Dyspraxia in Medical Education: A Collaborative Autoethnography

In this paper we adopt an autoethnographic approach to explore the lived experiences of a UK medical student with dyspraxia within the current culture of UK medical education. An initial review of the literature revealed that there is now growing evidence regarding the difficulties experienced by, and support needed for medical students and doctors with dyslexia. However, no research has been conducted concerning dyspraxia on its own in medical education. Here we seek to provide an in-depth account of a UK undergraduate medical student with dyspraxia. It is hoped that this will have three outcomes: to support both students and staff across multiple disciplines, who have had similar experiences; to inform educators; and to promote further interest and research into this important area.

A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT SEX AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENT

Background: There are many myths and misconceptions about sexuality in India. Adolescent’s sexual behaviors depend on their knowledge about sex, attitudes and sources of influence. Very few students can communicate about sexuality, and friends and pornographic materials remain as common sources of sex knowledge, which are unreliable. Aims: The current study aimed to assess sexual behavior of undergraduate medical students and their source of information on sex. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the sexual behavior and their source of information on sex among undergraduate medical student Jamnagar, Gujarat. A Google document form was made and shared with all students from first year to internship comprising 850 students. The Google document contained structured questionnaire in three important parts: (1) Demographic details of students (2) Sexual behavior questionnaire (3) source of information about sex. Results: Total 752 participants completed the survey. Around 76% students engaged in masturbation. Very few participants indulge in sexual intercourse with sexual worker (4.26%) or same sex partner, use of sexual aids (1.5%), more than one partner (9.7%) and anal sex (10%).42.2% (n=317) participants acquire knowledge from phone or internet, 25.7% from newspaper, 19.9% from friends and only 2.4% from family member or relative. Conclusion: Majority of participants indulged in sexual activity such as masturbation. Adolescents use Internet and newspaper as a major source of gathering information about sex. Sex education is also necessary because young people are unable to discuss their sexual concerns freely with family members.

The real costs of teaching medical students in general practice: a cost-collection survey of teaching practices across England

BackgroundCurrent funding arrangements for undergraduate medical student placements in general practice are widely regarded as outdated, inequitable, and in need of urgent review.AimTo undertake a detailed costing exercise to inform the setting of a national English tariff for undergraduate medical student placements in general practice.Design and settingA cost-collection survey in teaching practices across all regions of England between January 2017 and February 2017.MethodA cost-collection template was sent to 50 selected teaching practices across all 25 medical schools in England following the development of a cost-collection tool and an initial pilot study. Detailed guidance on completion was provided for practices. Data were analysed by the Department of Health and Social Care.ResultsA total of 49 practices submitted data. The mean cost per half-day student placement in general practice was 111 GBP, 95% confidence interval = 100 to 121 (146 USD), with small differences between students in different years of study. Based on 10 sessions per student per week this equated to around 1100 GBP (1460 USD) per student placement week.ConclusionThe costs of undergraduate placements in general practice are considerably greater than funding available at time of writing, and broadly comparable with secondary care funding in the same period. The actual cost of placing a medical student full time in general practice for a 37-week academic year is 40 700 GBP (53 640 USD) compared with the average payment rate of only 22 000 GBP (28 990 USD) per year at the time this study was undertaken.