How Much do Doctors know about Consent and Capacity?

To assess knowledge of capacity issues across different medical specialties we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a structured questionnaire at academic meetings, lectures and conferences. Of 190 individuals who received the questionnaire 129 (68%) responded-35 general practitioners, 31 psychiatrists, 29 old-age psychiatrists and 34 final year medical students. Correct answers on capacity to consent to or refuse medical treatment were given by 58% of the psychiatrists, 34% of the geriatricians, 20% of the general practitioners and 15% of the students. 15% of all respondents wrongly believed that a competent adult could lawfully be treated against his or her will, with no obvious differences by specialty. As judged by this survey, issues of capacity and consent deserve more attention in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Download Full-text

COVIDReady2 Study Protocol: Cross-sectional Survey of Medical Student Volunteering and Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom

10.1101/2021.02.24.21252103 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew H V Byrne ◽

James Ashcroft ◽

Laith Alexander ◽

Jonathan C M Wan ◽

Anmol Arora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Clinical Support ◽

Qualitative Responses ◽

Education Opportunity

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.

Download Full-text

Medical students' perception of live lectures compared to video lectures in basic sciences medical education: a cross-sectional survey of medical colleges in Pakistan

10.1101/2021.01.13.21249740 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Khan ◽

Ali Bin Abdul Jabbar ◽

Daniyal Ali Khan ◽

Muhammad Abdullah Javed ◽

Mohummad Hassan Raza Raja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Teaching Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Learning Modalities ◽

Exam Preparation ◽

Video Lectures ◽

Medical Colleges

Background: Live lectures are commonly used in medical education, yet many students prefer video lectures instead. As different learning modalities may affect knowledge, it was necessary to explore medical students' perspectives about the two learning modalities in Pakistan. Objectives: This study aimed to explore and compare the medical students' perspectives regarding live lectures and video lectures. Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire. This was distributed to medical students via internet platforms after institutional approval. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics. Results: 585 students, from 11 medical colleges across six cities of Pakistan, were enrolled. 64.4% (n=377) of the students were females, while 34.0% (n=199) were males. The first years comprised 32.7% (n=191), second years, 29.2% (n=171), and third years, 38.1% (n=223) of the total. The commonest reason for attending live lectures was 'they are compulsory'. The commonest reason for not attending was 'poor teaching quality'. 5.0% (n=29) of 585 students reported live lectures and 51.8% (n=290 of 560) found video lectures to be 'very helpful' in concept clarification. 85.1% (n=258) of 303 students found video lectures more effective for learning. For 45.4% (n=254) of students, video lectures improved their grades a lot; more students used video lectures for exam preparation over the years. 50.6% (n=296) of students wanted video lectures to be compulsory, compared with 28.5% (n=167) for live lectures. The main improvement in live lectures was not using slides. Conclusion: Medical students in Pakistan prefer video lectures over live lectures for learning and exam preparation. More students wanted video lectures to be compulsory in medical education. Several improvements have been suggested for live lectures.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of medical college academics on intercalated MBBS/BSc dual degree program in Nigeria

American Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing Practice ◽

10.47672/ajhmn.575 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 83-91

Author(s):

Kani Yamuna Aminu ◽

Usman Ahmad ◽

Rehinat Nasir Adejumo

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Degree Program ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Degree Programme ◽

Medical Degree ◽

Dual Degree ◽

Medical Colleges

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of academics on the acceptability of the intercalated medical degree program in an attempt to proffer solutions to breach the gaps in manpower shortages in the medical profession.Methodology: This is a descriptive cross sectional survey. Randomly selected 150 academic staff of various medical colleges spread across Nigeria, who attended an educational programme in Abuja Nigeria in September 2018 completed semi structured questionnaires after consenting to participate in the study. Data from the retrieved questionnaires were collated, entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most of the analyzed data were represented in percentages for ease of comparison.Findings: Sixty five percent of the respondents were aware of the intercalated (dual) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)/ Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree programme, offer it in their institutions and believe it is worthwhile. The merits of the dual degree programme from this study were an additional degree, more experienced medical doctors in terms of research and exit strategy for some medical students who may change their minds half way into the medical programme. The disadvantages reported were prolonged study period and increased cost of study. Majority of the respondents, who were academic staff of medical colleges were aware of, and favoured the establishment of intercalated MBBS degree programme in more Nigerian medical colleges.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: There is scarcity of literature on the intercalated degree programme in Nigeria. This research may influence policy change that will improve medical education. From the results of the study, it is recommended that the stakeholders in medical education should consider giving accreditation to more medical colleges that have the capacity to commence intercalated medical degree programs in Nigerian Universities as an option to interested medical students with good potentials.

Download Full-text

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Students: A Multicenter Quantitative Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-49481/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aaron Harries ◽

Carmen Lee ◽

Lee Jones ◽

Robert M. Rodriguez ◽

John Davis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Training ◽

The United States ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clinical Rotations ◽

Medical Education System ◽

National Recommendation

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the United States (US) medical education system with the necessary, yet unprecedented Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) national recommendation to pause all student clinical rotations with in-person patient care. This study is a quantitative analysis investigating the educational and psychological effects of the pandemic on US medical students and their reactions to the AAMC recommendation in order to inform medical education policy.Methods: The authors sent a cross-sectional survey via email to medical students in their clinical training years at six medical schools during the initial peak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey questions aimed to evaluate students' perceptions of COVID-19's impact on medical education; ethical obligations during a pandemic; infection risk; anxiety and burnout; willingness and needed preparations to return to clinical rotations. Results: 741 (29.5%) students responded. Nearly all students (93.7%) were not involved in clinical rotations with in-person patient contact at the time the study was conducted. Reactions to being removed were mixed, with 75.8% feeling this was appropriate, 34.7% guilty, 33.5% disappointed, and 27.0% relieved.Most students (74.7%) agreed the pandemic had significantly disrupted their medical education, and believed they should continue with normal clinical rotations during this pandemic (61.3%). When asked if they would accept the risk of infection with COVID-19 if they returned to the clinical setting, 83.4% agreed. Students reported the pandemic had moderate effects on their stress and anxiety levels with 84.1% of respondents feeling at least somewhat anxious. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) (53.5%) was the most important factor to feel safe returning to clinical rotations, followed by adequate testing for infection (19.3%) and antibody testing (16.2%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education of US medical students in their clinical training years. The majority of students wanted to return to clinical rotations and were willing to accept the risk of COVID-19 infection. Students were most concerned with having enough PPE if allowed to return to clinical activities.

Download Full-text

Now, I think doctors can be heroes … Medical student’s attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on key aspects of medical education and how the image of the medical profession has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift ◽

10.1007/s10354-021-00891-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Verena Steiner-Hofbauer ◽

Julia S. Grundnig ◽

Viktoria Drexler ◽

Anita Holzinger

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Distance Learning ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Practical Training ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negative Comments ◽

Key Aspects

Summary Background The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic hit the world in early 2020 and influenced medical education worldwide. Distance learning, risk of infection and patient care, telehealth literacy, medical ethics and research in medical education are key factors of medical education challenged by the pandemic. Additionally, the following question arises: “What do medical students think about their future profession in the face of this crisis?” Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all undergraduate medical students of the Medical University of Vienna. 872 students answered the self-developed questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative data analyses were conducted. Results The data show that the COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness for the key aspects. In all areas of interest, students’ feeling of petaredness is limited. Limitations in practical training and distance learning as well as social isolation concern a majority of students. Neutral, positive, and negative themes emerged in qualitative data analysis. Only 8% of the students of the first 3 years of study versus 13.4% of the students in higher years commented negatively. 18.7% of male vs. only 12.5% of all female students’ comments were positive. A large proportion of positive comments were dedicated to the relevance and deeper meaning of the medical profession. Infection risk and the demanding nature of the medical profession were predominant in negative comments. Conclusion The COVID-19 crisis has turned the spotlight on several aspects of medical education in need of reform. In addition, the occupational image of the medical profession seems to shift under the weight of this pandemic.

Download Full-text

Medical Students View about the Integrated MBBS Course: A Questionnaire Based Cross-sectional Survey from a Medical College of Kathmandu Valley

Nepal Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.3126/nje.v1i3.5575 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 95-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Indrajit Banerjee ◽

Akhilesh Chandra Jauhari ◽

Ajay Chandra Johorey ◽

Durga Bista ◽

Bedanta Roy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Teaching Method ◽

Community Medicine ◽

Basic Sciences ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

The Government

Background Accreditation of curriculum by students may be useful in further modification of teaching and learning methods in medical colleges of any country specially Nepal. Course curriculum of medical sciences is made by learned professors of Universities, politicians and the government officers without consulting the students for whom it is made. In Nepal, Medical education is an experimental integrated teaching of four and half years for MBBS degree. Until now it has not been assessed as to what type of Doctors we are producing. This paper aims on the objective to find out whether integrated teaching or classical medical studies produce better doctors. Methods The present study was done to assess the teaching, learning and evaluation procedures adopted in Nepal Medical College, Kathmandu by getting feedback from students of 4th (Basic Sciences), 5th-7th semesters and feedback was also taken from a few final year students (Clinical Sciences). A total of nearly two hundred students from this institution participated in this study. A multi-graded questionnaire was prepared and a pilot study of 20 students was done and the results were discussed among the authors to modify the questionnaire. This modified questionnaire was used in the main study. The same questionnaire was used for eliciting feedback from clinical students. The present study was undertaken from August 2008-January 2009. Results Out of 200 medical students, the mean age was found to be 19.4 ± 3 years SD. In gender distribution, male students (61%) were higher than female students (39%). Most of the medical students (70%) wanted to become doctor, to become rich and famous, 90% wanted to go to US (Massive brain drain). 90% of the students perceived that Anatomy is the most interesting and most relevant basic science subject for clinical studies and in Anatomy theory hours of teaching is to be increased (60%). Community Medicine was the most uninteresting subject of Basic sciences and if they are assured of attendance which subject they would not like to attend community medicine classes. 85% wanted that Pharmacology should be reduced in first four semesters and should be extended to seventh semester like Community Medicine. The best teaching method is Chalk and Board Method (60%) and followed by LCD slides (20%). Conclusion: Overall the results were alarming and may be taken up seriously by the policy makers. They can bring about amendments in course curriculum of universities in future.Keywords: Medical Education; Under-graduate; Post- Graduate; Nepal Medical College. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i3.5575 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1(3) 95-100

Download Full-text

What do Tunisian General Practitioners Know About Insomnia?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.152 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S289-S289

Author(s):

K. Yaich ◽

M. Maalej Bouali ◽

N. Charfi ◽

W. Sellami ◽

N. Zouari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Continuous Medical Education ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Theoretical Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Individual Training

IntroductionInsomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorders and affects 10% of adults worldwide. It has major social and economic consequences. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge of Tunisian general practitioners (GPs) about insomnia.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out during the month of May 2016. Among the 193 GPs randomly selected from different areas of Sfax, in Tunisia, 127 participated to the study. The latter filled a questionnaire including items related to socio-demographic data and clinical features of insomnia.ResultsAmong our participants, 58.3% (n = 74) were men and 41.7% (n = 53) women. The average age was 47.91 ± 10.1 years. They have been working for 17.36 ± 10.7 years on average. Seventy-six of GPs had an individual training and a training by attending conferences or by continuous medical education. Most participants (80.3%) thought that they had some lacuna in the management of insomnia. Specific recommendations for the management and treatment of insomnia were known by 7.2% of the GPs. As for theoretical knowledge about insomnia, 74.8% of participants (n = 95) had a high score of correct answers. The latter was correlated to age (P = 0.013) and to the male gender (P = 0.008). However, it was neither correlated to the seniority of the GPs (P = 0.051) nor to the knowledge of specific recommendations for the management of insomnia (P = 0.11).ConclusionOur results showed that the GPs had a rather good theoretical knowledge about insomnia. Yet, an improvement of the continuous medical education and a better knowledge of specific recommendations for the management of insomnia are needed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

COVIDReady2 study protocol: cross-sectional survey of medical student volunteering and education during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02629-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matthew H. V. Byrne ◽

◽

James Ashcroft ◽

Laith Alexander ◽

Jonathan C. M. Wan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Medical Students ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Clinical Support ◽

Qualitative Responses

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.

Download Full-text

Academic use of smartphones among medical students in Pakistan

Information Development ◽

10.1177/0266666921993518 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026666692199351

Author(s):

Haseena Khan ◽

Amara Malik

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Study Skills ◽

Medical Information ◽

Access To Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

New Developments ◽

Medical Apps ◽

Program Data ◽

Structured Questionnaire

This study examined the use of smartphones as an academic tool amongst medical students from a developing country context. The study also aimed at identifying the perceived benefits and barriers to using smartphones in medical education. A cross sectional survey was administered to the students from nine medical institutes in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was self-administered to 270 students from MBBS program. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23. All the respondents owned a smartphone. They used smartphones to browse the Internet to find medical information (100%), to share educational material (90%), and to take notes (79%). Easy and speedy access to information and improvement in study skills were the major benefits, while limited wireless access, small screen, and lack of awareness about medical resources were the main barriers. The students had a positive attitude towards smartphone as an academic tool. Smartphones use is likely to increase with the emergence of new developments in terms of design, medical apps and educational resources.

Download Full-text