How To Handle Disaster? – Evaluation of a Course for Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Assistance for Undergraduate Medical Students

Author(s):  
Sabine Hermann ◽  
Jessica Gerstner ◽  
Florian Weiss ◽  
Simon Aichele ◽  
Eric Stricker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Disaster medicine is a component of the German medical education since 2003. However, studies have shown some inconsistencies within the implementation of the national curriculum, and limits with the number of students trained over the years. Facing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and other disasters, it became much more important to train medical students in disaster medicine on a coordinated basis.Methods: The University Clinic for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine in Tübingen, Germany, expanded the existing curriculum of undergraduate disaster medicine training with fundamentals of humanitarian medicine, integrating the experience with distance learning, interactive teaching and simulation sessions. Survey tools were used to assess participants’ previous experiences and interest in the field of disaster medicine, to compare the self-reported degree of knowledge before and after training, and the programme’s quality evaluation. A mandatory pre- and post-test of knowledge was also administered to evaluate learner outcomes. The prospective and cross-sectional study evaluates the pilot course Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Assistance carried out for third-, fourth- and fifth- year medical students over five semesters during the period between 2018 and 2020.Results: Data was collected from 107 students over five training sessions. Out of a sample of 82 students, the subjective perception of knowledge increased after the course (t [81] = 24.426, p < .001), alongside with the interest in engaging in the field of disaster medicine (t[81 ] = 7.031, p < .001). 102 students entered the mandatory knowledge assessment, with the rate of correct answers passing from 73.27% in the pre-test to 95.23% in the post-test (t [101] = 18.939, p < .001). The 93.46% of the medical students (N = 100) graded the training received with an excellent overall score (1.01 out of 6).Discussion: The study indicates a significant increase in students’ understanding of disaster medicine through the use of both subjective and objective measures, as well as an increase interest in the field of disaster and humanitarian medicine. The educational programme appears to address the deficiencies documented in previous studies, and possible adaptation with virtual reality approaches could expand access to a larger audience.Conclusion: The programme offers an effective and comprehensive tool to address the urgent need of quality education for medical students, suggesting integrated strategies to implement disaster medicine training.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Hermann ◽  
Jessica Gerstner ◽  
Florian Weiss ◽  
Simon Aichele ◽  
Eric Stricker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Disaster medicine is a component of the German medical education since 2003. Nevertheless, studies have shown some inconsistencies within the implementation of the national curriculum, and limits in the number of students trained over the years. Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and other disasters have called attention to the importance of training medical students in disaster medicine on a coordinated basis. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate the disaster medicine and humanitarian assistance course, which was developed in the University of Tübingen, Germany. Methods The University Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine in Tübingen expanded the existing curriculum of undergraduate disaster medicine training with fundamentals of humanitarian medicine, integrating distance learning, interactive teaching and simulation sessions in a 40 h course for third-, fourth- and fifth- year medical students. This prospective and cross-sectional study evaluates the Disaster Medicine and Humanitarian Assistance course carried out over five semesters during the period between 2018 and 2020. Three survey tools were used to assess participants’ previous experiences and interest in the field of disaster medicine, to compare the subjective and objective level of knowledge before and after training, and to evaluate the course quality. Results The total number of medical students attending the five courses was n = 102 of which n = 60 females (59%) and n = 42 males (41%). One hundred two students entered the mandatory knowledge assessment, with the rate of correct answers passing from 73.27% in the pre-test to 95.23% in the post-test (t [101] = 18.939, p < .001, d = 1.88). To determine the subjective perception of knowledge data were collected from 107 observations. Twenty-five did not complete the both questionnaires. Out of a remaining sample of 82 observations, the subjective perception of knowledge increased after the course (t [81] = 24.426, p < .001, d = 2.69), alongside with the interest in engaging in the field of disaster medicine (t [81] = 7.031, p < .001, d = .78). The 93.46% of the medical students (n = 100) graded the training received with an excellent overall score (1.01 out of 6). Conclusion The study indicates a significant increase in students’ understanding of disaster medicine using both subjective and objective measurements, as well as an increase interest in the field of disaster medicine and humanitarian assistance. Whereas former studies showed insufficient objective knowledge regarding disaster medical practices as well as subjective insecurities about their skills and knowledge to deal with disaster scenarios, the presented course seems to overcome these deficiencies preparing future physicians with the fundamentals of analysis and response to disasters. The development and successful implementation of this course is a first step towards fulfilling disaster medicine education requirements, appearing to address the deficiencies documented in previous studies. A possible adaptation with virtual reality approaches could expand access to a larger audience. Further effort must be made to develop also international training programs, which should be a mandatory component of medical schools’ curricula.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nour Shashaa ◽  
Mohamad Shadi Alkarrash ◽  
Mohammad Nour Kitaz ◽  
Roaa Rhayim ◽  
Mohammed Ismail ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sudden cardiac arrest considers one of the most leading cause for death in all over the world. It is important for all medical students to train basic life support. This study evaluated the awareness of basic life support among medical students. Methods An electronic questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted in November 2020 among 2114 medical student in Syria, Iraq and Jordan. We evaluated BLS skills according to mean score. A chi-squared test was used to determine if there were differences between those who attended a basic life support course and those who did not. Results 1656 of the participants (78.3%) stated that they did not attend a basic life support course. There was a significant difference between the participants from different countries where the mean score in Syria, Jordan and Iraq was 18.3, 24.3 and 18.8 respectively (p < 0.05). The participants were divided into 3 level according to total score; low (0–12), moderate (13–24) and high (25–37). In total, 18.3%, 72.8% and 8.9% of participants had high, intermediate and low level respectively. Conclusions The overall knowledge of basic life support among medical students is not adequate and need significant improvements. This study showed that an attendance a basic life support course previously had an effect on knowledge level. Hence, there is an urgent need to apply basic life support courses into the pre-clinical stage at universities.


Author(s):  
Priyanka . ◽  
R K Pal

Introduction: Excessive use of the Internet affects the academic achievements of students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction and the pattern of Internet use among undergraduate medical students. Method: This analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 177 undergraduate medical students in batch 2016, 2017 and 2018, who were included in this study by convenience sampling method. The study tool was  Young’s Internet Addiction Test containing questions regarding the pattern of Internet use. Data entry and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 21. Qualitative data were described in terms of frequency and percentage while quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Chi square test and multiple linear regression were used to find out the relationship between various factors and Internet Addiction (IA).  The significance level was considered 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.3 years (± 1.19), and 62 % of the subjects were males. The prevalence rate of Internet Addiction (IA) was found to be 56.5% and 42.9% of them were in mild and 13.6% were in moderate addiction category. Being male (β= -0.143, p=0.038), staying at a hostel (β= 0.167, p=0.018), not having a time preference for using the Internet (β= -0.174, p=0.012), spending more time on the Internet everyday (β= 0.201, p=0.000), being always online (β= 0.276, p=0.000) and more years of using the Internet (β= 0.175, p=0.015) were significantly related with IA in students. Conclusion: A large proportion of medical students were found to be addicted to the Internet. Therefore, this issue should be addressed immediately.


1970 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 141-150
Author(s):  
Mausumi Basu ◽  
Palash Das ◽  
Biman Roy ◽  
Jayanta Kumar Baruah

Background: Diseases affecting the cornea constitute a major cause of blindness. Corneal transplantation offers the potential for sight restoration. Due to non-availability of healthy cornea, many people continue to live in a dark world.Objectives: To assess the awareness and perception of undergraduate medical students towards eye donation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of Kolkata on August 2010 using a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Epi-info software package version 6.04.Results: Almost all (98.9%) participants knew that eyes can be donated and 70.8% were aware at the time of eye collection. However, only 43.7% respondents knew whom to approach for pledging their eyes for donation; 80.7% were either willing (76.0%) or had already pledged (4.7%) to donate their eyes. Television was the major source (78.1%) of information on eye donation. Nobility was the main motivation (87.7%) and 75.5% felt the need for helping the blind. Of these medical students, 19.3% were unaware and did not pledge eye donation due to objection by family members and dislike of the idea of separating their eyes.Conclusion: The present study revealed that medical students were well aware of eye donation with a favorable attitude towards it and most of them were inclined to pledge for eye donation. The perceived reasons for not donating eyes need to be considered while creating awareness about eye donation in the community. Students can be actively involved as volunteers in eye donation campaigns and after proper training in counselling techniques, they can act as counsellors for eye donation activities.


Author(s):  
Khajan Singh ◽  
Brijesh Kumar ◽  
Mahender Singh ◽  
Preeti .

Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) has now become a global health problem. It has significantly increased the mortality and morbidity related to infectious diseases as well as the economic burden due to these infections. There is global consensus on development of new strategies for prevention of antibiotic abuse and hence decreasing the prevalence of ABR. Medical students should be given more education during their undergraduate training regarding antibiotic resistance and appropriate prescribing. Therefore, this study was planned to assess Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about antibiotics usage among medical undergraduates.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was done among 2nd year undergraduate medical students of NC Medical College and Hospital, Israna, Panipat. Data was collected through specifically developed structured questionnaire from 130 students. The data was entered in MS excel 2010 and statistical analysis was done using MS excel 2010 and IBM Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.0.Results: 93.07% (n=121) of the students were aware that antibiotic resistance has become an important and serious global public health issue. The attitude of the students about antibiotic use and resistance was found to be casual and negligent. 21.53% (n=28) of study participants believed that they should take antibiotics when they have cold to prevent from getting a serious illness. 38.46% (n=50) of students considered taking antibiotics whenever they had fever.Conclusions: This study provides useful information about the knowledge, attitudes and the practices of 2nd year undergraduate medical students about antibiotic resistance and usage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harlina H Siraj ◽  
Salam A ◽  
Roslan R ◽  
Hasan NA ◽  
Jin TH ◽  
...  

Introduction: Student can be stressed due to different stressors such as academic, financial, health related or loss of close family member or friend, etc. Stress is the bodies’ reaction both neurologically and physiologically to adapt to the new condition. Stress has a negative effect on the academic performance of the students. This study was aimed to explore the stress and stressors and also to determine the association between stress levels and the academic performances in terms of cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of undergraduate medical students. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among all 234 year-4 medical students of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), session 2011-2012. Sample size comprised of 179 students after fulfilling all inclusion and exclusion criteria. A validated Medical Students’ Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to collect the data. Stress level and its association with CGPA of semester-1 examination were analysed. Results: Response rate was 76.49%, where 72% were female and 69% resided in the hostel. Academic Related and Social-related Stressors caused for severe and high stress in 84% and 49% respondents respectively, with insignificant differences between gender and residency. Respondents with a high and severe stress level were observed to have higher CGPA. Conclusion: UKM medical students are highly resourceful to manage their stress well and thus denying the negative effect of stress towards their academic performance. Medical schools should train students exposing various personal and professional developmental activities that able to face the everyday challenges and manage stress well and thereby achieve better academic performance.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
N C Aghukwa

<p><strong>Background</strong>. This study determined and compared responses of 5th- and 6th (final)-year medical students on their attitudes to psychiatry as a profession. Also elicited were their choices of area of future medical specialisation.</p><p><strong>Method</strong>. A prospective and cross-sectional study using an adapted 27-item self-administered questionnaire to obtain responses from 91 5th- and 6th-year medical students at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> More than 60% of the students’ first choices for future specialisation were surgery, obstetrics/gynaecology or internal medicine. Psychiatry was the first preference for less than 2%. More than 75% of the students’ views on the overall merits and efficacy of psychiatry were positive, although they felt that psychiatry had low prestige and status as a profession. In addition, the same proportion considered that psychiatry was scientific, making advances in the treatment of major mental disorders, and helpful in liaison practice. More than 50% stated that psychiatry would not be their choice of last resort for residency education and the same proportion felt that friends and fellow students rather than family members would discourage them from specialising in psychiatry. More than 50% would feel uncomfortable with mentally ill patients, felt that psychiatry would not be financially rewarding, and did not think that psychiatrists abuse their legal power to hospitalise patients. Attitudes of the two groups of students to psychiatry as a profession were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> A clinical clerkship in psychiatry did not influence the students’ choice of future specialisation.</p>


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