scholarly journals Cultural Differences between American and Israeli Medical Students Regarding Their Perceptions of the Medical Profession and Satisfaction with Studies

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e81-e88
Author(s):  
Eyal Lotan ◽  
Louis Shenkman ◽  
Netta Notzer
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Physician Characteristics ◽  
Sackler Faculty ◽  
Potential Factor ◽  
Medical Educators ◽  
Academic Year

Background: Cultural differences have been discussed as a potential factor influencing students' perception and motivation towards their studies. At the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, two separate programs coexist for American and Israeli medical students. Both are taught at the same sites and by the same faculty, thus enabling cultural comparisons. Our aim was to examine the differences of two medical student groups, American and Israeli, regarding their satisfaction with studies, view of the educational workload, and their perceptions of physician characteristics.  Methods: During the academic year 2007-2008 we administered an anonymous questionnaire to the two groups immediately after their first clinical clerkship in internal medicine. The response rate was 82% (90 out of 110) for the Israelis and 93% (53 out of 57) for the Americans.Results:  Americans, compared to the Israelis, are significantly more satisfied with their medical studies, consider fewer alternatives to future careers in clinical medicine, feel less of a workload, and hold a more positive opinion of physician characteristics.Conclusions:  Cultural differences affect students' perception of their studies, mentors and future careers. Medical educators should be sensitive to the effects of students' background which influence academic and professional attitudes and find ways to strengthen their commitment to the profession.

scholarly journals Medical Volunteerism in Undergraduate Medical Programme: A Novel, in-depth Curriculum

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adegoke Olusegun Adefolalu
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Activism ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Health Advocacy ◽  
Course Materials ◽  
Medical Educators ◽  
Medical Volunteerism ◽  
Academic Year

Health disparities persist among several populations globally and doctors are well-placed to advocate for better health outcomes among the population they serve thereby promoting health equity. According to the literature, medical educators have the capacity to produce socially responsible medical doctors who have competency in health advocacy in addition to their clinical knowledge. However, apart from being taught the determinants of health, little, or no real-live experience is given to medical students in social medicine and health advocacy to enable them to develop the necessary skills in this area. At the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Pretoria, South Africa, Medical Volunteerism was offered as a selective course during the 2016 academic year. It entails engagement of the medical students in activities that tied them with the primary burden of providing service to an identified community, where they plan and participate in an organized activity that meets the identified needs of such community. This article describes the structure, content, and outcomes of this curriculum. The feedback from students and other stakeholders were strongly positive, the students rated the course highly in a variety of instances, including appropriateness of lecture topics, presentation of the course contents, course materials, effectiveness of teaching and level of students' participation. The average overall rating for the course was 8.4 based on a ten-point scale. Furthermore, the students acknowledged that it contributed to their personal development in terms of social activism in health. In conclusion, medical volunteerism selective has positive impact that is measurable, support should be given to students and facilitators who are interested in implementing similar selective as it has the potential of reinforcing certain values in medical students that could motivate them to have increased desire to work with underserved communities after graduation.

scholarly journals Prosocial Modeling Matters: The Association between Parent and Faculty Involvement in Fighting COVID-19 with Medical Students’ Career Commitment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Xiaoyang Ye ◽  
Hongbin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Faculty Involvement ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Medical Careers

Abstract Background: Role models play an important role in enhancing students’ intention to pursue medical careers. While, as the two most influential role models for medical students, there is limited research to explore the different impacts between faculty and parents. This study investigated the association of different role model’s prosocial behavior of joining the fight against novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on medical students’ career commitment. We examined whether there are different effects and how these effects differ among different medical students.Method: A national-scale survey was conducted with 118,030 undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in mainland China. Questions were asked to collect information of participants in the battle of COVID-19, medical students’ determination of practicing medicine after graduation, as well as students’ socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-square tests and hierarchical regressions were performed to examine the effects of parent and faculty involvement on students’ career commitment.Results: The results showed that prosocial modeling during the COVID-19 pandemic in China is associated with students’ intention to pursue medical careers. The effect of faculty was greater than that of parents on medical students. Gender was related to the effects. And those who already determined to be the doctor before the pandemic were much more likely to persist in the medical profession.Conclusions: Our study provides more definitive answers to the issue of who has a greater effect on medical students’ career commitment between parents and faculty. Encouraging faculty to act as positive role models could help medical students increase the intention to become doctors.

scholarly journals Prosocial Modeling Matters: The Association Between Parent and Faculty Involvement in Fighting COVID-19 With Medical Students’ Career Commitment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Xiaoyang Ye ◽  
Hongbin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Faculty Involvement ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Medical Careers

Abstract Background: Role models play an important role in enhancing students’ intention to pursue medical careers. While, as the two most influential role models for medical students, there is limited research to explore the different impacts between faculty and parents. This study investigated the association of different role model’s prosocial behavior of joining the fight against novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on medical students’ career commitment. We examined whether there are different effects and how these effects differ among different medical students.Method: A national-scale survey was conducted with 118,030 undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in mainland China. Questions were asked to collect information of participants in the battle of COVID-19, medical students’ determination of practicing medicine after graduation, as well as students’ socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-square tests and hierarchical regressions were performed to examine the effects of parent and faculty involvement on students’ career commitment.Results: The results showed that prosocial modeling during the COVID-19 pandemic in China is associated with students’ intention to pursue medical careers. The effect of faculty was greater than that of parents on medical students. Gender was related to the effects. And those who already determined to be the doctor before the pandemic were much more likely to persist in the medical profession.Conclusions: Our study provides more definitive answers to the issue of who has a greater effect on medical students’ career commitment between parents and faculty. Encouraging faculty to act as positive role models could help medical students increase the intention to become doctors.

scholarly journals Coping with Medical School: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Shaw ◽  
John Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Structured Audio ◽  
Medical Educators

Anecdotal evidence suggested that hopelessness and helplessness (HH) were often reported by undergraduate medical students. It is known that medical students are more susceptible to high levels of stress and depression than other student groups. There is currently concern about suicide rates in students and high drop-out rates in junior doctors. But what can be said of HH within this population? This study was aimed at eliciting medical students’ experiences of HH. An interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Participants were recruited from a single medical school. Loosely structured, audio-recorded interviews were carried out. Recordings were then transcribed verbatim, then underwent an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Three participants were recruited. Their stories report some devastating experiences – ranging from social isolation to homelessness and suicidal ideation. Our cases complement the existing literature. Awareness of the issues raised in these cases may help medical educators to better understand and support others in similar situations. These may also benefit those experiencing HH themselves. We hope that this exploratory project paves the way to further study.

Perceptions of Final Year Medical Students about Family Medicine as A Career Choice in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dur-e- Nishat
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Chi Square Test

Background: Family medicine is a field in which complete and detailed set of healthcare services are provided to the patients and their families. In developed countries, freshly graduated students choose family medicine as a priority for their career. However, in Pakistan it is not the case. The present study is undertaken to determine the perceptions of final year medical students’ about Family Medicine as a viable career. Methods: A total number of 504 students participated in the study. This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants were in their final year of medical college. Data was collected using a preapproved questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed via SPSS version 17 and Chi-Square test was used post-stratification. Results: Only 14.3% (n=72) medical students had heard about Family Medicine. Only 18% (n=92) would select family medicine as a profession. The most frequent rationale for choosing the field of Family Medicine was the variety of patients seen in general practice (55.4% n=51). Conclusion: There is a dire need to focus on increasing awareness about the field of family medicine among medical students. The students should be counseled on the advantages along with the disadvantages of choosing this field as a medical profession.

Philosophical and Cultural Aspects of Medical Profession: Philosophical and Conceptual Peculiarities

Cultura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-174
Author(s):  
Iryna MELNYCHUK ◽  
Nadiya FEDCHYSHYN ◽  
Oleg PYLYPYSHYN ◽  
Anatolii VYKHRUSHCH
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Cultural Proximity ◽  
Personal Qualities ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ecological Culture ◽  
High Level

The article analyzes the philosophical and cultural view of “doctor’s professional culture” as a result of centuries-old practice of human relations, which is characterized by constancy and passed from generation to generation. Medicine is a complex system in which an important role is played by: philosophical outlook of a doctor, philosophical culture, ecological culture, moral culture, aesthetic culture, artistic culture. We have found that within the system “doctor-patient” the degree of cultural proximity becomes a factor that influences the health or life of a patient. Thus, the following factors are important here: 1) communication that suppresses a sick person; 2) the balance of cultural and intellectual levels; 3) the cultural environment of a patient which has much more powerful impact on a patient than the medical one.At the present stage, the interdependence of professional and humanitarian training of future specialists is predominant, as a highly skilled specialist can not but become a subject of philosophizing. We outlined the sphere where the doctors present a genre variety of philosophizing (philosophical novels, apologies, dialogues, diaries, aphorisms, confessions, essays, etc.). This tradition represents the original variations in the formation of future doctor’s communicative competences, which are formed in the process of medical students’ professional training.A survey conducted among medical students made it possible to establish their professional values, which are indicators of the formation of philosophical and culturological competence. It was found out that 92% of respondents believed that a doctor should demonstrate a high level of health culture (avoid drinking and smoking habits, etc.)99% of respondents favoured a high level of personal qualities of a doctor which would allow methods and forms of medical practice to assert higher human ideals of truth, goodness and beauty that are the subject area of cultural studies and philosophy.

scholarly journals Medical Students and Patients Benefit from Virtual Non-Medical Interactions Due to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110283
Author(s):  
Taylor M Coe ◽  
Trevor J McBroom ◽  
Sarah A Brownlee ◽  
Karen Regan ◽  
Stephen Bartels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Medical Patient ◽  
Pilot Program ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Clinical Communication

Background: Patient care restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic constrained medical students’ ability to interact directly with patients. Additionally, organ transplant recipients faced increasing isolation due to the rise of telemedicine, the importance of social distancing and their immunosuppressed state. We created a pilot program to pair students with transplant patients for structured, virtual encounters and studied its impact on medical students and patients. Methods: In May 2020, medical students conducted virtual visits with patients via telephone or video conferencing. Patients and students were surveyed regarding their experiences and independent focus groups were conducted. The survey responses and focus group discussions were deidentified, transcribed, and analyzed for themes. Results: Ten participating students were in their first, second, or final year of medical school. The 14 patients were liver or kidney transplant recipients or kidney donors. All interactions lasted longer than 30 minutes, with 56% greater than 1 hour. Three themes emerged related to the student experience: improvement of their clinical communication skills, development of knowledge and attitudes related to organ transplantation and donation, and independent management of a patient encounter. Three themes related to the patient experience: appreciation of the opportunity to share their personal patient experience to help educate future physicians, a cathartic and personally illuminating experience and an opportunity to share the message of donation. Conclusions: This pilot program provided a novel opportunity for virtual student-patient interactions that was feasible, well-received, and mutually beneficial. The use of virtual non-medical patient experiences allowed for experiential learning during which students learned about both clinical medicine and enhanced their communication skills directly from patients. Additionally, patients were able to engage with medical students in a new way, as teachers of clinical interactions, and reported a high level of satisfaction in addition to deriving personal benefit.

The medical career choice motivations — Results from a Hungarian study

Open Medicine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmond Girasek ◽  
Regina Molnár ◽  
Edit Eke ◽  
Miklós Szócska
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Career Choice ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Medical Doctor ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Medical Career ◽  
First Year Medical Students

AbstractSome decades ago being a medical doctor was characterized unambiguously as a profession that offers help and serves the patients’ needs during medical treatment. In today’s society, this image of the medical profession has been substantially changed. The present paper aims to examine medical career choice motivations and preferences of choosing speciality, in the light of current social and economic changes in Hungary. The study was carried out by using a voluntary, self-administrated, questionnaire among first-year medical students and resident doctors in four medical faculties in Hungary. The career choice motivations of the first-year medical students and resident doctors are similar and match to the traditional health profession career choice motivations. Nevertheless the first-year students consider high income as one of the most important factors. They appear more conscious and more ambitious regarding their future speciality choice. The Hungarian health care system and medical education must be prepared for the presence of students that are aware of the high market value of a medical diploma, have excellent language skills, and consider migration as one main factor in their motivation when choosing a medical profession.

Online programs to strengthen mental health in medical students: a literature review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Ungar ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Schindler ◽  
Sabine Polujanski ◽  
Thomas Rotthoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
Prevention Approach

BACKGROUND Medical students are at an increasing risk of depression and burnout during their study period. This trend among future physicians is a cause for concern, given the great responsibility that the medical profession entails. Medical faculties therefore play a significant role in supporting medical students in maintaining their mental health. Especially in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, support services that allow greater flexibility in their use become particularly relevant. Online programs can be accessed from anywhere and any time and can be used individually in a safe or well-known setting. From a preventive perspective, individual characteristics that have been shown to be protective of mental health should be addressed in such programs. Before conceptualizing an online program, reviewing existing online programs for medical students is a first relevant step. OBJECTIVE This review provides an overview of the current online programs for medical students to strengthen their mental health by addressing individual characteristics believed to be protective of mental health and addressable in medical curricula. METHODS PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane, and Web of Science were used for a systematic literature search. The programs had to be offered digitally and address medical students. Preventive individual characteristics for mental health were included in the search to provide information on their role in the studies. Publications also should include information on the effectiveness of the respective programs. RESULTS The literature search yielded 592 articles; of them, only nine met the study criteria. The programs found included elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, or peer support. Regarding the mental health outcomes, two studies showed a significant reduction in perceived stress and one study indicated a reduced level of burnout. One program had significant immediate effects on mindfulness, empathy, and resilience; two studies indicated strengthening coping strategies. Two programs were qualitatively assessed as helpful. One study is still ongoing. CONCLUSIONS Only a few studies have assessed the effectiveness of online programs to strengthen medical students’ mental health. The programs found mostly addressed preventive individual characteristics but were not developed on the basis of a survey of medical students’ demands. Furthermore, they were provided as add-on programs; integration of such programs into the curriculum may highlight the relevance of mental health. For the development of future online programs, the concrete needs of the respective target group should be surveyed and taken into account. Based on this, suitable online programs can be developed in a targeted way to strengthen mental health by addressing preventive individual characteristics. This needs-based prevention approach can support health-promoting education of future physicians.

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