Web-Based Undergraduate Medical Education in a Virtual Learning Environment Using an Original Pedagogical Approach: an Observational Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Background Asynchronous Web-based Medical Education in Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) has grown steadily because of its many advantages. Various configurations and instructional methods are presently available. The existing proposals are poorly structured and/or not very effectively used for teaching diagnostic skills to undergraduate medical students in Brazil. A robust instructional method with positive pedagogical characteristics is needed. Thus, we have proposed a pedagogically-structured method for VLEs that includes a motivating initial reading (Medical Chronicle – MC), and a knowledge building program, using real cases coupled with audiovisual resources (Diagnostic Workshop – DW). We aimed to verify its acceptance, as well as the efficacy of the MC/DW method in improving the diagnostic ability of medical students, in the long term. Methods An opinion survey, two MC/DW materials and two Knowledge and Diagnostic Skills (KDS) questionnaires on stroke and epilepsy were developed, and two medical student groups were followed up in this 2013 longitudinal observational study. The students answered a KDS1, and attended a traditional lecture on one of the topics. They also accessed a VLE to apply the MC/DW method on stroke or epilepsy. We applied the same questionnaire (KDS2 and KDS3, respectively), one month and 5-6 months after the KDS1. We analyzed the mean KDS1 score of all the students, and the mean pairwise of those who accessed and those who did not access the VLEs during these three stages. An opinion survey was applied, and the results were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results 87 students participated in the study, but six were excluded as they did not answer the questionnaires. The KDS1 general mean score was 1.59 (SD0.71). We found that 66 students (81.5%) accessed the VLE, showing a significant improvement in diagnostic skills in the KDS2 (mean5.65, p<0.05) and KDS3 (mean 4.57, p<0.05), with non-significant variations for those who did not access it. The MC was considered at least good for 62 students (94%), with 52 students (78.8%) finding that a checklist was sufficient to clear up all their DW doubts. Conclusions The MC/DW method in VLE proved to be effective for improving the diagnostic capability of the undergraduate medical students in the long term, and it was well accepted by the students. It presents several positive pedagogical characteristics and can be replicated.

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Transition in Learning Approach for Undergraduate Medical Students of Bangladesh in Covid 19 Pandemic: A Situation Analysis

10.1101/2021.04.29.21256358 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fatiha Tasmin Jeenia ◽

Md Jamal Uddin Tanin ◽

Jannatul Ferdoush ◽

Fatema Johora ◽

Afroza Hoque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Education System ◽

Traditional Approach ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Online Class ◽

Web Based Learning ◽

Medical Education System

Background and Objectives: The outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic has fundamentally transformed the landscape of medical education system upside down worldwide. And this unanticipated transition of medical education without any pre build infrastructure has made this altered prospect more challenging in Bangladesh. Though many countries across the world utilize web based learning along with traditional approach, but medical students of Bangladesh are mostly unfamiliar and unaccustomed with this newly imposed online learning avenue. Therefore, this study has evaluated the familiarity, usage, attitude of students towards online class and figured out the barriers witnessed by students in web based learning in Bangladesh prospect. Methods: This cross sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted in medical colleges across Bangladesh. A questionnaire linked to google form were distributed to undergraduate medical students all over Bangladesh through different social platforms. Students who showed interest, filled up the questionnaire with consent and submitted voluntarily. Those answered questionnaires were automatically stored in Google drive in a specific email ID. After completion of data collection, all data were transferred in a spread sheet and statistical analysis was done. Results: A total of 1709 students participated in this study willingly from around Bangladesh. Among the respondents 45.1% were satisfied with online class. Though most of the students (45.8%) think online class in medical education is not effective like traditional lectures but many of them (47.4%) agrees to the point that online class should have complementary role in medical education. One of the strong attitude of medical students regarding web based learning revealed in this study that, most of them undoubtedly in unison (49.5% disagree, 30.3% strongly disagree) with that web based learning can never replace traditional lecture class in medical education. 77.2% students responded that web based learning is interactive. 54.9% students pointed out that they experienced interrupted internet connections with low internet speed during class time which is a barrier to WBL. 83.2% of the respondents complained about facing audio visual problem during online class which is attributed to the poor network connectivity. Most students in Bangladesh (74.8%) found online classes costly and 53.8% of the students needed technical supports for continued online class. Conclusion: This study finding can suggest a potential reform for medical education system of Bangladesh addressing the obstacles and expectations of students which can execute a fruitful web based learning in Bangladesh.

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Effect of COVID-19 on Undergraduate Medical Education: A Letter from Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry ◽

10.36283/pjmd10-1/020 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Chest Pain ◽

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Medical Education ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Learning Systems ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Bush Fire ◽

The Impact

First identified in Wuhan, China, on December 31 2019, coronavirus spread like bush fire. The WHO declared it as a Global Pandemic on March 11 2021. COVID-19 was termed novel based on newly identified pathogens, thus leading to a state of uncertainty regarding treatment and prevention1. This virus can present with an array of symptoms; dry cough, breathlessness, chest pain, myalgia, and diarrhea2. Undergraduate medical education has shifted to virtual learning systems to halt the transmission of the virus. This letter elaborates on the challenges faced and the impact of COVID-19 on the life of undergraduate medical students.

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Validity of the Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidaemia (DHL) Knowledge Instrument among Medical Students of Karachi

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v9n1p265 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 265

Author(s):

Muhammad Bilal ◽

Abdul Haseeb ◽

Aleena Zehra Merchant ◽

Muhammad Ahad Sher Khan ◽

Arsalan Majeed Adam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Educational Status ◽

Educational Programs ◽

P Value ◽

Medical College ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

The Mean ◽

Knowledge Levels

BACKGROUND: While there have been a number of studies on DM, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, an instrument which assesses knowledge based on all three conditions has neither been established nor authorized in Pakistan. Hence, the focus of this study was to establish a pre- tested extensive questionnaire to evaluate medical students’ understanding of DM, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and their medications for use.METHODS: A pre-validated and pre-tested DHL instrument was employed on 250 students of Dow Medical and Sindh Medical College and on 45 physicians working in a leading teaching hospital of Karachi. The DHL knowledge instrument was then distributed a second time to the very same set of students, after a period of 2 months, at the end of the foundation module, once they had received some basic formal medical education including diabetes and CVS diseases.RESULTS: The overall internal consistency for the DHL instrument failed to comply with the set standard of more than or equal to 0.7 as our results yielded Cronbach’s α of 0.6. Overall the average difficulty factor of 28 questions is 0.41, which highlighted that the instrument was moderately tough. The mean scores for all domains were substantially lower in the students section in comparison to that of the professional section, which had remarkable impact on the overall mean(SD) knowledge score (40.58 ± 14.63 vs. 63.49 ± 06.67 ; p value = 0.00).CONCLUSION: The instrument can be used to recognize people who require educational programs and keep an account of the changes with the passage of time as it could help in differentiating the knowledge levels among its participants based on their educational status.

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– Medical education Curriculum gaps in teaching clinical skills to Iranian undergraduate medical students

Archives of Medical Science ◽

10.5114/aoms.2013.33073 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 309-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Azim Mirzazadeh ◽

Behrouz Bavarian ◽

Ali Labaf ◽

Ali Afshari ◽

Mohammad Nikoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Education Curriculum ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Medical Education Curriculum

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The usage pattern and willingness of undergraduate medical students for including social media platforms as a learning tool in medical education- an online survey

PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL RESEARCH - 2 ◽

10.47799/pimr.0801.03 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

Momin Kashif ◽

Mirza Nisar Baig

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Active Participation ◽

First Year ◽

Usage Pattern ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Learning Tool ◽

Social Media Platforms

Background: The rapid growth and availability of smartphones and social media platforms (SMP) have changed the medical students' approach to learn and manage the information about their academic, personal and professional lives. Methods: An online survey was done in undergraduate medical students of PIMS, Karimnagar to collect information about usage pattern and perception of SMP, and willingness to participate for using SMP as a learning tool in medical education. Results: Total 433 (Females – 275) out of 600 students participated in the survey from the first year (125), secondyear (151) and third-year (157) MBBS students. Everyone is using some type of SMP. They find SMP nearly equal to lecture materials and subject notes as a useful learning tool and there was significantly increasing trend of perception of SMP being a useful learning tool from the first-year (79%), second-year (83%) to third-year (92%), (p=0.01). Almost 93% want to see SMP used at institute level in medical education. Female students (52.4%) are significantly more willing for active participation than male students (43%), p=0.04. First-year students (56%) are more ready for active participation followed by third (48.4%) and second (43.7%) year students, p=0.08. Conclusion: Most students are willing to include SMP in medical education as a learning tool and ready to participate in different activities if they get the required training. As all students have smartphones and efficiently utilizing different services on their devices, SMP can become an effective learning tool in medical education.

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Pattern Recognition using Morphologies of Anthropophilic and Zoophilic Dermatophytosis Lesions: Comparison between Final-Year Medical Students and Dermatology Residents

Siriraj Medical Journal ◽

10.33192/smj.2020.66 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 72 (6) ◽

pp. 488-491

Author(s):

Sumanas Bunyaratavej ◽

Rungsima Kiratiwongwan ◽

Pichaya Limphoka ◽

Kamonpan Lertrujiwanit ◽

Charussri Leeyaphan

Keyword(s):

Pattern Recognition ◽

Medical Students ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Diagnostic Skills ◽

Siriraj Hospital ◽

The Mean ◽

Typical Lesion

Objective: To compared pattern recognition abilities of final-year medical students and dermatology residents to distinguish and classify superficial fungal infections and resembling lesions.Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2019. The participants had to make diagnosis from 78 images including typical and atypical lesions within 50 second. No history or any description was given. The answer sheets were reviewed.Results: Medical students (n = 18) and dermatology residents (n = 19) showed no significant differences in the means of overall accuracy scores. Residents demonstrated a statistically higher mean score than the medical students in diagnoses of anthropophilic infection with mostly presented with typical lesion. However, there were no significant differences in the mean scores for their diagnoses of zoophilic dermatophytosis as atypical lesions and other skin lesions.Conclusion: Pattern recognition was helpful for the diagnosis of cutaneous dermatophytosis, especially in cases of typical lesions. Nonetheless, pattern recognition alone is insufficient for the diagnosis of atypical dermatophytosis lesions: analytical diagnostic skills should also be enhanced to an increase in the accuracies of atypical-lesion diagnoses.

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Rates of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms among Female Undergraduate Medical Students at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital

IRA-International Journal of Management & Social Sciences (ISSN 2455-2267) ◽

10.21013/jmss.v14.n2sp.p17 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 171

Author(s):

Sandesh Sawant ◽

Garima Tripathi ◽

Tripti Pal Raman

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Medical Students ◽

Family History ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Drop Out ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Female Undergraduate ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

The Mean

Background: Literature states that Depression and anxiety symptoms carry impairment to medical students, including poor academic performance, drop out, substance abuse and suicide. A high prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students has been reported worldwide. Higher prevalence is noticed among female students.Aim/Objectives: To study rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female undergraduate medical students.Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. The purposive sampling method was used. Duration of study was 6 months. A total number of participants’ were 100. Self-developed questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were used. Results: Findings showed that the mean score of anxiety symptoms was 8.08 (SD± 4.07). Similarly, the mean score of Depressive symptoms was 4.99(SD± 3.28). Fifty-two per cent of the students rated anxiety symptoms and 25% of the student rated depressive symptoms between borderline to the abnormal range. Total 9% of the students reported that they have a family history of mental illness among which 8% reported borderline to an abnormal range of anxiety however 52 % who had no family history also scored the same range. Similarly, 17% of the students reported there were life events which were stressful among which 13% scored borderline to abnormal range anxiety symptoms. Likewise, only 5% of the students scored borderline to the abnormal range of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: It was observed that female undergraduate medical students experience both anxiety and depressive symptoms however the percentage of depressive symptoms were less compared to anxiety symptoms. Further studies are required to evaluate the associated factors responsible for depressive and anxiety symptoms.

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Prevalence of somatic symptoms amongst undergraduate medical students of Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205192 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 5106

Author(s):

Shaikh Arshiya Kaiser Husain ◽

Anwaya R. Magare ◽

Purushottam A. Giri ◽

Vijaykumar S. Jadhav

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Future Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Negative Effect

Background: The aim of medical education is to produce competent, physically and mentally strong health professionals, as they are going to be the pillars of the future health care system. Stress is one of the most common and process-oriented obstacles in medical education. It often exerts a negative effect on the academic performance, physical health, and psychological well-being of the students. Dealing with overloaded medical curriculum, competing with peers, being away from home and meeting high expectations imposed by parents and society to excel is among the common stressful transitions at this stage.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out amongst 352 undergraduate medical students of a private medical college in a rural area of Maharashtra during April to October 2019. The structured questionnaire was used to record the data. Collected data was used to assess the severity of mental health issues among medical students.Results: Majority 194 (55.11%) students were in the age of 18 to 20 years followed by 141 (40.06%) were in 21 to 23 years. There were 196 (55.68%) girl students and 156 (44.32%) boys. According to the various categories, 80 (22.73%) of the students had low stress scores, followed by 76 (21.59%) in minimal. A highly significant difference in stress scores was seen between boys and girls, which was more in boys.Conclusions: Study concluded that undergraduate medical students perceive minimal to very high stress presented as various systems that vary with the year of study and gender wise too. There is a further need to look into the various causes of stress.

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Depression Among Undergraduate Medical Students

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8021 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 56-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bibhusan Basnet ◽

M Jaiswal ◽

B Adhikari ◽

PM Shyangwa

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Academic Stress ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Inducing Factors ◽

Major Factors

Background Psychological stress is common in medical school and associated with depression. Medical education is grooming in Nepal, but only few studies are done concerning mental health of medical students. Objective To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students at different levels of education and find about their stressors. Methods A cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. 50 students each from Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) first and third year were enrolled in the study conducted between November 2008 to January2009. The depression levels were assessed using Zung depression scale. Students were asked to complete the questionnaire and then the depression levels calculated .The stress inducing factors during their course of medical education were also assessed. Results The overall prevalence of depression among the students was 29.78 percent. The prevalence of depression in first and third year was 36.74and 22.22 percent respectively. The prevalence of depression was 32.43 percent among female students versus 28.07 percent in male students. Both first and third year students gave high ratings to academic stress and hectic lifestyle as the main stress inducing factors. Conclusion The prevalence of depression is seen especially in the first year medical students. So, attempts should be made to alleviate the stressors right from the time they join medical school. Since academic stress proved to be one of the major factors, measures to make the academic curriculum more student-friendly are suggested. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | VOL.10 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 39 | JUL- SEP 2012 | Page 56-59 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i3.8021

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The Effectiveness of Social Media Use as a Supplement Media of Clinical Skills Lab Learning for Undergraduate Medical Students in Low- and Middle-Income Countries during COVID-19 (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30677 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zahira Noor Fathiyya ◽

Muhammad Reza Utama ◽

Yelvi Levani ◽

Yuli Wahyu Rahmawati

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Social Media ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Learning Method ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Skills Lab

BACKGROUND Before COVID-19, it was recommended that medical education be conducted using the blended learning method in order to achieve an effective learning experience. However, it seems that distance learning is currently the best alternative to the previous learning method. Clinical skills lab activities, which are one of the learning methods in medical education, must adapt because they cannot be administered in-person. Social media has been proven giving a potential to supplement formal medical education for undergraduate student. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of media social use as a supplement for clinical skills lab learning on undergraduate medical students in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We designed a protocol for creating a systematic review on the effectiveness of social media as a supplement media in clinical skills lab learning for undergraduate medical students in LMIC during COVID-19. We will be extracting information from appropriate sources online obtained from journal websites’ databases guided by the PRISMA-S checklist in accordance with the research problem. The included sources include randomized controlled trials, systematic review, and meta-analysis published between 2020-2021. RESULTS This manuscript is still a protocol and has not been implemented. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review, we will discuss the effectiveness of social media as a clinical skills lab learning for undergraduate medical students in LMIC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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