scholarly journals Undergraduate Medical Students’ Search for Health Information Online: Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Loda ◽  
Rebecca Erschens ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Andreas Stengel ◽  
Stephan Zipfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Provocation Test ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Histamine Intolerance

BACKGROUND Previous research shows that being a “digital native” or growing up in a digital environment does not necessarily lead to increased digital competencies, such as digital health literacy or evaluation of webpage quality. OBJECTIVE This study showed how medical students searched for health information online, specifically the recommended testing for histamine intolerance, by comparing the use of various search engines (Google, Medisuch, and a website of the student’s choice) to find out more about search strategies in future health professionals. As Medisuch presents a qualitatively better search engine, we assumed that medical students using this search engine might find valid information faster on more reliable webpages, and might recommend the correct diagnostic steps for histamine intolerance to their patients more often than students using a generic search engine like Google. METHODS Medical students in their third year of study were asked to find the relevant diagnostic steps of histamine intolerance online. They were randomly assigned to use one search engine: Google, their personal choice, or Medisuch. Their process of seeking information online was video recorded. RESULTS In total, 140 medical students participated in this study. The total number of webpages found did not differ among the groups (<i>P</i>=.52). Students using Medisuch (<i>P</i>=.02) correctly identified the elimination diet as a relevant diagnostic step more frequently. The provocation test was reported by almost half of the students independent of the search engine used. In general, medical students commonly identified trustworthy webpages in all three groups (Google: 36/44, 82%; free choice: 31/36; 86%; and Medisuch: 35/45, 78%). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that medical students were able to find trustworthy health-related information online independent of the search engine used. Medical students that are digital natives seem to have proper internet skills and a knowledge of how to use them. They entered specific medical terms (evidence-based diagnostic steps) or names of reliable webpages (DocCheck) in the search engines to gain correct information. However, it remains to be seen if this behavior can be called true “digital literacy”.

scholarly journals Undergraduate Medical Students’ Search for Health Information Online: Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/16279 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e16279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Loda ◽  
Rebecca Erschens ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Andreas Stengel ◽  
Stephan Zipfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Provocation Test ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Histamine Intolerance

Background Previous research shows that being a “digital native” or growing up in a digital environment does not necessarily lead to increased digital competencies, such as digital health literacy or evaluation of webpage quality. Objective This study showed how medical students searched for health information online, specifically the recommended testing for histamine intolerance, by comparing the use of various search engines (Google, Medisuch, and a website of the student’s choice) to find out more about search strategies in future health professionals. As Medisuch presents a qualitatively better search engine, we assumed that medical students using this search engine might find valid information faster on more reliable webpages, and might recommend the correct diagnostic steps for histamine intolerance to their patients more often than students using a generic search engine like Google. Methods Medical students in their third year of study were asked to find the relevant diagnostic steps of histamine intolerance online. They were randomly assigned to use one search engine: Google, their personal choice, or Medisuch. Their process of seeking information online was video recorded. Results In total, 140 medical students participated in this study. The total number of webpages found did not differ among the groups (P=.52). Students using Medisuch (P=.02) correctly identified the elimination diet as a relevant diagnostic step more frequently. The provocation test was reported by almost half of the students independent of the search engine used. In general, medical students commonly identified trustworthy webpages in all three groups (Google: 36/44, 82%; free choice: 31/36; 86%; and Medisuch: 35/45, 78%). Conclusions The results indicate that medical students were able to find trustworthy health-related information online independent of the search engine used. Medical students that are digital natives seem to have proper internet skills and a knowledge of how to use them. They entered specific medical terms (evidence-based diagnostic steps) or names of reliable webpages (DocCheck) in the search engines to gain correct information. However, it remains to be seen if this behavior can be called true “digital literacy”.

scholarly journals Correction: Undergraduate Medical Students’ Search for Health Information Online: Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Loda ◽  
Rebecca Erschens ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Andreas Stengel ◽  
Stephan Zipfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Provocation Test ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Histamine Intolerance

BACKGROUND Previous research shows that being a “digital native” or growing up in a digital environment does not necessarily lead to increased digital competencies, such as digital health literacy or evaluation of webpage quality. OBJECTIVE This study showed how medical students searched for health information online, specifically the recommended testing for histamine intolerance, by comparing the use of various search engines (Google, Medisuch, and a website of the student’s choice) to find out more about search strategies in future health professionals. As Medisuch presents a qualitatively better search engine, we assumed that medical students using this search engine might find valid information faster on more reliable webpages, and might recommend the correct diagnostic steps for histamine intolerance to their patients more often than students using a generic search engine like Google. METHODS Medical students in their third year of study were asked to find the relevant diagnostic steps of histamine intolerance online. They were randomly assigned to use one search engine: Google, their personal choice, or Medisuch. Their process of seeking information online was video recorded. RESULTS In total, 140 medical students participated in this study. The total number of webpages found did not differ among the groups (P=.52). Students using Medisuch (P=.02) correctly identified the elimination diet as a relevant diagnostic step more frequently. The provocation test was reported by almost half of the students independent of the search engine used. In general, medical students commonly identified trustworthy webpages in all three groups (Google: 36/44, 82%; free choice: 31/36; 86%; and Medisuch: 35/45, 78%). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that medical students were able to find trustworthy health-related information online independent of the search engine used. Medical students that are digital natives seem to have proper internet skills and a knowledge of how to use them. They entered specific medical terms (evidence-based diagnostic steps) or names of reliable webpages (DocCheck) in the search engines to gain correct information. However, it remains to be seen if this behavior can be called true “digital literacy”.

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

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.

scholarly journals Digital Health Usage and Awareness among MedicalStudents: A Survey Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 867-871
Author(s):  
Radwa Hassan ◽  
Omaima Kamel Elsalamony ◽  
Shaimaa Abdel-Aziz ◽  
Mohammed Fathelbab ◽  
Hend Aly Sabry
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Digital Ecosystem ◽  
Almost All

   BACKGROUND: In the era of increasingly expanding digital ecosystem, health misinformation became highly risky, especially the information sources which are non-evidence based. This problem is magnified due to the vulnerability of most internet users, especially the adolescents information seekers who lack health literacy. AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the pattern of digital health usage among medical university students and their level of awareness towards choosing online health information (OHI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 480 medical students from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd academic years, at the Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, between October 2019 and October 2020. Students took an online structured questionnaire on google forms. RESULTS: Mobile smartphones were the most widely used technological devices by participants. Almost all participants used Internet daily 98.8%, with the highest preference to social media 72.5% and text messaging 74.8%. Seeking health information was a common practice for personal health-related purpose of using Internet 87.1%, despite the lack in checking the reliability of messages and quality of provider. Knowledge about advantages and disadvantages of digital tools was also deficient among participant medical students. CONCLUSION: Despite the high technology adoption among the university medical students, they lack the needed knowledge and skills for proper search, choosing, and evaluation of OHI.

scholarly journals Comparative assessment of antibiotic resistance among first and second year undergraduate medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohini Gupta ◽  
Apoorva Malhotra ◽  
Pavan Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
First Year ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Second Year

Background: Antibiotics are one of the commonest prescribing drugs in day to day practice. However indiscriminate and irrational use of antibiotics has given rise to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Thus, intervention in the form of educating students and making them aware about this important concept should be initiated at the gross root level right from the beginning of medical profession. Objective was to assess the comparative awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance between first and second year MBBS students.Methods: This was a comparative, cross-sectional questionnaire based study. Two forty six undergraduate medical students, 118 students from 1st year and 129 students from 2nd year MBBS were included in the study to assess the extent of knowledge and about the problem of antibiotic resistance. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from respondents. The questionnaires of both the groups were analyzed for the responses of the students and were compared using student ‘t’ test and chi-square test.Results: Majority of the participants 63.6% and 72.9% had completed the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the physician. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the two groups where in 58.4% of the first year and 16.3% of the second year students were of the view that antibiotics can be used for viral illnesses. Only 44.1% students of first year knew the reasons for antibiotic resistance.Conclusions: It can be concluded from the present study that second year medical students were more aware regarding antimicrobial resistance as compared to first year MBBS students who represented the general public. Thus, it is very important to educate the students in a practical manner about this concept as they are the future health care givers who can promote the rational use of antibiotics in near future.

scholarly journals Correction: Undergraduate Medical Students’ Search for Health Information Online: Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/23253 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e23253
Author(s):  
Teresa Loda ◽  
Rebecca Erschens ◽  
Florian Junne ◽  
Andreas Stengel ◽  
Stephan Zipfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional

Quantifying empathy levels among UK undergraduate medical students: an online survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711293
Author(s):  
Sarah Garnett ◽  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Beth Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Reactivity Index ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional

BackgroundEmpathy is a key health care concept and refers to care that incorporates understanding of patient perspective’s, shared decision making, and consideration of the broader context in which illness is experience. Evidence suggests experiences of doctor empathy correlate with improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction. It has also been linked to job satisfaction, and mental wellbeing for doctors. To date, there is a paucity of evidence on empathy levels among medical students. This is critical to understand given that it is a key point at which perceptions and practices of empathy in the longer term might be formed.AimTo quantify the level of empathy among UK undergraduate medical studentsMethodAn anonymised cross-sectional online survey was distributed to medical students across three universities. The previously validated Davis’s Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used to quantify empathy. The survey also collected information on age, sex, ethnicity, year of medical school training and included a free-text box for ‘any other comments’.ResultsData analysis is currently underway with high response rates. Mean empathy scores by age, sex, year of study and ethnic group are presented. A correlation analysis will examine associations between age and year of study, and mean empathy sores.ConclusionThese data will help to provide a better understanding of empathy levels to inform the provision of future empathy training and medical school curriculum design. Given previous evidence linking experiences of empathy to better health outcomes, the findings may also be significant to future patient care

e-Learning: Practices Among Undergraduates of a Medical College of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Background Information ◽  
P Value ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
E Learning

Background: Information technology (IT) is a new way of teaching and learning. One of the promising media of information technology is e-Learning, which is used to enhance knowledge and skills among users. A student gains better and deep knowledge through a useful tool. This survey aimed to determine practices among medical students for e-Learning. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 184 students amongst the 500 students currently enrolled in medical college. Data was collected using questionnaires and were analyzed through SPSS version 22. Chi-square was used for qualitative values. Results: Majority 90.80% (n=167) students were aware of e-Learning and were statistically high in first year students (p-value: 0.018). The student did not show statistically significant results for content learned through e-Learning with a p-value of 0.063. Different resources were used for e-Learning in which videos had the highest percentage (87.60%) and audios were used as the least resource for e-Learning (29.20%). Daily, 56% of the students use e-Learning for 1 hour or less and only 3% of the students used it for more than 4 hours. Conclusion: Majority of undergraduate medical students were aware of the use of e-Learning and most of them preferred e-Learning for their course work and studies showing a significant increase in understanding and use, compared to studies conducted earlier. Participants found e-Learning useful and effective tool in increasing knowledge and understanding of their subject. Keywords: e-Learning; Practices; Students.

Digital Health Engagement in the US Population: Insights From the 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e4
Author(s):  
Chelsea L. Ratcliff ◽  
Melinda Krakow ◽  
Alexandra Greenberg-Worisek ◽  
Bradford W. Hesse
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Smart Device ◽  
P Value ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
National Trends

Objectives. To examine prevalence and predictors of digital health engagement among the US population. Methods. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data on 7 digital health engagement behaviors, as well as demographic and socioeconomic predictors, from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, cycle 2, collected in 2018; n = 2698–3504). We fitted multivariable logistic regression models using weighted survey responses to generate population estimates. Results. Digitally seeking health information (70.14%) was relatively common, whereas using health apps (39.53%) and using a digital device to track health metrics (35.37%) or health goal progress (38.99%) were less common. Digitally communicating with one’s health care providers (35.58%) was moderate, whereas sharing health data with providers (17.20%) and sharing health information on social media (14.02%) were uncommon. Being female, younger than 65 years, a college graduate, and a smart device owner positively predicted several digital health engagement behaviors (odds ratio range = 0.09–4.21; P value range < .001–.03). Conclusions. Many public health goals depend on a digitally engaged populace. These data highlight potential barriers to 7 key digital engagement behaviors that could be targeted for intervention. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 20, 2021: e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306282 )

Awareness of basic life support among undergraduate medical students in Syria, Iraq and Jordan: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nour Shashaa ◽  
Mohamad Shadi Alkarrash ◽  
Mohammad Nour Kitaz ◽  
Roaa Rhayim ◽  
Mohammed Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Basic Life Support ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Sudden Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

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.

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