Identifying entrepreneurship competencies for undergraduate medical students: a qualitative case study from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Abstract
Objective: To identify key entrepreneurship competencies for undergraduate medical students studying in different Public and Private Medical Colleges of in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and explore perceptions regarding their inclusion in the medical curriculum.
Methods: This qualitative case study was conducted from May to October 2023 in one public and one private medical university and their affiliated colleges at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sixteen purposively selected participants, including vice chancellors, deans, hospital administrators, medical educationists, entrepreneurs, and ORIC representatives, were interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework.
Results: Participants unanimously agreed that entrepreneurship education should be integrated into undergraduate medical training. Reported drivers included family influence, altruism, and financial stability, while awareness of entrepreneurship was mostly acquired informally through reading, media, or peer interactions. The core competencies identified were financial management, critical thinking, innovation, leadership, risk management, advertising skills, and creativity. Barriers such as limited financial resources, lack of time, and insufficient institutional support were also noted, along with practical tips emphasizing resilience, work–life balance, and lifelong learning.
Conclusion: Our study identified the need for structured entrepreneurship training among undergraduate medical students to develop seven core competencies: financial management, critical thinking, innovation, leadership, risk management, advertising skills, and creativity. Incorporating these into the curriculum may prepare future doctors as innovators, enhance healthcare delivery, and improve patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to validate these competencies and assess their impact in the Pakistani context.
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