scholarly journals 511 Organising A Surgical Conference During The COVID-19 Pandemic – Is It ‘Virtually’ The Same?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Hashmi ◽  
M A Sahu ◽  
K Hatt ◽  
S Osman ◽  
Z A Bhuiyan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Surgical conferences are invaluable events for healthcare professionals; they provide opportunities to engage with upcoming scientific discoveries, network professionally with peers as well as expand learning through lectures and workshops. For medical students, conferences provide an opportunity to expand understanding beyond the undergraduate curriculum in an interactive manner. COVID-19 has caused disruption to the organisation and attendance of in-person conferences (IPCs). Virtual conferences (VCs) offer a viable solution, allowing delegates to attend from the comfort of their own homes. Method The aim of our study was to evaluate an organised VC and explore the perceived benefits and limitations of VCs compared to IPCs. A virtual one-day trauma & orthopaedics (T&O) conference was organised involving lectures, workshops, poster, and oral presentations. Anonymous questionnaire forms were distributed to delegates following the conference to assess the aims of our paper. Results From 106 responses, 96.2% rated the conference as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ with 92.5% stating that it increased their passion for T&O surgery. Based on a five-point Likert scale (5= strongly agree, 1= strongly disagree), mean score of agreement for preferring VCs to IPCs was 3.30(± 1.24). Key advantages of the VC were a lower cost (70.8%) and not having to travel (77.4%), whereas the main limitation was the inability to participate in hands-on workshops (84.9%). Conclusions Despite the success of our VC, delegate feedback indicates a mixed response comparing VCs to IPCs. We share our findings to encourage similar events to be organised and for other specialties.

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S15-S15
Author(s):  
Patrick Clements ◽  
Aidan Turkington

AimsThis study explores the different attitudes among fourth year medical students in Queen's University Belfast to Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and investigates whether these are influenced by teaching and exposure to ECT during their undergraduate psychiatry placement. In particular we sought to determine firstly, correlates of baseline attitudes to ECT and secondly, whether specific forms of ECT teaching improved attitudes to ECT during their placement.MethodThis study was conducted in Queen's University Belfast and agreed with their ethics committee. Participants completed a questionnaire at the beginning of their psychiatry placement and another questionnaire in the second half of their placement. The first questionnaire captured background information and baseline attitudes. The second questionnaire recorded the educational and clinical experience gained on ECT during placement (for example lectures, tutorials, informal teaching, observing ECT and interacting with ECT patients), in addition to attitudes to ECT at this timepoint. Attitudes to ECT were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. A positive attitude to ECT was defined as scoring agree/strongly agree on a 5-point Likert scale to the statement “I would recommend ECT for a patient if clinically indicated”.Result187 students were interviewed at both time points. At the outset of the psychiatry placement 66% of students reported a positive attitude to ECT. Positive attitude was associated with age: 72% of students under 24 had a positive attitude to ECT vs 58% of students over 24 (χ2 = 3.5; P < 0.05). Of students who had previously attended a lecture on ECT (n = 117) 83% had a positive attitude to ECT vs 42% of those who had not previously attended a lecture (χ2 = 33.5; P < 0.001).Attitudes to ECT significantly improved during the placement (66% vs 94% positive; t = 7.97; P < 0.001). Students who attended a lecture on ECT during the psychiatry placement were more likely to have a positive shift in attitude (67% vs 49%; F = 6.0; P = 0.01). No other specific teaching modality was associated with a positive shift in attitude.ConclusionWe conclude that undertaking a Psychiatry placement and particularly having a lecture on ECT significantly improves attitudes of medical students to ECT. It is therefore important that lectures on ECT are included in the medical undergraduate curriculum to allow students to be accurately informed about this essential treatment for a number of psychiatric disorders.


2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S W Lee ◽  
M-L Montague ◽  
S S M Hussain

The value of theatre attendance by undergraduates is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived benefits of attending operating theatre sessions during undergraduate otolaryngology attachments. The study comprised a questionnaire survey carried out in a university medical school. Fourth-year medical students were asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of their two-week attachment in otolaryngology. Completed questionnaires were returned by 152 students. The three most common student expectations were to see and learn common ENT operations, to see the anatomy involved and to learn about the disease being operated upon. Sixty per cent of students reported that their expectations had been met. On a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), the importance of theatre attendance as part of the curriculum was rated to be 4.7 (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) = 3.7 to 4.2) and the satisfaction of educational needs in operating theatre teaching was rated to be 3.9 (95 per cent CI = 3.7 to 4.2). Students perceived attending otolaryngology theatre sessions to be beneficial. This information is important in the planning of the otolaryngology undergraduate curriculum.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floyd E. Bell ◽  
L. Britt Wilson ◽  
Richard A. Hoppmann

Ultrasound is being incorporated more into undergraduate medical education. Studies have shown that medical students have positive perceptions about the value of ultrasound in teaching courses like anatomy and physiology. The purpose of the present study was to provide objective evidence of whether ultrasound helps students learn cardiac physiology. In this study, 20 medical students took a pretest to assess their background knowledge of cardiac physiology. Next, they acquired ultrasound video loops of the heart. Faculty members taught them nonelectrical aspects of cardiac physiology using those loops. Finally, students took a posttest to evaluate for improvements in their knowledge. Students also completed an anonymous questionnaire about their experience. The mean pretest score was 4.8 of 9 (53.3%). The mean posttest score was 7.35 of 9 (81.7%). The mean difference was significant at P < 0.0001. Student feedback was very positive about the ultrasound laboratory. Ninety-five percent of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the ultrasound laboratory was a valuable teaching tool and that it improved their understanding of cardiac physiology. All students agreed or strongly agreed the laboratory was helpful from a visual learning standpoint. A hands-on ultrasound laboratory can indeed help medical students learn the nonelectrical components of cardiac physiology.


Author(s):  
N Stauffert ◽  
D Hempel ◽  
J Schleifer ◽  
F Recker ◽  
T Schröder ◽  
...  

POCUS Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-17
Author(s):  
Rimi Sambi, MD ◽  
Heather Sawula, MD ◽  
Brent Wolfrom, MD ◽  
Joseph Newbigging, MD

As point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) becomes increasingly popular and a standard of care in many clinical settings, the interest for integration in medical undergraduate curriculum is also growing [1]. This project aims to assess whether formal bedside Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma (FAST) exam training of medical students increases their knowledge and comfort with the use of bedside ultrasound in a family medicine setting at Queen’s University. Third year medical students (n=18) were recruited to participate in a training session involving a 1-hour online video and 2-hour hands-on session. Knowledge based surveys were completed before and after the training. A survey was completed 4 months after the teaching session evaluating knowledge retention, comfort, and application of skills. Student knowledge of PoCUS and FAST increased and was maintained (pre-training 56%±20%, post-training 82%±10%, p<0.001). Self-evaluation of comfort performing a FAST examination (5-point Likert scale) similarly increased post-training session (pre-training 1.4±0.8, post-training 3.8±0.9, p<0.005), but decreased 4 months later (3±1.2, p<0.005). Students in this study were unanimously interested in ultrasound training and the methods used effectively increased theoretical knowledge and comfort with use. Students did not retain their comfort levels with FAST exam 4 months after the training session, nor did they have the opportunity to utilize the skills learned. Further evidence is required to identify the applicability of these results to undergraduate curriculum development.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Gelvane Tostes ◽  
Fernanda Paiva de Campos ◽  
Luís Gustavo Rodrigues Pereira

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil e estabelecer a prevalência do consumo álcool e/ou outras drogas entre os estudantes de uma faculdade de medicina do Sul de Minas Gerais. Materiais e Métodos: Os dados foram coletados com 419 alunos matriculados na faculdade no ano de 2013, a partir de questionário anônimo, o qual apresentou variáveis de idade, sexo, série do curso, uso de bebida alcoólica e drogas, frequência no ultimo mês (Julho/2013). Resultados: Constatou-se que 99% dos estudantes entrevistados já fizeram uso de bebida alcoólica ao menos uma vez na vida, sendo que 73% relataram que o ingresso na faculdade aumentou o consumo. Observou-se que o consumo é maior entre o sexo masculino. Quanto ao uso de outras drogas, 43,6% dos entrevistados relataram que fizeram uso ao menos uma vez na vida. No último mês (Julho/2013), 87,6% consumiram álcool, 23,4% tabaco, 13,4% maconha, 6,9% estimulantes, 6,2% tranquilizantes, 5,5% inalantes, 4,8% alucinógenos, 1,7% cocaína /crack, 0,2%   opiácios.  Conclusão: Os dados mostram que estudantes de medicina desta faculdade tendem a consumir drogas até duas vezes mais do que população em geral, A droga mais usada continua sendo o álcool, mas há consumo expressivo de outras substâncias como a maconha e cocaína.Palavras-chave: Álcool, Drogas, Estudantes de Medicina.ABSTRACTObjective: To describe a profile and establish the prevalence of alcohol consumption and / or other drugs among students of a medical school in southern Minas Gerais. Materials and Methods: Data were collected with 419 students enrolled in college in 2013 , from anonymous questionnaire , which presented variables of age, sex, year in the course, use of alcohol and drugs, frequency in the last month (July / 2013). Results:  99% of surveyed students were found to have already made use of alcohol at least once in their lifetime, and 73% reported entrance in college increased consumption. Higher consumption was observed among males. Regarding use of other drugs, 43.6% of the respondents have used them at least once in their life. In the previous month (July / 2013), 87.6% used alcohol, 23.4% tobacco, 13.4% marijuana, 6.9% stimulants, 6.2% tranquilizers, 5.5% inhalants 4.8% hallucinogens, 1.7% crack / cocaine, 0.2% opiates. Conclusion: The data show that college students tend to consume drugs up twice more often than the general population. The most widely used drug remains being alcohol, but there is significant use of other substances such as marijuana and cocaine.Keywords: Alcohol, Drugs, Medical Students.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Biermann ◽  
Salim Kanoun ◽  
Trond Davidsen ◽  
Robert Gray

Abstract Aims Since 2017, medical students at the University of Bergen were taught PET/CT “hands-on” by viewing PET/CT cases in native format on diagnostic workstations in the hospital. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were barred access. This prompted us to launch and evaluate a new freeware PET/CT viewing system hosted in the university network. Methods We asked our students to install the multiplatform Fiji viewer with Beth Israel PET/CT plugin (http://petctviewer.org) on their personal computers and connect to a central image database in the university network based on the public domain orthanc server (https://orthanc-server.com). At the end of course, we conducted an anonymous student survey. Results The new system was online within eight days, including regulatory approval. All 76 students (100 %) in the fifth year completed their course work, reading five anonymized PET/CT cases as planned. 41 (53 %) students answered the survey. Fiji was challenging to install with a mean score of 1.8 on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = easy, 1 = difficult). Fiji was more difficult to use (score 3.0) than the previously used diagnostic workstations in the hospital (score 4.1; p < 0.001, paired t-test). Despite the technical challenge, 47 % of students reported having learnt much (scores 4 and 5); only 11 % were negative (scores 1 and 2). 51 % found the PET/CT tasks engaging (scores 4 and 5) while 20 % and 5 % returned scores 2 and 1, respectively. Conclusion Despite the initial technical challenge, “hands-on” learning of PET/CT based on the freeware Fiji/orthanc PET/CT-viewer was associated with a high degree of student satisfaction. We plan to continue running the system to give students permanent access to PET/CT cases in native format regardless of time or location.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110307
Author(s):  
Julia Sieberer ◽  
Patrick Hughes ◽  
Indy Sian

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic has forced healthcare staff across all medical specialties to adapt new and different ways of working. A new approach has been set up in the Acute Referral Clinic (ARC) at Musgrove Park Hospital and a survey has been conducted to measure the impact of the new method on patient and healthcare professionals’ satisfaction with the new service. Methods: A telephone-based consultation was introduced in ARC at Musgrove Park Hospital in March 2020 and patients were instructed to fill out a questionnaire containing eight items using a Likert Scale 1 (‘very poor/disagree’) to 4 (‘very good/strongly agree’) plus two boxes for open positive and negative comments respectively. Likewise a questionnaire was designed in order to assess the healthcare professionals’ satisfaction using the new approach. Data collection took place over a two month period between the end of March 2020 and end of May 2020. The data underwent quality control and was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Patient responses illustrated high satisfaction scores with an overall rating of very good (89.4%). The healthcare professionals’ rating of the service was good (28.6% – ‘very good/strongly agree’, 57.1% – ‘good/agree’). The safety rating of the new approach was overall rated ‘very good’ with 90.4% and 71.4% of patients and healthcare professionals respectively. Conclusions: The telephone consultations introduced in the wake of COVID-19 are well accepted by both patients and doctors. There are some limitations of the approach, foremost being consultation time and clinic space but these do not outweigh the general benefit of this format amidst a pandemic setting.


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