Integrity and willingness to contribute to society are desired traits of medical students beyond academic excellence. We investigated the personality traits of medical students at the National University of Singapore (NUS), who were about to become doctors. Personality traits were compared with a peer population of local university students. This study was conducted between October 2013 and December 2014. Year 4 medical students were administered the Revised NEO (Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness) Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), a 240-item Likert scale personality test. Test data was analysed by an institutional psychologist and compared to a separate sample of 377 non-medical students who were peers at the same university taking psychology as a module. Data was collated and analysed. 65 Year 4 medical students completed the NEO PI-R personality test. The personalities of Year 4 medical students at NUS differed from their peers in all domains except for openness. NUS medical students generally had less neuroticism, and were more extroverted, agreeable and conscientious than their peers. Personality testing of NUS Year 4 medical students showed many of the desired traits of a doctor when compared to their peers at the same university.

Anatomical Sciences EducationVolume 13, Issue 3 p. 318-319 Letter to the Editor Medical Students' Perceptions and an Anatomy Teacher's Personal Experience Using an e-Learning Platform for Tutorials During the Covid-19 Crisis Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan, Corresponding Author Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-6535-5441 Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore Correspondence to: Dr. Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore – 117594. E-mail: [email protected] Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (lead), Formal analysis (lead), ​Investigation (lead), Methodology (lead), Project administration (lead), Resources (lead), Validation (lead), Writing - original draft (lead), Writing - review & editing (lead)Search for more papers by this author Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan, Corresponding Author Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-6535-5441 Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore Correspondence to: Dr. Dinesh Kumar Srinivasan, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore – 117594. E-mail: [email protected] Contribution: Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (lead), Formal analysis (lead), ​Investigation (lead), Methodology (lead), Project administration (lead), Resources (lead), Validation (lead), Writing - original draft (lead), Writing - review & editing (lead)Search for more papers by this author First published: 06 May 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1970Citations: 85Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume13, Issue3Special Issue: Covid‐19 and Anatomy EducationMay/June 2020Pages 318-319 RelatedInformation

To examine the stability and switching patterns of student career interests over the course of medical school. From 2001 through 2004, during the first two weeks of classes, a survey on career interest was distributed to first-year students in 15 classes at eight Canadian medical schools. Students indicated interest in eight broad career paths (emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, and "other") and ranked their top three. Following these students' residency match three to four years later, student residency career choice was linked to their career interest at medical school entry. For students whose career interests switched be-tween medical school entry and exit, switching patterns were examined in terms of careers' matching difficulty scores (MDSs). Of 1,941 eligible students, 1,542 contributed to the final analysis. Family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery had the greatest student interest at both the beginning and end of medical school. Family medicine, surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatry, and "other" careers showed a net gain of student interest during medical school with the remaining careers showing a loss of interest. The most stable careers were family medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. The least stable were pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology. Students tended to switch between careers with similar MDSs. Student career choice is relatively stable with a number of careers showing approximately 50% of stability from the entrance to the exit of medical school. Students tend to switch to careers with similar MDS, but some specific switching patterns exist.

Increasing diversity in cardiothoracic surgery: First-generation medical students

Introduction: Patients' rights are among the most important human rights because they concern human life. Medical science students, before becoming part of the health care system, should adopt various knowledge and skills that will enable them to provide quality and safe healthcare. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of students of the Faculty of Medicine about patients' rights and determine whether there is a difference in the level of knowledge in relation to gender, year of study and study program. Material and methods: The research was designed as a cross-sectional study, in the period from 06.30.2021. until 01.08.2021. The sample consisted of 438 students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. The research instrument was a survey questionnaire, created for research purposes, distributed using an electronic platform. Results: The largest number of students (57.44%) has an average level of knowledge about patients' rights. Statistically significant differences were found between first and final year students (p= 0.005) and between students of different study programs (p=0.023), while there is no statistically significant difference in relation to gender (p=0.876). Final year students have a statistically significantly higher percentage of average and high level knowledge about patients' rights, compared to first year students. Medical students have the best and medical rehabilitation students have the lowest level of knowledge. Almost half of the students believe that they do not acquire enough knowledge about patients' rights in their study program. Conclusion: Respect for patients' rights is crucial for providing quality healthcare. One of the main strategies to increase respect for patients' rights could be to increase the knowledge and awareness of patients' rights among medical students.

10.11622/smedj.2020105

Introduction: Mental health-related problems among medical students were well-researched before the era of competency-based curricula. These problems were revealed to be widespread among college students who experienced greater effort-reward imbalance and over-commitment. Such research is insufficient in the Indian context. Aims: The present study aims to assess the prevalence of mental health problems (stress, anxiety, and depression), and their covariates among female medical undergraduate students. Methodology: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from March 2022 to May 2022 on 364 female medical undergraduate students in a rural institution located in Northern India. A stratified random sampling technique was used. The study included a semi-structured sociodemographic with personal and psychological domains proforma along with a Perceived Stress Scale-10, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire, Becks Depression Inventory-II, Medical Students Stressor Questionnaire, and brief-coping orientation to problems experienced to assess perceived stress, anxiety, depression, stressors, and coping mechanisms, respectively. The Chi-square test and backward multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the correlates of dependent variables. Results: Of 364, around 40.7%, 36.5%, and 17.9% of students were highly stressed, anxious, and moderate to severely depressed, respectively, with a mean age of 20.44 ± 1.88 years. The results indicate that poor sleep and irregular exercise patterns were significant covariates of mental health problems. Respondents with interpersonal- and intrapersonal-related stressors were found to have two times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.632; confidence interval [CI] = 1.216–5.698; P < 0.05) and four times (AOR = 4.230; CI = 1.832–9.763; P < 0.001) higher odds of perceived stress and anxiety symptoms, respectively. A personal history and family history of psychiatric illness among participants influenced perceived stress by 211%–226% while drive- and desire-related stressors influenced depressive symptoms by more than three times (AOR = 3.719; 95% CI = 1.702–8.124; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings from the present study suggest that a large number of students are suffering from mental health issues. Modifiable factors such as poor sleep and irregular exercise patterns can be addressed through various wellness programs and group sessions. Various supportive and preventive measures along with scheduled psychological interventions can be adopted by the institution to address various stressors faced by the students.

Background: Depression, stress, and anxiety were found in a large number of medical undergraduate students, indicating a neglected aspect of their psychology that required immediate attention. The goal of this study was to find out the prevalence of depression among medical students, as well as potential psychosocial and behavioral predictors for depression.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2021 among 840 randomly selected medical students from four medical colleges using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed through the SPSS v.23 software. Multiple regression was performed to assess the effect of several behavioral and psychosocial factors on depression.Results: Among the 840 study participants, 55.7% (n= 468) were female and 44.3% (n= 372) were male. According to the data, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, perceived stress among medical students was found to be 28.8%, 65% and 85% respectively. A strong link was found between depression and anxiety, stress, poor sleep quality, poor academic performance, and a negative social and romantic relationship status.Conclusions: A significant number of medical students are depressed. In order to prevent and treat depression, medical students should be screened for depression and its associated factors.

Background: Many researches in the past have proved that medical students experience elevated level of stress throughout their medical school life. Aims and Objective: The aim of the study is to study the prevalence and degree of stress among medical and dental students, find out the various stressors among them and the association of stress with various sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 159 medical and dental students of first and second year in Kist medical college and hospital. 81 medical and 78 dental students participated in the study. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Medical students stress Questionnaire (MSSQ-40) was used. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 25. Chisquare test was done to find the association of stress with various factors and to compare the degree of stress between medical and dental students. Results: Among 159 medical and dental students, 109 students (68.6%) were found to have stress. 48 out of 81 (59.3%) were medical students and 61out of 78 (78.2%) were dental students. Moderate stress was observed in 50/81(61.7%) medical students and 38/78 (48.7%) dental students. Similarly, high stress was observed in 10/81(12.3%) medical students and 11/78 (14.1%) dental students. Difference in the degree of stress between dental and medical students was not statistically significant (p value >.05). Academic related stress was the major source of stress in both medical and dental students. Gender, accommodation and motivation for study were found to be significantly associated with stress. Conclusions: The first two years of medical and dental students is stressful with academic related stress being the most prevalent stressor. Prevalence of stress was found to be more in dental students and the difference in the degree of stress between medical and dental students was not statistically significant.

The purpose of this study was to understand the learning of internal medicine of 7th year medical students through records of the "Learning Passport". Between June 2005 and June 2006, data from the learning passport (a type of logbook) of 207 7th year medical students at the Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) were collected. Among the 19 symptoms/signs listed in the logbook, a large number of students did not learn well on low back pain, skin rash, oedema, oliguria and anxiety/depression; only a few students rated themselves as knowledgeable about anxiety/depression, malaise, skin rash, headache and anorexia. Among the 16 diseases listed, a large number of students did not learn well on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, hypertension, coronary artery disease and cirrhosis; only a few students rated themselves as knowledgeable about shock, respiratory failure, consciousness disturbance, sepsis and renal failure. Among the 21 physical examination skills listed, a large number of students did not learn well on the male genitalia, eyes, cognitive status, mental state and the digital rectal examination; only a few students rated themselves as fully competent about cognitive status, mental state, eyes, neurology examination and ENT examination. Among the 11 laboratory skills and image interpretation skills listed, a large number of students did not learn well on blood smear, Gram's stain and specimen sampling; only a few students rated themselves as fully competent about the interpretation of brain computed tomographic (CT) scan, blood smear and Gram's stain. Among the 12 procedures and therapeutic skills listed, a large number of students did not learn well on observation of lumbar puncture, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and aseptic procedure; only a few students rated themselves as fully competent about basic CPR and transfusion management. The weak points of intern training conducted by the Department of Internal Medicine, NTUH were revealed by analysis obtained from their logbooks. Thus, we need to strengthen the learning of the interns in these specific parts and assess their performance based on the use of portfolios.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

Introduction: The incidence of chickenpox in Singapore is steadily increasing despite the availability of effective preventive measures. To address the need for improvement in public education, a survey was conducted to establish if differences exist amongst parents and medical students with regards to their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding chickenpox and its prevention. Methods: Over a six-week period in 2010, an online survey involving parents who attended a paediatric clinic, and medical students from the National University of Singapore, was conducted. Results: Parents had a significantly greater lack of knowledge compared to medical students ( P <0.001). Family and friends were the main source of information for parents and junior medical students, unlike senior medical students who learnt more from physicians. A large majority of responders (85.2%) favoured vaccination for varying reasons, with parents and junior students being more concerned about the spread of disease and favouring its avoidance, and senior students fearing life-threatening complications. Parents who would not recommend the vaccine considered chickenpox a rite of passage and believed the vaccine lacks long-term benefits, while a perception that the disease is mild was more prevalent among medical students. A better understanding of the disease and vaccine was the most influential factor for changing decisions against vaccination. Conclusion: Greater efforts to disseminate information about chickenpox disease and its prevention are needed to address important deficits in public health and medical school education. Being aware that chickenpox can be more than just a mild disease with serious complications may increase the uptake of chickenpox vaccination.

Introduction: Almost all published literature on effective clinical teachers were from western countries and only two compared medical students with residents. Hence, this study aims to explore the perceived characteristics of effective clinical teachers among medical students compared to residents graduating from an Asian medical school, and specifically whether there are differences between cognitive and non-cognitive domain skills, to inform faculty development. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted at the National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore involving six final year medical students at the National University of Singapore, and six residents from the NUHS Residency programme. Analysis of the semi-structured one-on-one interviews was done using a 3-step approach based on principles of Grounded Theory. Results: There are differences in the perceptions of effective clinical teachers between medical students and residents. Medical students valued a more didactic spoon-feeding type of teacher in their earlier clinical years. However final year medical students and residents valued feedback and role-modelling at clinical practice. The top two characteristics of approachability and passion for teaching are in the non-cognitive domains. These seem foundational and lead to the acquisition of effective teaching skills such as the ability to simplify complex concepts and creating a conducive learning environment. Being exam-oriented is a new characteristic not identified before in “Western-dominated” publications. Conclusion: The results of this study will help to inform educators of the differences in a learner’s needs at different stages of their clinical development and to potentially adapt their teaching styles.

Objective: To create a definition of neurophobia and determine its prevalence and educational risk factors amongst medical students and junior doctors in Singapore. Background is a fear of clinical neurology. Several studies have explored neurophobia in different teaching environments and countries, and concluded that both medical students and doctors have low confidence, knowledge, and perceived high difficulty, despite variable levels of interest in neurology, as compared to other subjects in internal medicine. Design/Methods: We performed two cross-sectional surveys of undergraduate medical students and junior doctors in Singapore including questions about knowledge, interest, perceived difficulty in neurology, and confidence in managing neurology patients compared to other internal medicine specialties, as well as quality and quantity of undergraduate and postgraduate neuroscience teaching, clinical neurology exposure, and postgraduate qualifications. Neurophobia was defined as ≤4 composite score of difficulty and confidence in neurology. Results: Neurophobia prevalence was 47.5% in medical students, highest amongst all medical subspecialties, and 36.6% in junior doctors, more common than phobia of other medical specialties except rheumatology amongst doctors. Multivariate analysis revealed that for medical students, female gender (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-6.7), low interest (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-6.2), low knowledge (OR 10.1, 95% CI 4.5-22.8), and lack of clinical teaching by a neurologist (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.6) independently increased the risk of neurophobia; for doctors, low interest (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-7.0) and low knowledge (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.2) independently increased the risk of neurophobia, and female gender was of borderline significance (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9-4.6). Conclusions: Neurophobia is highly prevalent amongst Singapore medical students and junior doctors. Low interest and knowledge are independent risk factors shared by both groups; female gender may also be a shared risk factor. The mnemonic GIK (Gender, Interest, Knowledge) identifies the risk factors to mitigate when planning teaching strategies to reduce neurophobia. Disclosure: Dr. Kam has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tan Shi En has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tan has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec and Merck Serono as a consultant and/or speaker. Dr. Lim has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr Lim has received (royalty or license fee or contractual rights) payments from McGraw Hill. Dr Lim has received research support from National Medical Research Council and the National University of Singapore. Dr. Koh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tan holds stock and/or stock options in Pfizer Inc and Stryker.

BackgroundIt is widely accepted that oral health plays an important role in overall health. Both dental and medical students are expected to possess good oral health awareness and work together for public oral health promotion especially in developing countries like China. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge, behavior and status of dental and medical undergraduate students in the first (fresh) and third year (before specialized courses) study.MethodsA self-administered structured questionnaire with 13 questions was designed based on oral health knowledge, behavior and status and a cross-sectional study was conducted among the 1st, 3rd year dental students (1DS, 3DS) and medical students (1MS, 3MS) of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, in the period of September–December 2017. The data was analyzed by chi-square test using IBM SPSS Statistics v. 21.0.ResultsThe oral health behavior, consciousness and status of the 1st, 3rd year medical and dental students were not optimistic. Dental freshmen were slightly superior to the medical ones in terms of the brushing methods and the awareness of oral disease-systemic disease relationship. The junior dental students showed highly significant improvement than their counterparts, mainly in the items about frequency of brushing teeth, brushing methods of vertical scrub or Bass technique (66.3%), usage of floss or mouth wash (49.7%), causes of caries, periodontal diseases and system diseases (56.9–83.4%). The rates mentioned above were 36.1, 15.8%, 26.7–43.6% among 3MS, respectively. In terms of oral health status, significant differences were only observed in junior students. The prevalence rates of bad breath, gum bleeding, and tooth discoloration among 3DS were obviously lower than those of 3MS. However, only a total of 17.2% junior students had a good oral health, including 23.8% dental students and 11.4% medical students.ConclusionsOur study provided a new understanding of oral health knowledge, behavior and status among dental and medical students, which may help to promote the reform of oral health education and establish a model for clinicians and dentists to work together for improving oral health.