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

scholarly journals Cross-sectional questionnaire study to gather the teaching preferences and expectations of UK undergraduate medical students for culinary medicine learning

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e036410
Author(s):  
Jessica Ying-Yi Xie ◽  
Shoba Poduval ◽  
Victoria Vickerstaff ◽  
Sophie Park
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Culinary Medicine ◽  
Teaching Preferences ◽  
Perceived Relevance

AimTo determine undergraduate medical students’ teaching preferences and expectations for Culinary Medicine (CM) learning with a view to informing development of a CM course at a UK medical school.SettingA single, urban UK medical school.Participants180 undergraduate medical students.Study designA cross-sectional questionnaire study collecting quantitative and qualitative (free-text) data.Methods and outcome measuresAn online questionnaire consisting of 16 questions of various styles (Likert-type, multiple choice and free-text). Quantitative analysis of multiple choice and Likert-type scale questions was conducted. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyse the free-text responses and identify themes.ResultsThree core themes related to students’ understanding of CM were identified: (1) ‘CM Learning’: students’ perceived relevance of CM knowledge, perceived relevance of CM to healthcare and their expectations for teaching; (2) ‘The Relationship between Food and Health’: links between diet, social factors and health; and (3) ‘Evidence-based Medicine’: students’ perceptions about scientific principles underlying CM. Quantitative analysis revealed that, although 83% of students felt that learning CM is important for their future clinical practice, 56% felt unable to take a dietary history. 73% of students were dissatisfied with the quality, and 78% were dissatisfied with the quantity, of existing medical school teaching understood to be relevant to CM. Topics that students would like to be taught on a CM course included weight management and portion control. Students felt that problem-based style learning would be the most appropriate method for delivering CM teaching.ConclusionsThis study revealed that medical students felt their dietary counsulting skills could be improved with further clinically relevant teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Students’ preferences for CM learning have been taken into consideration in the development of a CM course for fifth-year undergraduate students at a UK medical school, which is delivered during their General Practice placement.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessment of Stress and Perception of E-Learning amongst First Year Undergraduate Medical Students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shikha Gautam ◽  
Salamah Parveen Imteyaz ◽  
Mohammed Iqbal Alam
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
First Year ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Online Mode ◽  
E Learning

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has involved nearly all the countries of the world. The lockdowns and closure of educational institutes to reduce the risk of disease transmission has brought a change in the medium of teaching as most educational institutes have moved to the online mode. There is a widespread increase in stress as the number of cases and mortality associated with Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) continue each day. Aim: To assess the stress status of first year undergraduate medical students in reference to the coronavirus pandemic and the perception of first year undergraduate medical students in reference to the E-learning being carried out during the coronavirus pandemic. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional web-based online survey that was conducted using a questionnaire in August 2020 at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India. The questionnaire was prepared and reviewed by the involved faculty members of the project and it was approved by a faculty from Department of Psychiatry. Reliability of questionnaire was measured using Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). A questionnaire with 20 questions was administered via Google forms to all 100 students of first year MBBS course. Some of the questions in the questionnaire were framed to assess the stress status of the students; some were designed to study students’ perception of E-learning. Data was represented as the percentage distribution of response for each question. Results: Ninety five responses were received, after accounting for exclusion factors; data was compiled for 91 respondents. Out of the 91 participants in the study, 48.4% were males (n=44) and 51.6% were females (n=47). Most of the students in this study (84.6%) felt that online teaching had helped in learning Physiology theory; around 43% students found online practical teaching useful. Around 39% students have reported internet connectivity issues all the time while 59% faced problem sometimes. Total 51.6% of students had difficulty in accessibility to devices. Due to coronavirus pandemic, 37.4% of students have reported to be under stress. Around 33% reported feeling unsafe all the time while 39.5% felt unsafe some of the times. Conclusion: Students found online teaching more helpful in learning Physiology theory than practical. Majority of class reported internet connectivity issues. All the responders agreed that this pandemic affected their regular life. Most of the students felt that online classes have helped them to remain positive and motivated towards study.

scholarly journals Depression Among Undergraduate Medical Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
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

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on medical students’ mental wellbeing in Jordan

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253295
Author(s):  
Khaled Seetan ◽  
Mohammad Al-Zubi ◽  
Yousef Rubbai ◽  
Mohammad Athamneh ◽  
Almu’atasim Khamees ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Assessment ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and has resulted in significant morbidity, mortality, and negative psychological impact. This prospective cross-sectional study is exploring the effect of the pandemic on mental health of medical students. The study was conducted at six Jordanian medical schools using an online survey to collect students’ socio-demographic and academic data. Assessment of mental wellbeing status was done using Kessler’s psychological stress scale (K10); the impact of COVID-19 on life activities and strategies followed to manage the situation were also examined. A total of 553 medical students were recruited for the study. Men constituted 40.1%, and women were 59.9%. Students reported that COVID-19 has affected the aspects of physical fitness (73.1%), study (68.4%), and social relationships (65.6%) the most. Sixty-six percent of the students were concerned about family members’ affection, and more than half (58.4%) explained their concerns about the inability to get clinical sessions and labs. Cooking, baking, and hobby practicing were the most popular methods to improve their mental wellbeing. About half of the participants had a severe mental disorder, and only 13.2% were likely to be well. The study indicates that half of our medical students suffer severe mental disorders, with physical fitness, exercise, and studying being among the most affected aspects during the COVID 19 pandemic. It is recommended that measures need be taken to alleviate students’ stress, which might have deleterious effects in many aspects.

scholarly journals How Does Medical Education Affect Students’ Views of Euthanasia/assisted Dying? A Mixed-method Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Nie ◽  
Kelby Smith-Han ◽  
Ella Iosua ◽  
Simon Walker
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
General Public ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Policy Decisions ◽  
Medical Work ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract Background Previous studies report a majority of the general public support euthanasia/assisted dying (EAD), while a majority of doctors are opposed. In considering policy decisions about EAD, some may discount the views of doctors because they take them to be based on personal values or tradition, rather than reasons that the general public might share. One way to explore this notion is to examine whether medical students’ views change during medical education. The objective of this study was to learn how New Zealand medical students view EAD and whether their views change during medical education. MethodsAn on-line survey of undergraduate medical students was conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using unadjusted and multiple logistic regression. Thematic analysis was conducted with the qualitative data.Results A total of 326 students replied to the survey. The overall response rate was 28%. 65% of 2nd year students were supportive of EAD, compared to 39% in 5th year. The odds of 5th year students supporting a law change compared to 2nd year was 0.30 (95%CI 0.15-0.60). The predominant themes found in the qualitative results indicate that medical students support or oppose EAD for reasons similar to those found in the wider debate, and that their views are influenced by a range of factors. However, several at all year levels cited an aspect of medical school as having influenced their views. This was mentioned by participants who were supportive of, opposed to, or unsure about EAD, but it was the type of influence most often mentioned by those who were opposed. ConclusionsThe quantitative findings suggest that aspects of medical education made students less likely to support EAD. The qualitative findings indicate that this is not related to a single educational experience at Otago Medical School but a range. Together, these findings suggest that the lower support found among doctors is in part related to medical education and medical work rather than age, personality, or social context. They indicate a practical basis to ethical and professional formation that should be considered in curriculum design, policy decisions and when interpreting public opinion surveys on this issue.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perceptions towards COVID-19 among final year undergraduate medical students and interns in Province 2, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-34
Author(s):  
Jay Narayan Shah ◽  
Binay Kumar Panjiyar ◽  
Sushma Sah ◽  
Sabita Sah ◽  
Jenifei Shah
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease-19, the COVID-19, has become a pandemic of public health concern, more so for developing countries like Nepal with an inadequate and vulnerable health system. Among all the seven provinces of the country, Province-2 seems to be at higher risk due to population density and open porous border with neighboring India. This survey was conducted among the undergraduate medical students of medical colleges in Province-2, Nepal to evaluate their knowledge and perception regarding the prevention and spread of the virus. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2020 among final-year undergraduate medical students and interns from Janaki Medical College in Janakpur and National Medical College in Birgunj of Province-2, Nepal. A structured 30-item questionnaire containing demographics (5 items), knowledge (15 items), and perception (10 items) regarding COVID-19 was used for an online survey via email. Ethical approval was taken. Descriptive analysis was performed. Result: A total of 200 out of 250 respondents (>95%) had an adequate level of knowledge on etiology, symptoms, hand hygiene, severity, vulnerability, precautionary measures, and treatment guidelines of COVID-19. More than 80% were ready to work in the hospital during the pandemic with support from their family and nearly half of them (49%) perceived that the preparedness and supplies were sufficient in their institutions. Conclusion: The survey revealed that the majority of the final-year medical students and interns in Province-2 Nepal had adequate knowledge and perception regarding COVID-19.

scholarly journals The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure: A prospective comparative study of undergraduate medical students’ and interns’ perceptions in Oman

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gowda P. Prashanth ◽  
Salim K. Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Medical Undergraduate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Medical Undergraduate Students

Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions of the educational environment in Oman among medical undergraduate students and interns using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) tool. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and April 2017 at the Oman Medical College (OMC), Sohar, Oman. A total of 737 medical undergraduate students and interns from the OMC and College of Medicine & Health Sciences of Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, were invited to complete the DREEM questionnaire in the form of an online survey. Mean overall scores, subscale scores and individual item scores were subsequently compared between undergraduate students and interns. Results: A total of 418 undergraduate students and interns completed the survey (response rate: 56.7%). The mean overall DREEM score was 130.75 ± 12.69. While interns had higher mean DREEM scores than undergraduate students, this difference was not significant (133.00 ± 17.64 versus 128.50 ± 15.53; P = 0.326). The mean score percentages for the perceptions of learning (66.7% versus 58.3%; P = 0.028) and perceptions of teachers (75% versus 68.2%; P = 0.038) subscales were significantly higher among OMC interns compared to undergraduate students from the same college. The perceptions of the environment subscale received the lowest mean score percentages among undergraduate students and interns from both colleges. Conclusion: Overall, medical undergraduate students and interns viewed the educational environment in Oman in a positive light. It is possible that undergraduate students’ perceptions of the educational environment may become more favourable as they progress with their medical career and become interns.Keywords: Medical Education; Undergraduate Medical Students; Internships; Perceptions; Oman.

scholarly journals Assessing empathy among undergraduate medical students: a cross sectional analysis using the Jefferson scale in a medical school in Coastal Karnataka

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suma Nair ◽  
Ranjitha S. Shetty ◽  
Swati Guha ◽  
Zari Anjum ◽  
Asha Kamath
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Empathy Score ◽  
Student Version

Background: Empathy has been shown to improve the physician’s diagnostic skills as well as enhance the quality of communication with the patient. Empathy being an integral component of patient care, this study was designed to measure empathy levels among undergraduate medical students and to identify the factors associated with it in this population. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 437 medical students including interns on the rolls of a medical school in coastal Karnataka. The students were administered a psychometrically validated Jefferson Scale of Empathy–Student Version (JSE-S) questionnaire, to measure various components of empathy. Responses were indicated on a seven point Likert scale and total scores ranged from 20–140, with higher values indicating higher levels of empathy. Results: Mean empathy score among the participants was 100.5±14.8, with significantly higher score being reported by females than males [101.9 vs. 97.3, p=0.002] and by first year students compared to third year students [105.2 vs. 95.3, p<0.01]. Empathy scores showed a declining trend as the students progressed through the medical school (p=0.002). Conclusions: Although the study showed higher empathy level among female medical students, there appeared a declining score among both genders as the years of study progressed with a marginal increase during the internship phase. This necessitates the need for incorporating caregiving as an integral part of the medical school curriculum by stressing on doctor- patient communication skills, which in turn could aid medical students become compassionate physicians. 

scholarly journals Efficacy, Practicality, Intimal Health, and Sustainability of Menstrual Cups use among Undergraduate Medical Students: a cross-sectional study.

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Izaias Sartorao Filho ◽  
Maria Beatriz de Franca Reis ◽  
Gabriella de Perez Monteiro e Tibur Mendes ◽  
Danillo Christian de Oliveira Cruz ◽  
Maria Jose Caetano Ferreira Damaceno
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Medical Undergraduate ◽  
Internal Genitalia ◽  
Education Medical

Introduction: Women need effective, safe, and affordable menstrual hygiene products. The menstrual cup is an alternative method. Objective: To identify the prevalence of menstrual cups among the medical students and the independent variables associated with their use adherence. Methods: a cross-sectional study with an online survey applied to regularly matriculate women from FEMA Medical School in January 2021. Results: Of 277 women, 164 participated. The mean age was 22.26 (SD 3.21). 136 preferred external pads, 60 internal pads, 28 menstrual cups, and 11 did not use. Using a 1-10 scale, price, efficacy, sustain, practice, intimal health status, hygiene, and importance of internal genitalia integrity were questioned. 37 (22,56%) women related the use of menstrual cups in the last year. Using any method to reduce menstruation had an odds ratio adjusted of 0.310 (95%CI 0.122-0.787). Concern about the environmental biodegradation had ORadj of 6.369 (95%CI 1.372-29.562); Intimal Health, ORadj of 1.996 (95%CI 1.183-3.368); internal genital integrity, ORadj of 0.824 (95%CI 0.682-0.995), for menstrual cups use. Conclusion: women using a method to reduce their menstrual flow, concerning about biodegradation, concerning with intimal health, and with no concerns about manipulating their genitalia were significant independent factors for the adherence of menstrual cups. Keywords: Menstrual Hygiene Products; Feminine Hygiene Products; Menstrual cup; Education, Medical, Undergraduate

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