant impact on both medical education and the community.