scholarly journals P39 Cross sectional survey of medical student volunteering and education during the coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Matthew H V Byrne ◽  
James Ashcroft ◽  
Laith Alexander ◽  
Jonathan Wan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 led to global disruption of healthcare and many students volunteered to provide clinical support. Volunteering to work was a unique medical education opportunity; however, it is unknown whether this was a positive learning experience. Methods The COVID Ready 2 study is a national cross-sectional study of all medical students at UK medical schools. We will compare opinions of those who did and did not volunteer to determine the educational benefit and issues they faced. We will use thematic analysis to identify themes in qualitative responses, in addition to quantitative analysis. Results The primary objective is to explore the effect of volunteering during the pandemic on medical education in comparison to those who did not volunteer. Our secondary objectives are to identify: whether students would be willing to assume similar roles in a non-pandemic setting; if students found the experience more or less beneficial than traditional hospital placements and reasons for this; what the perceived benefits and disadvantages of volunteering were; the difference in perceived preparedness between students who did and did not volunteer for foundation training year one and the next academic year; training received by volunteers; and to explore issues associated with volunteering, including safety issues and issues with role and competence. Conclusions We anticipate this study will help identify volunteer structures that have been beneficial for students, so that similar infrastructures can be used in the future; and help determine whether formal voluntary roles should be introduced into the non-pandemic medical curriculum.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew H V Byrne ◽  
James Ashcroft ◽  
Laith Alexander ◽  
Jonathan C M Wan ◽  
Anmol Arora ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Covid-19 has led to global disruption of healthcare. Many students volunteered to provide clinical support. Volunteering to work in a clinical capacity was a unique medical education opportunity; however, it is unknown whether this was a positive learning experience or which volunteering roles were of most benefit to students. Methods and Design: The COVIDReady2 study is a national cross-sectional study of all medical students at UK medical schools. The primary outcome is to explore the experiences of medical students who volunteered during the pandemic in comparison to those who did not. We will compare responses to determine the educational benefit and issues they faced. In addition to quantitative analysis, thematic analysis will be used to identify themes in qualitative responses. Discussion: There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that service roles have potential to enhance medical education; yet, there is a shortage of studies able to offer practical advice for how these roles may be incorporated in future medical education. We anticipate that this study will help to identify volunteer structures that have been beneficial for students, so that similar infrastructures can be used in the future, and help inform medical education in a non-pandemic setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew H. V. Byrne ◽  
◽  
James Ashcroft ◽  
Laith Alexander ◽  
Jonathan C. M. Wan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to global disruption of healthcare. Many students volunteered to provide clinical support. Volunteering to work in a clinical capacity was a unique medical education opportunity; however, it is unknown whether this was a positive learning experience or which volunteering roles were of most benefit to students. Methods The COVIDReady2 study is a national cross-sectional study of all medical students at medical schools in the United Kingdom. The primary outcome is to explore the experiences of medical students who volunteered during the pandemic in comparison to those who did not. We will compare responses to determine the educational benefit and issues they faced. In addition to quantitative analysis, thematic analysis will be used to identify themes in qualitative responses. Discussion There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that service roles have potential to enhance medical education; yet, there is a shortage of studies able to offer practical advice for how these roles may be incorporated in future medical education. We anticipate that this study will help to identify volunteer structures that have been beneficial for students, so that similar infrastructures can be used in the future, and help inform medical education in a non-pandemic setting. Trial registration Not Applicable.


Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 106 (8) ◽  
pp. 590-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liying Xing ◽  
Min Lin ◽  
Zhi Du ◽  
Li Jing ◽  
Yuanmeng Tian ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) in northeast China.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey using a multistage, stratified and cluster random sampling method was conducted in Liaoning Province between September 2017 and March 2019. A total of 18 796 participants (28.9% urban, 71.1% rural) aged ≥40 years were included. All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a physical examination and ECG. AF was diagnosed according to history and ECG findings.ResultsThe overall AF prevalence was 1.1%; it increased steeply with age. AF was more prevalent in men than in women (1.5% vs 0.9%, p<0.001); however, the difference between urban and rural areas was not significant (1.3% vs 1.1%, p=0.228). Among the AF population, the overall AF awareness rate was 52.6%, higher in women than in men (61.5% vs 44.1%, p=0.011); however, the difference between areas was not statistically significant (60.0% vs 49.0%, p=0.129). According to the CHA2DS-VASc score, almost all (90.2%, 194/215) of our subjects required oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy; however, only 4.1% actually received it. Moreover, hypertension (66.5%), dyslipidaemia (32.6%) and diabetes (24.2%) were highly prevalent in patients with AF, but their control rates were unacceptably low (7.0%, 8.6% and 28.8%, respectively).ConclusionsThe burden of AF in northeast China was substantial. Underuse of OAC therapy and uncontrolled comorbidities will likely contribute to the cardiovascular outcomes of patients with AF in the coming decades. Long-term management strategies for AF and related risk factors are required in northeast China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pelagia Kefala-Karli ◽  
Leandros Sassis ◽  
Marina Sassi ◽  
Constantinos Zervides

Abstract Background Traditional anatomy teaching methods are based on the models and cadaveric dissections, providing fixed views of the anatomical structures. However, in the last few years, the emerging concept of ultrasound-based teaching in anatomy has started to gain ground among medical curricula. This study aims to evaluate the integration of ultrasound as an adjunct tool to traditional anatomy teaching methods and explore students’ perceptions of whether ultrasound-based teaching enhances their interest and knowledge of anatomy. A cross-sectional study was carried out among the students of the 6-year undergraduate entry (MD) and 4-year graduate entry (MBBS) program of the University of Nicosia. A questionnaire was distributed to them after the delivery of several twenty minutes ultrasound sessions by an expert in the field during anatomy practicals. The data were analyzed utilizing SPSS software, and the statistical significance was determined as p value < 0.05. Results 107 MD and 42 MBBS students completed the questionnaire. Both groups agreed that their ultrasound-based learning experience was good or excellent (79.4% MD students; 92.9% MBBS students), that it enhanced their knowledge of anatomy (68.2% MD students; 90.5% MBBS students) and boosted their confidence regarding their examination skills practice (69.2% MD students; 85.7% MBBS students). Although most students desired more time allocated to the ultrasound station (72% MD students; 85.7% MBBS students), they believed that ultrasound-based teaching is a necessary adjunct to the traditional teaching methods of anatomy (89.7% MD students; 92.9% MBBS students). Conclusions Overall, MBBS students were more confident about the benefits of ultrasound-based teaching. Most of the students agreed that cross-sectional sessions of traditional teaching and ultrasound-based teaching strengthened their knowledge of anatomy and enhanced their confidence concerning their clinical examination skills. Medical schools should embrace the advantages that ultrasound-based teaching offers in order future doctors to be qualified to utilize ultrasound for procedural and diagnostical purposes.


Author(s):  
Hamza Waqar Bhatti ◽  
Syed Muhammad Jawad Zaidi ◽  
Mehwish Kaneez ◽  
Javeria Awan ◽  
Rashid Naeem Khan ◽  
...  

Background: The practice of effective feedback delivery in medical institutes of developing countries lags behind the modern principles of medical education. This demands the need to understand the students’ knowledge and perception regarding received feedback in the setting of a developing country. Aims: To assess the level of knowledge and perception of feedback among students. To find the correlation between knowledge and perception. To identify problematic areas in feedback delivery and provide recommendations for rectification. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Rawalpindi Medical University Pakistan, in which 480 medical students from 2nd till 5th-year MBBS were evaluated regarding their knowledge and perception about feedback using structured questionnaires. Results: The students had a good level of knowledge regarding The concept of feedback. However, they had a negative perception of the feedback given to them by their teachers. There was no correlation between mean knowledge and perception scores (r=-0.05, p = 0.272). There was a significant difference between knowledge (p=0.0004) and perception (p=0.02) scores across gender. The difference in mean knowledge scores across academic years was not significant (p=0.267) but this difference was significant for mean perception scores (p=0.001). Conclusion: Strategies should be adopted to incorporate feedback into the curriculum for improving the quality of medical education in a developing country.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannatul Ferdoush ◽  
Fatema Johora ◽  
Fatiha Tasmin Jeenia ◽  
Tasfia Momtaj Chowdhury ◽  
Halima Sadia ◽  
...  

Background: Prioritizing problem-oriented undergraduate medical education is paramount to adequate management of pain in real life scenarios. The present research was conducted with an attempt to explore the important baseline information for pain medicine education and evaluation within undergraduate pharmacology curricula in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluates the curriculum (pharmacology portion of undergraduate medical curriculum), and written question (SAQ) of MBBS Examination of last ten years extending from January 2010 to November,2019 of all 7 universities offering MBBS degree. The evaluation was conducted through searching certain key phrases. Result: In Pharmacology & Therapeutics portion of the curriculum, only 4 hours and 2 hours are allocated to discuss pain management in lecture and tutorial respectively. In the study period, average marks allocated in pharmacology written question papers was 4.4 (SD = 2.7) and the difference among studied universities was not significant (p value 0.7). Conclusion: Allocated time in the curricula to teach pain management is very low and weightage received in assessment is also inadequate. Education on pain medication as well as management should receive more emphasis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-604
Author(s):  
Theophilus Ehidiamen OAMEN

Pharmaceutical sales representatives are a pivotal workforce in the healthcare system. Due to the global impact of COVID-19, the impact on the psyche and morale of the pharmaceutical sales workforce has to be examined. The primary objective of the study was to assess the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psyche and productivity of the pharmaceutical sales workforce in Nigeria. A questionnaire-guided cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from pharmaceutical sales personnel across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria using purposive sampling. The final sample was 225. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 25. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation were used for demographic data. Cluster analysis was used to identify key demographic predictors of importance. X2 test was used to test the association between the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and work-attributes. The difference of means was determined with a t-test. Highest and lowest-ranked work-attributes were information provider (3.62±1.36), and involvement in COVID screening activities (1.80±1.20). Average daily work hours before and during COVID-19 lockdown (2.16±0.04 vs. 1.88±0.11, p<0.05)) were affected. Average sales were significantly affected (3.15±0.48 vs. 1.35±0.36, p<0.0001). Psychological states of Anxiety and Increased burden have a medium to high impact on the psyche of respondents. The study revealed an association of both extremes of pessimism and optimism with regards to Frustration state of mind. Study suggests an overall negative impact on pharmaceutical sales representatives’ psyche and productivity. Attention to sales workforce welfare is required to safeguard medicine supply.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033318
Author(s):  
Meg E Fluharty ◽  
Snehal M Pinto Pereira ◽  
Michaela Benzeval ◽  
Mark Hamer ◽  
Barbara Jefferis ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess whether educational differentials in three key physical activity (PA) domains vary by age, sex and ethnicity.DesignNational cross-sectional survey.SettingUK.ParticipantsAltogether 40 270 participants, aged 20 years and over, from the UK Household Longitudinal Study with information on education, PA and demographics collected in 2013–2015.Outcome measuresParticipation in active travel (AT), occupational activity (OA) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) at the time of assessment.ResultsLower educational attainment was associated with higher AT and OA, but lower weekly LTPA activity; these associations were modified by sex, ethnicity and age. Education-related differences in AT were larger for women—the difference in predicted probability of activity between the highest and the lowest education groups was −10% in women (95% CI: −11.9% to 7.9%) and −3% in men (−4.8% to –0.4%). Education-related differences in OA were larger among men −35% (-36.9% to –32.4%) than women −17% (-19.4% to –15.0%). Finally, education-related differences in moderate-to-vigorous LTPA varied by ethnicity; for example, differences were 17% (16.2% to 18.7%) for white individuals compared with 6% (0.6% to 11.6%) for black individuals.ConclusionsEducational differences in PA vary by domain and are modified by age, sex and ethnicity. A better understanding of physically inactive subgroups may aid development of interventions to both increase activity levels and reduce health inequalities.


Author(s):  
Daria Madunic ◽  
Lidia Gavic ◽  
Ivan Kovacic ◽  
Neven Vidovic ◽  
Jasen Vladislavic ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the factors in dentists’ opinions related to oral health and the treatment management of the elderly. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the dentist population (n = 463). Respondents were divided depending on whether they attended the geriatric dentistry course during their education, and 15 questions on the Likert scale demonstrated the difference in their attitudes. The majority of respondents (61.9%) agree that dental studies should pay more attention to acquiring sufficient knowledge and skills in the treatment of the elderly, and 56.2% would like to attend a course on that subject. Compared to those who participated in the geriatric dentistry course, those who did not consider providing oral healthcare to older people find it more difficult because of its complexity and practical obstacles (37.3% vs. 54%, p ≤ 0.001). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that there are differences in opinion about the provision of oral healthcare to the elderly between dentists who have and who have not attended a geriatric dentist course during their education. During the dentist’s education, geriatric dentistry courses should have a significant role in providing knowledge for working with the elderly population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87
Author(s):  
Meraj Fatima ◽  
◽  
Muhammad Sohaib Asghar ◽  
Aijaz Ali ◽  
Dileep Kumar ◽  
...  

Objectives. Migraine is a prevalent debilitating neurological disorder manifested by frequent episodes of pounding headache. Cranial autonomic symptoms are frequently reported in patients of trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, but various studies also documented these cranio-autonomic symptoms in migraine patients as well. The primary objective of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of cranio-autonomic symptoms (CAS) amongst the patients suffering from migraines. Material and methods. This study was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional survey involving patients attending the neurology clinic at Dow University Hospital. 132 patients met the inclusion criteria (according to ICHDIII) and were assessed for the frequency of cranio-autonomic symptoms. Outcomes. The mean age recorded was 26.37 ± 6.31 years, while the mean duration of diagnosis was 23.54 ± 16.52 months. The frequency of cranio-autonomic symptoms was observed among 55% of the patients suffering from migraines in our study. The prominent symptom observed was lacrimation (56%), followed by nasal congestion (31%) and rhinorrhea (28%). The least prevalent symptom was ptosis (4%). Lacrimation was found more likely to be associated with the male gender (p = 0.096), while forehead/ facial sweating was found more prevalent in females (p = 0.162). The ciliary injection was frequent in conjunction with unilateral rather than a bilateral headache in the migraine patients (p= 0.055), while lacrimation was the most common symptom in the 21-30 years of age group followed by ciliary injection which was exclusively conspicuous in the same age category (p = 0.020). Conclusions. Cranio-autonomic symptoms were detected prevailing in our study population, and may present as a confounding factor in physician’s daily practice to diagnose migraine.


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