scholarly journals National attitudes of medical students towards mandating the COVID-19 vaccine and its association with knowledge of the vaccine

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260898
Author(s):  
Danel Mayan ◽  
Kenny Nguyen ◽  
Brian Keisler

Background With the introduction of the novel COVID-19 vaccine, public hesitancy is being experienced with many turning to healthcare professionals for advice. As future physicians, medical students play a critical role in the public’s view of the vaccine. Objectives To determine the attitude of U.S. medical students toward mandating the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and patients, as well as whether their knowledge of the vaccine plays a role in their view. Methods The authors emailed a survey link to all U.S. medical schools with request to distribute it to their medical students. The survey remained open from 02/09/2021 to 03/15/2021 and included questions to determine the attitude of the medical students toward recommending the COVID-19 vaccine, and general knowledge questions about the vaccine. Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, and linear regression were conducted to determine associations between willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine and general knowledge of the vaccine. Results Among the 1,899 responses from medical students representing 151 U.S. medical schools, 57.82% approved of making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory to healthcare workers, and 16.27% approved of making it mandatory to patients. Additionally, those who tested most knowledgeable of the vaccine were less likely to approve of making the vaccine mandatory for patients (66.67% vs. 72.70). Those that tested most knowledgeable were also more likely to personally receive the vaccine (72.35% vs 62.99%) as opposed to those that tested the least knowledgeable who were less willing to personally receive the vaccine (4.12% vs 14.17%). Conclusions The data revealed that a slight majority of medical students support a vaccine mandate toward healthcare workers while a minority of medical students support a vaccine mandate toward healthcare workers. Additionally, medical students that had relatively high knowledge of the vaccine correlated with not approving of making the vaccine mandatory for patients. However increased knowledge of the vaccine correlated with increased willingness to personally receive the vaccine.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldrin Musiun ◽  
Khamisah Awang Lukman ◽  
Mohammad Saffree Jeffree ◽  
Fredie Robinson ◽  
Mohd Rohaizat Hassan ◽  
...  

Stress is accepted as the accumulation of unpleasant state of physical, mental and emotion on a person. Medical education has been known as one of the most stressful academic curriculum.  Hence, medical students may subjected to multiple psychological changes and challenges throughout the years of medical education.  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among medical students. This cross sectional study was conducted from April to May 2018 in medical school in Sabah. It involved 396 medical students through universal sampling.  Self-administered questionnaires were used as an instrument for data collection. The questionnaires included were Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) and Medical Student Stressors Questionnaire (MSSQ). Bivariate analysis (Chi Square test, Fisher’s Exact Test, Independent T test and Man-Whitney U test) were used to analyse the association. The response rate was 90.2%. The prevalence of stress among medical students were 33.3%.  Significant associated factors include financial support inadequacy (p=0.010) and all categories of medical student stressors. The mean score of the academic related stressors was found to be at 2.117 (±0.758) which was the highest mean score among medical student stressors assessed by MSSQ. The result of this study can be used as a basis for implementation of preventive measures such as provision of comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health care services in university-based settings.


Author(s):  
Beatriz Rosana Gonçalves de Oliveira Toso ◽  
Bruna Regina Bratti Frank Terre ◽  
Ana Cristina de Oliveira e Silva ◽  
Elucir Gir ◽  
Juliano de Souza Caliari ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To identify factors associated with the adoption of non-pharmacological preventive measures against covid-19 by healthcare workers within their families. Method: This is an analytical cross-sectional study carried out from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, with 11,513 healthcare workers in Brazil. Data collection through a virtual questionnaire on the platform Survey Monkey. To characterize the participants, descriptive statistical analysis was used with measures of absolute and relative frequency. Using inferential statistics, independent variables and outcome were compared, with hypothesis tests for association (chi-square, Fisher’s exact test), logistic regression, and Woe analysis. A significance level of 95% was used. Results: Most workers used measures such as hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, food hygiene, use of fabric masks, and physical distancing from family members. The association among variables was significant for the region, especially the South region, female sex, and nursing professionals. Conclusion: Healthcare workers adopt preventive measures against covid-19 within family life, especially the women and nursing professionals, with family isolation being the measure of greatest adherence.


BJR|Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Chew ◽  
Patrick J O'Dwyer ◽  
David Young

Objectives: The UK has a shortage of Radiologists to meet the increasing demand for radiologic examinations. To encourage more medical students to consider Radiology as a career, increased exposure at undergraduate level has been advocated. The aim of this study was to evaluate if formal Radiology teaching hours at medical school had any association with the number of qualified Radiologists joining the General Medical Council Specialist Register. Methods: Total number of doctors joining the GMC Specialist Register as Clinical Radiologists, and those with a primary medical qualifications awarded in Scotland, was obtained from the GMC (2010–2020). Graduate numbers from all 4 Scottish Medical Schools (2000–2011) were also obtained. Hours of Radiology teaching for medical schools in Scotland were obtained from validated AToMS study. Results: Two hundred and twenty three (6.6%) of 3347 Radiologists added to the GMC Specialist Register between 2010 and 2020 received their primary medical qualification (PMQ) from Scottish Universities. The number of Radiologists from Scottish Universities joining the GMC specialist register was 2.6% of the total number of Scottish Medical Graduates. There was no association between the number of hours (Range 1–30) Radiology was taught to medical students and the number that joined the specialist register as Radiologists (p = 0.54 chi square trend). Conclusion: Increased exposure to Radiology teaching does not influence medical students’ decision to take up Radiology as a career. While continued Radiology exposure remains important, other strategies are required in both the short and long term to ensure radiology services are maintained without detriment to patients. Advances in knowledge: Increased hours of Radiology teaching in medical school was not associated with increased radiologists joining the profession.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
L. Lopes ◽  
◽  
B. Andrade ◽  
D. Costa ◽  
G. Castro ◽  
...  

Objective: The importance of addressing LGBT health topics is increasingly recognized. This study aimed to explore whether Portuguese medical schools cover LGBT health topics from the perspective of undergraduate medical students. Design and Method: Undergraduate students enrolled in Portuguese medical schools were invited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire between March and June 2015 about Medical Education in Human Sexuality. Medical students from the ‘clinical’ years also answered a section on LGBT health topics. Descriptive statistics, comparison by Chi-Square statistical analysis and regression analysis were used. Statistical significance was settled at p<0.05. Results: The analysis included 939 completed responses. Despite the diversity of realities found in Portuguese medical schools, more than half of medical students (59,3%) reported that they did not learn to perform inclusive questions when collecting a sexual history from patients. In fact, students that didn’t learn to ask inclusive questions reported more frequently to never use them (79,2% vs. 16,3%, p<0,001) and to always assume that patients are heterosexual (17,1% vs. 4%, p<0,001), when compared to student who have learned. Nevertheless, almost three quarters of students (71,1%) considered the allocation of curricular time on LGBT health topics as “Important” or “Very Important”. Conclusions: Portuguese medical students recognize the importance of LGBT health in their curricula although these topics appear to be insufficiently addressed. Learning about LGBT health can change this scenario and should be more focused by medical schools.


Author(s):  
Sussan U. Arinze Onyia ◽  
Awoere T. Chinawa ◽  
Anne C. Ndu ◽  
Tochi J. Okwor ◽  
Olanike I. Agwu-Umahi ◽  
...  

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) especially those involved in patients’ care are at high risk of violence. The study is aimed at determining factors and characteristics of physical violence among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 412 HCWs from March to July, 2018. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi InfoTM 3.5.4 and Chi square and Fischer’s exact test where applicable were used to ascertain factors associated with physical workplace violence.Results: Respondents included 111 (26.9%) doctors and 301 (73.1%) nurses. Prevalence of physical violence was 12.6%. Of those who experienced workplace violence, the perpetrators were mainly patients’ relatives 37 (71.2%) and patients 8 (15.4%). In majority of cases, 28 (53.8%), no action was taken against the assailant. Prevalence of physical violence was significantly higher among nurses (15.3%) than doctors (5.4%) p=0.007. It is also higher among females (14.2%) than males (7.8%), although not significantly. Furthermore, HCWs who work in newborn units were most likely to experience physical violence.Conclusions: The study revealed that physical violence is prevalent among HCWs and violence prevention programs should be instituted to address it. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Leila Verônica da Costa Albuquerque ◽  
José Wellington de Oliveira Lima ◽  
Ana Beatriz Gois da Silva ◽  
Ingrid Cavalcante Morais Correia ◽  
Ludmila Rios Osterno Gomes Maia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are unconventional care practices that, according to the World Health Organization, should be implemented in the Health System, particularly in poor regions of the country. In Brazil, they have been adopted by Care Programs and introduced into undergraduate medical education. In this study we were interested in evaluating the teaching-learning process of Integrative Practices in Brazilian medical schools. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out at Brazilian medical schools with a self-administered questionnaire for teachers and a secondary data survey was obtained from medical school websites and government database institutions. For the presentation of the variables, frequency distribution and the Pearson coefficient (X2) -Chi-square tests were used. The proportions were compared using the Chi-square test or the Fisher’s Exact Test. When the expected value of a contingency table was equal to or greater than 5, the Chi-square test was used; in all other situations, Fisher’s Exact Test was used. The difference between proportions was estimated by the Odds Ratio, calculated through simple logistic regression (95% CI). Results 57 of the 272 medical schools in Brazil address CAM, with it being proportionally higher in the South and Mid-West regions. The medical schools are highly concentrated in state capitals, and the Northeast region presents a significant concentration of medical schools with CAM in the capitals. The number of schools with active and traditional methodologies in CAM is equivalent. Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine predominate, with a minority using Indigenous Practices, Chronotherapy and Anthroposophic Medicine. The new educational guidelines have not affected the number of schools with CAM. Growth in CAM has been insignificant (p <0.05) in the last ten years. Conclusion There has been no growth in teaching Complementary and Alternative Medicine in undergraduate medical training in Brazil since the introduction of the new curricular guidelines, even in view of the needs of the health system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie Mortali ◽  
Christine Moutier

Physician and trainee distress, from burnout and depression to suicide risk, has been recognized as a serious threat to physicians, health care systems and to the optimal delivery of health care. To address this problem, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) adapted the Interactive Screening Program (ISP) for use by medical schools nationwide. Much is known about the problem, but less is known about the effectiveness of programs and solutions. This program evaluation utilized data from six medical schools' implementation of ISP over a seven-year period (2007–2013) to quantify openness to help-seeking and engagement with each step of program outreach. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify participants' engagement: reviewing the counselor's response; exchanging dialogue messages with the counselor; requesting to meet with the counselor in person; and requesting referral for mental health treatment. Chi-square distribution tests were used to determine differences in level of risk and rates of engagement among medical students, residents and fellows, and faculty physicians. A total of 1,449 individuals, including medical students, residents and faculty physicians, completed the questionnaire; 1,413 (97.5%) were designated as having high or moderate distress and only 5.3% were receiving any type of counseling or therapy. Among program participants, prevalence rates of high distress were higher among medical students and residents versus faculty physicians. The rate of program engagement was high overall with 81.2% reviewing the counselor's response; further engagement was highest among those most distressed, with 32.2% engaging in online dialogue with a program counselor. ISP was a feasible tool for engaging at-risk medical students, residents and physicians who were not currently utilizing mental health services.


Author(s):  
Shreyas R. Burute ◽  
Smita L. Gaidhankar ◽  
Praveeenkumar T. Patil ◽  
Mangala B. Murthy ◽  
Sunita J. Ramanand ◽  
...  

Background: Self-medication is common in medical students but few studies address the concern regarding knowledge of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among them. None of the study compares the practice of self-medication among the same medical students as their level of education increases. Hence the study was planned to compare the pattern, source, reason of self- medication and assess the level of awareness about potential ADRs to the consumed drugs in medical students during second year through their internship.Methods: It was a longitudinal cross sectional questionnaire-based study conducted among under graduate second year MBBS students of a medical college and repeated during their internship few years later in order to avoid variability in questionnaire. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact test were used for testing statistical significance. p value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: 80 students were present on the day of study during their IInd MBBS and 73 students during their internship. Comparatively more students self-medicated during their internship than during their IInd MBBS (68% vs 55%). Analgesics (56.8% and 80%) were most commonly used. 35(70%) of interns were aware of potential ADRs and was statistically very significant in comparison to their awareness during IInd MBBS [9(20.45%)]. Interns rely more on themselves (96%) for self-medication.Conclusions: The practice of self-medication begins early in the career of medical students and is carried forward into their future. Hence it is imperative to educate students regarding responsible self- medication very early in their curriculum.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emília Pinto ◽  
Teresa Schwalbach ◽  
Ferraz Gonçalves ◽  
Jahit Sacarlal ◽  
Luisa Castro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Palliative Care (PC) needs have been increasing in low- and middle-income countries. The education of its contents avoids the patients and families´ suffering and therapeutic futility. Aim: to assess the pain and palliative care´s knowledge in Mozambican medical students of the fifth and sixth years. Methods: A cross–sectional study was conducted between August 2018 and July 2019. Data was collected by applying a self-administered survey directed to students from 2 medical schools in Mozambique. Comparison of answer’s frequencies between hospitals was performed using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Results: From the 146 participants, 52.7% were female and the median age was 24 years old. Regarding general knowledge: 90.1% think they need to improve their knowledge on pain management, 50.3% of the participants did not know the palliative care World Health Organization´s (WHO) definition. Concerning to therapeutic approach, 36.4% did not have knowledge in control of symptoms, 43.7% did not know the WHO pain management scale, 65.3% did not know how to initiate analgesia for cancer pain. There are significant differences between universities in training related to medical posture on communication to bad news to patients and family as well as training in terminally ill patients. Conclusion: Results show that students from these 2 medical schools have gaps in pain and palliative care knowledge. There is a need to introduce palliative care education in medical training in Mozambique.


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