Knowledge, attitude, and awareness of childhood cancer among undergraduate medical students in South India

Abstract Background :In India roughly 60000 childhood cancer cases are diagnosed annually with only nearly 100 pediatric oncologists. So it′s pertinent that the physicians and pediatricians are adequately equipped to recognize and refer them appropriately. Hence this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and awareness of childhood cancer among undergraduate medical students in South India. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 240 undergraduate students from all over South India in a undergraduate pediatric clinical training. A 24 point questionnaire was given to assess their understanding of pediatric malignancies and their interest towards pediatric oncology. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 18.V software. Results: 50% were interested in pursuing pediatrics as their career but 80% of them were not interested in pursuing pediatric oncology as their career. 55% of the students have not encountered any pediatric oncology patients in the ward. 40% did not have any lecture classes on pediatric oncology. 65.5% felt that their knowledge of childhood cancer did not make them competent to suspect and refer appropriately during their practice. 84% supported that there is a need to improve pediatric oncology teaching in their medical curriculum. Conclusions : The study unambiguously states that the future physicians lack confidence in identifying and managing childhood malignancies and pediatric oncology is far down in their career options. There is a need to reform the undergraduate medical students by increasing their exposure to pediatric oncology to improve their competence levels and interest in pursuing it as a career also.

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Effect of epidemiology batch posting in improving attitude towards research among medical students

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20200984 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 1158

Author(s):

Aparnavi P. ◽

Venkatesh U. ◽

Priyanka S. ◽

Shalini S.

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Rank Test ◽

New Delhi ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Indian Medical ◽

Wilcoxon Sign Rank

Background: Epidemiology batch posting (EBP) is conducted only in a few Indian medical colleges for undergraduate students to orient them with research methodologies. EBP is designed to overcome the lacuna in knowledge on attitude towards scientific research amongst medical students. The objective of the study was to study the effect of EBP in improving attitude towards research among medical students.Methods: A pre-post study was conducted on a batch of 40 students (consecutive sampling technique) posted for EBP in Department of Community Medicine, at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi during October-November 2017. This was well above the required sample size of 16 calculated using G Power 3.1. Data was collected using R-ATR (revised attitude towards research) Data was found to be non-parametric by applying tests of normality. Hence Wilcoxon sign rank test was used to find the statistical significance in change of attitude between pre and post-tests.Results: Participants mean age was 20.50±1.58 yrs and 75% of them were males. The median attitude towards research usefulness increased from 5.25 to 6.75 following EBP. In the domain of positive predisposition towards research, there was an overall positive change in attitude from a median of 4.00 to 5.25. A negative change was shown in ‘research anxiety’ domain, from a median score of 5.00 to 3.00.Conclusions: Authors recommend that Indian medical curriculum should mandate a small group learning model such as EBP for all undergraduate medical students to bring about a positive attitude towards research and to reduce their anxiety levels.

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Empathy in Undergraduate Medical Students of Bangladesh: Psychometric Analysis and Differences by Gender, Academic Year, and Specialty Preferences

ISRN Psychiatry ◽

10.1155/2014/375439 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Asma Mostafa ◽

Rozina Hoque ◽

Mohammad Mostafa ◽

Md. Mashud Rana ◽

Faisal Mostafa

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Principal Component Factor Analysis ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Alpha Coefficient ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Cronbach’S Alpha ◽

Medical College ◽

Cronbach's Alpha

Empathy is considered to be associated with better patient compliance, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. The aim of the study is to measure and examine empathy among a sample of undergraduate medical students of Bangladesh. It was a cross-sectional study and all the medical students of first through fifth year enrolled at Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College during the study period of 2014 were surveyed. Participants anonymously completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Medical Student version translated into Bengali language, a valid and reliable 20-item self-administered questionnaire. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were calculated to check validity and reliability of the scale. ANOVA was used to examine the differences in empathy between gender, academic years, and specialty preferences. The mean empathy score was 110.41 ± 13.59. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.88. There were significant associations between gender and empathy scores. The level of empathy in medical students gradually increases after clinical training in medical college. A nonsignificant difference was found between empathy scores and specialty preferences. It is suggested that the medical curriculum in Bangladesh should include more extensive program to promote empathy and other humanistic values among the medical students.

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Gender difference in performance of undergraduate medical students for subjective and objective evaluation in physiology

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20170353 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meenakshi Sinha ◽

Jayshri Ghate ◽

Dipali K. Chatur ◽

Ramanjan Sinha

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Gender Difference ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Objective Evaluation ◽

Female Students ◽

High Achievers ◽

Multiple Choice Questions ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Several studies have indicated gender differences in performance of undergraduate students in medical curriculum mainly in the clinical specialties which requires different set of skills as compared to pre and paraclinical subjects. Therefore, the study aim to investigate gender difference if any, on overall performance as well as on different modalities of assessment like multiple choice questions (MCQ) and structured long & short answer questions (LSQ) of medical students in physiology.Methods: Performance of 238 first year MBBS students in overall theory (MCQ+LSQ) and separately in MCQ and LSQ were compared between male (n=139) & female (n=99). Further, they were sub-grouped on the basis of total marks in theory as low (<50%), medium (50-65%) and high achievers (>65%). Results: Female students scored significantly more compared to male students in total (60.8±7.42% vs 56.81±8.78%) as well as individually in MCQ & LSQ. Also, overall failure rate was more for male (19%) as compared to female (7%). However, comparison of high achiever group revealed no significant difference in performance of both genders in all modalities of assessments. Whereas, female students of both medium and low achiever groups had significantly high scores in LSQ as compared to male, but no such difference was observed for MCQ.Conclusions: Average and below average female students performed better relative to their male counterparts in subjective assessment (LSQ) as compared to assessment demanding more analytical/critical thinking (MCQ). However, performance of high achievers did not show any such gender difference. Therefore, different types of assessments bring out different abilities of students across genders depending on their grade of performance in a medical curriculum.

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Effectiveness of interactive dual-mode online platform for teaching and assessment of students during COVID 19 pandemic: Narrative experience and reflections of undergraduate medical students

10.25259/aujmsr_18_2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 34-40

Author(s):

Rajiv Mahajan ◽

Kapil Gupta ◽

Sandeep Kaur ◽

Tanvir Kaur Sidhu ◽

Upinder Kaur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Online Classes ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Dual Mode ◽

Online Platform ◽

Medical Undergraduate

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the perception of the undergraduate students about the online platform developed, through a long-term, qualitative study. COVID-19 enforced initial lockdown and later closing of educational institutes, including medical colleges in India. The circumstances lead to adoption of online means of teaching for teaching the medical undergraduate students. An interactive dual-mode online platform was introduced for teaching and assessment of undergraduate students in our institute also. Materials and Methods: Narrative experiences and reflections of students while attending online classes through the designed and delivered “interactive dual-mode online platform” were collected through open ended, anonymous Google forms. Results: Students were satisfied with the online learning as a stop-gap arrangement. Although they were facing technical snags and internet issues, they were happy that their syllabus was being covered and they were receiving formative assessment, in whatever quantity and mode possible. However, they were concerned about the lack of clinical training. Conclusion: To tide over crisis period, online teaching can be used, but one should shift to onsite teaching as soon as possible, particularly for medical students.

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Prevalence and practice of self-medication among undergraduate medical students and non-medical students in south India

International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology ◽

10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20190649 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 388

Author(s):

J. Sujit Ralin Daniel ◽

Prasanand S. ◽

Suba Joice ◽

Priscilla Jeba Rani

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

South India ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Science College

Background: Self-medication is commonly practiced worldwide and the irrational use of drugs for self-medication is a major cause of concern. The situation is more complex when a number of prescriptions only medicines are used for self-medication which are easily available over the counter through pharmacies without any prescription. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and practice of self-medication among undergraduate medical students and non-medical students.Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire based study was carried out among 100 undergraduate students of a tertiary care medical college and 100 undergraduate students of an arts and science college in south India. The respondents were selected from the students who were present on the day of study. A pre-tested, self-assessing questionnaire was used to obtain the information on the prevalence and practice of self-medication.Results: Self-medication was practiced by 96% and 92% of medical and nonmedical students respectively. Overall practice of self-medication was 94%. Majority of females were self-medicating than males, 94% and 90% respectively. The most common symptom leading to self-medication among medical students were cough and common cold compared to headache among nonmedical students. The commonly used medicines for self-medication in both the groups were analgesics, antipyretics, cough suppressants and antibiotics. More number of medical students reported the use of antibiotics to treat infections (70%) which was statistically significant.Conclusions: The prevalence and practice of self-medication was alarming in both groups. The use of antimicrobials was also found to be very high among medical students. It is a need of the hour to create better awareness regarding the use of drugs for self-medication, to implement policies to prevent the dispensing of medicines without any prescription which would remain as the cornerstone for reducing the practice of self-medication.

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Usability testing of an e-learning resource designed to improve medical students’ physical activity prescription skills: a qualitative think-aloud study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e042983

Author(s):

Helen Carter-Roberts ◽

Richard Antbring ◽

Manuela Angioi ◽

Gemma Pugh

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Think Aloud ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Learning Resource ◽

Physical Activity Counselling ◽

Exercise Medicine ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

E Learning

ObjectiveAn e-learning resource (MEdic GAming, MEGA) was developed based on the contents of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine exercise prescription booklet. This study aimed to (i) explore medical students’ perspectives of physical activity promotion and e-learning and (ii) investigate medical students’ response to the design, content and usability of the MEGA e-learning resource.DesignQualitative think-aloud interview study.SettingA London medical school.Participants19 undergraduate medical students were interviewed using the think-aloud method while using the e-learning resource concurrently.ResultsIn general, medical students felt current education on physical activity is inadequate and held a strong desire for more teaching on exercise medicine. Students believed the MEGA e-learning resource addressed a gap in their knowledge on physical activity but noted e-learning should not replace face-to-face teaching and suggested physical activity education would be best delivered through a blended learning approach. Students felt such an approach would allow better opportunity to practice physical activity counselling skills with patients while on clinical placement. Students’ motivation to engage with the MEGA e-learning resource was positively impacted by aesthetically appealing design and interactive gamification elements such as self-assessment quizzes and visual progress tracking.ConclusionMedical students value the role of physical activity in health but are disappointed by the lack of teaching within the current medical curriculum. E-learning resources, such as MEGA, which contain interactive features are a viable means to integrate physical activity into the undergraduate curriculum but should be supplemented by the opportunity to practice physical activity counselling in-person.

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Searching for the erosion of empathy in medical undergraduate students: a longitudinal study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041810 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e041810

Author(s):

José Manuel Blanco ◽

Fernando Caballero ◽

Santiago Álvarez ◽

Mercedes Plans ◽

Diana Monge

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

School Settings ◽

School Year ◽

School Of Medicine ◽

Medical Undergraduate ◽

Sociocultural Differences

ObjectiveTo analyse the trajectory of empathy throughout the degree programme of medicine in a Spanish school of medicine.DesignLongitudinal, prospective 5-year study, between October 2014 and June 2019.SettingStudents from a Spanish university of medicine.ParticipantsTwo voluntary cohorts of undergraduate medical students from two different school years were invited to participate (n=135 (cohort 1, C1) and 106 (cohort 2, C2) per school year). Finally, a total number of 174 students (102 (C1, 71.6% women) and 72 (C2, 70.8% women) students, respectively) were monitored for 5 years. Each cohort was divided in two subcohorts of paired and unpaired students that were analysed to check possible social desirability bias.Primary outcome measureThe Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).ResultsThe cohort of 102 students (C1) monitored between their first and fifth years of study (71.6% women) showed an improvement among paired women of 2.15 points in total JSE score (p=0.01) and 2.39 points in cognitive empathy (p=0.01); in the unpaired female cohort the increase was of 2.32 points (cognitive empathy) (p=0.02). The cohort of 72 students (C2) monitored between their second and sixth years of study (70.8% women) displayed a cognitive empathy increase of 2.32 points (p=0.04) in the paired group of women. There were no significant differences between paired and unpaired results for either cohort. Empathy scores among men did not decrease.ConclusionsThe empathy of medical students at our school did not decline along grade years. In fact, it improved slightly, particularly cognitive empathy, among women. This paper contributes to enlarge data from Europe, where longitudinal studies are scarce. It supports the idea that there may be global geo-sociocultural differences; however, more studies comparing different school settings are needed.

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Missing the mark: Current practices in teaching the male urogenital examination to Canadian undergraduate medical students

Canadian Urological Association Journal ◽

10.5489/cuaj.3679 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (7-8) ◽

pp. 281

Author(s):

Kristen McAlpine ◽

Stephen Steele

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Clinical Training ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

Canadian Medical School ◽

Competency Based ◽

English Speaking ◽

And Training

Introduction: The urogenital physical examination is an important aspect of patient encounters in various clinical settings. Introductory clinical skills sessions are intended to provide support and alleviate students’ anxiety when learning this sensitive exam. The techniques each Canadian medical school uses to guide their students through the initial urogenital examination has not been previously reported.Methods: This study surveyed pre-clerkship clinical skills program directors at the main campus of English-speaking Canadian medical schools regarding the curriculum they use to teach the urogenital examination.Results: A response rate of 100% was achieved, providing information on resources and faculty available to students, as well as the manner in which students were evaluated. Surprisingly, over onethird of the Canadian medical schools surveyed failed to provide a setting in which students perform a urogenital examination on a patient in their pre-clinical years. Additionally, there was no formal evaluation of this skill set reported by almost 50% of Canadian medical schools prior to clinical training years.Conclusions: To ensure medical students are confident and accurate in performing a urogenital examination, it is vital they be provided the proper resources, teaching, and training. As we progress towards a competency-based curriculum, it is essential that increased focus be placed on patient encounters in undergraduate training. Further research to quantify students’ exposure to the urogenital examination during clinical years would be of interest. Without this commitment by Canadian medical schools, we are doing a disservice not only to the medical students, but also to our patient population.

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Creative Legal Study among Undergraduate Medical Students: Sharing Technique from Mae Fah Luang University

10.20944/preprints202103.0764.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arnon Jumlongkul

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical Curriculum ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Competency Assessment ◽

Undergraduate Medical Students ◽

End Of Life Decisions ◽

Legal Study ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Medical Professions ◽

Health Laws

In Thailand, the topic of medical ethics and laws related to medical professions has been one part of the national competency assessment criteria. The objective of this article was to design legal issues into the medical curriculum and to share experiences of creative legal study. Legal contents were inserted into 10 subjects and taught for year 1 to year 6 medical students. Students were divided into multi-groups or received individual tasks and then, shared their knowledge and idea for solving legal problems. The results showed they could interpret and create novel ideas for legal and ethical reconstruction, including the topic of the principle of laws, criminal laws, civil and commercial laws, public health laws, organ donation/transplantation, end of life decisions, and legal liability for the medical profession. Finally, the creative legal study can be used as a novel approach to support creativity among medical students.

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

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205192 ◽

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.

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