scholarly journals Telemedicine Volunteering Experience as a Medical Student During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tulio Loyola Correa ◽  
Mariana Sandoval Terra Campos Guelli
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
The United States ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
New Device ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics

The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly affected Brazil in many different aspects, and the country is considered an epicenter of the new disease. With over 5.5 million confirmed cases and 160 thousand deaths by November 2020,1 the country’s healthcare system got oversaturated during the pandemic. Also, since SARS-Cov-2 is a highly transmissible virus, to avoid its spread to the society, many universities canceled in-person classes for indefinite period. For this reason, as a way to deal with both situations, many Brazilian medical students enrolled themselves as volunteers in telemedicine services across the country. Recognized for acting in various sectors of society, volunteering has acquired entrepreneurial characteristics, as it is no longer restricted to assistance and solidarity, and it increasingly occupies spaces for training, education, culture promotion and professionalization.2 In this sense, medical students enrolled in telemedicine may enhance their clinical and communications skills in a period when in-person medical care is not possible to be carried out by many students. Volunteerism is composed by people who perform a social work that reaches areas which the Public Sector is unable to effectively cover.3 The non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that Brazil was testing in a very slow rhythm during the pandemic peak in the country, with 7,500 tests per million people, which is around 10 times less than the United States (74,927 per million).4 Thus, during a pandemic scenario in middle-income countries where the lack of available healthcare resources may pose risks to many lives, telemedicine plays an essential role in relieving the country’s overwhelmed health system. Still reported by MSF,4 nearly 100 nurses were dying from the disease per month during the pandemic peak in Brazil, being the fastest rate in the world. So, shown that in-person contact helps spreading the disease, telemedicine can be an interesting tool to avoid new infections, since the attention may be provided without exposing the health professional and the suspected case to one another. Many medical decisions-makings are purely cognitive, and telemedicine can deal with some less severe not life-threatening cases, following-up the patients and referring them to more specialized health facilities if necessary. In a nation of continental dimensions like Brazil, the country’s different regions may face different pandemic phases during the same time. In this regard, since the medical students or volunteer doctors don’t have to leave their houses, telemedicine is also a great strategy that promotes better allocation of health professionals for more distant areas that are facing a worse pandemic phase and have less resources to cope with the health crisis. On this point, more than 15 thousand free telemedicine consultations have already been carried out in 135 different cities across Brazil by the project we are involved in. Nevertheless, it is known that ill-prepared medical students added to the unfamiliarity with the latest guidelines might pose a risk to the country’s public health.5 Also, since telemedicine is a new device for the majority of the students, basal and continued training are essential to offer a high-quality health service. On this matter, during our volunteering experience, materials that guide how to access and deal with the virtual platforms were offered by the project’s staff. In addition, at the weekly meetings, those responsible for training explain in details everything that must be done so that patient care is satisfactory and effective. After a certain period working in the same role, volunteers receive new training in order to be prepared to assume new roles in the project. With this, the experience becomes broader, allowing a comprehensive knowledge of the project's functioning. Despite COVID-19 cases, our telemedicine volunteering experience covers through video calls several medical fields, such as: pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, psychiatry, dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, allergology, cardiology, sports medicine, geriatrics, otorhinolaryngology and other infectious diseases. However, we could notice a high prevalence of psychological assistance needing, specially between the older individuals. The reasons are diverse and often have a deep relation with the current pandemic reality, which consists of social isolation. Since the advent of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in stress, anxiety and depression rates worldwide,6 and online mental health services were widely implemented in China during the outbreak to alleviate psychological distress,7 showing how important these aids are during pandemic times. We believe that telemedicine volunteering is an extremely positive experience in medical training. As COVID-19 appears that it is still going to be part of our lives in the next year and it might change the way medicine is performed in many different manners, it is important to train medical students in this field so that the new generation of medical doctors is born capable of using technology as an ally to cope with adverse situations.

scholarly journals Specialty choice determinants among Mexican medical students: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Gutiérrez-Cirlos ◽  
J. Jesús Naveja ◽  
Manuel García-Minjares ◽  
Adrián Martínez-González ◽  
Melchor Sánchez-Mendiola
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Specialty Choice ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics

Abstract Background The choice of medical specialty is related to multiple factors, students’ values, and specialty perceptions. Research in this area is needed in low- and middle-income countries, where the alignment of specialty training with national healthcare needs has a complex local interdependency. The study aimed to identify factors that influence specialty choice among medical students. Methods Senior students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Faculty of Medicine answered a questionnaire covering demographics, personal experiences, vocational features, and other factors related to specialty choice. Chi-square tests and factor analyses were performed. Results The questionnaire was applied to 714 fifth-year students, and 697 provided complete responses (response rate 81%). The instrument Cronbach’s alpha was 0.8. The mean age was 24 ± 1 years; 65% were women. Eighty percent of the students wanted to specialize, and 60% had participated in congresses related to the specialty of interest. Only 5% wanted to remain as general practitioners. The majority (80%) wanted to enter a core specialty: internal medicine (29%), general surgery (24%), pediatrics (11%), gynecology and obstetrics (11%) and family medicine (4%). The relevant variables for specialty choice were grouped in three dimensions: personal values that develop and change during undergraduate training, career needs to be satisfied, and perception of specialty characteristics. Conclusions Specialty choice of medical students in a middle-income country public university is influenced by the undergraduate experience, the desire to study a subspecialty and other factors (including having skills related to the specialty and type of patients).

Psychiatry as a specialization: influential factors and gender differences among medical students in a low- to middle-income country

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. I. O. Agyapong ◽  
R. Owusu-Antwi ◽  
A. Ritchie ◽  
G. Agyapong-Opoku ◽  
H. Khinda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Career Interest ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Training Institutions ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Policies And Programs

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the perception of Ghanaian medical students about factors influencing their career interest in psychiatry and to explore gender differences in these perceptions.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 5th and 6th year medical students in four public medical schools in Ghana. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 20.ResultsResponses were obtained from 545 medical students (response rate of 52%). Significantly, more male medical students expressed that stigma is an important consideration for them to choose or not to choose a career in psychiatry compared to their female counterparts (42.7% v. 29.7%, respectively). Over two-thirds of the medical students perceived that psychiatrists were at risk of being attacked by their patients, with just a little over a third expressing that risk was an important consideration for them to choose a career in psychiatry. There were no gender differences regarding perceptions about risk. Around 3 to 4 out of 10 medical students will consider careers in psychiatry if offered various incentives with no gender differences in responses provided.ConclusionOur study presents important and novel findings in the Ghanaian context, which can assist health policy planners and medical training institutions in Ghana to formulate policies and programs that will increase the number of psychiatry residents and thereby increase the psychiatrist-to-patient ratio in Ghana.

scholarly journals 454. Impact of Covid-19 on Infectious Disease Fellows in the United States: A National Survey to Identify Targets for Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S328-S330
Author(s):  
Shuba Balan ◽  
Shweta Anjan ◽  
Alison Ohringer ◽  
Jose Gonzales-Zamora ◽  
Deborah Jones Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Abstract Background The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) global health crisis has resulted in an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems, reorganization of medical training programs and disruption in professional and personal lives of medical trainees. The impact of COVID-19 on infectious disease (ID) fellows, who are frontline healthcare professionals, has not been assessed. Methods We conducted a national survey of adult and pediatric ID fellows to assess impact on educational activities, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), well-being, and career prospects. Anxiety and burnout were assessed by 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale and abbreviated Maslach burnout inventory respectively. Invitations to participate in the survey were sent via email to all ID fellows through Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship directors. Survey responses collected from August 1 to September 30, 2020 have been reported. Results 136 fellows completed the survey (Table 1). 84% reported their institution had provided evidence-based didactics for management of COVID-19 and 53% indicated their general ID didactics were affected by the pandemic. 86% of fellows were involved in care of patients with COVID-19, and 31% reported a shortage of PPE affecting their clinical duties. Those living in highly impacted states (CA, FL, NY, TX) at the time of the survey were 1.70 times as likely to experience moderate to severe anxiety (vs. minimal to moderate) than those in other states; similarly, those who saw ≥11 COVID-19 patients weekly and reported PPE shortages were 2.5 and 2.0 times as likely, respectively, to experience moderate to severe anxiety compared to their peers who took care of 10 or fewer COVID-19 patients and did not experience PPE shortages. Burnout scores were not significant (Table 2). Table 1. Demographics, Responses to Personal Exposure, Educational Activities and Career Prospects Table 2. Stress, Burnout, Anxiety , Sleep and Quality of Life Among Survey Participants. Conclusion It is imperative that ID fellows feel adequately protected and supported during this pandemic. Pandemic preparedness should be included in the ID fellowship curriculum. Interventions for anxiety and burnout reduction should be implemented. ID fellowship programs should continue to accept feedback from fellows to ensure their ongoing safety, well-being, and education as we navigate this pandemic. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals German-speaking medical students on international electives: an analysis of popular elective destinations and disciplines

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Andreas Storz ◽  
Ann-Kathrin Lederer ◽  
Eric Pieter Heymann
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
The United States ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Framework Development

Abstract Background International medical electives are a well-established part of the curriculum of many western medical schools. It is widely accepted that these electives contribute to improved clinical examination and communication skills. Overseas electives also exert a strong influence over future career decisions and often pave the way for later international work. Whilst the positive outcomes are known, little information exists regarding elective preferences and destinations overall, information that could help optimise a safe learning experience and maximise the potential for one of the highlights of medical education. In order to obtain analytical data that could assist medical elective framework development, we systematically reviewed the two largest German online databases cataloguing abroad elective testimonies. Results We identified 856 overseas elective reports uploaded within the last five years. European destinations were the most sought-after choice among German-speaking medical students. Interest in abroad electives in the United States (U.S.), a traditionally popular destination, was much lower than expected. U.S. elective reports accounted for only 3 % of long-term electives. Electives in low- and middle-income countries were generally less popular than electives in high-income countries. General surgery was the most popular elective discipline, followed by Emergency Medicine and Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Conclusions We observed a large inhomogeneity in German-speaking medical students’ elective choices, potentially influenced by financial and organizational aspects as well as geopolitical developments. This highlights a crucial challenge for medical schools and other organizations involved in elective planning. In light of regional differences, our data suggest that a “one size fits all” preparation is not pertinent to optimize students’ elective experience. Country- or region-specific pre-departure trainings and more individualized elective frameworks might be necessary to address these differences and to ensure a safe learning experience for students.

scholarly journals P116 SURGE: Survey of Undergraduate Respondents on Global surgery Education

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michal Kawka
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Surgery Education ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Media Data

Abstract Introduction It is estimated that over 10% of the global burden of disease can be treated with surgery, most of which is located in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), underpinning the importance of the topic of global surgery (GS). The multidisciplinary principles of GS are increasingly recognised as being key to modern practice and as such, must be fostered at early stages of medical training. However, it is unclear whether medical students are being exposed to GS. This study aimed to assess the importance of GS and its presence in medical curricula. Methods A novel, 22-item online questionnaire was developed and disseminated to medical students and faculty members using social media. Data collection was conducted by a collaboration of medical students, who acted as regional leads at their institutions. Results 795 medical students and 141 faculty members representing 38/42 of UK medical schools (90.4%) completed the questionnaire. Only 84 students (10.6%) were previously exposed to GS. Most students (66.3%) and faculty (60.6%) agreed that GS should be an integral part of the curriculum. Only 20 students (2.5%) were or familiar with what a career in GS means. Conclusion Approximately 2/3 of students and faculty agree that global surgery should be an integral part of the mandatory curriculum. Findings of this study should underpin further incorporation of GS into curricula, as high-income countries can decisively contribute to achieving the global surgery 2030 targets, by training a new generation of clinicians who are ready for the challenges of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Effects of Implementing an Interactive Substance Use Disorders Workshop on a Family Medicine Clerkship

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-299
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Cantone ◽  
Nonda S. Hanneman ◽  
Matthew G. Chan ◽  
Rebecca Rdesinski
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Medicine Clerkship ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Drug Problems

Background and Objectives: Substance use disorders (SUD) remain a public health crisis and training has been insufficient to provide the skills necessary to combat this crisis. We aimed to create and study an interactive, destigmatizing, skills-based workshop for medical students to evaluate if this changes students’ self-reported knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward patients with SUD. Methods: We surveyed students on a required family medicine outpatient rotation at a Pacific Northwest medical school during clerkship orientation on their views regarding SUDs utilizing the validated Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire containing a 7-point Likert scale. After attending a substance use disorder workshop, they repeated the survey. We calculated differences between the paired pre- to postsurveys. Results: We collected the pre- and postdata for 118 students who attended the workshop and showed statistically significant positive differences on all items. Conclusions: The positive change in the medical students’ reported attitudes suggests both necessity and feasibility in teaching SUD skills in a destigmatizing way in medical training. Positive changes also suggest a role of exposing students to family medicine and/or primary care as a strategy to learn competent care for patients with substance use disorders.

scholarly journals A focus on the future of opioid prescribing: implementation of a virtual opioid and pain management module for medical students

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna R. Adalbert ◽  
Asif M. Ilyas
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
The United States ◽  
Perceived Competence ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Opioid Prescribing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The United States opioid epidemic is a devastating public health crisis fueled in part by physician prescribing. While the next generation of prescribers is crucial to the trajectory of the epidemic, medical school curricula designated to prepare students for opioid prescribing (OP) and pain management is often underdeveloped. In response to this deficit, we aimed to investigate the impact of an online opioid and pain management (OPM) educational intervention on fourth-year medical student knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competence. Methods Graduating students completing their final year of medical education at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University were sent an e-mail invitation to complete a virtual OPM module. The module consisted of eight interactive patient cases that introduced topics through a case-based learning system, challenging students to make decisions and answer knowledge questions about the patient care process. An identical pre- and posttest were built into the module to measure general and case-specific learning objectives, with responses subsequently analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Results Forty-three students (19% response rate) completed the module. All median posttest responses ranked significantly higher than paired median pretest responses (p <  0.05). Comparing the paired overall student baseline score to module completion, median posttest ranks (Mdn = 206, IQR = 25) were significantly higher than median pretest ranks (Mdn = 150, IQR = 24) (p <  0.001). Regarding paired median Perceived Competence Scale metrics specifically, perceived student confidence, capability, and ability in opioid management increased from “disagree” (2) to “agree” (4) (p <  0.001), and student ability to meet the challenge of opioid management increased from “neither agree nor disagree” (3) to “agree” (4) (p <  0.001). Additionally, while 77% of students reported receiving OP training in medical school, 21% reported no history of prior training. Conclusion Implementation of a virtual, interactive module with clinical context is an effective framework for improving the OPM knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competence of fourth-year medical students. This type of intervention may be an important method for standardizing and augmenting the education of future prescribers across multiple institutions.

scholarly journals Perceptions of the Podiatric Medicine Profession: A Survey of Medical Students in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha A. Miner ◽  
Tracey C. Vlahovic
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Interprofessional Relations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background Medical students (MSs) in allopathic and osteopathic medical programs may not be adequately exposed to the role of podiatric physicians and surgeons in health care. We explored perceptions of the specialty field of podiatric medicine from the perspective of MSs in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area. Methods In this cross-sectional survey study, responses regarding podiatric education and scope of practice were collected via a 16-question, self-reported, anonymous online survey distributed to MSs at one osteopathic and three allopathic medical schools in the Philadelphia area. Inferences and conclusions were drawn from the percentages of respondents. Statistical analyses for school of attendance, year of study, and physician relative subgroups were performed. Results The 129 survey responses obtained revealed misunderstandings regarding podiatric education and training. Only 45.7% correctly answered that podiatric medical students do not take the United States Medical Licensing Examination. The results also showed the perception of podiatry in a positive light, with approximately 80% of respondents agreeing that the term doctor is applicable when referring to a podiatrist. Respondents with a physician relative were more likely to rate podiatry's role in health care higher on a scale from 0 (inessential) to 5 (equivalent to MDs/DOs) than those without a physician relative. Conclusions The results of this preliminary survey were generally positive and optimistic while also identifying some misconceptions regarding MS perceptions of podiatric medical training and scope of practice. Further studies are needed to evaluate perceptions of podiatry from the perspective of other members of the health-care team to improve interprofessional relations and understanding.

scholarly journals Generating a Future Vision of Patient Safety: A Pilot Program to Test the Integration of Certified Professional in Patient Safety™ Curriculum into Undergraduate Medical Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110258
Author(s):  
Lillee S Gelinas ◽  
Conner D Reynolds ◽  
Joshua Lindsley ◽  
Janet Lieto
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
College Of Osteopathic Medicine ◽  
Advanced Proficiency ◽  
Future Vision ◽  
First Time

Preventable healthcare-associated harm results in significant morbidity and mortality in the United States, costing nearly 400 000 patient lives annually. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement provides high-quality educational resources tailored for working healthcare professionals. One such resource is the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS™) review course, which equips professionals with advanced proficiency in 5 core patient safety domains. The CPPS™ certification is the only interprofessional, patient safety science credential recognized worldwide. In 2010, the Lucian Leape Institute at the National Patient Safety Foundation described the critical need for medical students to participate in patient safety solutions as well. However, equivalent patient safety credentialing remains challenging for students in the preclinical and clinical stages of training to obtain. To address this growing dilemma, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) piloted the first-of-its-kind CPPS™ course with 10 medical students to test a novel, academic-level approach to patient safety curriculum. Medical students showed large gains in performance on the post-test (83.18% ± 26.12%) compared to the pre-test (46.46% ± 27.18%) ( P < .001, η2 p = .368), representing increased knowledge across all learning domains. On the national certification examination, students had a 90% first-time pass rate, exceeding the current national average of 70% for first-time examinees. In satisfaction surveys, students expressed the value of pilot curriculum for their medical training, the importance of similar Patient Safety Education and CPPS certification for all medical students, their confidence as future healthcare change agents. Content analysis of open response questions revealed 3 key areas of strength and opportunity for guiding future iterations of the course. This pilot generates a future vision of patient safety, equipping students with critical knowledge to systematically improve healthcare quality.

scholarly journals A survey of syphilis knowledge among medical providers and students in Rhode Island

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212090259
Author(s):  
John Bonnewell ◽  
Sarah Magaziner ◽  
Joseph L Fava ◽  
Madeline C Montgomery ◽  
Alexi Almonte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Medical Providers ◽  
Training Experience

Background: In the United States, syphilis cases have increased dramatically over the last decade. Recognition and timely diagnosis by medical providers are essential to treating syphilis and preventing further transmission. Methods: From 2016 to 2017, a cross-sectional survey was performed among medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians in Rhode Island. Topics included demographics, level of medical training, experience diagnosing and treating syphilis, and familiarity with the reverse testing algorithm. Participants were asked 25 true/false questions to assess basic knowledge of syphilis, which covered five domains: epidemiology, transmission, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to determine knowledge levels across provider characteristics. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: Of the 231 participants, 45% were medical students, 34% were residents or fellows, 11% were medicine attendings (non-infectious diseases), and 10% were infectious diseases attendings. The overall mean score was 9.79 (out of 25; range = 0–23, p ⩽ 0.001). Mean scores differed significantly ( p < 0.001) across groups, including 7.68 for students (range = 0–16), 10.61 for residents/fellows (range = 3–17), 10.41 for non-infectious diseases attendings (range = 4–18), and 16.38 for infectious diseases attendings (range = 6–23). Familiarity with the reverse sequence algorithm was low with only 22% having heard of it. Infectious diseases attendings were significantly more knowledgeable compared to other groups. Overall and across domains, infectious diseases attendings had significantly higher scores except when compared to non-infectious diseases attendings in the epidemiology domain and residents/fellows in the transmission domain. Conclusion: Overall syphilis knowledge among non-infectious diseases medical providers was low. Improved education and clinical training are needed to promote early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document