scholarly journals Advancing neurosurgery education in junior doctors and medical students – A neurosurgery virtual lecture series

2021 ◽  
pp. 102990
Author(s):  
Maaz A. Khan ◽  
Amin Al-Hussainy ◽  
Amir Ahmed ◽  
Sofyan Al Shdefat
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Lecture Series

Improving medical student recruitment to neurosurgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 848-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lubelski ◽  
Roy Xiao ◽  
Debraj Mukherjee ◽  
William W. Ashley ◽  
Timothy Witham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Interest Group ◽  
National Level ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Student Recruitment ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Lecture Series ◽  
Mentorship Programs

OBJECTIVENeurosurgery seeks to attract the best and brightest medical students; however, there is often a lack of early exposure to the field, among other possible barriers. The authors sought to identify successful practices that can be implemented to improve medical student recruitment to neurosurgery.METHODSUnited States neurosurgery residency program directors were surveyed to determine the number of medical student rotators and medical students matching into a neurosurgery residency from their programs between 2010 and 2016. Program directors were asked about the ways their respective institutions integrated medical students into departmental clinical and research activities.RESULTSComplete responses were received from 30/110 institutions. Fifty-two percent of the institutions had neurosurgery didactic lectures for 1st- and 2nd-year medical students (MS1/2), and 87% had didactics for MS3/4. Seventy-seven percent of departments had a neurosurgery interest group, which was the most common method used to integrate medical students into the department. Other forms of outreach included formal mentorship programs (53%), lecture series (57%), and neurosurgery anatomy labs (40%). Seventy-three percent of programs provided research opportunities to medical students, and 57% indicated that the schools had a formal research requirement. On average, 3 medical students did a rotation in each neurosurgery department and 1 matched into neurosurgery each year. However, there was substantial variability among programs. Over the 2010–2016 period, the responding institutions matched as many as 4% of the graduating class into neurosurgery per year, whereas others matched 0%–1%. Departments that matched a greater (≥ 1% per year) number of medical students into neurosurgery were significantly more likely to have a neurosurgery interest group and formal research requirements. A greater percentage of high-matching programs had neurosurgery mentorship programs, lecture series, and cadaver training opportunities compared to the other institutions.CONCLUSIONSIn recent decades, the number of applicants to neurosurgery has decreased. A major deterrent may be the delayed exposure of medical students to neurosurgery. Institutions with early preclinical exposure, active neurosurgery interest groups, research opportunities, and strong mentorship recruit and match more students into neurosurgery. Implementing such initiatives on a national level may increase the number of highly qualified medical students pursuing neurosurgery.

scholarly journals Medical Studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Digital Learning on Medical Students’ Burnout and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Zis ◽  
Artemios Artemiadis ◽  
Panagiotis Bargiotas ◽  
Antonios Nteveros ◽  
Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Medical Studies ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: The aim of this ecological study was to investigate what the impact of digital learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic was on the burnout and overall mental health (MH) of medical students. Background: During the unprecedented era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of countries worldwide adopted very strong measures. Universities closed their doors, and education continued through digital learning lectures. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to all 189 eligible candidates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health was assessed via the MH domain of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey (MBI-SS). Results: The overall response rate was 81.5%. The overall burnout prevalence did not differ significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 18.1% vs. COVID-19 18.2%). However, the burnout prevalence dropped significantly in year 4 (pre-COVID-19 40.7% vs. COVID-19 16.7%, p = 0.011), whereas it increased significantly in year 6 (pre-COVID-19 27.6% vs. COVID-19 50%, p = 0.01). When looking at each MBI-SS dimension separately, we found that emotional exhaustion decreased significantly in year 4 but increased in year 6, and cynicism increased in all years. The overall MH deteriorated significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 58.8 ± 21.6 vs. COVID-19 48.3 ± 23, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Digital learning in medical studies carries significant risks. Not only does the MH deteriorate, but cynicism levels also increase. Emotional exhaustion was found to increase particularly in final year students, who struggle with the lack of clinical experience just before they start working as qualified junior doctors.

Teaching from junior doctors: The experience of medical students

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 977-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khyber Maarij ◽  
Mohammed U Halim ◽  
Naeem Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Junior Doctors

scholarly journals How does participation in a voluntary prize exam affect medical students’ knowledge and interest in ENT, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razan Nour ◽  
Kerry Jobling ◽  
Alasdair Mayer ◽  
Salma Babikir
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Spare Time ◽  
Before And After ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Interest And Knowledge

Abstract Background Otolaryngology (ENT), plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology are medical specialties which tend to receive less coverage in UK medical school curricula compared to larger, generalist specialties. As a result, there are fewer opportunities for medical students to learn and to cultivate an interest. There are numerous papers that report concerns about junior doctors’ ability to manage conditions within these specialties, which may jeopardise patient safety. The aim of our pilot project was to increase medical students’ interest and knowledge of ENT, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology. In addition to describing our project, we present and discuss literature on UK undergraduate education in these specialties and its impact on preparedness of junior doctors and future career choices. Methods One hundred twelve final year medical students at Newcastle University were invited to take part in a voluntary two-part (written and clinical) exam, in which prizes could be won and all participants would receive a certificate of participation. We distributed two online surveys to the students, one administered before the exam and one afterwards. Data was collected regarding the students’ motivation for entering the prize exam and the students’ baseline interest and knowledge in these specialties before and after the prize exam. Free-text responses were collected about the students’ opinion of the project and whether participation was beneficial. Results Sixteen students participated in the exam. There was a statistically significant increase in the students’ knowledge in ENT (p < 0.000), plastic surgery (p < 0.000), ophthalmology (p < 0.028) and dermatology (p < 0.012) after participation in the exam, but not in their interest levels. ENT was the preferred specialty of our cohort. The students reported that they found participation beneficial to their learning, particularly receiving exam feedback and explanations to exam questions. Conclusions This pilot project was a useful intervention in increasing medical students’ knowledge in these specialties, but not in their levels of interest. It also demonstrates that medical students are willing to participate in voluntary initiatives (in their spare time) to gain more learning opportunities and that medical students value timely exam feedback to guide their revision.

A survey of how and why medical students and junior doctors choose a career in ENT surgery

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (11) ◽  
pp. 1054-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Bhutta ◽  
R Mandavia ◽  
I Syed ◽  
A Qureshi ◽  
R Hettige ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Graduate Training ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Ent Surgery ◽  
Post Graduate Training ◽  
National Selection

AbstractObjective:To ascertain determinants of an interest in a career in ENT surgery through a survey of medical students and junior doctors.Methods:A survey was administered, comprising Likert scales, forced response and single option questions, and free text responses, at five different courses or events for those interested in a career in ENT.Results:The survey had an 87 per cent response rate; respondents consisted of 43 applicants for national selection, 15 foundation doctors and 23 medical students. The most important factors that encourage ENT as a career included: the variety of operative procedures, work–life balance, inherent interest in this clinical area and inspirational senior role models. Exposure to ENT in undergraduate or post-graduate training is critical in deciding to pursue this specialty.Conclusion:It is important to promote those aspects of ENT surgery that attract people to it, and to argue for greater exposure to ENT during undergraduate and post-graduate training.

Portfolio careers for medical graduates: implications for postgraduate training and workforce planning

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris A. Eyre ◽  
Rob D. Mitchell ◽  
Will Milford ◽  
Nitin Vaswani ◽  
Steven Moylan
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Speciality Training ◽  
Medical Career

Portfolio careers in medicine can be defined as significant involvement in one or more portfolios of activity beyond a practitioner’s primary clinical role, either concurrently or in sequence. Portfolio occupations may include medical education, research, administration, legal medicine, the arts, engineering, business and consulting, leadership, politics and entrepreneurship. Despite significant interest among junior doctors, portfolios are poorly integrated with prevocational and speciality training programs in Australia. The present paper seeks to explore this issue. More formal systems for portfolio careers in Australia have the potential to increase job satisfaction, flexibility and retention, as well as diversify trainee skill sets. Although there are numerous benefits from involvement in portfolio careers, there are also risks to the trainee, employing health service and workforce modelling. Formalising pathways to portfolio careers relies on assessing stakeholder interest, enhancing flexibility in training programs, developing support programs, mentorship and coaching schemes and improving support structures in health services. What is known about the topic? Portfolio careers are well understood as a career structure in general business. However, in medicine little is known about the concept of portfolio careers, their drivers, benefits and risks. There are significant issues faced by the Australian junior medical workforce such as a need for diversified skill-sets (e.g. increased involvement in research, public health and leadership), low job satisfaction for junior doctors and an increasing emphasis of work-life balance and mental well-being. What does this paper add? This paper critically analyses the concept of portfolio careers in the postgraduate setting by critiquing literature on the international and national experiences in this field. This paper outlines potential benefits of portfolio careers requiring further research, such as a diversification in the workforce and improved job satisfaction. Risks include reducing the health service provision capacity of junior doctors and drawing doctors away from a medical career. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper has substantial educational and workforce implications for medical students, junior doctors and medical managers. For medical students and junior doctors this paper frames the possibilities in a medical career, as well as benefits and risks of aiming for a portfolio career in medicine. For medical managers, this paper suggests strategies for further research, enhancing workforce job satisfaction and potential pitfalls of increasing opportunities for medical portfolio careers.

First cardiothoracic surgical workshop in UK for medical students and junior doctors

BMJ ◽  
2012 ◽  
pp. e5093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kok Hooi Yap ◽  
Shaza Mohamed ◽  
Charlotte Li ◽  
Timothy Strang ◽  
Rajamiyer Venkateswaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Junior Doctors
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document