scholarly journals Premedical Student Exposure to Pharmaceutical Marketing: Too Much, Too Soon?

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 722-727
Author(s):  
Toby Keys ◽  
Mark H. Ryan ◽  
Sharon Dobie ◽  
David Satin ◽  
David V. Evans

Background and Objectives: Direct pharmaceutical marketing to physicians by pharmaceutical representatives is effective in changing behavior of health care providers, resulting in less evidence-based prescribing. Although much has been written about pharmaceutical marketing exposures among medical students, less is known about direct marketing exposures before students matriculate. This study examined the types of pharmaceutical representative direct marketing exposures for premedical students and where they occurred. Methods: From June to August of 2017, researchers surveyed students who accepted admission to US public medical schools. These prematriculated students completed our survey just prior to matriculation. The survey inquired about whether the students were exposed to pharmaceutical marketing directly from pharmaceutical salespeople, the types of marketing they observed or received, and where these interactions occurred. Results: Survey participants included 911 prematriculated students from 14 of the 188 medical schools invited to participate. Seventy-one percent (646) of the participants received or observed someone receiving pharmaceutical marketing gifts, small meals or snacks, articles, or samples. The two most common contexts for direct pharmaceutical marketing exposures were during shadowing experiences (54%, 346) and during employment (50%, 323). Conclusions: The findings suggest that it may be common for medical students to have interacted directly with pharmaceutical salespeople or observed other health professionals in these interactions before they matriculate in medical school. Because many of these interactions occur during clinical experiences required by institutions for admission, medical schools and premedical associations should consider delivering conflict-of-interest education early in medical school education or before students matriculate.

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Tamura ◽  
Koichi Tanigawa ◽  
Shinji Kusunoki ◽  
Takuma Sadamori ◽  
Tadatsugu Otani ◽  
...  

Background; BLS algorithms for health care providers or experience personnel recommended by AHA, European Resuscitation Council (ERC), and Japanese Resuscitation Council (JPN) differ with respect to the sequence of assessment and procedures. The differences may affect accuracy to diagnose cardiac arrest and quickness to start chest compression. We compared BLS algorithms recommended by these organizations with respect to accuracy of respiratory/circulatory assessment, and quickness to start chest compression using a computed manikin model. Methods; Thirty three subjects (16 physicians and 17 medical students) were enrolled. The Sim-Man (Laerdal) was used to develop 2 scenarios (no pulse/no breathing, with pulse 60/min and breathing 10/min). The three algorithms and 2 scenarios were randomly assigned to the subject, and the accuracy to diagnose cardiac arrest and the time from confirmation of loss of consciousness to starting chest compression were evaluated. Results; The rates of incorrect assessment of respiratory/circulatory status were AHA;9.8% (13 out of 132), ERC;9.1%(12 out of 132) and JPN;6.8%(9 out of 132)(n.s. among algorithms). When the results were analyzed with respect to clinical experiences of the subjects, i.e. physicians vs. medical students, significant differences were found between the groups: AHA;17.2% (11 out of 64), ERC;15.6% (10 out of 64), JPN;12.5% (8 out of 64) in students, whereas AHA;2.9% (2 out of 68), ERC;2.9% (2 out of 68), JPN;1.5% (1 out of 68) in physicians* (* p<0.05 vs. students). The time to starting chest compression were AHA;27.8±5.1 sec, ERC;18.6±3.2** sec, JPN;23.7±4.2 sec (**p<0.05 vs. AHA and JPN), and no significant differences were found between physicians and students. Conclusions; No differences were found in accuracy of respiratory and circulatory assessment among the algorithms, although it may be influenced by clinical experiences of evaluators. The BLS algorithm starting CPR from chest compression such as ERC guidelines may reduce the time of no-flow status in cardiac arrest.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Grabitz ◽  
Zoe Friedmann ◽  
Sophie Gepp ◽  
Leonard U. Hess ◽  
Lisa Specht ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundMost medical students are in contact with the pharmaceutical or medical device industry during their studies. Medical schools play an important role in protecting students from undue commercial influence and educating them about pharmaceutical marketing practices. Such influence has been shown to affect later prescribing behaviour with potential adverse effects for patient care. While in North America, many medical schools formulated and implemented conflicts of interest (COI) policies, only few such institutional policies have been reported in Germany. We aimed to analyze the quantity and quality of policies and curricula on COI at medical schools across Germany.MethodsWe collected relevant COI policies and teaching activities by conducting a search of the websites of all 38 German medical schools using standardized keywords for COI policies and teaching. Further, we surveyed all medical schools’ dean’s offices and adapted a scoring system for obtained results with 13 categories based on prior similar studies.ResultsWe identified relevant policies for one medical school via the web-search. The response rate of the deans’ survey was 16 of 38 (42.1%). In total, we identified COI-related policies for 2 of 38 (5.3%) German medical schools, yet no policy was sufficient to address all COI-related categories that were assessed in this study. The maximum score achieved was 12 of 26. 36 (94.7%) schools scored 0. No medical school reported curricular teaching on COI.ConclusionOur results indicate a low level of action by medical schools to protect students from undue commercial influence. No participating dean was aware of any curriculum or instruction on COI at their respective school. The German Medical Students Association and international counterparts have called for a stronger focus on COI in the classroom. We conclude that for German medical schools there is still a long way to go.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Al-Balas ◽  
Hasan Ibrahim Al-Balas ◽  
Hatim M. Jaber ◽  
Khaled Obeidat ◽  
Hamzeh Al-Balas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background As COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic disease by the WHO on March 11th, 2020, the global incidence of COVID-19 disease increased dramatically. In response to the COVID-19 situation, Jordan announced the emergency state on the 19th of March, followed by the curfew on 21 March. All educational institutions have been closed as well as educational activities including clinical medical education have been suspended on the 15th of March. As a result, Distance E-learning emerged as a new method of teaching to maintain the continuity of medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic related closure of educational institutions. Distance E-Learning is defined as using computer technology to deliver training, including technology-supported learning either online, offline, or both. Before this period, distance learning was not considered in Jordanian universities as a modality for education. This study aims to explore the situation of distance E-learning among medical students during their clinical years and to identify possible challenges, limitations, satisfaction as well as perspectives for this approach to learning. Methods This cross-sectional study is based on a questionnaire that was designed and delivered to medical students in their clinical years. For this study, the estimated sample size (n = 588) is derived from the online Raosoft sample size calculator. Results A total of 652 students have completed the questionnaire, among them, 538 students (82.5%) have participated in distance learning in their medical schools amid COVID-19 pandemic. The overall satisfaction rate in medical distance learning was 26.8%, and it was significantly higher in students with previous experience in distance learning in their medical schools as well as when instructors were actively participating in learning sessions, using multimedia and devoting adequate time for their sessions. The delivery of educational material using synchronous live streaming sessions represented the major modality of teaching and Internet streaming quality and coverage was the main challenge that was reported by 69.1% of students. Conclusion With advances in technologies and social media, distance learning is a new and rapidly growing approach for undergraduate, postgraduate, and health care providers. It may represent an optimal solution to maintain learning processes in exceptional and emergency situations such as COVID-19 pandemic. Technical and infrastructural resources reported as a major challenge for implementing distance learning, so understanding technological, financial, institutional, educators, and student barriers are essential for the successful implementation of distance learning in medical education.


Author(s):  
Shiva Sarraf-Yazdi ◽  
Yao Neng Teo ◽  
Ashley Ern Hui How ◽  
Yao Hao Teo ◽  
Sherill Goh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Professional identity formation (PIF) in medical students is a multifactorial phenomenon, shaped by ways that clinical and non-clinical experiences, expectations and environmental factors merge with individual values, beliefs and obligations. The relationship between students’ evolving professional identity and self-identity or personhood remains ill-defined, making it challenging for medical schools to support PIF systematically and strategically. Primarily, to capture prevailing literature on PIF in medical school education, and secondarily, to ascertain how PIF influences on medical students may be viewed through the lens of the ring theory of personhood (RToP) and to identify ways that medical schools support PIF. Methods A systematic scoping review was conducted using the systematic evidence-based approach. Articles published between 1 January 2000 and 1 July 2020 related to PIF in medical students were searched using PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC and Scopus. Articles of all study designs (quantitative and qualitative), published or translated into English, were included. Concurrent thematic and directed content analyses were used to evaluate the data. Results A total of 10443 abstracts were identified, 272 full-text articles evaluated, and 76 articles included. Thematic and directed content analyses revealed similar themes and categories as follows: characteristics of PIF in relation to professionalism, role of socialization in PIF, PIF enablers and barriers, and medical school approaches to supporting PIF. Discussion PIF involves iterative construction, deconstruction and inculcation of professional beliefs, values and behaviours into a pre-existent identity. Through the lens of RToP, factors were elucidated that promote or hinder students’ identity development on individual, relational or societal levels. If inadequately or inappropriately supported, enabling factors become barriers to PIF. Medical schools employ an all-encompassing approach to support PIF, illuminating the need for distinct and deliberate longitudinal monitoring and mentoring to foster students’ balanced integration of personal and professional identities over time.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105382592110486
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn B. Kercheval ◽  
Alec Bernard ◽  
Hanna Berlin ◽  
Nicole Byl ◽  
Boone Marois ◽  
...  

Background: Undergraduate outdoor orientation programs facilitate students’ transition into college. Research has yet to be conducted on the few programs at medical schools, which may have unique benefits given the specific challenges of transitioning to medical school and high rates of burnout among medical students. Purpose: This mixed methods study examines the impact of one medical school's outdoor orientation program on its participants. Methodology/Approach: A survey was administered immediately following the 2018 trip ( N = 56 responses). Follow-up focus groups were conducted with a sample of the same participants ( N = 18) in 2019. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings/Conclusions: Participants felt that the program helped ease their transition into medical school, establish a support system, and hone personal development and wellness skills. Many of these effects persisted up to one year later. Implications: These findings are of particular interest to the medical and experiential education communities because many outcomes persisted for at least one year after the original trip and aligned with factors believed to protect against medical student burnout. There is opportunity for additional research as well as expansion of similar programs to other medical schools.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S. Yeh ◽  
Kirsten E. Austad ◽  
Jessica M. Franklin ◽  
Susan Chimonas ◽  
Eric G. Campbell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Medical students attending schools with policies limiting industry/student interactions report fewer relationships with pharmaceutical representatives. Objective To investigate whether associations between students' medical school policies and their more limited industry interaction behaviors persist into residency. Methods We randomly sampled 1800 third-year residents who graduated from 120 allopathic US-based medical schools, using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. We surveyed them in 2011 to determine self-reported behavior and preferences for brand-name prescriptions, and we calculated the strength of their medical schools' industry interaction policies using the 2008 American Medical Student Association and Institute on Medicine as a Profession databases. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between strength of school policies and residents' behaviors with adjustments for class size, postresidency career plan, and concern about medical school debt. Results We achieved a 44% survey response rate (n = 739). Residents who graduated from schools with restrictive policies were no more or less likely to accept industry gifts or industry-sponsored meals, speak with marketing representative about drug products, attend industry-sponsored lectures, or prefer brand-name medications than residents who graduated from schools with less restrictive policies. Residents who correctly answered evidence-based prescription questions were about 30% less likely to have attended industry-sponsored lectures (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.98). Conclusions Any effect that medical school industry interaction policies had on insulating students from pharmaceutical marketing did not persist in the behavior of residents in our sample. This suggests that residency training environments are important in influencing behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S29-S33
Author(s):  
Laurent Elkrief ◽  
Julien Belliveau ◽  
Tara D’Ignazio ◽  
Philippe Simard ◽  
Didier Jutras-Aswad

Abstract The legalization of recreational cannabis across Canada has revealed the importance of medical education on cannabis-related topics. A recent study has indicated that Canadian physicians report a significant gap in current versus desired knowledge regarding the therapeutic use of cannabis. However, the state of education on cannabis has never been studied in Canadian medical schools. This article presents the preliminary findings of a survey conducted to understand the perceptions of Quebec’s medical students regarding cannabis-related teachings in their current curriculum. Overall, students reported very low to low levels of exposure to, knowledge of, and comfort levels with cannabis-related subjects. The majority of students reported that they felt that their medical curricula did not prepare them to face cannabis-related issues in their future practices. Strategies need to be developed for improving medical school curriculum regarding cannabis-related issues. These findings provide potential key strategies to improve curricula.


Author(s):  
Rajiv Kumar Gupta ◽  
Parveen Singh ◽  
Rashmi Kumari ◽  
Bhavna Langer ◽  
Pawan Sharma ◽  
...  

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) which is the only method indicated after the unprotected sexual intercourse prevents unintended pregnancies and its harmful consequences like unsafe abortion or unintended child delivery. Since medical students are the future medical professional and would be the main channel to provide preventive, promotive and curative services to the population at large, their knowledge and attitude towards EC is an important context in the overall health scenario of India. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards use of EC.Methods: This cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted among 2nd professional MBBS students in a Government Medical College in North India. The self administered questionnaire intended to seek information on knowledge and attitude of the students. The data so collected was expressed in percentages and Chi square test was used as test of significance.Results: All the respondents had heard of EC with mass media as the main source of information. More than 90% of the respondents knew about the indications for use of EC as well as the timing of the use of EC. Female respondents had better knowledge about composition of EC as well mechanism of action (p<0.05). More than 90% would recommend EC in case of unprotected sexual intercourse and 83.5% had positive attitude towards EC.Conclusions: Although knowledge about EC was good on certain parameters, yet lack of in depth knowledge among future health care providers is a cause of concern. So, attention be given to special issues relating to EC from early years of medical education till internship. 


1993 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandor B. Brent ◽  
Mark W. Speece ◽  
Marie F. Gates ◽  
Manju Kaul

Beginning medical and nursing students with no professional death-related experience were compared in order to discover the attitudes they bring to their respective careers prior to their professional education and socialization. Hypotheses were derived from psychological models for the effects of professional choice, gender, and non-professional experience on these attitudes. On five of the six attitude measures female nursing students expressed a more positive attitude than cither male or female medical students, as predicted. However, contrary to expectation, the attitudes of the female medical students were not more positive than those of the male medical students on any of these measures. Hours of death-and-dying coursework and general life experience exerted a significant influence on attitudes toward talking to dying patients about death and dying but not on any of the other attitude measures. These data also suggest the existence of an underlying attitude structure, representing these students' Overall Attitude toward caring for dying patients, which remains stable across group differences in professional career choice, gender, and death-related experience. The original theoretical models were enriched and revised in the light of these findings.


2020 ◽  
pp. 103985622097193
Author(s):  
Sarah E Gordon ◽  
Leah A Kininmonth ◽  
Giles Newton-Howes ◽  
Gordon L Purdie ◽  
Tracey Gardiner

Objective: To assess and compare attitudes of medical students in response to two service-user-led anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes. Method: Two programmes, consistent with the key elements of effective contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for healthcare providers, were delivered to medical students in their penultimate and final year: a more intensive version of the programme in 2015/2016 and a briefer programme in 2016/2017. Attitudes were assessed using the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) and the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC-20) at the beginning and end of their final year. Results: There were no significant differences between the years in initial scores on either scale. Both cohorts showed statistically significant reductions in scores on both scales after completion of the programme, indicating overall improvements in students’ attitudes with reductions in stigma, and more positive attitudes towards recovery of those in mental distress. The more intensive programme led to significantly greater improvement in reductions in stigma than the less intensive programme. Conclusion: Findings support the need for contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for medical students that are both intensive and repeated over time.


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