Morning in refugee health: an introduction for medical students

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline S. Duke ◽  
Fern Brunger ◽  
Elizabeth Ohle
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Refugee Health ◽  
Community Context ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Migration is increasing worldwide. health care practitioners must provide care to migrants in a culturally competent manner that is sensitive to cultural, political and economic contexts shaping health and illness. Many studies have provided strong evidence that health providers benefit from training in cross-cultural care. Cultural competence education of medical students during their early learning can begin to address attitudes and responsiveness toward refugees. At Memorial University in Canada, the authors designed “Morning in Refugee Health”, an innovative program in cultural competency training for first year medical students in the Clinical Skills and Ethics course. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Here the authors introduce the curriculum and provide the rationale for the specific pedagogical techniques employed, emphasizing the consideration of culture in its relation to political and economic contexts. The authors describe the innovation of training standardized patients (SPs) who are themselves immigrants or refugees. The authors explain how and why the collaboration of community agencies and medical school administration is key to the successful implementation of such a curriculum. Findings – Medical students benefit from early pre-clinical education in refugee health. Specific attention to community context, SP training, small group format, linkages between clinical skills and medical ethics, medical school administrative and community agency support are essential to development and delivery of this curriculum. As a result of the Morning in Refugee Health, students initiated a community medical outreach project for newly arriving refugees. Originality/value – The approach is unique in three ways: integration of training in clinical skills and ethics; training of SPs who are themselves immigrants or refugees; and reflection on the political, economic and cultural contexts shaping health and health care.

Medical student and psychiatrist perceptions towards a psychiatric career

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-323
Author(s):  
Thomas Flamini ◽  
Natasha R. Matthews ◽  
George S. Castle ◽  
Elliot M. Jones-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate perceptions towards a career in psychiatry among medical students and psychiatrists and identify how recruitment into the specialty may be improved. Design/methodology/approach This study locally compares medical student and psychiatric doctor responses to a structured online survey and structured interviews with key managerial figures in the Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Findings Comparison across two main areas (pre-decision exposure to psychiatry and reasons for considering a psychiatric career) found that both students and doctors were influenced to make a choice about a career in psychiatry during medical school. Medical students found compatibility with family life to be more important when considering psychiatry, whereas doctors cited content-based reasons as significant pull factors. Stigma and fear of being harmed deterred some students from choosing a career in psychiatry. Structured interview responses reiterated the importance of pre-medical school and undergraduate mentorship in bolstering future recruitment to psychiatry. Practical implications Medical students perceive certain career issues differently to their postgraduate counterparts. Widening the content-based appeal of psychiatry and optimising the medical school experience of the specialty via varied and high-quality placements may be a key step towards tackling the national shortfall in qualified psychiatrists. Originality/value This is the first published study comparing medical student and psychiatric doctor perceptions of a career in psychiatry.

Modelling of readiness factors for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma in healthcare organizations

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Vaishnavi ◽  
M. Suresh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Interaction Matrix ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Expert Opinions

Purpose This paper aims to identify, analyze and categorize the major readiness factors for implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in health-care organizations using total interpretive structural modelling technique. The readiness factors are identified would help the managers to recognize the areas that lack and provide importance to the successful implementation of LSS in those areas. The paper further intends to understand the hierarchical interrelationships among the readiness factors identified using dependence and driving power. Design/methodology/approach In total, 16 readiness factors are identified from the literature review and expert opinions are collected from hospitals. The scheduled interview is conducted based on a questionnaire survey in hospitals in the Indian context to identify the relevance of the relations among the readiness factors. The expert opinions are used in the initial reachability matrix and interpretative interaction matrix. Matrix impact cross multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis uses dependence and driving power to understand the hierarchical relationship among the readiness factors identified. Findings The result indicates that customer-oriented and goal management cultures are the key readiness factors for LSS. The execution technique and training are given according to the current demand of customers and goal change of organization. The manager needs to concentrate more on readiness factors to formulate the execution process of LSS for continuous improvement of the health-care organization. The readiness level helps the manager to identify the target area for LSS execution. Research limitations/implications This research focuses mainly on readiness factors for the implementation of LSS in the health-care industry. Practical implications This study would be useful for researchers and practitioners to understand the readiness factors before starting the implementation process of LSS. Originality/value Many research studies are being done on the success and failure rate of implementation of factors. The present study identifies the readiness factors related to LSS, especially for the health-care industry.

Measuring change attitudes in health care organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-285
Author(s):  
Kira Isabel Hower ◽  
Holger Pfaff ◽  
Christoph Kowalski ◽  
Michel Wensing ◽  
Lena Ansmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Organizations ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Attitudes Toward Change ◽  
Change Attitude

Purpose Measuring attitudes of healthcare providers and managers toward change in health care organizations (HCOs) has been of widespread interest. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the psychometric characteristics and usability of an abbreviated German version of the Change Attitude Scale. Design/methodology/approach The Change Attitude Scale was used in a survey of healthcare providers and managers in German hospitals after the implementation of a breast cancer center concept. Reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and bivariate analysis were conducted. Findings Data from 191 key persons in 82 hospitals were analyzed. The item-scale structure produced an acceptable model fit. Convergent validity was shown by significant correlations with measures of individuals’ general opinions of the breast center concept. A non-significant correlation with a scale measuring the hospital’s hierarchical structure of leadership verified discriminant validity. The interaction of key persons’ change attitude and hospitals’ change performance through change culture as a mediator supported the predictive validity. Research limitations/implications The study found general support for the validity and usability of a short version of the German Change Attitude Scale. Practical implications Since attitudes toward change influence successful implementation, the survey may be used to tailor the design of implementation programs and to create a sustainable culture of high readiness for change. Originality/value This is the first study finding that a short instrument can be used to measure attitudes toward change among healthcare providers and managers in HCOs.

Refugee health in Europe: mapping review of research literature (2015–2019)

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-369
Author(s):  
Irina Ibragimova ◽  
Martina Žužak
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Refugee Health ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mapping Review ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to map research literature on all aspects of refugee health in Europe (2015–2019): by research domain, study design, targeted population, type of setting, host country, journal title. This will help to identify recent research trends in the field, provide policymakers with useful source of information and help researches to target important gaps in evidence.Design/methodology/approachWHO (with other international agencies) has developed strategic documents and produced technical guidance, which formulate priority issues of refugee health in Europe. These documents state the need for relevant information and research data to support effective decision-making at all levels of health care systems. Although recent bibliometric analysis of global migration health research (2000–2016) concluded that 25.4% of retrieved documents were about refugees and asylum seekers, still there remain critical gaps in the knowledge base on a wide range of determinants of health service delivery and access for refugees and asylum seekers in the WHO European Region. Mapping review design was chosen as it maps and categorizes existing literature from which to commission further reviews and/or primary research by identifying gaps in research literature. Search strategy was developed and searches were executed in six databases: PubMed Medline; Scopus; ProQuest (Thesis and Dissertations); Cochrane Library; BASE; eLibrary (Russian journal articles).FindingsMapping review revealed that although research in some domains of refugee health was growing (mental health, infectious diseases, access to health care), there are still gaps in evidence in many important aspects: maternal and reproductive health, NCD, nutrition and economic evaluations. Most of 1,291 retrieved studies used observational or quasi-experimental design (75%), while very few were experimental studies (1.8%). Secondary research constituted a significant portion of retrieved publications: systematic reviews and meta-analysis – 8%, other reviews with systematic approach – 16%.Originality/valueDetailed mapping of research by a combination of setting, population and research domains and comparison of results with those from previous decades and with planned trials and systematic reviews.

Medical Students’ Commitment during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Preparedness, Motivation, and Impact on Students’ Skills

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Müller ◽  
Markus Heymanns ◽  
Laura Harder ◽  
Julia Winter ◽  
Stephan Gehring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many authors have suggested a commitment of medical students to support overworked health care staff. However, whether the students are prepared for such an occupation remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate medical students’ preparedness for a commitment in the pandemic and to assess the impact on their skills and attitudes.Methods: In April 2020, the CoronaPreventMainz (CPM) study was initiated to test 3300 employees with direct patient contact at the University Medical Center Mainz. To accomplish the huge logistic effort, medical students were recruited as support staff.Using a web-based questionnaire, the participating students were asked 27 questions covering six different topics.Results: Of the 75 recruited students, 63 (84.0%) participated in this survey. The median age was 24 years, and 66.6% (n = 42) were female. The vast majority agreed that students should be used as voluntary helpers during this crisis (87.3%) and had the feeling of contributing in the fight against the pandemic (90.5%). Most of the students (80.6%) even reported an improvement in their practical skills. Fear of self-infection was low (7.9%), and overextending situations occurred for just 3.2%. However, less than one-fifth (19.4%) of the students felt prepared for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by medical school, and two-thirds (67.7%) demanded special preparation. Conclusion: Through their commitment, the medical students felt that they were taking part in the fight against the pandemic. However, only a few felt well-prepared by medical school and the students’ need for special preparation courses is huge. Therefore, single-center initiatives can only be the beginning. Dedicated courses on how to support health care staff in natural disasters should be integrated into the medical curriculum to better prepare medical students for the next crisis.

Medical students' perception and satisfaction on peer-assisted learning in formative OSCE and its effectiveness in improving clinical competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Haizum FarahDiyana Latjatih ◽  
Nurhanis Syazni Roslan ◽  
Puteri Shanaz Jahn Kassim ◽  
Siti Khadijah Adam
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Peer Assisted Learning ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Clinical Competencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

PurposePeer-assisted learning (PAL) in formative objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is an approach used to evaluate the students' clinical competence. This study aims to determine the PAL effectiveness in the formative OSCE in improving clinical competencies and the students' perception and satisfaction of PAL.Design/methodology/approachSixty-seven Year 2 medical students experienced PAL in a formative OSCE setting. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to evaluate their perception and satisfaction on PAL. The effectiveness of the sessions was determined by comparing their OSCE scores between the pre- and post-intervention.FindingsForty-three students completed the intervention and had the experience to assess their peers as well as being assessed during formative OSCE. However, only 26 students managed to attend both pre- and post-intervention OSCE. It was found that there was a significant improvement of OSCE score after the PAL sessions. Over 97% of these students perceived positively and were satisfied with the sessions and thought that formative OSCE gave an opportunity to improve their learning and develop self-confidence in clinical skills.Originality/valueThe findings suggested that PAL in the formative OSCE is a good opportunity to help in students' learning and improve their clinical competencies apart from learning with experts.

scholarly journals Matching physicians to newly arrived refugees in a context of physician shortage: innovation through advocacy

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fern Brunger ◽  
Pauline S. Duke ◽  
Robyn Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Family Physician ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Physician Shortage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
Access To Medical Care ◽  
High Engagement

Purpose – Access to a continuum of care from a family physician is an essential component of health and wellbeing. Refugees have particular barriers to accessing medical care. The MUN MED Gateway Project is a medical student initiative in partnership with a refugee settlement agency that provides access to and continuity of health care for new refugees, while offering medical students exposure to cross-cultural health care. This paper aims to report on the first six years of the project. Design/methodology/approach – Here the paper reports on: client patient uptake and demographics, health concerns identified through the project, and physician uptake and rates of patient-physician matches. Findings – Results demonstrate that the project integrates refugees into the health care system and facilitates access to medical care. Moreover, it provides learning opportunities for students to practice cross-cultural health care, with high engagement of medical students and high satisfaction by family physicians involved. Originality/value – Research has shown that student run medical clinics may provide less than optimum care to marginalized patients. Transient staff, lack of continuity of care, and limited budgets are some challenges. The MUN MED Gateway Project is markedly different. It connects patients with the mainstream medical system. In a context of family physician shortage, this student-run clinic project provides access to medical care for newly arrived refugees in a way that is effective, efficient, and sustainable.

Barriers and enablers to academic health leadership

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleem Bharwani ◽  
Theresa Kline ◽  
Margaret Patterson ◽  
Peter Craighead
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Academic Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Health Leadership

Purpose This study sought to identify the barriers and enablers to leadership enactment in academic health-care settings. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews (n = 77) with programme stakeholders (medical school trainees, university leaders, clinical leaders, medical scientists and directors external to the medical school) were conducted, and the responses content-analysed. Findings Both contextual and individual factors were identified as playing a role in affecting academic health leadership enactment that has an impact on programme development, success and maintenance. Contextual factors included sufficient resources allocated to the programme, opportunities for learners to practise leadership skills, a competent team around the leader once that person is in place, clear expectations for the leader and a culture that fosters open communication. Contextual barriers included highly bureaucratic structures, fear-of-failure and non-trusting cultures and inappropriate performance systems. Programmes were advised to select participants based on self-awareness, strong communication skills and an innovative thinking style. Filling specific knowledge and skill gaps, particularly for those not trained in medical school, was viewed as essential. Ineffective decision-making styles and tendencies to get involved in day-to-day activities were barriers to the development of academic health leaders. Originality/value Programmes designed to develop academic health-care leaders will be most effective if they develop leadership at all levels; ensure that the organisation’s culture, structure and processes reinforce positive leadership practices; and recognise the critical role of teams in supporting its leaders.

scholarly journals Student-run free clinic volunteers: who they are and what we can learn from them

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi W. Adel ◽  
Ruth E. Berggren ◽  
Robert M. Esterl ◽  
John T. Ratelle
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Undergraduate Major ◽  
School Of Medicine ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Non Traditional Students ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Background Initiatives employing medical students’ volunteerism and idealism, such as the Student-Run Free Clinics (SRFC) program, are prevalent in US medical schools. Many studies evaluated various aspects of volunteering, sometimes resulting in conflicting evidence. This study simultaneously sought to identify the characteristics of volunteers vs. non-volunteers, and to characterize the volunteers’ perception of the SRFC. Methods We administered a survey to the Long School of Medicine (LSOM) Class of 2018 before their third year of medical school. The authors compared and contrasted the findings of the SRFC volunteers with their non-volunteering counterparts by analyzing their demographics, volunteering history, academic performance, and clinical skills. The volunteers were also asked about their SRFC experiences. Results While most volunteers were female (62 %) and non-traditional students (67 %), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.15 and p = 0.38, respectively). Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in measures of academic performance (p = 0.25). Most of the volunteers learned about the SRFC program prior to starting medical school. Further, while SRFC volunteers were more likely to engage in additional local volunteering initiatives, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.03, prespecified  α= 0.006). Importantly, volunteers agreed/strongly agreed that SRFC volunteering emphasized aspects that were missing or underemphasized in the formal medical school curriculum. Conclusions Medical students’ age, gender, undergraduate major, and non-traditional status were not statistically different between volunteers vs. non-volunteers. However, there may be tendencies for volunteers to be female, non-traditional, and locally engaged. Further, the timing of knowledge of the SRFC program may not affect student involvement in the SRFC, either. Most importantly, however, while volunteering does not affect the students’ academic performance, it may provide improvements in clinical competencies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document