scholarly journals 698 Virtual Journal Clubs - An Innovative Student-Led Programme to Develop Critical Analysis Skills for Surgical and Medical Training

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Tay ◽  
A Nijamudeen ◽  
S Ragavan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Online Journal ◽  
Academic Surgery ◽  
Journal Clubs ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Based Medicine

Abstract Introduction Critical analysis skills underpin improvements in surgical practice. Educational institutions and student-led societies seek innovative ways to deliver teaching and enhance these skills. Our student-led society designed a programme of online journal clubs to supplement teaching and encourage development of these skills amongst medical students. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual journal discussions in evidence-based medicine training. Method Bi-monthly meetings were held online from August-December 2020. A variety of published literature was chosen with different study types. Critical analysis was performed, presented and group discussion was facilitated by a medical student host. Anonymous feedback was collected from attendees via an online form. Results 95 participants attended across 7 sessions. Forty participants, who were from the United Kingdom (n = 36), Bulgaria (n = 3) and Italy (n = 1), consented for inclusion of their responses in this study. We presented 3 SARS-CoV-2, 2 surgical and 2 medical research papers. 52.5% of our participants were final-year medical students. 55% had previously attended physical or online journal clubs. Confidence in critical appraisal was rated from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good) before and after the session; median score increased from 3 (range 1-4) to 4 (range 3-5). Conclusions We present an innovative method of developing interest and skills in academic surgery and medicine. Feedback from participants has been very positive; we demonstrate these sessions improve self-reported confidence in critical analysis skills. We encourage other institutions to consider providing such sessions for medical students to raise interest in academic surgery.

scholarly journals Medical student exposure to cardiothoracic surgery in the United Kingdom

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Gasparini ◽  
Shruti Jayakumar ◽  
Sarah Ayton ◽  
Marco N Nardini ◽  
Joel D Dunning
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Cardiothoracic Surgery ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Before And After ◽  
School Curricula

Abstract OBJECTIVES There has been declining interest in cardiothoracic surgery amongst medical graduates. This survey examines the exposure of British medical students to cardiothoracic surgery in various settings and its relationship with students’ interest in the speciality. METHODS A questionnaire composed of 14 quantitative and qualitative items was distributed amongst 162 medical students. The survey included questions on demographics, interest in cardiothoracic surgery, mechanisms of exposure to the speciality and desire to pursue a career in cardiothoracic surgery before and after exposure. RESULTS Amongst the surveyed students, 71.0% reported exposure to cardiothoracic surgery as part of their medical school curricula and 24.7% reported extracurricular exposure. Of the students, 46.7% reported clinical exposure. Overall, 27.1% of students reported interest in a career in cardiothoracic surgery, which was higher amongst students who had curricular (29.6%), clinical (35.5%) or extracurricular exposure (50.0%). Amongst interested students, 43.2% engaged in extracurricular cardiothoracic activities compared with 16.1% of students not interested in pursuing the speciality. Confidence in career choice after exposure increased more in interested students (20.4%) than not interested students (1.6%). Students rated exposure and mentorship as the most important factor in promoting a career in cardiothoracic surgery. CONCLUSIONS Medical students with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery are more likely to organize independent attachments in the speciality and attend extracurricular events; however, many students might fail to identify cardiothoracic surgery as an area of interest because of the lack of exposure at medical school.

scholarly journals Family Medicine Journal Club: To Tweet or Not to Tweet?

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
Lina Al-Imari ◽  
Melissa Nutik ◽  
Linda Rozmovits ◽  
Ruby Alvi ◽  
Risa Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Online Journal ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Traditional Family ◽  
Journal Clubs ◽  
Medicine Journal

Background and Objectives: Online journal clubs have recently become popular, but their effectiveness in promoting meaningful discussion of the evidence is unknown. We aimed to understand the learner experience of a hybrid online-traditional family medicine journal club. Methods: We used a qualitative descriptive study to understand the experience of medical students and residents at the University of Toronto with the hybrid online-traditional family medicine journal club, including perceived useful and challenging aspects related to participant engagement and fostering discussion. The program, informed by the literature and needs assessment, comprised five sessions over a 6-month period. Learners led the discussion between the distributed sites via videoconferencing and Twitter. Six of 12 medical students and 33 of 57 residents participated in one of four focus groups. Thematic data analysis was performed using the constant comparison method. Results: While participants could appreciate the potential of an online component to journal club to connect distributed learners, overall, they preferred the small group, face-to-face format that they felt produced richer and more meaningful discussion, higher levels of engagement, and a better learning opportunity. Videoconferencing and Twitter were seen as diminishing rather than enhancing their learning experience and they challenged the assumption that millennials would favor the use of social media for learning. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that for discussion-based teaching activities such as journal club, learners prefer a small-group, face-to-face format. Our findings have implications for the design of curricular programs for distributed medical learners.

Role of behavioral sciences in development of professionalism among MBBS students

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
Ammara Butt ◽  
Abid Ashar
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
P Value ◽  
Behavioral Sciences ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes

Background: Professionalism is a global quality expected in medical students’ along with clinical skills. Behavioral sciences have been included in 3rd year MBBS curriculum since 2014 at FJMU. The purpose of this change is to enhance Professionalism formally in addition to other areas of the subject. This study aims to determine effectiveness of studying behavioral sciences as a subject in enhancing elements of Professionalism. Subjects and Methods: The mixed-methods study was used and a sample of 240 3rd year medical students was taken by convenient sampling. In the first (quantitative) phase of the study, Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM-PQ) was administered before and after studying behavioral sciences as a subject, to collect pre and post statistical results about students’ attitudes towards professionalism. The results were analyzed by paired sample t-test. In the second (qualitative) phase, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted to reveal the reasons for professionalism development and role of Behavioral Sciences in its development. 8 students were selected by purposeful homogeneous sampling technique. FGD session was audio-taped and transcribed, finally thematic analysis was done. Results: The results showed highly significant increase (p-value= 0.00, t= -74.39, mean= -72, SD= 14.99) in the scores of Professionalism after studying behavioral sciences as a subject. The broad themes identified by FGD were “Professionalism Related Skills Learned through Behavioral Sciences” and “Modes of Information Transfers’ Role in Professionalism Understanding”. The professional skills conceptualized by the students included emotional stability, empathy, psychoeducation, confidentiality, competency and sense of responsibility. The participants felt that professionalism develops by the means of lectures, workshops, role plays, modeling and formal assessment sessions. Conclusion: Study of behavioral science has significant effect in the development of professionalism among MBBS students and is well received by third year MBBS students.

scholarly journals Educational Collaboration Between Russian-Born US Physicians and Russian Oncology Trainees in Evidence-Based Medicine: The Higher School of Oncology

2021 ◽  
pp. 353-360
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Baron ◽  
Michelle Sittig ◽  
Maxim Kotov ◽  
Ilya Fomintsev ◽  
Vadim Gushchin
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Journal ◽  
Journal Clubs ◽  
Fresno Test ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Case Presentations ◽  
Based Medicine

PURPOSE The 2-year Russian oncology residency focuses on diagnosis and treatment of malignancies but lacks evidence-based medicine (EBM) and patient communication skills (PCS) training. To overcome these educational disparities, the 5-year national program, the Higher School of Oncology (HSO), involving Russian expatriate physicians trained in the United States was established. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted. Highly motivated oncology residents were enrolled in the program through the three-step selection process. US-trained Russian expatriate physicians acted as mentors. EBM skills were taught through weekly online journal clubs and clinical case presentations. PCS training included live seminars and simulations after journal clubs. EBM knowledge was assessed using Fresno test among newly enrolled and postgraduate year (PGY) 2-5 HSO residents. PCS were evaluated via simulation exam including two clinical scenarios (maximum score 100 each) among 17 PGY2 HSO residents and seven non-HSO trainees. RESULTS Overall, 54 residents were enrolled over 5 years (8-13 annually); four were released from the program. The mean age was 24 ± 1 years, and 56% were females. Median scores of Fresno test were significantly higher among PGY 2-4 HSO residents compared with newly enrolled participants: 111 (IQR, 71-128) versus 68 (IQR, 42-84), P = .042; moreover, performance correlated with year of program participation (rs = 0.5; P < .0001). PCS assessment score was significantly higher among HSO residents than non-HSO trainees: 71 (IQR, 58-84) versus 15 (IQR, 10-30) for scenario number 1 ( P < .0001) and 78 (IQR, 71-85) versus 22 (IQR, 4-58) for scenario number 2 ( P = .005), respectively. CONCLUSION The involvement of Western-trained expatriates in remote education improves EBM and PCS among oncology trainees from their home country. This strategy can be useful in overcoming global medical education disparities in other specialties and in countries facing similar challenges.

scholarly journals 758 Online Surgical Journal Clubs: Are They Effective?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Michael ◽  
B Clayton ◽  
S Chiuta
Keyword(s):  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Online Journal ◽  
Journal Clubs ◽  
Foundation Programme ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Online Format ◽  
Surgical Journal ◽  
Paired T Test

Abstract Aim Much of medical education has been abruptly forced online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional journal clubs thrive on group interaction and debate. The aim of this project is to assess whether an online surgical journal club could replicate this experience and learning. Method A fortnightly, chat-based online surgical journal club with national reach was re-launched under SCALPEL (Manchester Medical School’s surgical society) with defined learning objectives, inclusion of studies from different surgical sub-specialities and a proforma to aid critical appraisal. Anonymous feedback forms were sent to participants to assess confidence in critically appraising the literature before and after attendance, and differences in means were analysed using paired t-test. Results 32 feedback forms from participants, the majority of whom were final year medical students (34.4%) were analysed. 28.1% had previously attended a journal club. 65.6% of attendees had prior involvement in a research project which led to a publication for 18.8%, while 59.4% were interested in applying for the Academic Foundation Programme (AFP). The self-reported confidence of participants to identify the study design, interpret the results and statistical analyses; and scrutinise the strengths and weaknesses of a study increased by 12.2%, 14.7% and 15.9% respectively (p = &lt;0.001). Furthermore, 96.9% of attendees stated they would attend another online journal club in the future, with 59.4% favouring an online format. Conclusions Online surgical journal clubs are effective and are here to stay following the conclusion of social distancing. They have the advantage of further outreach and may encourage greater participation than traditional journal clubs.

scholarly journals P73 LEARN: uroLogical tEAching in bRitish medical schools Nationally - a national retrospective multi-centre audit of urology teaching across British medical schools

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ng ◽  
W A Cambridge ◽  
K Jayaraajan ◽  
C M Lam ◽  
A Light ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Targeted Advertising ◽  
The United Kingdom

Abstract Introduction Urological conditions account for approximately 25% of acute surgical referrals and 10-15% of general practitioner appointments. In 2012, the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) produced ‘An Undergraduate Syllabus for Urology’, advising on common clinical areas of urology that must be covered during undergraduate medical training. However, its uptake nationally remains unknown. This project aims to assess undergraduate urology teaching across UK medical schools. Methods A targeted advertising drive using social media, medical school societies, websites and newsletters was performed over 4 weeks. Collaborators are responsible for recruiting survey respondents (year 2 medical students to foundation year 1 (FY1) doctors). Survey respondents will complete a REDCap survey retrospectively assessing their urology teaching to date. The primary objective is to compare current urology teaching in medical schools across the United Kingdom with the BAUS undergraduate syllabus. Results Currently, 522 collaborators have registered from 36 medical schools nationally. Of these collaborators, 6.32% (33/522) are FY1s and 93.68% (489/522) are medical students. Each collaborator will be responsible for recruiting at least 15 survey respondents to be eligible for PubMed-indexed collaborator authorship. Conclusion LEARN has recruited successfully to date, with all collaborators from the medical student and FY1 cohort. With the role of collaborators to further recruit survey respondents, LEARN will provide the most representative and thorough evaluation of UK undergraduate urological teaching to date. It will provide evidence to support changes in the medical school curriculum, and allow re-evaluation of the current national undergraduate BAUS syllabus.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a structured e-learning-based approach to CT anatomy of the paranasal sinuses for medical students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Marleen Krahe ◽  
Manuel Christoph Ketterer ◽  
Christian Offergeld ◽  
Tanja Hildenbrand
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Complex Learning ◽  
Anatomical Variants ◽  
Before And After ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background: Computed tomography (CT) anatomy is not an integral part of undergraduate medical training in many countries. Radiology seems to be well suited for new online based teaching methods. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether e-learning is appropriate to introduce complex learning contents such as sinus CT anatomy in novices and to assess the usefulness of a sinus CT checklist to identify relevant anatomical variants in medical students. Material: Medical students were asked to assess sinus CT scans for anatomical variants before and after the implementation of the CLOSE mnemonic. Sinus CT anatomy and the CLOSE mnemonic were introduced by e-learning. The rate of correctly identified variants and the results of the individual CLOSE items were recorded and compared with those of otolaryngology residents. A questionnaire was distributed for subjective evaluation of the usefulness of the checklist and e-learning.Results: Ten students took part in the study. The rate of correctly identified variants improved significantly from 33.3% to 61.1%. The analysis of the individual CLOSE items showed a significant improvement for C, S and E in students and C, L and S in otolaryngology residents. The students identified more anatomical variants compared to the residents. The subjective evaluation of the CLOSE mnemonic and e-learning was very positive.Conclusion: E-learning was able to transfer complex learning contents in previously non-trained medical students and was evaluated as an appropriate introduction to the topics. The structured assessment of paranasal sinus CT scans using the CLOSE criteria can significantly improve the recognition of anatomical variants.

The effects of a brief educational intervention on medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards low back pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Abdel Shaheed ◽  
Jane Graves ◽  
Chris Maher
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Before And After

AbstractBackground and aimsKnowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards low back pain (LBP) can significantly impact a health care provider’s clinical decision making. Several studies have investigated interventions designed to change practitioner attitudes and beliefs towards LBP, however no such studies involving medical students have been identified.MethodsThis study explored medical students ‚ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards LBP before and after a brief educational intervention on LBP. Responses from medical students (n = 93) were evaluated before and after a 15-min educational video on back pain. The intervention was developed using Camtasia™ video editor and screen recorder. Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs were measured using the “Modified Back Beliefs Questionnaire”, with items from two previously reported questionnaires on back beliefs. The questionnaire asks participants to indicate their agreement with statements about LBP on a 5-point Likert scale. Preferred responses were based on guidelines for the evidence-based management of LBP. The primary analysis evaluated total score on the nine-inevitability items of the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (“inevitability score”).ResultsFollowing the brief intervention there was a significant improvement in the inevitability score (post-workshop mean [SD] 20.8 [4.9] vs pre-workshop mean [SD] 26.9 [4.2]; mean difference (MD) 6.1, p < 0.001; lower score more favourable 1) and large improvements in the proportion of students providing correct responses to items on activity (pre: 49% vs post: 79%), bed rest (41% vs 75%), imaging (44% vs 74%) and recovery (25% vs 66%).ConclusionsAfter watching the educational video students’ knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards LBP improved and thus aligned more closely with evidence-based guidelines.ImplicationsMedical doctors are at the forefront of managing low back pain in the community, however there is a need to strengthen musculoskeletal education in medical training programmes. The results from this research suggest educational interventions on back pain do not need to be extensive in order to have favourable outcomes on medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards back pain. The translational effects of these changes into clinical practice are not known.

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