scholarly journals A cross-sectional study exploring attitudes of first year medical students towards psychiatry and factors they identified that would help stimulate their interest

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S146-S146
Author(s):  
Isabel Mark ◽  
Victoria Fernandez Garcia De Las Heras

AimsPsychiatry has had long standing recruitment difficulties. Many efforts have been made to explore strategies that encourage interest in the specialty, with early university experience being an important factor in ultimate career choice. The Royal College of Psychiatrists ‘Choose Psychiatry’ guidance for medical schools outlines four key areas of focus: teaching excellence, placement quality, leadership and enrichment activities, with other research reporting similar conclusions. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes towards psychiatry amongst first year medical students, examine what input they would welcome from psychiatrists at this stage of their career and consider if their wishes are in keeping with the ‘Choose Psychiatry’ guidance.MethodAll first-year medical students at St George's University of London were approached in October 2019 and offered the opportunity for early psychiatry exposure. 60 students were recruited. Data were collected in November 2019 via an online questionnaire comprising of baseline demographics, the 30-item Attitudes Towards Psychiatry questionnaire (ATP-30) and a free-text question asking what students would like from psychiatry at this stage of their education. Quantitative data were analysed using Excel, whilst qualitative data were analysed thematically.ResultThe mean ATP-30 score was 113.83 (SD 12.57, range 70-135). Gender, ethnicity and religious background were not associated with a change in ATP score. Undergraduates’ attitudes were more positive than those of postgraduates (independent t-test revealed a p-value of 0.087). Seven themes were identified outlining what students wanted from psychiatry, the most prominent being: (a) learning about the lifestyle of a psychiatrist and finding a role model, (b) exploring the patient perspective, (c) exploring the interaction between psychiatry and specialities and (d) having an opportunity to develop communication skills.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate higher ATP-30 results than previous literature has reported, potentially due to mental health awareness campaigns in recent years. As undergraduates were found to have a higher mean score, targeting them for additional psychiatry contact may be beneficial. Themes identified by students in this study support ‘Choose Psychiatry’ guidance, whilst also highlighting the potential for combining some psychiatry with other specialties in the curriculum. Integration with communication skills teaching might help engage those not initially psychiatry-inclined. Further study will be required to establish whether implementing the suggested strategies can lead to improvement in student ATP-30 scores and ultimately increased recruitment rates.

Biomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Kalpana Ramachandran ◽  
Robert Dinesh Kumar

Introduction and Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption in the academic schedule. As UNESCO observes an 87% interruption in student learning across the globe, it is undeniable that e-learning would have a major role to play in the future and both teachers and learners are getting accustomed to this ‘New Normalcy’. This survey analyses the perception of medical first-year students about online learning in the COVID-19 era.   Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study was done and first year medical students were asked to respond. The respondents were asked to answer the questions in Likert-scale, from 1-5. Statistical analysis was done and Test for one proportion was calculated using ‘z’ test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.   Results: A total of 122 first year medical students responded to the survey. More than two-thirds of the respondents were females (67%). About 78% of respondents find online learning interesting and enjoyable. More than 80% of students found online education very satisfactory in all aspects. Problems with internet connectivity was the principal challenge faced by the students during online learning. An overwhelming 70% of students felt online teaching to be very beneficial.   Conclusion: The pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the academic schedule. Although many challenges were faced by the teachers and learners, internet connectivity continued to be a major problem in online education. It is the duty of every educationist to ensure an uninterrupted, continuous and an effective process of teaching and learning.  


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110181
Author(s):  
Sam Sugimoto ◽  
Drew Recker ◽  
Elizabeth E. Halvorson ◽  
Joseph A. Skelton

Background. Many diseases are linked to lifestyle in the United States, yet physicians receive little training in nutrition. Medical students’ prior knowledge of nutrition and cooking is unknown. Objective. To determine incoming medical students’ prior nutrition knowledge, culinary skills, and nutrition habits. Methods. A dual-methods study of first-year medical students. Cross-sectional survey assessing prior knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous education of cooking and nutrition. Interviews of second-year medical students explored cooking and nutrition in greater depth. Results. A total of 142 first-year medical students participated; 16% had taken a nutrition course, with majority (66%) learning outside classroom settings. Students had a mean score of 87% on the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire versus comparison group (64.9%). Mean cooking and food skills score were lower than comparison scores. Overall, students did not meet guidelines for fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Interviews with second-year students revealed most learned to cook from their families; all believed it important for physicians to have this knowledge. Conclusions. Medical students were knowledgeable about nutrition, but typically self-taught. They were not as confident or skilled in cooking, and mostly learned from their family. They expressed interest in learning more about nutrition and cooking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (09) ◽  
pp. 1895-1901
Author(s):  
Ahmed Murtaz Khalid ◽  
Noman Sadiq ◽  
Aiman Farogh Anjum ◽  
Iffat Naiyar Hashmi ◽  
Misbah Aslam ◽  
...  

Objectives: To know the perception of peer-learning among first batch of 1st year medical students in CMH Kharian Medical College. Study Design: Cross-Sectional study. Setting: CMH Kharian Medical College. Period: June 2018 and September 2018. Material & Methods: Questionnaire was distributed among hundred first year medical students on self-reflection and feedback after 15 min power point presentation given by their fellow students based on different pathophysiological scenarios. Results: Out of 100 students, 85 filled out questionnaire form completely. 60% of students were of the opinion that peer-learning facilitated them to perform better in the exam, and can be continued for future batches. 50% of students agreed that this innovative learning modality was conducted in a systematic manner, helped them to improve their understanding of the subject and learning was fostered based on the principles of self-reflection and feedback. Problem solving ability was improved by peer learning format according to 49% of students, while 47% of students reported that this innovative learning strategy provided them with a tool to improve their learning through interaction, while research capabilities of 37% students were improved. Conclusion: Majority of first year medical students lacking senior guidance learned better in a comfortable environment from their peers, and improved understanding of the core subject by realizing the implication of the concept of self-reflection and feedback.


Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidos K. Bolatov

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the relationships between academic motivation and the psychological well-being of 1st-year medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of respondents in the cross-sectional study was 273. Intrinsic motivation was positively correlated with fear of COVID-19 and negatively correlated with psychological collapse and negative changes in quality of life due to the COVID-19. Extrinsic motivation positively associated with fear of COVID-19. Amotivation positively correlated with psychological collapse and negative changes in quality of life. In conclusion, COVID-19-related changes in quality of life and psychological destruction were predictors of academic motivation among 1st-year medical students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Kiran Chhetri ◽  
Puspa Kumari Deo

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is an upcoming contagious respiratory infection caused by a new coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) which is transmitted through the respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing of an infected person. The behavior of the general public will probably have an important bearing on the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Human behavior is influenced by knowledge and perceptions. This paper aims to identify the awareness and perception regarding COVID-19 among general public. Method: A cross sectional descriptive design was used by using structured online questionnaire through Google form. The study was conducted at certain area of Kathmandu. Sample size was 423 with non probability convenience sampling technique. Result: The findings revealed that overall, 44.9% respondents had low, 34.0% had average and 21% had high level of awareness. Likewise, 56.6% had positive perception and 43.2% had negative perception about COVID outbreak. Also 62% respondents had positive and 37.7% had negative perception about prevention of COVID. There is an association between educational status and level of awareness with ‘p’ value lesser than 0.05 at 95% level of confidence. Conclusion: Majority of respondents were not aware about the outbreak of COVID19. Also more than half of respondents had positive perception about outbreak of COVID 19. The effective measures are being taken by the government and the public, still there remains a need for further awareness campaigns and knowledge of safe interventions to combat the spread of disease. Key words: awareness, perception, COVID19, general public.


Author(s):  
Ellen Tieko Tsugami Dalla Costa ◽  
Débora Dornelas Belchior Costa Andrade ◽  
Conrado Carvalho Horta Barbosa

Avaliar a influência de uma matriz curricular na percepção dos discentes de medicina sobre medicina de família e comunidade e na escolha por essa especialidade. Estudo qualitativo-quantitativo de cunho exploratório e transversal, efetuado por meio de questionário semiestruturado com acadêmicos do primeiro e do décimo-segundo semestres de medicina de um centro universitário brasileiro. Foram realizadas as análises descritivas e não paramétricas, com um nível de significância de 5%. Egressos conheciam bem a especialidade medicina de família e comunidade, ao contrário dos que estavam iniciando o curso. Dentre os fatores curriculares estudados, apenas o contato com um profissional modelo médico de família e comunidade foi estatisticamente significante para a escolha pela carreira (p-valor de 0,02). Este estudo sugere que o contato com médicos de família e comunidade e a inserção precoce e contínua na atenção básica durante a graduação contribuem para o interesse por essa especialidade.Descritores: Educação Médica, Medicina de Família e Comunidade, Currículo. Medical students’ perceptions on family medicineAbstract: To evaluate the influence of a medical program in medical students’ perceptions towards family medicine and in choosing a career in this field. A cross-sectional exploratory and qualitative-quantitative survey accomplished by the application of a semi-structured questionnaire. This research encompasses first and twelfth semesters medical students from a Brazilian university center. We performed a descriptive and a non-parametric analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Family Medicine was not well known by medical students who were beginning their graduation and very well known by those finishing medical school. Among the curriculum aspects studied, only the contact with a family medicine physician role model was statistically significant to affect the graduates’ career choice in family medicine (p-value 0.02). This study suggests that the contact with family physicians and the early and continued insertion in primary care during graduation contribute to a greater interest in this specialty.Descriptors: Medical Education, Family Practice, Curriculum. Percepción de los estudiantes de medicina sobre medicina de família y comunidadResumen: Evaluar la influencia de una matriz curricular en la percepción de los estudiantes de medicina con foco en la medicina de família y comunidade. Estudio cualitativo-cuantitativo de cuño exploratório trabajando la transversalidad, efectuado por medio de cuestionários semi estructurado aplicado a academicos de medicina de una institución universitária brasileña. Fueron realizadas los análisis descriptivas y no paramétricas, con un nível de significancia de un 5%. Egresos conocian bien la especialidad, En oposición a los que estaban iniciando el curso. Entre los factores curriculares estudiados, fué registrado como importante el contacto con un profisional modelo médico de família y comunidad que resultó estadísticamente significante para la elección de esta carrera (p-valor 0,02). Este Estudio sugiere que el contacto con médicos de família y comunidade, la inserción precoz y contínua em los servicios de atención básica durante la graduação contribuyen para despertar el interés por esa especialidad.Descriptores: Educación Médica, Medicina de Família y Comunidad, Currículum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (236) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Shah ◽  
Alisha Sapkota ◽  
Anjeel Chhetri

Introduction: Medical students are prone to develop stress, anxiety and depression owing to vastness of curriculum, hectic lifestyle, economic burden, and competitiveness of medical field. The study aims to find out the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first-year medical students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 first-year students of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery enrolled in a tertiary care hospital using depression, anxiety, and stress-42 scale along with a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and stressors for their problems. Whole sampling was done and the study was conducted between June and July 2018 after taking ethical approval from the Research and Institutional Review Committee (Reference Number: 57-074/075). Results: The highest prevalence among undergraduate medical students was found to be anxiety 54 (59.3%), followed by stress 41 (45.1%) and depression 40 (44%). Conclusions: Almost half of the first-year medical students reported some level of depression, anxiety, or stress. It is important to implement programs in the early years of the medical school from the administrative level to help and identify students suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress.


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