A cross-sectional survey on medical education needs of general practitioners and family medicine: Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India

To assess knowledge of capacity issues across different medical specialties we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a structured questionnaire at academic meetings, lectures and conferences. Of 190 individuals who received the questionnaire 129 (68%) responded-35 general practitioners, 31 psychiatrists, 29 old-age psychiatrists and 34 final year medical students. Correct answers on capacity to consent to or refuse medical treatment were given by 58% of the psychiatrists, 34% of the geriatricians, 20% of the general practitioners and 15% of the students. 15% of all respondents wrongly believed that a competent adult could lawfully be treated against his or her will, with no obvious differences by specialty. As judged by this survey, issues of capacity and consent deserve more attention in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

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What do Tunisian General Practitioners Know About Insomnia?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.152 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S289-S289

Author(s):

K. Yaich ◽

M. Maalej Bouali ◽

N. Charfi ◽

W. Sellami ◽

N. Zouari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Continuous Medical Education ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Theoretical Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Individual Training

IntroductionInsomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorders and affects 10% of adults worldwide. It has major social and economic consequences. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge of Tunisian general practitioners (GPs) about insomnia.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out during the month of May 2016. Among the 193 GPs randomly selected from different areas of Sfax, in Tunisia, 127 participated to the study. The latter filled a questionnaire including items related to socio-demographic data and clinical features of insomnia.ResultsAmong our participants, 58.3% (n = 74) were men and 41.7% (n = 53) women. The average age was 47.91 ± 10.1 years. They have been working for 17.36 ± 10.7 years on average. Seventy-six of GPs had an individual training and a training by attending conferences or by continuous medical education. Most participants (80.3%) thought that they had some lacuna in the management of insomnia. Specific recommendations for the management and treatment of insomnia were known by 7.2% of the GPs. As for theoretical knowledge about insomnia, 74.8% of participants (n = 95) had a high score of correct answers. The latter was correlated to age (P = 0.013) and to the male gender (P = 0.008). However, it was neither correlated to the seniority of the GPs (P = 0.051) nor to the knowledge of specific recommendations for the management of insomnia (P = 0.11).ConclusionOur results showed that the GPs had a rather good theoretical knowledge about insomnia. Yet, an improvement of the continuous medical education and a better knowledge of specific recommendations for the management of insomnia are needed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Current Models for Inpatient and Emergency Room Ophthalmology Consultation in U.S. Residency Programs

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1717064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (02) ◽

pp. e171-e174

Author(s):

Donna H. Kim ◽

Dongseok Choi ◽

Thomas S. Hwang

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Medical Education ◽

Emergency Room ◽

Program Directors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Direct Supervision ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Residency Program Directors ◽

Competency Assessments

Abstract Objective This article examines models of patient care and supervision for hospital-based ophthalmology consultation in teaching institutions. Design This is a cross-sectional survey. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed to residency program directors at 119 Accreditation Council for Graduated Medical Education accredited U.S. ophthalmology programs in the spring of 2018. Survey questions covered consult volume, rotational schedules of staffing providers, methods of supervision (direct vs. indirect), and utilization of consult-dedicated didactics and resident competency assessments. Results Of the 119 program directors, 48 (41%) completed the survey. Programs most frequently reported receiving 4 to 6 consults per day from the emergency department (27, 55.1%) and 4 to 6 consults per day from inpatient services (26, 53.1%). Forty-seven percent of programs reported that postgraduate year one (PGY-1) or PGY-2 residents on a dedicated consult rotation initially evaluate patients. Supervising faculty backgrounds included neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, comprehensive, or a designated chief of service. Staffing responsibility is typically shared by multiple faculty on a daily or weekly rotation. Direct supervision was provided for fewer of emergency room consults (1–30%) than for inpatient consults (71–99%). The majority of programs reported no dedicated didactics for consultation activities (27, 55.1%) or formal assessment for proficiency (33, 67.4%) prior to the initiation of call-related activities without direct supervision. Billing submission for consults was inconsistent and many consults may go financially uncompensated (18, 36.7%). Conclusion The majority of hospital-based ophthalmic consultation at academic centers is provided by a rotating pool of physicians supervising a lower level resident. Few programs validate increased levels of graduated independence using specific assessments.

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US-based cross-sectional survey of clinicians’ knowledge and attitudes about shared decision-making across healthcare professions and specialties

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022730 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. e022730 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rachel C Forcino ◽

Renata West Yen ◽

Maya Aboumrad ◽

Paul J Barr ◽

Danielle Schubbe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Family Medicine ◽

Shared Decision Making ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Physician Assistants ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Positive Attitudes

ObjectiveIn this study, we aim to compare shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge and attitudes between US-based physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians across surgical and family medicine specialties.SettingWe administered a cross-sectional, web-based survey between 20 September 2017 and 1 November 2017.Participants272 US-based NPs, PA and physicians completed the survey. 250 physicians were sent a generic email invitation to participate, of whom 100 completed the survey. 3300 NPs and PAs were invited, among whom 172 completed the survey. Individuals who met the following exclusion criteria were excluded from participation: (1) lack of English proficiency; (2) area of practice other than family medicine or surgery; (3) licensure other than physician, PA or NP; (4) practicing in a country other than the US.ResultsWe found few substantial differences in SDM knowledge and attitudes across clinician types, revealing positive attitudes across the sample paired with low to moderate knowledge. Family medicine professionals (PAs) were most knowledgeable on several items. Very few respondents (3%; 95% CI 1.5% to 6.2%) favoured a paternalistic approach to decision-making.ConclusionsRecent policy-level promotion of SDM may have influenced positive clinician attitudes towards SDM. Positive attitudes despite limited knowledge warrant SDM training across occupations and specialties, while encouraging all clinicians to promote SDM. Given positive attitudes and similar knowledge across clinician types, we recommend that SDM is not confined to the patient-physician dyad but instead advocated among other health professionals.

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Impact of conflict on medical education: a cross-sectional survey of students and institutions in Iraq

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010460 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. e010460 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Ashton Barnett-Vanes ◽

Sondus Hassounah ◽

Marwan Shawki ◽

Omar Abdulkadir Ismail ◽

Chi Fung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

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Exploring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: an international cross-sectional study of medical learners

Canadian Medical Education Journal ◽

10.36834/cmej.71149 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Allison Brown ◽

Aliya Kassam ◽

Mike Paget ◽

Kenneth Blades ◽

Megan Mercia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Medical Training ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The World ◽

Geographic Regions ◽

The Impact

Background: The evidence surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on medical learners remains anecdotal and highly speculative despite the anticipated impact and potential consequences of the current pandemic on medical training. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that COVID-19 initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25–June 14, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Results: 6492 learners completed the survey from 140 countries. Most medical schools removed learners from the clinical environment and adopted online learning, but students reported concerns about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Residents reported they could be better utilized and expressed concerns about their career timeline. Trainees generally felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a learner. Significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses as well as the impact of COVID-19 learner wellness and state-trait anxiety. Conclusions: The disruption to the status quo of medical education is perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial empirical insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning.

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Dryland Farmers on Climate Resilient Practices – An Adoption Study at an Industrialized Taluk of Tamil Nadu

Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension Economics & Sociology ◽

10.9734/ajaees/2020/v38i1230512 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 169-177

Author(s):

D. Alagu Niranjan ◽

Dipak Kumar Bose

Keyword(s):

Correlation Analysis ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Survey Design ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

Primary Data ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adoption Study ◽

Planting Materials ◽

Selection Of

Aims: To study the adoption of climate resilient practices by the farmers in the dryland region. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey design was used for the present descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad (Prayagraj) during the year of 2018 and for the period of 6 months. Methodology: The study used direct interview method with the subjects using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule for primary data collection in the sampled area which is an industrialized taluk of Tamil Nadu. The selection of area was purposeful, whereas, selection of villages was random and 15 respondents form each village was convenient. The collected data was tabulated and interpreted using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results: The results of the study suggest that there is a poor adoption level of climate resilient practices existing among the dryland farmers. While, some of the practices like incorporation of residues in to soil instead of burning, brown and green manuring, conservation tillage, temperature tolerant varieties, farm machinery custom hiring centre, location specific intercropping systems, crop rotation, usage of better planting materials, prophylaxis, custom hiring centre and weather based insurance were adopted to some extent. Though there was no specific intervention to sensitize on these practices, adoption of above mentioned practices were found which could be due to the passive adaptation by the farmers of the locality over years. And the results of correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant relationship between adoption of climate resilient practices and variables like the respondents’ education, exposure to mass media exposure, contacts with extension agents, innovativeness level, risk orientation and scientific orientation at 0.01% level of significance. Conclusion: The results of the study will definitely help in evaluating government projects (as baseline) like National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture, and strengthening programme planning and implementation in climate change.

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Stockpiled personal protective equipment and knowledge of pandemic plans as predictors of perceived pandemic preparedness among German general practitioners

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255986

Author(s):

Arno Stöcker ◽

Ibrahim Demirer ◽

Sophie Gunkel ◽

Jan Hoffmann ◽

Laura Mause ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Practitioners ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Explanatory Power ◽

Vital Role ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Pandemic Preparedness ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Determining Factor

Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the work of general practitioners (GPs). At the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, German outpatient practices had to adapt quickly. Pandemic preparedness (PP) of GPs may play a vital role in their management of a pandemic. Objectives The study aimed to examine the association in the stock of seven personal protective equipment (PPE) items and knowledge of pandemic plans on perceived PP among GPs. Methods Three multivariable linear regression models were developed based on an online cross-sectional survey for the period March–April 2020 (the onset of the pandemic in Germany). Data were collected using self-developed items on self-assessed PP and knowledge of a pandemic plan and its utility. The stock of seven PPE items was queried. For PPE items, three different PPE scores were compared. Control variables for all models were gender and age. Results In total, 508 GPs were included in the study; 65.16% believed that they were very poorly or poorly prepared. Furthermore, 13.83% of GPs were aware of a pandemic plan; 40% rated those plans as beneficial. The stock of FFP-2/3 masks, protective suits, face shields, safety glasses, and medical face masks were mostly considered completely insufficient or insufficient, whereas disposable gloves and disinfectants were considered sufficient or completely sufficient. The stock of PPE was significantly positively associated with PP and had the largest effect on PP; the association of the knowledge of a pandemic plan was significant but small. PPE scores did not vary considerably in their explanatory power. The assessment of a pandemic plan as beneficial did not significantly affect PP. Conclusion The stock of PPE seems to be the determining factor for PP among German GPs; for COVID-19, sufficient masks are the determining factor. Knowledge of a pandemic plans play a secondary role in PP.

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Task shifting from general practitioners to practice assistants and nurses in primary care: a cross-sectional survey in 34 countries

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423621000657 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Peter P. Groenewegen ◽

Wienke G. W. Boerma ◽

Peter Spreeuwenberg ◽

Bohumil Seifert ◽

Willemijn Schäfer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Professional Training ◽

Institutional Development ◽

Task Shifting ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Nurse Prescribing ◽

Number Of Patients

Abstract Aim: To describe variation in task shifting from general practitioners (GPs) to practice assistants/nurses in 34 countries, and to explain differences by analysing associations with characteristics of the GPs, their practices and features of the health care systems. Background: Redistribution of tasks and responsibilities in primary care are driven by changes in demand for care, such as the growing number of patients with chronic conditions, and workforce developments, including staff shortage. The need to manage an expanding range of services has led to adaptations in the skill mix of primary care teams. However, these developments are hampered by barriers between professional domains, which can be rigid as a result of strict regulation, traditional attitudes and lack of trust. Methods: Data were collected between 2011 and 2013 through a cross-sectional survey among approximately 7200 GPs in 34 countries. The dependent variable ‘task shifting’ is measured through a composite score of GPs’ self-reported shifting of tasks. Independent variables at GP and practice level are: innovativeness; part-time working; availability of staff; location and population of the practice. Country-level independent variables are: institutional development of primary care; demand for and supply of care; nurse prescribing as an indicator for professional boundaries; professionalisation of practice assistants/nurses (indicated by professional training, professional associations and journals). Multilevel analysis is used to account for the clustering of GPs in countries. Findings: Countries vary in the degree of task shifting by GPs. Regarding GP and practice characteristics, use of electronic health record applications (as an indicator for innovativeness) and age of the GPs are significantly related to task shifting. These variables explain only little variance at the level of GPs. Two country variables are positively related to task shifting: nurse prescribing and professionalisation of primary care nursing. Professionalisation has the strongest relationship, explaining 21% of the country variation.

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