Value-Added Roles of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessment of Medical Students’ Perceptions and Willingness in Sri Lanka

Abstract BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic is an opportune time to identify the value-added roles of medical students to utilize the services of this potential workforce effectively in the health-care system. Hence, this study assessed medical students’ perception and willingness to assist in COVID-19 health sector preparedness and response via value-added roles in Sri Lanka. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among all medical students studying in six batches of the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences (FMAS), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL). A Google form prepared in English with statements about individual perception of medical students’ role and their willingness to assist in the COVID-19 health sector response via value-added roles was used to collect data. ResultsOut of 856 (79.6%) study participants, the majority was females (n=601, 70.2%). The majority (n=804, 93.9%) reported that they have a responsibility to contribute to the COVID-19 health sector response in the country. There was a statistically significant difference in medical students’ perceived level of clinical knowledge and clinical skills to assist in COVID-19 health sector response with advancing academic year (p<0.001). The commonly identified value-added roles were developing (n=770, 89.9%) and disseminating (n=744, 86.9%) health education messages, and field contact tracing activities (n=653, 76.3%). Other value-added roles were assisting the curative health sector in COVID-19 patient management (n=380, 44.4%) and other non-COVID-19 patient management (n=463, 54.1%). ConclusionsMedical students are mostly willing to be engaged in the preventive health sector value-added roles and to a lesser extent in the curative health sector value-added roles during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the medical educators need to clearly define the value-added roles and provide adequate training and supervision for medical students, from the first year to the final year, to combine learning with meaningful contributions to patient care and health-care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on COVID-19 Among Medical Students in Sri Lanka

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539521993663 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101053952199366

Author(s):

Anne Thushara Matthias ◽

Mathotage Sathiesha Nihari Padmasiri ◽

Uduwaka Gam Aacharige Navoda Dharani

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

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What Leads to Intra-Industry Trade between Sri Lanka and South Asia?

10.31219/osf.io/hm37b ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thilini Saparamadu ◽

Nesrine Akrimi

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

South Asia ◽

South Asian ◽

Economies Of Scale ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Value Added ◽

The South ◽

Industry Trade ◽

Asian Region ◽

South Asian Region

This study ascertains the determinants of Intra-Industry Trade (IIT) with particular reference to IIT between Sri Lanka and its major trading partners in South Asia; namely; India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The study uses secondary data published in World Development Indicators, Penn World Table from 1992 to 2017. The level of IIT is calculated by using data gathered from Comtrade Data Base. Using panel data regression, the study adopts Random Effect model to analyze the regression results. The study concludes that economies of scale measured by difference of value added in the net output of the manufacturing sector and market size measured by average gross domestic product exert a significant influence on the level of IIT in the South Asian region. Differences of per capita Gross National Income (GNI - difference in income level) and tariff rate (the proxy for trade barriers) poses a negative influence on the level of IIT. The policymakers should be concerned about the possibility to increase IIT in the South Asian region. Based on the findings of the study, the present research offers policy recommendations to promote IIT within the region.

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P142: Perspectives of medical students and undergraduate students on their experience as medical scribes in the Saint John Regional Hospital Emergency Department

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2020.346 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (S1) ◽

pp. S115-S116

Author(s):

I. Abelev ◽

D. Lewis ◽

J. Fraser ◽

P. Atkinson

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Value Added ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Health Care Team ◽

Direct Access ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Medical Terminology ◽

Structured Interviews

Introduction: Electronic medical records (EMR) have placed increasing demand on emergency physicians and may contribute to physician burnout and stress. The use of scribes to reduce workload and increase productivity in emergency departments (ED) has been reported. This objective of this study was to evaluate the educational and experiential value of scribing among medical and undergraduate students. We asked: “Will undergraduates be willing to scribe in exchange for clinical exposure and experience?”; and, “Should scribing be integrated into the medical school curriculum?” Methods: A mixed-methods model was employed. The study population included 5 undergraduate, and 5 medical students. Scribes received technical training on how to take physician notes. Undergraduate students were provided with optional resources to familiarize themselves with common medical terminology. Scribes were assigned to physicians based on availability. An exit interview and semi-structured interviews were conducted at the conclusion of the study. Interviews were transcribed and coded into thematic coding trees. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyze the results. Themes were reviewed and verified by two members of the research team. Results: Undergraduate students preferred volunteering in the ED over other volunteer experiences (5/5); citing direct access to the medical field (5/5), demystification of the medical profession (4/5), resume building (5/5), and perceived value added to the health care team (5/5) as main motivators to continue scribing. Medical students felt scribing should be integrated into their curriculum (4/5) because it complemented their shadowing experience by providing unique value that shadowing did not. Based on survey results, five undergraduate students would be required to cover 40 volunteer hours per week. Conclusion: A student volunteer model of scribing is worthwhile to students and may be feasible; however, scribe availability, potentially high scribe turnover, and limited time to develop a rapport with their physician may impact any efficiency benefit scribes might provide. Importantly, scribing may be an invaluable experience for directing career goals and ensuring that students intrinsically interested in medicine pursue the profession. Medical students suggested that scribing could be added to the year one curriculum to help them develop a framework for how to take histories and manage patients.

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Global Production Networks and (Distributional) Regional Development: The Cinnamon Industry in Karandeniya and Matale, Sri Lanka

Journal of South Asian Development ◽

10.1177/0973174120956496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 209-237

Author(s):

Eunyeong Song ◽

Douglas R. Gress ◽

Edo Andriesse

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Regional Development ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Value Added ◽

Production Network ◽

Production Networks ◽

Global Production Networks ◽

Exporting Firms ◽

Global Production Network ◽

Developmental Dynamics

The purpose of this article is to examine the multi-spatial and developmental dynamics of the cinnamon industry in Sri Lanka, the largest exporter in the world by value added. This contribution compares Karandeniya, a major traditional cultivating hub, and Matale, a region new to cinnamon cultivation, deploying a Global Production Network (GPN) framework inclusive of regional development considerations. Analyses, based on input from 23 semi-structured, in-depth interviews, examine the potential for all stakeholders to acquire equity or ‘how’ captured value influences the region ‘and’ individual actors over the course of development. Fieldwork reveals four upstream actors in the cinnamon industry, namely—farmers, peelers, collectors and exporting firms. Results indicate that the cinnamon boom led to strategic decoupling with the exporting firms in Colombo and subsequent strategic recoupling with other actors. The primary contribution of the research rests in the interpretation of resulting structural changes in each region from a bifurcated view of regional development. Based on regional economic growth, Karandeniya appears to be more successful. However, considering the extent of value distribution within the region, Matale is on a more inclusive trajectory vis-à-vis cinnamon exports. Based on these results, three implications for GPN theory and related development policy are suggested.

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Attitudes on euthanasia among medical students and doctors in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study

BMC Medical Ethics ◽

10.1186/s12910-021-00731-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

H. M. M. T. B. Herath ◽

K. W. S. M. Wijayawardhana ◽

U. I. Wickramarachchi ◽

Chaturaka Rodrigo

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Work Experience ◽

Assisted Suicide ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Undergraduates

Abstract Background Euthanasia is a topic of intense ethical debate and it is illegal in most countries at present, including Sri Lanka. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study of medical students and practicing doctors was to explore the acceptance of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS), and factors influencing this opinion. Methods A customised online questionnaire which explored opinions on euthanasia was administered to first and final year medical undergraduates in University of Colombo and practicing doctors with more than 5 years of work experience at The National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Attitudes on euthanasia and PAS were also assessed with the attitudes towards euthanasia (ATE) Scale, which is a 10-item questionnaire. Results A total of 425 individuals responded (males: 178, 42%, age: median – 27 years), which included 143 (33.6%) first-year medical undergraduates, 141 (33.2%) final-year medical undergraduates and 141 (33.2%) practicing doctors. More participants (200, 47.1%) favoured legalizing euthanasia than those directly opposing it (110, 25.9%), but a significant proportion (27%) remained undecided. The mean scores of ATE questionnaire from the whole sample were generally unfavourable towards euthanasia/PAS. Accepting euthanasia as an option for oneself (p = < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of favouring euthanasia/PAS or supporting its legalization. Conclusion In this cross-sectional survey, more respondents supported legalisation of euthanasia in Sri Lanka than those openly opposing it. Yet, a significant minority that responded as “undecided” for legalisation, were more likely to have unfavourable ATE.

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Student-Led Curricular Approaches in Medical Education: The Value-Added Effects of a Virtual Fundamentals of COVID-19 Course

10.21203/rs.3.rs-440929/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Megan Z. Chiu ◽

Joseph M. Baker ◽

Maritza Gomez ◽

Cameron M. Brown ◽

Abigail M. Brenner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Value Added ◽

Composite Score ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Call To Action ◽

Future Clinical Practice ◽

Fourth Year Medical Students ◽

Strongly Agree ◽

Composite Scores

Abstract Background As the field of education was adapting to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, a need quickly emerged for a course to prepare medical students for future clinical practice. This call to action was answered by creating an innovative Fundamentals of COVID-19 course at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM). As a group of medical student leaders at IUSM, we developed this online course in order to support our fellow students and the community. The course was implemented in May 2020 and enrolled a total of 724 third- and fourth-year medical students. Subsequently, we carried out a research study about this student-led curricular approach and its implications for medical education. Methods The study examined the value-added educational effects of completing the Fundamentals of COVID-19 course. In order to examine these effects, the study asked enrolled students to complete both a pre- and post-course self-assessment survey. Students were asked an identical set of questions on each survey about their knowledge (7), skills (5), and abilities (5) (KSA) regarding COVID-19. Composite scores were created for each KSA learning domain. Responses were provided using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Results Out of the 724 students enrolled, 645 students completed both the pre- and post-course assessment surveys. Findings show that there were both meaningful and statistically significant differences in students’ responses to the pre- and post-course surveys. Results show 1.) a significant mean increase in the knowledge composite score of 1.01, 95% CI [0.95, 1.06], t(644) = 36.4 , p <.001, d = 1.43; 2.) a significant mean increase in the skills composite score of .55, 95% CI [0.50, 0.60], t(644) = 20.70, p <.001, d = 0.81. and 3.) a significant mean increase of the abilities composite score of 1.02, 95% CI [.97, 1.07], t(644) = 36.56, p <.001, d = 1.44. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the student-developed, online Fundamentals of COVID-19 course resulted in value-added educational effects. Overall, this study provides evidence to support virtually delivered, student-led curricular approaches in medical education.

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Medical Students Dynamic Effort on Understanding of RNAi Therapeutic Application in Sri Lanka

International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science ◽

10.5815/ijmecs.2015.03.02 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 12-18

Author(s):

Faiz MMT Marikar ◽

◽

Manel BCN Kulugammana ◽

Karawitage RL Karawita ◽

Aravinda S Jayathilake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Therapeutic Application

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Wood Residues in the Moratuwa Woodworking Industry Cluster of Sri Lanka: Potential for Sector Synergies and Value-Added Products

Forest Products Journal ◽

10.13073/fpj-d-21-00042 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 379-390

Author(s):

Shashika Himandi ◽

Priyan Perera ◽

Hiran Amarasekera ◽

Rajitha Rupasinghe ◽

Richard P. Vlosky

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Value Added ◽

Tectona Grandis ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Wood Waste ◽

Industry Cluster ◽

Wood Residue ◽

Industrial Facilities ◽

Wood Residues ◽

End Use

Abstract The Moratuwa Woodworking Industry Cluster (MWIC) is a geographically concentrated cluster of over 1,600 small-to-medium scale wood-based manufacturing and retail facilities in Sri Lanka. Firms include furniture manufacturers, carpentry shops, sawmills, and integrated sawmills. The concept of industrial symbiosis explores the synergies between industrial facilities to exchange energy, water, by-products, and waste to achieve a higher efficiency in resource utilization. This research was undertaken to address the lack of quantitative information on wood residues generated within the MWIC. A survey of 180 primary and secondary wood product manufacturers was undertaken to quantify MWIC firm by-product production and consumption of wood residues to establish a baseline for possible end use and waste synergies. The total population of enterprises generating wood waste is 730; retail facilities are not included. Sawmills produce approximately 66% of the 6,490 MT of MWIC's monthly wood residue generation, with the balance produced by carpentry and integrated enterprises. Teak (Tectona grandis) and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) are the dominant species used in the MWIC, accounting for most of the wood waste. Three main types of wood waste were identified in the survey: sawdust (76.5%), boards with significant wane (16.5%) unusable for further products, and offcuts (6.9%). Only 55% of the wood waste generated in MWIC is currently used; the remaining 45% is taken to landfills or disposed of in other ways, such as discarded in waterways or other nonapproved locations. Improved wood waste sorting by type at the mill level and aggregated wood waste within the MWIC was determined to increase the usability of wood waste as potential inputs in other wood manufacturing sectors in the MWIC.

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Usage of Cloud Storage Facilities by Medical students in a low-middle income country, Sri Lanka: A cross sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.11638/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Samankumara Hettige ◽

Eshani Dasanayaka ◽

Dileepa Senajith Ediriweera

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Cloud Storage ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Security And Privacy ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income ◽

Google Drive ◽

Storage Facilities

Abstract Introduction Cloud storage facilities (CSF) has become popular among the internet users. There is limited data on CSF usage among university students in low middle-income countries including Sri Lanka. In this study we present the CSF usage among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Methods We undertook a cross sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit students representing all the batches. A self-administrated questionnaire was given. Results Of 261 (90.9%) respondents, 181 (69.3%) were females. CSF awareness was 56.5% (95%CI: 50.3% - 62.6%) and CSF usage was 50.8% (95%CI: 44.4 - 57.2%). Awareness was higher in males (P=0.003) and was low in senior students. Google Drive was the commonest CSF followed by Dropbox and OneDrive. There was no association between CSF awareness and pre-university entrance or undergraduate examination performance. Inadequate knowledge, time, accessibility, security and privacy concerns limited CSF usage. 69.8% indicated that they would like to undergo training on CSF as an effective tool for education. Conclusion CSF awareness and usage was nearly 50% among the students and Google drive is the most popular CSF. Lack of knowledge, accessibility, concerns on security and privacy limited CSF usage among students. Majority were interested to undergo training on CSF and undergraduate ICT curricula should introduce CSF as effective educational tools.

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