scholarly journals Attitudes of Polish-speaking and English-speaking medical students towards death during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Irena Zając ◽  
Krzysztof Zdziarski
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Exchange Students ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Foreign Exchange Students ◽  
Attitudes Towards Death ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
New Challenges

Introduction and purposeLast year, since the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, medical students have faced new challenges, related to growing numbers of people who are and will be hospitalized as well as deaths among patients in healthcare facilities. The purpose of this study, is analysis and comparison of attitudes of Polish-speaking and English-speaking students towards death, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and methodThe study was conducted in an electronic form on a group of Polish and foreign exchange students of medical faculties. In total, 277 people aged 19 to 38, including 141 of Polish nationality and 136 of non-Polish nationality, participated in the study. The study used a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Death Attitude Profile (DAP-R-PL). The questionnaire consists of 5 aspects, that relate to different attitudes towards death: fear of death, death avoidance, neutral acceptance, approach acceptance and escape acceptance.ResultsThe most common attitude represented in both groups was neutral acceptance of death. Polish students obtained higher results in scales fear of death and escape acceptance compared to foreing students. The results showed, that the strongest corelation occurs between escape acceptance and fear of death.ConclusionsIn most cases, adaptative beliefs towards death shown by both groups of respondents indicates, that they will handle working with dying patients. However, higher degree of fear of death and escape acceptance amongst Polish students indicates the need to introduce thanatology education into course of studies.

Attitudes of Palestinian and Polish Medical Students Towards Death

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282096624
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Zdziarski ◽  
Mariam S. Awad ◽  
Marek Landowski ◽  
Paulina Zabielska ◽  
Beata Karakiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Health Related

Attitudes of students of health-related subjects towards the death are an important issue showing the behaviour and values ​​that guide young people in everyday interactions. The study was conducted using the Questionnaire About Attitudes Against Death (DAP-R-PL) among 309 students, including 150 Palestinian from the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences and 159 Polish from the Faculty of Health Sciences. It was noticed that the attitude of Death Avoidance is higher in Palestinians than in Poles. The biggest difference between correlation indicators is for the factors fear of death and death avoidance (FD and DA). This value is positive for Palestinian respondents and negative for Polish respondents. The study confirms that the attitudes of students towards death from both universities in the perspective of 5 factors are positive and in future contacts with dying patients they will cope with this challenge.

scholarly journals Influence of language skills on the choice of terms used to describe lung sounds in a language other than English: a cross-sectional survey of staff physicians, residents and medical students

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044240
Author(s):  
Abraham Bohadana ◽  
Hava Azulai ◽  
Amir Jarjoui ◽  
George Kalak ◽  
Ariel Rokach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
C Language ◽  
Audio Recordings ◽  
Chest Auscultation ◽  
English Speaking

IntroductionThe value of chest auscultation would be enhanced by the use of a standardised terminology. To that end, the recommended English terminology must be transferred to a language other than English (LOTE) without distortion.ObjectiveTo examine the transfer to Hebrew—taken as a model of LOTE—of the recommended terminology in English.Design/settingCross-sectional study; university-based hospital.Participants143 caregivers, including 31 staff physicians, 65 residents and 47 medical students.MethodsObservers provided uninstructed descriptions in Hebrew and English of audio recordings of five common sounds, namely, normal breath sound (NBS), wheezes, crackles, stridor and pleural friction rub (PFR).Outcomes(a) Rates of correct/incorrect classification; (b) correspondence between Hebrew and recommended English terms; c) language and auscultation skills, assessed by crossing the responses in the two languages with each other and with the classification of the audio recordings validated by computer analysis.ResultsRange (%) of correct rating was as follows: NBS=11.3–20, wheezes=79.7–87.2, crackles=58.6–69.8, stridor=67.4–96.3 and PFR=2.7–28.6. Of 60 Hebrew terms, 11 were correct, and 5 matched the recommended English terms. Many Hebrew terms were adaptations or transliterations of inadequate English terms. Of 687 evaluations, good dual-language and single-language skills were found in 586 (85.3%) and 41 (6%), respectively. However, in 325 (47.3%) evaluations, good language skills were associated with poor auscultation skills.ConclusionPoor auscultation skills surpassed poor language skills as a factor hampering the transfer to Hebrew (LOTE) of the recommended English terminology. Improved education in auscultation emerged as the main factor to promote the use of standardised lung sound terminology. Using our data, a strategy was devised to encourage the use of standardised terminology in non-native English-speaking countries.

scholarly journals The impact of death and dying on the personhood of medical students: a systematic scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Yao Ho ◽  
Cheryl Shumin Kow ◽  
Chin Howe Joshua Chia ◽  
Jia Ying Low ◽  
Yong Hao Melvin Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
Longitudinal Support ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The re-introduction of medical students into healthcare systems struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns as to whether they will be supported when confronted with death and dying patients in resource-limited settings and with reduced support from senior clinicians. Better understanding of how medical students respond to death and dying will inform educationalists and clinicians on how to best support them. Methods We adopt Krishna’s Systematic Evidence Based Approach to carry out a Systematic Scoping Review (SSR in SEBA) on the impact of death and dying on medical students. This structured search process and concurrent use of thematic and directed content analysis of data from six databases (Split Approach) enhances the transparency and reproducibility of this review. Results Seven thousand six hundred nineteen were identified, 149 articles reviewed and 52 articles included. The Split Approach revealed similar themes and categories that correspond to the Innate, Individual, Relational and Societal domains in the Ring Theory of Personhood. Conclusion Facing death and dying amongst their patients affect how medical students envisage their personhood. This underlines the need for timely, holistic and longitudinal support systems to ensure that problems faced are addressed early. To do so, there must be effective training and a structured support mechanism.

Online programs to strengthen mental health in medical students: a literature review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Ungar ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Schindler ◽  
Sabine Polujanski ◽  
Thomas Rotthoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
Prevention Approach

BACKGROUND Medical students are at an increasing risk of depression and burnout during their study period. This trend among future physicians is a cause for concern, given the great responsibility that the medical profession entails. Medical faculties therefore play a significant role in supporting medical students in maintaining their mental health. Especially in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, support services that allow greater flexibility in their use become particularly relevant. Online programs can be accessed from anywhere and any time and can be used individually in a safe or well-known setting. From a preventive perspective, individual characteristics that have been shown to be protective of mental health should be addressed in such programs. Before conceptualizing an online program, reviewing existing online programs for medical students is a first relevant step. OBJECTIVE This review provides an overview of the current online programs for medical students to strengthen their mental health by addressing individual characteristics believed to be protective of mental health and addressable in medical curricula. METHODS PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane, and Web of Science were used for a systematic literature search. The programs had to be offered digitally and address medical students. Preventive individual characteristics for mental health were included in the search to provide information on their role in the studies. Publications also should include information on the effectiveness of the respective programs. RESULTS The literature search yielded 592 articles; of them, only nine met the study criteria. The programs found included elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, or peer support. Regarding the mental health outcomes, two studies showed a significant reduction in perceived stress and one study indicated a reduced level of burnout. One program had significant immediate effects on mindfulness, empathy, and resilience; two studies indicated strengthening coping strategies. Two programs were qualitatively assessed as helpful. One study is still ongoing. CONCLUSIONS Only a few studies have assessed the effectiveness of online programs to strengthen medical students’ mental health. The programs found mostly addressed preventive individual characteristics but were not developed on the basis of a survey of medical students’ demands. Furthermore, they were provided as add-on programs; integration of such programs into the curriculum may highlight the relevance of mental health. For the development of future online programs, the concrete needs of the respective target group should be surveyed and taken into account. Based on this, suitable online programs can be developed in a targeted way to strengthen mental health by addressing preventive individual characteristics. This needs-based prevention approach can support health-promoting education of future physicians.

scholarly journals Missing the mark: Current practices in teaching the male urogenital examination to Canadian undergraduate medical students

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Kristen McAlpine ◽  
Stephen Steele
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Canadian Medical School ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
And Training

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The urogenital physical examination is an important aspect of patient encounters in various clinical settings. Introductory clinical skills sessions are intended to provide support and alleviate students’ anxiety when learning this sensitive exam. The techniques each Canadian medical school uses to guide their students through the initial urogenital examination has not been previously reported.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study surveyed pre-clerkship clinical skills program directors at the main campus of English-speaking Canadian medical schools regarding the curriculum they use to teach the urogenital examination.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A response rate of 100% was achieved, providing information on resources and faculty available to students, as well as the manner in which students were evaluated. Surprisingly, over onethird of the Canadian medical schools surveyed failed to provide a setting in which students perform a urogenital examination on a patient in their pre-clinical years. Additionally, there was no formal evaluation of this skill set reported by almost 50% of Canadian medical schools prior to clinical training years.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> To ensure medical students are confident and accurate in performing a urogenital examination, it is vital they be provided the proper resources, teaching, and training. As we progress towards a competency-based curriculum, it is essential that increased focus be placed on patient encounters in undergraduate training. Further research to quantify students’ exposure to the urogenital examination during clinical years would be of interest. Without this commitment by Canadian medical schools, we are doing a disservice not only to the medical students, but also to our patient population.</p>

scholarly journals The phenomenon of "digital" death: formation and genesis of the attitude to death in social networks of students

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1262-1275
Author(s):  
Vera B. Nikishina ◽  
Marina V. Sokolskaya ◽  
Oksana A. Musatova ◽  
Irina M. Loskutova ◽  
Irina Zapesotskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Reality ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Attitude To Death ◽  
User Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Attitudes Towards Death ◽  
The Impact

In this paper, we study the phenomenon of “digital” death, its genesis and the attitudes towards death in the context of social networks of students. As a result of the investigation we have discovered different forms of “digital death and the ways students react to it in social networks. We further investigate the origins of different user attitudes towards “digital death” and the impact of manipulative relation to death in social networks on the social reality. Some students stage their own death on social networks by posting images on their homepage, which has the intentions (i) to attract public attention, (ii) to express their auto aggression (iii) to make fun of death and (iv) to reduce their own anxiety of death by "sharing" the fear with other students. Our analysis shows that the main purpose of staging one’s death on social networks is to reduce the fear of death by creating plans, playing. Keywords: Students, cyberspace, social networks, death, "digital" death, attitude to the death in the social networks.

scholarly journals The importance of resilience and coherence in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic among medical and non-medical students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 86-100
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Syrowatko ◽  
Krzysztof Zdziarski
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Faculties

The aim of the study is to determine the level of resilience and coherence as well as the type of affective reactionsmanifested among students of medical and non-medical faculties, as well as to analyze potential predictors of the intensification of positive and negative reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Contribution of Death-Related Experiences to Health Care Providers' Attitudes toward Dying Patients: II. Medical and Nursing Students with No Professional Experience

1993 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandor B. Brent ◽  
Mark W. Speece ◽  
Marie F. Gates ◽  
Manju Kaul
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Attitude Measures

Beginning medical and nursing students with no professional death-related experience were compared in order to discover the attitudes they bring to their respective careers prior to their professional education and socialization. Hypotheses were derived from psychological models for the effects of professional choice, gender, and non-professional experience on these attitudes. On five of the six attitude measures female nursing students expressed a more positive attitude than cither male or female medical students, as predicted. However, contrary to expectation, the attitudes of the female medical students were not more positive than those of the male medical students on any of these measures. Hours of death-and-dying coursework and general life experience exerted a significant influence on attitudes toward talking to dying patients about death and dying but not on any of the other attitude measures. These data also suggest the existence of an underlying attitude structure, representing these students' Overall Attitude toward caring for dying patients, which remains stable across group differences in professional career choice, gender, and death-related experience. The original theoretical models were enriched and revised in the light of these findings.

scholarly journals Constructing denial as a disease object: accounts by medical students meeting dying patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Borgstrom ◽  
Stephen Barclay ◽  
Simon Cohn
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Dying Patients

scholarly journals Dealing with Death: Medical Students' Experiences with Patient Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Pessagno ◽  
Carrie E. Foote ◽  
Robert Aponte
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Death Rituals ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Dying Patient

This article explores medical students' experiences and coping strategies when confronting patient loss in their 3rd and 4th years of their programs. Much of the literature on the impact of patient losses focuses on physicians. This article joins a handful of works aimed at how medical students experience and cope with patient loss. In-depth interviews with 20 medical students provided rich descriptions of their varying experiences coping with death. Consistent with previous work, students experience substantial emotional stress coping with patient deaths, though some were more difficult to bear than others, such as when the dying patient was a child or when treatment errors could have contributed to deaths. Common coping mechanisms included talking through their emotions, thrusting themselves into continuing their rounds, crying, participating in infant death rituals, and turning to religion. When deaths occurred, senior personnel who exhibited empathy toward the deceased and tolerance toward the students' emotional responses were lauded and made the process easier. Also emotionally daunting, in many instances, was dealing with the families of dying patients. Most of the students did not view death as a failure, contrary to much earlier literature, except in instances in which human error or decision making may have played a part in causing the death of a patient.

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