RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To determine how medical students viewed the importance of patient-doctor communication, to assess their knowledge about patient-centred care, and to compare the attitudes of medical students in their pre-clinical and clinical years of study towards patient-centred care. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2023 at Federal Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised medical students of either gender from 2nd to 5th academic year. Data was collected using the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 27. RESULTS: Of the 322 students, 178(55.3%) were males and 144(44.7%) were females. The mean score was 3.60±0.47, while the sharing and caring sub-scores were 3.23±0.66 and 3.99±0.52, respectively. The attitude of students overall was slightly patient-centred. Different study years showed variance in patient-centred scores which were also affected by cultural, demographic and gender parameters (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The attitude of the students leaned slightly towards patient-oriented behaviour.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Standard training for ultrasound-guided cyst needle aspiration is currently performed on live patients during residency. This practice presents risk of iatrogenic injury to patients and provides a high-stress learning environment for medical trainees. Simulation training using synthetic cysts in a formalin-embalmed cadaver model may allow for realistic, practical, and effective training free from patient risk. METHODS: Thirty first-year medical students viewed an orientation video, then attended a skills workshop to perform cyst needle aspiration in formalin-embalmed cadaver tissue under ultrasound guidance. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three ultrasound-trained instructor-types which included a medical student, clinical anatomist, or an ultrasound fellowship trained emergency medicine physician. After training, participants underwent a 5-min skills test to assess their ability to drain a synthetic cyst independently. Pre- and post-training self-confidence surveys were administered. RESULTS: Ultrasound images of synthetic cysts in formalin-embalmed tissue were clear and realistic in appearance, and sonographic needle visualization was excellent. Participants took an average of 161.5 s and 1.9 attempts to complete the procedure. Two of the 30 participants could not complete the procedure within the time limit. Participants' self-reported confidence with respect to all aspects of the procedure significantly increased post-training. Mean confidence scores rose from 1.2 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.39) to 4.4 (95% CI 4.09 to 4.53) (P < 0.0001) Procedure time, number of attempts, performance scores, and self-confidence outcomes were not significantly affected by instructor type. CONCLUSIONS: The use of synthetic cysts in formalin-embalmed cadaveric tissue is feasible, realistic, and efficacious for the teaching of ultrasound-guided needle aspiration to novice medical trainees. This simulation training method can be delivered effectively by multiple instructor types and may allow medical trainees to increase their tactical skill and self-confidence prior to performing ultrasound-guided cyst needle aspiration on live patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Given the health and social needs generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil, implemented a teleconsultation and telemonitoring program to assist patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, the TeleCOVID-MG program. The telemonitoring service was conducted by medical students, under the supervision of a physician. The main goal of this study was to analyze the experience of the students while collaborating on the aforementioned telemonitoring program. METHODS: A questionnaire with 27 questions was developed to address the participation of the students in the telehealth program. The questionnaire included questions about the student's profile, the system usability, and the satisfaction in participating in such a telehealth program. The questionnaire was generated on Google Forms® platform and sent via email to each student who was part of the telemonitoring team. RESULTS: Sixty students were included in the analysis (median age 25 years-old [interquartile range 24-26], 70% women). Of those, 61.6% collaborated on the telehealth program for more than 6 months, 65.1% performed more than 100 telemonitoring calls, 95.2% reported difficulties in contacting the patient through phone calls; 60.3% believe some patients might have felt insecure about being approached by medical students and not by graduate professionals; and 39.6% reported eventual system instabilities. The main strengths reported by the students were related to the system usability and to the self-perception of the quality of healthcare delivered to the patients. Even though 68.3% of the students mentioned technical difficulties, 96.6% reported that they were promptly solved. Finally, 98.3% believed that the program was useful and would recommend it to an acquaintance. CONCLUSION: This study reports a successful experience of undergraduate medical students in a COVID-19 telemonitoring program. Overall, the medical students were satisfied with their participation, especially considering the continuity of clinical practice remotely during a period of classes suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic and their important role in the assistance of patients from low-income regions, which has minimized the health system burden in an emergency context.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

University Radiology training has been carried out for years out of the Radiology Departments, where radiologists play their professional role. However, the educational needs and the leadership of the Scientific Societies make the Radiology Departments to be involved more and more in that training, though it has to be done in overloaded professional environments where medical students can be seen as a drawback. Nevertheless, radiologists must play an important role in the Radiology training of the future doctors for optimising the use of diagnostic imaging techniques and enhance the future of the specialty by bringing to our Departments those medical students who had demonstrated the most adequate personal profiles. The Radiology Department is that place to succeed by increasing the healthcare outcomes, the research results and the visibility of Radiology through a fruitful interaction between radiologists and medical students.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Medical students often hesitate to enter the operating theatre because of poor visibility of the surgical field and anxiety about the theatre environment. In addition, ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery is underrepresented in many medical curricula. Virtual systems like Proximie offer flexible viewing of surgeries with surgeon commentary, potentially addressing these issues. METHODS: This descriptive survey study aimed to evaluate the use of Proximie as a surgical education tool for delivering ENT teaching to medical students. Live ENT procedures were recorded at the ENT Department of the John Radcliffe Hospital and shared with interested clinical medical students through Proximie accounts. Students were added to a private group chat to ask questions and provided feedback through structured forms, assessing procedural effectiveness and the platform's technology. Live-streaming and recording of procedures were facilitated by ENT surgeons providing commentary. RESULTS: Conducted over four virtual theatre days, the study gathered 52 responses: 96% of students rated Proximie's educational value as 4 of 5 or higher; 57% preferred the virtual experience over physical attendance because of its convenience and the improved view of the surgical field. Students valued the live commentary and showed interest in using Proximie for a broader range of surgeries. Suggested improvements included fixing technical issues, better communication of theatre lists, and expanding surgical specialty coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Proximie has been highly rated by medical students for its effective and engaging approach in the instruction of surgical skills, underscoring its value as an educational tool. Future research is needed to formally assess knowledge acquisition and retention across multiple surgical subspecialties. This work is the first step towards evaluating the utility of virtual operating theatre platforms for medical student education.

RESUMEN

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar las características sociodemográficas y académicas asociadas a la calidad del sueño en estudiantes de Medicina Humana. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en una muestra que se seleccionó de manera aleatoria de 184 estudiantes de Medicina Humana de una universidad privada ubicada en la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Se llevó a cabo entre junio y julio del 2022, periodo de retorno gradual de los estudiantes a la presencialidad. Los participantes completaron un formulario virtual anónimo que contenía preguntas sobre factores sociodemográficos y académicos, y el índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP). Este instrumento comprende siete parámetros con un puntaje cuyo rango es de 0 a 21, donde la buena calidad del sueño se definió de 0 a 5 puntos. El desenlace fue dicotómico (buena y mala calidad del sueño), por lo que se aplicó una regresión logística binaria para evaluar los factores asociados. Resultados: El 53,26 % eran mujeres y el promedio de edad fue 20,05, con una desviación estándar de 1,73. El 61,35 % de las horas de clases fueron dictadas de manera virtual. En la muestra, la prevalencia de una mala calidad del sueño fue 69,02 %; entre mujeres fue 76,53 % y en varones, 60,47 %. Entre los que tuvieron mala calidad del sueño, la media del porcentaje de virtualidad fue mayor respecto a los de buena calidad (63,48 % vs. 56,58 %, p = 0,030). Independientemente del porcentaje de clases virtuales, las mujeres tuvieron el doble de chance de tener mala calidad de sueño (OR = 2,00, IC 95 %: 1,05-3,82). Conclusiones: La mala calidad de sueño afectó a siete de cada diez estudiantes de Medicina Humana en el contexto del retorno gradual a la presencialidad posrestricciones sociales por la pandemia de la COVID-19. Las mujeres tuvieron mayor chance de mala calidad de sueño, independientemente del porcentaje de clases virtuales.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the sociodemographic and academic characteristics associated with sleep quality among School of Human Medicine students. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a randomly selected sample of 184 School of Human Medicine students from a private university located in the city of Lima, Peru. The study was conducted between June and July 2022, a period of gradual return to in-person classes. The participants completed an anonymous virtual survey containing questions on sociodemographic and academic factors as well as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). This instrument comprised seven parameters with scores ranging from 0 to 21, where a good sleep quality was established from 0 to 5 points. The outcome was dichotomous (good and poor sleep quality), so binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the associated factors. Results: Females accounted for 53.26 % and the mean age was 20.05 with a standard deviation of 1.73. Concerning the hours of class time, 61.35 % were taught online. As for the sample, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 69.02 %, out of which 76.53 % were females and 60.47 % males. The mean percentage of online classes was higher among those with poor sleep quality compared to those with good sleep quality (63.48 % versus 56.58 %, p = 0.030). Regardless of the percentage of online classes, females were twice as likely to have poor sleep quality (OR = 2.00, 95 % CI: 1.05 to 3.82). Conclusions: Poor sleep quality affected 7 out of 10 School of Human Medicine students in the context of the gradual return to in-person classes after the COVID-19 social restrictions. Females had a higher chance of poor sleep quality, regardless of the percentage of online classes.

RESUMEN

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar los niveles de actividad física en los estudiantes de Medicina Humana de una universidad al norte del Perú durante la pandemia por la COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, realizado a 254 estudiantes de Medicina Humana del primer al quinto año durante el 2021, a quienes se les aplicó el Cuestionario internacional de actividad física, versión corta (IPAQ-SF). Resultados: Se encontró que el 48,03 % de los estudiantes presentaron un nivel moderado de actividad física. Entre las características sociodemográficas con mayor predominio, se aprecia al sexo femenino en los niveles de actividad física leve (64,56 %) y vigoroso (59,26 %) y al sexo masculino en el nivel moderado (55,37 %); con respecto a la edad, la etapa de la juventud sobresalió en todos los niveles (leve: 58,44 %, moderado: 62,60 % y vigoroso: 61,11 %), contrario a la etapa de adulto joven, donde se obtuvo el menor porcentaje en todos los niveles. Según el año de estudios, los estudiantes que destacaron tanto en los niveles leve (36,71 %), moderado (36,07 %) y vigoroso (58,49 %) fueron los de segundo año, a diferencia de los estudiantes de cuarto, quienes presentaron el menor porcentaje en todos los niveles (leve: 3,8 %, moderado: 26,23 % y vigoroso: 3,77 %). Por último, respecto al nivel leve de actividad física, se observa que la media de horas sentado por día de los estudiantes es de 7,88 en comparación con el nivel vigoroso, cuya media es de 3,23. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los estudiantes de Medicina Humana de una universidad al norte del Perú presentó un nivel moderado de actividad física durante la pandemia por la COVID-19, 2021. Entre las características sociodemográficas predominantes, se observó al sexo femenino con un nivel leve; aquellos en la etapa de la juventud y del segundo año de estudios mostraron actividad física en todos los niveles. Asimismo, los alumnos con un nivel leve de actividad física permanecieron más horas sentados en comparación con los otros niveles.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the levels of physical activity among students of Human Medicine at a university in northern Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive study conducted on 254 firstto fifth-year students of Human Medicine who were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) in 2021. Results: A total of 48.03 % of the students had a moderate level of physical activity. The sociodemographic characteristics most commonly observed were the female sex in the light (64.56 %) and vigorous (59.26 %) levels of physical activity and the male sex in the moderate (55.37 %) level of physical activity. Concerning the age, the youth stage predominated in all levels (light: 58.44 %, moderate: 62.60 % and vigorous: 61.11 %), contrary to the young adult stage, where all levels obtained the lowest percentage. According to the year of study, second-year students stood out in the light (36.71 %), moderate (36.07 %) and vigorous (58.49 %) levels, in contrast to fourth-year students, who achieved the lowest percentage in all levels (light: 3.8 %, moderate: 26.23 % and vigorous: 3.77 %). Finally, regarding the light level of physical activity, the mean number of hours sitting per day was 7.88 compared to the vigorous level, which attained a mean of 3.23. Conclusions: Most of the students of Human Medicine at a university in northern Peru had a moderate level of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The most prevailing sociodemographic characteristic was the female sex with a light level; those in the youth stage and the second year of studies showed all levels of physical activity. Moreover, students with a light level of physical activity remained more hours seated compared to the other levels.

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to assess the publication fate of research projects performed during the research year by students enrolled in a Master's degree (MSc) of surgical science and to identify factors associated with subsequent publication. An anonymous online survey of 35 questions was sent to students enrolled in MSc of surgical science between 2013 and 2020. The questionnaire included student's characteristics, topic, and supervision of the research projects developed during the research year and dissemination of the research work. Data regarding publication was collected using PubMed database. Factors associated with publication were identified by univariate analysis. Among 361 students, 26% completed the survey. Among respondents, the publication rate of research projects was 53.7%. The median time interval between the end of the research year and the date of publication was 2 (1-3) years. The student was listed as a first author in 70.6% of publications. Factors associated with publication of the research work completed during the research year were student's previous publications (P = 0.041) and presentation of the research work in academic conferences (P = 0.005). The most mentioned cause for non-publication was the absence of completion of the research work. Among respondents, the publication rate of research works performed during the MSc was high, which emphasizes the quality of the work carried out by the students and their involvement. Significant efforts must be undertaken to encourage the enrollment of residents in scientific research. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-023-01973-y.

RESUMEN

RESUMEN Introducción. El alfabetismo científico comprende habilidades para explicar los fenómenos científicamente, evaluar la ciencia e interpretar sus resultados. Para asegurar su correcta medición es necesario disponer de herramientas validadas en diversos idiomas. Objetivo. Adaptar y validar, al español del Perú, un instrumento para medir las habilidades en alfabetismo científico en estudiantes de medicina. Métodos. La adaptación cultural del Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) tuvo seis pasos. Primero, una traducción independiente y simultánea del inglés al español. Luego, síntesis de ambas traducciones y traducción inversa, seguida de la comparación con la versión original y su retrotraducción. Luego, se realizó una prueba piloto y un estudio transversal con estudiantes de medicina en Lima, Perú. El último paso comprendió la evaluación psicométrica utilizando el modelo de Rasch. El instrumento tuvo 28 preguntas de opción múltiple con una única respuesta correcta. Resultados. Enrolamos 300 estudiantes. El coeficiente Kuder-Richadson fue 0,742. Los ítems mostraron unidimensionalidad e independencia local (MADaQ3 = 0,054). El ítem 12 fue el más difícil, el 5 resultó el más fácil. Los estadísticos infit y outfit de los ítems estuvieron en el rango de 0,7 a 1,3 logits. La curva de función de información brindó información con mayor precisión en el nivel de habilidad ubicado entre -1 y 0 logits. Hubo correspondencia entre la dificultad de los ítems y la habilidad en alfabetismo científico. Conclusión. La versión en español mantuvo los 28 ítems del TOSLS original y tuvo aceptable consistencia interna. Los ítems tuvieron propiedades aceptables, independientemente de la habilidad en alfabetismo científico de los estudiantes.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Scientific literacy comprises skills to explain phenomena scientifically, evaluate science and interpret its results. Validated tools in different languages are needed to ensure their correct measurement. Objective. To adapt and validate, to Peruvian Spanish, an instrument to measure scientific literacy skills in medical students. Methods. The cultural adaptation of the Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) into Spanish had six steps. First, an independent, simultaneous translation from English into Spanish was performed. Then, both translations were synthesised and back-translated, followed by comparison with the original version and back-translation. This was followed by a pilot test and a cross-sectional study with medical students in Lima, Peru. The last step involved psychometric evaluation using the Rasch model. The instrument consisted of 28 multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer. Results. 300 students were enrolled. The Kuder-Richadson coefficient was 0.742. The items showed unidimensionality and local independence (MADaQ3 = 0.054). Item 12 was the most difficult, while item 5 was the easiest. The infit and outfit statistics of the items were in the range of 0.7 to 1.3 logits. The test information function provided information with greater precision at skill levels between -1 and 0 logits. There was a correspondence between item difficulty and scientific literacy ability. Conclusion. The Spanish version retained the 28 items of the original TOSLS and had acceptable internal consistency. The items had acceptable properties, independently of students' scientific literacy ability.

RESUMEN

Background: Experiential learning theory suggests that direct clinical experiences facilitate learning. Previous literature has focused primarily on the experiences of fourth-year medical students. As more students gain early clinical exposure, it is important to understand the types of patients seen by junior students. Objectives: This study aims to categorize the clinical experiences of early (M2 and M3) students in the emergency department (ED). Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic health record of patients seen by M2s and M3s on a 2-week emergency medicine rotation at a single urban academic ED in the Midwest was performed. Data elements extracted included total number of patients seen, Emergency Severity Index (ESI), disposition, and chief complaint. Students were not mandated to see any particular patients. Results: Medical students (248) saw 2994 total patients from 2018 to 2022. The median number of patients seen by each student was 12.0 (range 1-32). Pediatric patients made up 6.5% (n = 194) of total patients. Encounters were primarily ESI 2 or 3, which accounted for 89.4% of all patients (n = 2676). The most encountered complaints were abdominal pain, chest pain, and dyspnea, making up 15.6% (n = 467), 8.7% (n = 260), and 5.5% (n = 165), respectively, of total cases. Obstetrics/gynecology, hematologic, and environmental disorders were the least frequently encountered domains. No students saw all Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine (CDEM)-recommended complaints. Conclusions: There is significant variability in the ED encounters of M2s and M3s, with wide ranges of patient volume and presentations. This study provides some evidence that early students may not be meeting CDEM recommendations.

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on medical education, with many institutions shifting to online learning to ensure the safety of students and staff. However, there has been a decline in in-person attendance at medical schools across the UK and worldwide following the relaxation of social distancing rules and the reinstation of in-person teaching. Importantly, this trend has been observed prior to the pandemic. While reflected within the literature, there is currently no systematic review describing these changes. We aim to find out how medical students' attendance is changing as documented within the literature and its impact on their educational outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This systematic review will follow the guidelines of the Centre of Research and Dissemination, Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. We will search the major databases of Medline via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, British Education Index via EBSCOhost and ERIC via EBSCOhost.Two reviewers will independently screen each paper and extract data, with a third reviewer for dispute resolution. All studies reporting on medical students from various universities, both graduate and undergraduate and describing changes in attendance and/or students' educational outcomes will be included. Risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and confidence in cumulative evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research approach. A narrative synthesis of the findings from all included studies will be reported. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review of existing publicly available literature. We will subsequently aim to publish the results of this systematic review in a peer-reviewed journal.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

RESUMEN La investigación se erige como un pilar fundamental que distingue a la universidad como una entidad de relevancia institucional y social. Esta afirmación es particularmente verídica en el ámbito de las ciencias de la salud, donde no solo se espera que las instituciones educativas generen conocimiento en beneficio de la sociedad, sino que también moldeen individuos capacitados para sumergirse en la investigación y fortalecer esta premisa vital. En este contexto, emergen conceptos intrincados que delinean la naturaleza y el propósito de la investigación en el ámbito académico. La investigación científica, por un lado, se alza como el motor principal que impulsa el avance del conocimiento, y pone énfasis en el método riguroso y sistemático para desentrañar los misterios de la realidad. Por otro lado, la formación para la investigación se erige como un vehículo educativo primordial para cultivar mentes analíticas y curiosas, que dota a los futuros profesionales con las herramientas necesarias para indagar y contribuir al progreso científico. Asimismo, la investigación formativa, si bien menos conocida, desempeña un rol crucial al integrar la investigación en la experiencia de aprendizaje, lo cual fomenta habilidades de pensamiento crítico y resolución de problemas desde etapas tempranas. En esta travesía educativa e investigativa, diversos actores y componentes adquieren protagonismo. Los institutos de investigación se presentan como pilares fundamentales, ya que proporcionan el ambiente propicio para la colaboración interdisciplinaria y el florecimiento de ideas innovadoras. Los docentes, por su parte, ejercen un rol de guías y mentores, transmitiendo su experiencia y conocimientos a las nuevas generaciones de profesionales. Además, las actividades extracurriculares o extraprogramáticas en el área de la investigación surgen como terrenos fértiles para la expansión de horizontes intelectuales, que ofrecen espacios para la exploración creativa y la aplicación práctica de los conocimientos adquiridos por los alumnos. No obstante, estos conceptos y componentes no están exentos de desafíos y controversias en su integración dentro de los programas académicos. La implementación de estos enfoques en los niveles de pregrado y posgrado requiere un análisis profundo de sus objetivos y metas específicas. Las discusiones en torno a la ponderación del tiempo y los recursos dedicados a la investigación frente a otros aspectos curriculares son una constante. La presente revisión se propone delinear y definir de manera precisa los conceptos de investigación científica, formación para la investigación e investigación formativa, así como subrayar el papel cardinal que desempeñan los institutos de investigación, los docentes y las actividades extracurriculares en la configuración de programas académicos en el ámbito de las ciencias de la salud.

ABSTRACT Research stands as a fundamental pillar that recognizes the university as an entity of institutional and social relevance. This statement is particularly true in the field of health sciences, where educational institutions are expected not only to generate knowledge for the benefit of society but also to shape individuals capable of immersing themselves in research and strengthening this vital premise. In this context, intricate concepts that outline the nature and purpose of research in the academia emerge. Scientific research, on the one hand, arises as the driving force behind the advancement of knowledge, emphasizing rigorous and systematic methods to unravel the mysteries of reality. On the other hand, research training stands as a pivotal educational vehicle for nurturing analytical and curious minds, providing future professionals with the necessary tools to inquire and contribute to scientific progress. Similarly, formative research, although less known, plays a crucial role in integrating research into the learning experience, which fosters critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities from early stages. In this educational and research journey, various actors and components take center stage. Research centers arise as fundamental pillars, as they provide the conducive environment to interdisciplinary collaboration and development of innovative ideas. Educators, on their part, play the role of counselors and mentors by sharing their experience and knowledge with the new generations of professionals. Furthermore, extracurricular or nonacademic activities in the area of research emerge as fertile grounds for the expansion of intellectual horizons, offering spaces for creative exploration and practical application of the knowledge acquired by students. However, these concepts and components are not free of challenges and controversies when integrating into the academic programs. Implementing these approaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels requires an in-depth analysis of their specific objectives and goals. Discussions regarding the balance of time and resources devoted to research versus other curricular aspects remain a constant. This review aims to accurately outline and define the concepts of scientific research, research training and formative research, as well as to highlight the leading role played by research centers, educators and extracurricular activities in shaping academic programs in the field of health sciences.

RESUMEN

Self-efficacy consists of the judgment of one's abilities to perform actions required to achieve a given performance, which has been considered predictive of performance. In academics, it means personal convictions in accomplishing a task to a defined degree of quality. Numerous studies have investigated medical students' self-efficacy in traditional and PBL curricula. However, few studies have addressed the hybrid PBL scenario (Hpbl) that simultaneously contemplates PBL, traditional teaching, and practical activities. An even smaller number have evaluated the factors associated with this entity. With these considerations, we aimed to investigate the self-efficacy belief in the hPBL curriculum and the factors associated with this entity. This quantitative observational cross-sectional study was held between August 2022 and November 2022 in Fortaleza, a city in Northeast Brazil with almost 3 million inhabitants. The medical course has 12 semesters. The first two semesters use traditional teaching and cover the basic cycle, followed by the third to eighth semesters which correspond to the pre-clinical and clinical cycle. From the third semester onwards, traditional teaching and PBL are used simultaneously, which we call a hybrid model of PBL. The scale "Scale of Self-efficacy in Higher Education" was applied, a questionnaire validated for the Portuguese language consisting of 34 questions, with answers on a Likert-type scale with ten points, divided into five dimensions. To verify the association between sociodemographic factors and self-efficacy, simple and multiple linear models with robust errors were used. In total, 412 students participated in this study, most of them women (70.1%). The average age of students was 22.9 years. All domains had medians greater than 8, which means strong self-efficacy. The following factors were associated with higher self-efficacy scores in general after the multivariate analysis: female gender (8.6 vs. 8.3, p-value = 0.014), working (8.8 vs. 8.5, p-value = 0.019) and participating in extracurricular activities (8.7 vs. 8.1, p-value = 0.019). We conclude that medical students studying in hybrid learning models showed strong levels of self-efficacy. In addition, participating in extracurricular activities was associated with higher self-efficacy scores and males presented lower levels of self-efficacy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The goal of better medical student preparation for clinical practice drives curricular initiatives worldwide. Learning theory underpins Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) as a means of safe transition to independent practice. Regulators mandate senior assistantships to improve practice readiness. It is important to know whether meaningful EPAs occur in assistantships, and with what impact. Final year students at one UK medical school kept learning logs and audio-diaries for six one-week periods during a year-long assistantship. Further data were also obtained through interviewing participants when students and after three months as junior doctors. This was combined with data from new doctors from 17 other UK schools. Realist methods explored what worked for whom and why. 32 medical students and 70 junior doctors participated. All assistantship students reported engaging with EPAs but gaps in the types of EPAs undertaken exist, with level of entrustment and frequency of access depending on the context. Engagement is enhanced by integration into the team and shared understanding of what constitutes legitimate activities. Improving the shared understanding between student and supervisor of what constitutes important assistantship activity may result in an increase in the amount and/or quality of EPAs achieved.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Medical students demonstrate higher rates of substance use than other university students and the general population. The challenges imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised significant concerns about mental health and substance use. OBJECTIVES: Assess the current prevalence of substance use among medical students at the University of São Paulo and evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug consumption. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 275 medical students from the University of São Paulo Medical School (São Paulo, Brazil) in August 2020. METHODS: Substance use (lifetime, previous 12 months, and frequency of use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic) and socioeconomic data were assessed using an online self-administered questionnaire. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: Alcohol was the most consumed substance in their lifetime (95.6%), followed by illicit drugs (61.1%), marijuana (60%), and tobacco (57.5%). The most commonly consumed substances in the previous year were alcohol (82.9%), illicit drugs (44.7%), marijuana (42.5%), and tobacco (36%). Students in the first two academic years consumed fewer substances than those from higher years. There was a decreasing trend in the prevalence of most substances used after the COVID-19 pandemic among sporadic users. However, frequent users maintained their drug use patterns. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of substance use was high in this population and increased from the basic to the clinical cycle. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the frequency of drug use and prevalence estimates.

RESUMEN

Introducción: Las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos resulta imprescindible para entender las principales lesiones de estos y la realización del examen físico, por ello este tema se estudia en todas las especialidades de las Ciencias de la Salud. Objetivo: Elaborar un software educativo que facilite el aprendizaje de las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos. Métodos: Se realizó una innovación tecnológica para elaborar un software educativo referido a los plexos nerviosos somáticos, dirigido a estudiantes del primer año de medicina. La investigación se desarrolló de septiembre 2021 a febrero 2022, se utilizó el programa CrheaSoft versión 3.1, el software Adobe PhotoShop CS4 para el procesamiento de imágenes y la suite ofimática Microsoft Office 2003 para la elaboración de textos. Resultados: El software quedó estructurado en seis módulos: inicio, temario, juegos, ejercicios, mediateca, complemento y créditos-ayuda, que muestran la información recopilada del tema y permiten la interacción con los estudiantes en todas las actividades docentes en las que se puede utilizar el producto. En la validación por criterio de expertos y de usuario, todos los aspectos fueron evaluados en la categoría de excelente y bien. Conclusiones: La creación de este software educativo constituye una vía para que el estudiante tenga acceso a la información actualizada y científica, organizada sobre las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos, que facilite la asimilación de estos contenidos en una etapa en que se han producido cambios en los escenarios docentes y en los planes de estudio de las carreras de las Ciencias de la Salud.

Introduction: Morphological characteristics of the somatic nervous plexuses result very important to understand the main injuries of them and to do the physical examination, that's why this topic is studied in all the specialties of the Health Sciences. Objective: To elaborate an educational software that facilitates the learning process of the characteristic of the somatic nervous plexuses. Methods: A technological innovation to elaborate an educational software related to somatic nervous plexuses for the first year medical students was done. The investigation was performed from September 2021 to February 2021. It was used CrheaSoft program, version 3.1, the software Adobe PhotoShop CS4 to process the imagining and the suite Office 2003 for text writing. Results: The software was structured in six modules: presentation, contents, games, exercises, anatomical images, complements and credits-help, which shows the organized information by contents and the interactions with the students in all the teaching activities where this product could be used. In the validation by expert and user criteria, all the aspects of the software were evaluated in the category of excellent and good. Conclusions: The creation of this educational software constitute a way for the students to get access to the scientific, very well organized and updated information about morphological characteristics of the somatic nervous plexuses, that facilitate the assimilation of this topics at the present where important changes has taken place at the medical schools and the study plans of Health Sciences degrees.

RESUMEN

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate cognitive learning, ability to perform and interpret lung ultrasound exams, and self-perception of learning among medical students after a short pedagogical intervention at a medical school in Brazil. Methods: An experimental pilot study was conducted with medical students at different stages of their education (basic cycle, clinical cycle, and medical internship). The participants underwent a cognitive test before and after the intervention, a practical test, a test to recognize lung ultrasound pathologies, and a qualitative evaluation test at the end of the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: A total of 42 students were included in the study, with a median age of 23 years and a predominance of males. The mean score of the pre-intervention cognitive test was 2.97 ± 0.87, and that of the post-intervention test was 6.57 ± 1.41, showing significant improvement (p < 0.001). The score of the practical test and that of the recognition of pathologies test also showed significant improvement after the intervention. There was no significant difference in execution time between the groups. Students in the clinical cycle had a better self-perception of learning. Conclusions: Theoretical teaching and practical training of lung ultrasound in a short pedagogical intervention can improve cognitive performance, practical skills, and interpretation of the exam. The level of learning achievement was higher among more advanced students in medical education. Additionally, the students in the clinical cycle had a better perception of their learning.

RESUMEN

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess medical students' quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness in different graduation cycles. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a private university in Maceió, Brazil, from August 2021 to March 2022. The sample was composed of medical students aged 18 years and above from years 1-2 (basic cycle), 3-4 (clinical cycle), and 5-6 (internship) of Medical School who were invited to answer two validated questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleeping Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: A total of 179 students participated; most of them were female (78.2%), aged 19-25 years (73.7%), and with a body mass index<25 kg/m2 (73.7%), with smaller participation from students from the basic cycle (21.2%). Analyzing the Pittsburgh Sleeping Quality Index, 55.9% of the students were classified as having poor sleep quality, with no difference in sleep category between gender, age, body mass index, and graduation cycle. Students with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 had longer sleep latency (p=0.016) and shorter sleep duration (p=0.027). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale assessment showed that 44.1% of the students exhibit daytime sleepiness. Women had more daytime sleepiness than men (p=0.017), with no difference between age, body mass index, and graduation cycle. CONCLUSION: About half of the medical students experience poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, regardless of the graduation cycle. This should trigger a targeted institutional intervention to promote better mental and physical health, as well as sleep hygiene, to reduce future health issues.

RESUMEN

RESUMO Introdução: No ano de 2019, com o surgimento pandemia pelo coronavírus, o mundo teve que se adaptar e utilizar medidas de distanciamento social visando ao controle da disseminação do vírus. Um dos setores que sofreram maior impacto com essas medidas foi a educação que precisou se adaptar ao ensino remoto emergencial. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a percepção dos alunos de um curso de Medicina sobre o próprio aprendizado durante o período da pandemia pela Covid-19. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória, de abordagem qualitativa. O referencial teórico foi o interacionismo simbólico. O estudo foi realizado em uma instituição de ensino superior privada do Distrito Federal. Participaram do estudo 14 alunos do terceiro ano da graduação em Medicina de turmas que tiveram a oportunidade de cursar períodos da graduação por meio do ensino remoto emergencial. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista gravada, na modalidade grupo focal, e analisados por meio da análise temática indutiva. Respeitaram-se todos os conceitos éticos da Resolução nº 466/2012 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde. Resultado: A análise dos discursos resultou em três categorias temáticas que exploram a percepção dos estudantes sobre o aprendizado. A primeira categoria, "Vivendo como se fosse em um balão de ensaio", aborda as mudanças vivenciadas pelos alunos no ingresso na faculdade, com sentimentos de medo, insegurança e falta de motivação devido ao estresse da pandemia. A segunda categoria, "Sentindo-se isolados e desolados", observou a percepção do adoecimento mental e a falta de apoio dos colegas, dos professores e da instituição, influenciando no desempenho e aprendizado dos alunos. A terceira categoria, "Lidando com erros e acertos", identificou a percepção dos resultados do aprendizado durante e após a pandemia, destacando o impacto no déficit de conhecimento e a necessidade de adaptação no retorno ao ensino presencial. Conclusão: O ensino remoto emergencial trouxe drásticas mudanças no ensino médico. Entender essas mudanças e compreender a percepção dos alunos sobre o aprendizado nesse período nos permite reconhecer os desafios enfrentados, entender a necessidade de suporte emocional adequado e pensar em estratégias de aprendizado eficazes para superar essas e outras adversidades.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In 2019, with the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, the world had to adapt to using social distancing measures to control the spread of the virus. Social isolation measures were imposed and one of the sectors that suffered the greatest impact from these measures was the education sector, having to adapt to emergency remote education (ERE). Objectives: To understand the perception of students attending a medical course in relation to their own learning during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: This is a descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach. The theoretical framework was Symbolic Interactionism. The study was carried out in a private higher education institution in the Federal District. The study included 14 students attending the third semester of medical undergraduate school from classes that had the opportunity to attend undergraduate periods through ERE. Data were collected through recorded interviews, in the Focus Group modality, and analyzed using Inductive Thematic Analysis. All ethical concepts of Resolution n. 466/2012 from the Health National Council were respected. Results and Discussion: The analysis of the discourses resulted in three thematic categories that explore the students' perception of learning. The first category, "Living as if in a test balloon", addresses the changes experienced by students when entering college, with feelings of fear, insecurity and lack of motivation due to the stress of the pandemic. The second category, "Feeling isolated and desolate", observed the perception of mental illness and the lack of support from classmates, teachers and the institution, influencing the students' performance and learning. The third category, "Dealing with mistakes and successes", identified the perception of learning outcomes during and after the pandemic, highlighting the impact on the knowledge deficit and the need to adapt when returning to face-to-face teaching. Final considerations: the Emergency Remote Education brought drastic changes in medical teaching. Understanding these changes and understanding the students' perception of learning in this period allows us to recognize the challenges faced, understand the need for adequate emotional support and think of effective learning strategies to overcome these and other adversities.

RESUMEN

Fundamento: Moodle rompe las limitaciones de espacio y tiempo en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje, fomenta el uso de recursos que posibilitan el desarrollo del proceso de evaluación y la independencia cognoscitiva de los estudiantes. Objetivo: diseñar una metodología para la preparación del docente sobre el uso de la plataforma Moodle en el proceso de evaluación de la disciplina Metodología de la Investigación en Salud. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín, curso 2022. Se emplearon métodos teóricos y empíricos. Se calcularon valores absolutos y porcentajes. El Alfa de Cronbach aplicado en el cuestionario a docentes resultó 0.73. Se seleccionaron cinco especialistas para la valoración de la metodología. Resultados: más de 50 % de los docentes expresaron que pocas veces o nunca emplean la plataforma Moodle para la evaluación frecuente y 86,7 % consideró regular el conocimiento que poseen; mientras el 84,4 % de los estudiantes la emplean para descargar materiales docentes. Se propone una metodología para la preparación del docente en la evaluación frecuente utilizando la plataforma, incluye instructivo y entrenamiento, fue estructurada en cinco etapas. Conclusiones: la metodología diseñada facilitó herramientas para la elaboración de la evaluación frecuente mediante la plataforma. Los especialistas la valoraron como aceptada para su aplicación.

Background: Moodle breaks the limitations of space and time in the teaching-learning process, encouraging the use of resources that enable the development of the evaluation process and the cognitive independence of students. Objective: design a methodology for teaching preparation on the use of the Moodle platform in the evaluation process of the Health Research Methodology discipline. Methods: a development investigation was carried out at Holguín University of Medical Sciences, academic year 2022. Theoretical and empirical methods were used. Absolute values and percentages were calculated. Cronbach's Alpha applied to the teacher's questionnaire was 0.73. Five specialists were selected to evaluate the methodology. Results: more than 50% of teachers expressed that they rarely or never use the Moodle platform for frequent evaluation and 86.7% considered they regulate the knowledge they possess; while 84.4% of students use it to download teaching materials. A methodology is proposed for teaching preparation in frequent evaluation using the platform, it includes instructions and training, it was structured in five stages. Conclusions: the designed methodology provided tools for the preparation of frequent evaluation through the platform. The specialists assessed it as accepted for application.