Factors influencing medical students′ self-assessment of examination performance accuracy: A United Arab Emirates study

Background: Few studies have investigated suicidal behavior and attitudes of medical students. We are not aware of any previous reports emerging from the Arab world. Aims: To investigate suicidal behavior and attitudes among medical students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts as well as attitudes toward suicide and reactions to a hypothetical suicidal friend were assessed using a self-report survey. Furthermore, the survey included the self-assessment of the current mood and religiosity, and socio-demographic information. Results: A group of 115 medical students (mean age 20.7 years, 59.1% female) participated in the survey. The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation was 17.5% and of suicide attempts 1.8%. In general, students showed very low acceptability of suicide, strong beliefs in the punishment after death, and highly endorsed communicating problems with parents. Moreover, high acceptance of and support for a suicidal friend were found. Sadness was associated with higher acceptability of suicide and fewer beliefs in punishment after death. Religiosity was associated with less acceptability of suicide, seeing suicide in context of mental illness, communicating problems with parents, and greater support for a suicidal friend. Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among medical students in the UAE was in the lower range in international comparison. Negative attitudes toward suicide were accompanied by a strong support for a suicidal friend, and both were related to religiosity.

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Factors influencing decision making for implementing e-health in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Gulf Cooperation Council countries

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihab003 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fahad M Al-Anezi

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Quality Of Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Gulf Cooperation Council ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Electronic Health ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background Electronic health (e-health) approaches such as telemedicine, mobile health, virtual healthcare and electronic health records are considered to be effective in increasing access to healthcare services, reducing operational costs and improving the quality of healthcare services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, a pandemic resulting from the spread of a novel coronavirus discovered in December 2019. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the most important factors influencing decision making on the implementation of e-health in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), which are in the process of digitizing healthcare services. Methods This study reviewed the literature to identify the important factors influencing decision making on e-health. In addition, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted in order to identify the most important criteria to be considered in decision making on e-health. The survey link was forwarded to 978 healthcare practitioners and 42 experts (purposive sampling), from which a final sample of 892 (864 practitioners and 28 experts) was achieved, reflecting a response rate of 87.45%. Results Of the 44 factors identified under seven themes (strategic, quality, management, technology, function characteristics, economic, sociocultural and demographic factors), 22 factors were identified to be the most important criteria. Conclusions Findings from this study suggest that decision making in relation to e-health is a complex process that requires consideration of various factors. It was also found that attention should be paid to sociocultural and demographic factors, which may need to be considered in increasing healthcare access during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Medical Students’ Knowledge and Perception of Deep Brain Stimulation

Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development ◽

10.1177/2382120521989977 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 238212052198997

Author(s):

Brian F Saway ◽

Sanaz Monjazeb ◽

Kerilyn Godbe ◽

Tessa Anwyll ◽

Anita Kablinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Deep Brain Stimulation ◽

Medical Students ◽

Brain Stimulation ◽

Treatment Modality ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Clinical Implementation ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Clinical Exposure ◽

Effective Treatment Modality ◽

Deep Brain

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established neurosurgical procedure commonly used in movement and psychiatric disorders. Its widespread clinical implementation, however, may not be commensurate with medical education. No current assessment of medical student’s understanding of DBS as a treatment option for indicated conditions is available, potentially threatening the availability of DBS to future patients. The aim of the present study is to explore the current knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward DBS as a treatment modality. Methods: A total of 65 medical students at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine were surveyed regarding their knowledge of DBS. The survey consisted of a 25-item questionnaire including a demographic section and 3 separate inventories designed to assess bias, knowledge, and self-assessment of knowledge specific to DBS therapy. Students in pre-clinical and clinical years were analyzed separately to describe changes in knowledge or attitude associated with clinical exposure to DBS. Comparisons were analyzed using t tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. Results: Of surveyed students, 36% were unsure of the FDA approval status of DBS treatment; 65% of students believed they had not been adequately educated about DBS and its utility; and 10.6% of students believed that DBS is likely associated with severe adverse effects and/or brain damage. The overall baseline attitudes of students toward DBS were positive. There was no observed difference between surveyed pre-clinical and clinical students, highlighting a lack of exposure throughout the clinical years of medical school education. Conclusion: Although DBS is an effective treatment modality for various conditions, current education is non-commensurate with its application, which can negatively impact awareness and understanding for its implications by medical professionals. In order to better serve patients who may benefit from DBS, medical curricula must change to educate future physicians on the benefit of this intervention.

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MEDICAL STUDENTS' GENDER-SPECIFIC EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2008.36.7.999 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

pp. 999-1008

Author(s):

Selcuk Mistik

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Female Students ◽

Examination Performance ◽

The University ◽

Gender Specific ◽

Male Genital

In this study the experiences of final-year medical students performing gender-specific examinations were assessed. In 2006, all students in the final year of medical school at the University of Erciyes, Turkey, were given a questionnaire containing 17 questions on gender-specific examinations. A total of 200 (94%) students completed the questionnaire. Female students were less confident in performing male genital and prostate examinations. In this study, it was demonstrated that there was suboptimal exposure to gender-specific examinations, resulting particularly in less than confident female students. Student logbooks should be used more accurately and efficiently to increase opportunities to perform gender-specific examinations.

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A structured daily teaching curriculum of medical students improves the NBME shelf examination performance

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.07.286 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 217 (3) ◽

pp. S124

Author(s):

Bethany Malone ◽

Keith Wirth ◽

Christopher Turner ◽

Robert Schulze ◽

Aliu Sanni

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Examination Performance ◽

Teaching Curriculum

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Self-Assessment of Problem Solving Disposition in Medical Students

Journal of Biomedical Education ◽

10.1155/2014/161204 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Silvia Lizett Olivares-Olivares ◽

Mildred Vanessa López-Cabrera

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Competency Based Education ◽

Competency Based ◽

Future Demands ◽

Disposition Model

Medical schools are committed to both students and society to develop capabilities required to succeed in health care environments. Present diagnosis and treatment methods become obsolete faster, demanding that medical schools incorporate competency-based education to keep pace with future demands. This study was conducted to assess the problem solving disposition of medical students. A three-subcategory model of the skill is proposed. The instrument was validated on content by a group of 17 experts in medical education and applied to 135 registered students on the sixth year of the M.D. Physician Surgeon program at a private medical school. Cronbach’s alpha indicated an internal consistency of 0.751. The findings suggest that selected items have both homogeneity and validity. The factor analysis resulted in components that were associated with three problem-solving subcategories. The students’ perceptions are higher in the pattern recognition and application of general strategies for problem solving subcategories of the Problem solving disposition model.

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