scholarly journals Experiences of a London Medical Student in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Alin-Ioan Suseanu

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. As a senior medical student in London, I offer my perspective on how the virus has affected my education and the potential impact on the education of future medical students. I cover topics including videoconferencing replacing clinical placements, the disadvantages of online learning and an unprecedent shift to online, open book examinations.

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-138683
Author(s):  
Yagazie Zina Udeaja ◽  
Rynda Nitiahpapand

The initial period adjusting to the roles and responsibilities of a new foundation doctor can be a challenging and anxious time for graduating medical students and new trainees. Over recent years, many educational initiatives such as shadowing placements, assistantships and compulsory induction programmes have been implemented to improve medical student preparedness for clinical practice. Despite this, many graduates still report a lack of confidence and preparedness when starting their clinical placements, specifically within the context of on-call shifts. Bleep Roulette simulation sessions are progressively being used to further bridge the gap from student to trainee and ensure trainees develop prioritisation, organisational and clinical reasoning skills, improving trainee efficiency during an on-call shift. In this article, we provide 10 tips for medical educators, detailing how to design an efficacious Bleep Roulette session for final year medical students and new foundation trainees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. e228-e233
Author(s):  
Kelly H. Yom ◽  
Ryan J. Diel ◽  
Pavlina S. Kemp

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated a shift of medical education to online learning in lieu of traditional clinic-based rotations. The flipped classroom model, which has been shown to be an effective approach to the medical student ophthalmology curriculum, shows promise as a method of learning that can be shared virtually. As such, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a flipped classroom approach to the primary care-focused ophthalmology clerkship delivered entirely online in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Medical students who completed the 2-week introductory clinical ophthalmology clerkship from July 2019 to July 2020 were included in this study. The curriculum centers on a flipped classroom model and was delivered in person prior to March 2020, after which it transitioned to an online format for 5 months. A survey was administered to students completing this rotation, which utilized 6-point Likert scales to assess students' interest in the field of ophthalmology, perceptions of the flipped classroom curriculum, and confidence in evaluating ophthalmic complaints. The cohort that completed in-person learning was then compared with the cohort that completed online learning. Results A total of 112 responding students were included in our analysis, with 68/82 students from the in-person cohort and 44/66 students in the online cohort responding to the survey. Students who participated in the online virtual clerkship were equally likely to feel comfortable evaluating eye complaints than those who participated in the in-person clerkship, and more likely to report that the course enhanced their interest in ophthalmology. However, online students were less likely to feel comfortable using the direct ophthalmoscope compared with those in the in-person cohort. Conclusion Regardless of its mode of delivery, the flipped classroom model is able to impart confidence in evaluating ophthalmic complaints and interest in the field of ophthalmology to medical students. While online learning can never serve as a full replacement for learning physical examination skills and other important clinical experiences, there are aspects of the virtual flipped classroom that do not compromise student's learning and engagement and may be implemented into curricula even after clinical activities are allowed to resume.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric W. Villanueva ◽  
Hannah Meissner ◽  
Ryan W. Walters

Abstract Purpose: Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, American medical schools made swift changes to clinical education based on guidelines provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges. We collected medical student perceptions of the online learning environment, quality of life (QoL), and the pandemic response by their School of Medicine (SoM). The purpose of this study was to provide suggestions to inform medical schools’ response during the continuation of this pandemic and the next.Methods: Between April 29, 2020 and May 16, 2020, the authors distributed a 60-item questionnaire that assessed demographics, learning environment, QoL, and the SoM response. Likert-type items were analyzed on an item-by-item basis, whereas themes were identified for open-ended questions.Results: A total of 330 medical students (of 632; 52.2%) responded. Those who responded had positive perceptions of the online learning environment with moderate QoL disruptions to concentration and sleep. Although most students perceived being able to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare setting, they viewed themselves as underutilized. Three themes encapsulated both positive and negative perceptions of the SoM’s response—communication, learning environment, and empathy and support.Conclusion: These findings provide insight into medical student perceptions of their learning environment and QoL as they acclimated to changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results can help inform a SoM’s response during the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as during future pandemics or crises. Follow‐up surveys of medical students at multiple institutions across the United States and abroad will be essential to better characterize student perceptions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1587-1590
Author(s):  
Ellen Lois Nelson-Rowe

AbstractThere is a lack of resources available to support transition into the first year of UK medical schools. Due to COVID-19 and the possibility that students have lost learning, it is argued that there is a demand for free, accessible curated materials. These can reinforce confidence in expected core topics, mitigate differences in student knowledge and provide a head start in new concepts prior to entry — particularly important in the transition to a virtual learning environment. During lockdowns, this may lessen the effect of lost learning and can be assembled by medical students pitching appropriate content and encouraging near-peer support.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kurt A. Yaeger ◽  
Alexander J. Schupper ◽  
Jeffrey T. Gilligan ◽  
Isabelle M. Germano

OBJECTIVE Neurosurgery is a highly competitive residency field with a match rate lower than that of other specialties. The aim of this study was to analyze trends associated with the residency match process from the applicants’ and program directors’ perspectives. METHODS Between 2010 and 2020, the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Applicant and Program Director Surveys, the NRMP Charting Outcomes reports, and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Data Resource Books were analyzed to identify the number of applicants interviewed and ranked in US programs, the applicants’ ranking preferences, the program directors’ preferential factors in offering interviews, and rank list order. Applicants were divided between US senior medical students and independent applicants. Each cohort was dichotomized for matched and unmatched applicants. RESULTS Over the study period, 2935 applicants applied to neurosurgery residency, including 2135 US senior medical students and 800 independent applicants, with an overall match rate of 65%. Overall, matched applicants had a significantly higher number of publications (p < 0.05). Among US senior medical student applicants, the application-to-interview ratio more than doubled over the study period, yet the number of interview invitations received, interviews accepted, and programs ranked remained unchanged. In the US senior medical student cohort, the number of submitted applications, interview invitations, accepted interviews, and programs ranked did not significantly differ between matched and unmatched applicants. In both cohorts, applicants shifted ranking factors from a more academic focus in early years to more well-being in later years. Letters of recommendation and board scores were key factors for program directors while screening applicants for interviews and ranking. CONCLUSIONS Neurosurgery residency continues to be a highly competitive field in medicine, with match rates of 65%. Recently, applicants have placed greater importance on ranking programs that value residents’ well-being, as opposed to strictly academic factors. A data-driven understanding of factors important to applicants and program directors during the match process has the potential to improve resident candidate recruitment and overall resident-program fit, thereby improving well-being during residency, reducing the attrition rate, and overall enhancing the diversity of the neurosurgery resident workforce.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Ashcroft ◽  
N Havers ◽  
A Seebacher-Tomas ◽  
E Plesci ◽  
S Goh ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Covid-19 necessitated the early graduation of medical students to join the healthcare workforce as Foundation Interim Year 1 (FiY1) doctors. A sequential simulation session was implemented to improve and assess FiY1 preparedness towards approaching deteriorating patients. Method 12 FiY1 doctors participated in the session containing three sequential major stations: complex new admission, ward-based management, and acute deterioration. Participants interpreted investigations, performed examinations, created management plans, and escalated using a pager. Results There was a significant improvement in preparedness for giving treatment (median(IQR): pre-simulation 3(3-4) vs. post-simulation 4(4-4.75); p = 0.04) and paperwork (2(2-3.75) vs. 4(3.25-4.75); p = 0.03). Following four weeks of FiY1 participants demonstrated significant improvement in preparedness for giving treatment (median(IQR): pre-simulation 3(3-4) vs. post-FiY1 4.5(4-5); p = 0.01), communication and teamworking (4(3.25-4.75) vs. 5(5-5.75); p = 0.01), and paperwork (2(2-3.75) vs. 5(5-5); p = 0.01). The FiY1 programme improved integration within teams and facilitated training whilst medical school placements left participants feeling apprehensive and unprepared to practice. Conclusions This session provided an engaging method of increasing preparedness towards common challenges new physicians face. This study suggests future senior medical student apprenticeships should give the same investment, opportunities, and responsibilities as that of the FiY1 programme.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S Mascaro ◽  
Sean Kelley ◽  
Alana Darcher ◽  
Lobsang Negi ◽  
Carol Worthman ◽  
...  

Increasing data suggest that for medical school students the stress of academic and psychologicaldemands can impair social emotions that are a core aspect of compassion and ultimately physiciancompetence. Few interventions have proven successful for enhancing physician compassion inways that persist in the face of suffering and that enable sustained caretaker well-being. To addressthis issue, the current study was designed to (1) investigate the feasibility of cognitively-basedcompassion training (CBCT) for second-year medical students, and (2) test whether CBCT decreasesdepression, enhances compassion, and improves daily functioning in medical students. Comparedto the wait-list group, students randomized to CBCT reported increased compassion, and decreasedloneliness and depression. Changes in compassion were most robust in individuals reporting highlevels of depression at baseline, suggesting that CBCT may benefit those most in need by breakingthe link between personal suffering and a concomitant drop in compassion


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 848-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lubelski ◽  
Roy Xiao ◽  
Debraj Mukherjee ◽  
William W. Ashley ◽  
Timothy Witham ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVENeurosurgery seeks to attract the best and brightest medical students; however, there is often a lack of early exposure to the field, among other possible barriers. The authors sought to identify successful practices that can be implemented to improve medical student recruitment to neurosurgery.METHODSUnited States neurosurgery residency program directors were surveyed to determine the number of medical student rotators and medical students matching into a neurosurgery residency from their programs between 2010 and 2016. Program directors were asked about the ways their respective institutions integrated medical students into departmental clinical and research activities.RESULTSComplete responses were received from 30/110 institutions. Fifty-two percent of the institutions had neurosurgery didactic lectures for 1st- and 2nd-year medical students (MS1/2), and 87% had didactics for MS3/4. Seventy-seven percent of departments had a neurosurgery interest group, which was the most common method used to integrate medical students into the department. Other forms of outreach included formal mentorship programs (53%), lecture series (57%), and neurosurgery anatomy labs (40%). Seventy-three percent of programs provided research opportunities to medical students, and 57% indicated that the schools had a formal research requirement. On average, 3 medical students did a rotation in each neurosurgery department and 1 matched into neurosurgery each year. However, there was substantial variability among programs. Over the 2010–2016 period, the responding institutions matched as many as 4% of the graduating class into neurosurgery per year, whereas others matched 0%–1%. Departments that matched a greater (≥ 1% per year) number of medical students into neurosurgery were significantly more likely to have a neurosurgery interest group and formal research requirements. A greater percentage of high-matching programs had neurosurgery mentorship programs, lecture series, and cadaver training opportunities compared to the other institutions.CONCLUSIONSIn recent decades, the number of applicants to neurosurgery has decreased. A major deterrent may be the delayed exposure of medical students to neurosurgery. Institutions with early preclinical exposure, active neurosurgery interest groups, research opportunities, and strong mentorship recruit and match more students into neurosurgery. Implementing such initiatives on a national level may increase the number of highly qualified medical students pursuing neurosurgery.


e-CliniC ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Alberth Lallo ◽  
L. F. Joyce Kandou ◽  
Herdy Munayang

Abstrak: Kecemasan dialami oleh hampir semua orang di dunia, termasuk mahasiswa baru kedokteran. Mahasiswa baru kedokteran memiliki banyak stressor termasuk ujian yang menimbulkan kecemasan dan dapat mempengaruhi hasil ujian mereka. Sampai saat ini, hanya sedikit penyelidikan yang ditemukan menyelidiki fenomena ini. Di Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Sam Ratulangi, tidak ada yang meneliti fenomena tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai hubungan antara kecemasan dan hasil ujian semester 1 (UAS-1) mahasiswa baru program studi kedokteran umum tahun akademik 2012/2013 di Universitas Sam Ratulangi. Ini merupakan penelitian analitik potong lintang dengan metode survei dan sensus sebagai cara dalam pengambilan sampel. Sampel penelitian yang telah memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan ekslusi didapatkan berjumlah 298 orang dari 319 mahasiswa baru program studi kedokteran umum tahun akademik 2012/2013 di Universitas Sam Ratulangi. Populasi tersebut kemudian diberi informed consent, kuesioner data sosiodemografi, dan dinilai kecemasannya menggunakan Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Tidak ada hubungan yang signifikan antara kecemasan dan hasil UAS-1 (p=0,602>0,05). Ada hubungan yang signifikan antara jenis kelamin dan kecemasan (p=0,005<0,05) with odds ratio 2,91. 267 dari 298 mahasiswa (89,6%) mengalami kecemasan dengan kecemasan ringan sebagai tingkat kecemasan yang paling banyak ditemukan, berjumlah 177 orang (59,4%). Semua mahasiswa baru program studi kedokteran umum tahun akademik 2012/2013 di Universitas Sam Ratulangi mengalami kecemasan, terutama kecemasan ringan. Tidak terdapat hubungan antara kecemasan dengan hasil UAS-1 mereka, tetapi terdapat hubungan antara jenis kelamin dan kecemasan dengan kecenderuang hampir 3 kali bagi mahasiswa baru perempuan untuk mengalami kecemasan dibandingkan dengan mahasiswa baru laki-laki. Dibutuhkan penelitian lebih lanjut terkait coping strategies dan defense mechanism yang dilakukan mahasiswa untuk menganggulangi kecemasan mereka. Kata Kunci: Kecemasan, Ujian, Mahasiswa kedokteran.   Abstract: Anxiety is experienced by almost all people around the world including new medical students. New medical student experiences a lot of stressor include examination which cause anxiety to occur and may affect their exam results. Somehow, there are a few study found to date that has investigate this phenomenon. In Sam Ratulangi University, which is the nearest medical faculty, there is no research for such phenomenon. This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety and new medical student’s achievement on their last exam in Medical Faculty of Sam Ratulangi University. This is an analytic research using a survey method with census as the option of sampling. However, the research samples are who meet inclusion category and not in the exclusion category. The nearest samples are in Sam Ratulangi University who are given questioners to measure their anxiety by using Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) before their exam and to collect their sosiodemograpic data as well. There is no significant relationship between anxiety and their last exam results (p=0,602>0,05), but there is a significant relationship between gender and anxiety (p=0,005<0,05) with odds ratio 2,91. According to anxiety test results, 267 of 298 grade-1 medical students (89,6%) present an anxiety and the most prevalence anxiety level is mild anxiety with total 177 people (59,4%). In conclusion, almost all grade-1 new medical students in Medical Faculty of Sam Ratulangi University experienced anxiety with mild anxiety as the most prevalence anxiety level. There is no significant relationship between anxiety and their last exam results, but there is a significant relationship between gender and anxiety with almost 3 times for new female medical students experiencing anxiety than new male medical students. Further research is needed to investigate coping strategies and defense mechanisms which may be used to cope with their anxiety. Keywords: Anxiety, Exam, Medical Student


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