Beliefs Of Medical Students Research Articles

Exploring the attitudes of general medical students toward older adult’s care in a lower middle-income country: implications for medical education

ObjectiveThe motivation for this study stemmed from the growing population of older adults and the increasing demand for healthcare professionals who possess the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care to this demographic. By exploring the attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of medical students towards older adult care, the study aimed to identify gaps in their training and areas where improvements can be made to better equip them for this critical aspect of healthcare.MethodThis study was a qualitative thematic analysis. The participants of this research were selected from among the general medicine internship students of Iran University of Medical Sciences by purposive sampling method. In-depth individual semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Sampling continued until data saturation. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Using this approach, the analysis of the data became more adaptable and open-ended, free from the restrictions of pre-existing theoretical frameworks. MAXQDA 22 was used to analyze qualitative data.ResultsA total of 27 medical students were interviewed semi-structured, and audio files were transcribed immediately after the interview. In the process of reading the interviews carefully and separating the conceptual units into codes, 167 primary codes were obtained, and these codes were divided into five main categories under the title of root factors after constant comparison analysis. Five main themes are including discrimination in service delivery, a lack of inter-professional training, interpersonal communication skills, inadequate infrastructure and human resources, and enhancing attitudes towards older person care through experiential learning.ConclusionThis study sheds light on the attitudes and perceptions of medical students toward older adult care in a lower-middle-income country. The findings reveal that there are significant gaps in their training and preparation for providing quality care to this demographic profile. The four main categories identified as root factors highlight key areas where improvements can be made in medical education. It is recommended that medical schools in low and middle-income countries consider incorporating these themes into their curricula to better equip future healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality care to older adults.

Attitudes and beliefs of medical students on cannabis in Hong Kong

BackgroundTo assess Hong Kong medical students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on cannabis and its future legal reform. MethodsA cross-sectional anonymous online survey were sent from 1st December 2018 to 31st August 2020 to all medical students from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Results187 students (13.6 %) responded the survey. Overall, students perceived cannabis possessed significant physical and mental health risks, but they were more neutral to its physical and mental benefits. They also supported legalizing cannabis more so for medical use than recreational use. Females perceived higher risks than males. Those who used cannabis before were more acceptable to recommend cannabis as medical treatments, perceived cannabis use with greater benefits and less risks, and were more likely to support legal reform for cannabis in Hong Kong than their counterparts. Students were also more likely to recommend medical cannabis than non-licensed cannabis to patients if they were legally available. ConclusionMedical students in Hong Kong supported legalization of cannabis for medical use despite perceiving significant risks from cannabis use. Future research should investigate public acceptance on medical cannabis in Hong Kong and other Asian countries.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Organ Donation among Under-Graduate Medical Students at a Teaching Institute of New Delhi

Introduction: Organ shortage is a global issue. As future doctors, role of medical students becomes important in promoting organ donation. Objectives: 1. To study the knowledge of medical students regarding organ donation 2. To study the beliefs of medical students regarding various aspects of organ donation 3.To study their perceptions about the need to have a training on this topic. Method: The study design was cross sectional involving undergraduate medical students from a teaching institute of Delhi. Sample size of 296 was calculated and 60 students were randomly recruited from each year by using random number tables. Data collection was done by using a pre designed pre tested semi structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 20 software. Results: A large proportion of 95.3% (286) had heard of ‘organ donation’ but correct knowledge regarding ideal age for donation and brain dead people for donation was very poor. It was significantly poorer in males and those studying in earlier years of graduation (p<0.05). A very small proportion (14.7%) had actually pledged for donation. A large proportion of students were in favour of providing health insurance and financial compensation for live organ donors. Only 27% perceived to have adequate knowledge and 58% felt confident in counselling potential donors for organ donation. Females and senior students were significantly better in this aspect. (p< 0.05). Majority of them (90.3%) felt the need for training. Conclusion: Knowledge and some of the beliefs of medical students regarding organ donation were not found to be appropriate and training about it was desired by them.

Knowledge and attitude pertinent to COVID-19 and willingness to COVID vaccination among medical students of University College of Medicine & Dentistry Lahore

Objectives: To determine the awareness and beliefs of medical students towards Corona disease and the COVID-19 vaccine and to assess the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
 Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted on undergraduate medical students at University College of Medicine and dentistry, University of Lahore (UOL). A self-developed questionnaire containing demographic information, 8 knowledge and attitude items and 11 items for perceptions and willingness to get COVID-19 vaccine was completed by 410 participants.
 Results: More than ninety five percent of participants were aware of the cause, mode of transmission and mortality associated with corona disease; however, a handful of them knew about the purpose of using vaccine. Majority of the participants believed that COVID-19 vaccine will be effective and a good way to get protected from the disease. Regarding willingness to get cocid-19 vaccine, more than half of the participants wanted to be the first to get vaccinated but majority were concerned about the safety of COVID-19 vaccine.
 Conclusion: The medical students of University College of Medicine and dentistry, University of Lahore (UOL) displayed an adequate level of knowledge and awareness towards COVID-19 and a positive attitude about COVID-19 vaccine. Our study noted a high level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among medical students, yet there were significant concerns about the safety of vaccine.

Chinese traditional cultural belief of medical students and its relationship with depression

ObjectiveTo study the cultural beliefs of medical students and its relationship with depression.MethodA questionnaire survey was conducted among 977 medical students using the Chinese Traditional Culture Belief Scale (CTCBS) and Nine Item-Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsThe total score of medical students' cultural belief was 48.34± 7.31, and 54.4% of them had clear cultural belief. Cultural belief did not differ significantly among the medical students with different genders, places of residence or economic status, but those with ideals and beliefs had significantly higher cultural belief than those without (48.87±7.40 vs 47.09±6.95, P < 0.001). Cultural belief was negatively correlated to depression among the medical students (r=-0.215, P < 0.001), and those with a high-level cultural belief had lower levels of depression (6.09±3.88 vs 7.42 ± 3.82 vs 9.00 ± 4.90, P < 0.001). The total and all the dimensions scores of CTCBS of the students without depressive symptoms were significantly higher than those in students with depressive symptoms. The medical students with lower cultural beliefs had a higher positive rate for depression screening (37.8% vs 18.8% vs 12.2%).ConclusionMedical students have a high level of cultural beliefs. Strong culture beliefs are beneficial to relieve depression symptoms and reduce the incidence rate of depression. Chinese traditional culture education should be strengthened in the quality education of medical students.

Proper Disposal of Prescription Opioids in Southwest Virginia: Assessment of Patient, Physician, and Medical Student Beliefs and Practices.

Southwestern Virginia demonstrates the highest regional mortality rate from prescription opioid overdoses. Nationally, 65% of patients misusing opioid medications received them from friends and family, underscoring the need for effective disposal of unused narcotics. (1) To understand patient, provider, and medical student beliefs and misconceptions regarding proper methods of opioid disposal; (2) to characterize discrepancies that exist between patient self-reported habits and medical student/provider perceptions of opioid usage, disposal, and diversion. Descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Large, nonprofit health care organization and allopathic medical school in Southwestern Virginia. All ambulatory patients 18 years or older presenting for elective consultation at health system orthopedics department; all institutionally employed physicians with active system e-mail addresses; and all current students at the associated medical school. Patients: The number who had received information regarding proper methods of opioid disposal, intended disposal method, methods of disposal considered appropriate, comfort level with opioid disposal, and demographic data. Physicians and Medical Students: The number who had received instruction regarding proper methods of opioid disposal, acceptable means of opioid disposal, most appropriate disposal method, disposal method most likely to be employed by patients, practice profile/prescribing data, and medical school year. In total, 64% of patients (n = 255/750) had never received instruction from a physician regarding opioid disposal; 56% of physicians (n = 212/732) and 78% (n = 80/171) of medical students indicated that they never received formal instruction regarding methods of disposal. The majority of physicians believed that their patients are most likely to use in-home methods of disposal or store prescription medications for future use; 61% of patients indicated a preference for accessible disposal facilities. The discrepancy between patient and physician responses highlights a lack of communication regarding disposal of unused opioid medications and is a target for future intervention.

Scale Evaluating the Information Literacy Self-Efficacy of Medical Students Created and Tested in a Six-Year Belgian Medical Program

A Review of:
 De Meulemeester, A., Buysse, H., & Peleman, R. (2018). Development and validation of an Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale for medical students. Journal of Information Literacy, 12(1), 27-47. Retrieved from https://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/JIL/article/view/PRA-V12-I1-2
 Abstract
 Objective – To create and validate a scale evaluating the information literacy (IL) self-efficacy beliefs of medical students.
 Design – Scale development.
 Setting – Large, public research university in Belgium.
 Subjects – 1,252 medical students enrolled in a six-year medical program in the 2013-2014 academic year.
 Methods – Ten medical-specific IL self-efficacy questions were developed to expand a 28-item Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale (ILSES) (Kurbanoglu, Akkoyunlu, & Umay, 2006). Medical students in Years 1 – 5 completed the questionnaire (in English) in the first two weeks of the academic year, with students in Year 6 completing after final exams. Respondents rated their confidence with each item 0 (‘I do not feel confident at all’) to 100 (‘I feel 100% confident’). Principal Axis Factoring analysis was conducted on all 38 items to identify subscales. Responses were found suitable for factor analysis using Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (KMO). Factors were extracted using the Kaiser-Gutmann rule with Varimax rotation applied. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the internal consistency of each identified subscale. Following a One-way-ANOVA testing for significant differences, a Tamhane T2 post-hoc test obtained a pairwise comparison between mean responses for each student year.
 Main Results – Five subscales with a total of 35 items were validated for inclusion in the Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale for Medicine (ILSES-M) and found to have a high reliability (Chronbach’s alpha scores greater than .70). Subscales were labelled by concept, including “Evaluating and Processing Information” (11 items), “Medical Information Literacy Skills” (10 items), “Searching and Finding Information” (6 items), “Using the Library” (4 items), and “Bibliography” (4 items). The factor loading of non-medical subscales closely reflected studies validating the original ILSES (Kurbanoglu, Akkoyunla, & Umay, 2006; Usluel, 2007), suggesting consistency in varying contexts and across time. Although overall subscale means were relatively low, immediate findings among medical students at Ghent University demonstrated an increase in the IL self-efficacy of students as they advance through the 6-year medical program. Students revealed the least confidence in “Using the Library.”
 Conclusions – The self-efficacy of individuals in approaching IL tasks has an impact on self-motivation and lifelong learning. The authors developed the ILSES-M as part of a longitudinal study protocol appraising the IL self-efficacy beliefs of students in a six-year medical curriculum (De Meulemeester, Peleman, & Buysse, 2018). The ILSES-M “…could give a clear idea about the evolution of perceived IL and the related need for support and training” (p. 43). Further research could evaluate the scale’s impact on curriculum and, conversely, the impact of curricular changes on ILSE. Qualitative research may afford additional context for scale interpretation. The scale may also provide opportunities to assess the confidence levels of incoming students throughout time. The authors suggested further research should apply the ILSES-M in diverse cultural and curricular settings.

Do Religious Factors Influence the Attitude Toward Organ Donation Among Medical Students? A Spanish Multicenter Study

IntroductionReligious factors have conditioned the attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) since the beginning of transplantation, despite the fact that most religions are in favor of transplantation. ObjectiveTo assess the impact of religious beliefs of medical students on their attitude toward ODT. MethodPopulation under study: Medical students in Spanish universities. Study sample: Stratified by geographical area and academic course. Assessment instrument: Attitude ODT questionnaire PCID-DTO-Ríos, anonymous and self-administered. ResultsOf all students, 42% (n = 3907) declare themselves atheists or agnostics. The remaining 58% (n = 5368) declare themselves to be religious, the majority being Catholic (55%, n = 5102). Of the rest, 0.2% are Muslims (n = 8), 0.1% Protestants (n = 1), and the remaining 2.7% (n = 257) indicate other religious doctrines but do not want to specify it. Regarding their attitude toward ODT, those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics have a more favorable attitude than those who consider themselves religious (84% versus 76%; P < .001). Among those who follow some kind of religion, Catholics are more in favor of ODT than non-Catholics (77% vs 64%, P < .001). Note that among the religious, only 57% (n = 3050) know which religion is in favor of transplantation, while 22% (n = 1,152) consider that it has not been pronounced on the matter, 13% (n = 723) think the religion is against donation, and the remaining 8% (n = 443) do not know. ConclusionThe religion professed by medical students conditions their attitude toward donation, with the atheists and agnostics being more in favor of donation.

Ethnic bias amongst medical students in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the Bias and Decision Making in Medicine (BDMM) study.

Although health provider racial/ethnic bias has the potential to influence health outcomes and inequities, research within health education and training contexts remains limited. This paper reports findings from an anonymous web-based study examining racial/ethnic bias amongst final year medical students in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Data from 302 students (34% of all eligible final year medical students) were collected in two waves in 2014 and 2015 as part of the Bias and Decision Making in Medicine (BDMM) study. Two chronic disease vignettes, two implicit bias measures, and measures of explicit bias were used to assess racial/ethnic bias towards New Zealand European and Māori (indigenous) peoples. Medical students demonstrated implicit pro-New Zealand European racial/ethnic bias on average, and bias towards viewing New Zealand European patients as more compliant relative to Māori. Explicit pro-New Zealand European racial/ethnic bias was less evident, but apparent for measures of ethnic preference, relative warmth, and beliefs about the compliance and competence of Māori patients relative to New Zealand European patients. In addition, racial/ethnic bias appeared to be associated with some measures of medical student beliefs about individual patients by ethnicity when responding to a mental health vignette. Patterning of racial/ethnic bias by student characteristics was not consistent, with the exception of some associations between student ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and racial/ethnic bias. This is the first study of its kind with a health professional population in Aotearoa/New Zealand, representing an important contribution to further understanding and addressing current health inequities between Māori and New Zealand European populations.

Self-efficacy beliefs of medical students: acritical review.

IntroductionSelf-efficacy is a theoretically and empirically robust motivation belief that has been shown to play an important role in the learning and development of new skills and knowledge. In this article, we critically review research on the self-efficacy beliefs of medical students, with a goal to evaluate the existing research and to strengthen future work. In particular, we sought to describe the state of research on medical student self-efficacy and to critically examine the conceptualization and measurement of the construct. Finally, we aimed to provide directions for future self-efficacy research.MethodsWe critically reviewed 74 published articles that included measures of self-efficacy beliefs of medical students.ResultsOur review showed that (a) research on the self-efficacy beliefs of medical students is growing and is becoming increasingly international, and (b) that nearly half (46%) of self-efficacy measures showed conceptual and operational flaws.DiscussionOur critical review of 74 research studies on self-efficacy of medical students found that although research in the field is increasing, nearly half of measures labelled as self-efficacy were incongruent with the conceptual guidelines set by self-efficacy experts. We provide five suggestions for future research on the self-efficacy of medical students.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40037-018-0411-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A case study on breastfeeding education in Lebanon’s public medical school: exploring the potential role of social networks in medical education

ABSTRACTBackground: Limited knowledge, negative beliefs, and lack of sufficient breastfeeding promotion and support by physicians contribute to global suboptimal breastfeeding rates. Formal medical education is well-known to influence future physicians’ knowledge, beliefs, and medical practice. However, less understood is the influence of social networks and processes on the exchange and diffusion of knowledge and practices related to breastfeeding. Objectives: We selected the underserved and under-supported public medical school in Lebanon to examine the social side of medical education. Our objectives were to assess knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy related to breastfeeding promotion and support among interns and residents. We also examined the social ecosystem surrounding these students concerning the exchange of breastfeeding knowledge. Design: All data were collected during one study visit per participant. First, an interview-administered structured survey was used to assess beliefs, perceived knowledge, basic breastfeeding knowledge, and self-efficacy related to breastfeeding among n = 70 medical interns and residents. Then, social network data were collected during a semi-structured interview and analyzed using an ego-network approach. All interviews were voice-recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative survey and social network results. Results: Although interns and residents had positive beliefs about breastfeeding benefits, they had limited knowledge and low self-efficacy related to the psychosocial and clinical aspects of breastfeeding promotion and support. They did not seem to have a well-connected professional network around breastfeeding knowledge and practices. Several tended to rely on their informal/non-professional network, such as their mothers, partners, and sisters, for knowledge and practice. Conclusions: Our work using breastfeeding as an exemplary case suggests there is a role for better attending to the beliefs of medical students as well as to the social side of medical education. Future studies can use social network theory to help identify and address influences on medical education outcomes.

Potential Therapeutic Agent In Psychiatric And Neurological Diseases: Alpha Lipoic Acid

Aims & Objectives: To determine the levels of stigma as perceived by medical students across various professional years and to compare the beliefs of medical students regarding mental illness between private and government universities. Methodology: 100 students belonging to a government medical college and 100 students belonging to a private medical college in North India were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the demographic details, etiology, symptomatology of psychiatric disorders and Belief Towards Mental Illness Scale. Results were tabulated using dependent and single sample t-tests. Results: Significant differences were seen amongst the students belonging to both the institutes regarding Phobias, Anxiety, Alcoholism and Drug addiction, with students of private medical college showing more negative views. Lower levels of stigmatizing views were seen in students with a history of prior psychiatric teaching. Conclusion: Significant levels of stigma and negative belief have been seen in students belonging to both government and private medical colleges especially in private setup and psychiatric teaching imparted as early as possible during the course of medical training can reduce the negative beliefs of students and thus further facilitate in treatment and care of people suffering from psychiatric illnesses.

Medical Student Beliefs about Disclosure of Mental Health Issues: A Qualitative Study.

In 2012 the United Kingdom's General Medical Council (GMC) commissioned research to develop guidance for medical schools on how best to support students with mental illness. One of the key findings from medical student focus groups in the study was students' strong belief that medical schools excluded students on mental health grounds. Students believed mental illness was a fitness to practice matter that led to eventual dismissal, although neither personal experience nor empirical evidence supported this belief. The objective of the present study was a deeper exploration of this belief and its underlying social mechanisms. This included any other beliefs that influenced medical students' reluctance to disclose a mental health problem, the factors that reinforced these beliefs, and the feared consequences of revealing a mental illness. The study involved a secondary analysis of qualitative data from seven focus groups involving 40 student participants across five UK medical schools in England, Scotland, and Wales. Student beliefs clustered around (1) the unacceptability of mental illness in medicine, (2) punitive medical school support systems, and (3) the view that becoming a doctor is the only successful career outcome. Reinforcing mechanisms included pressure from senior clinicians, a culture of "presenteeism," distrust of medical school staff, and expectations about conduct. Feared consequences centered on regulatory "fitness to practice" proceedings that would lead to expulsion, reputational damage, and failure to meet parents' expectations. The study's findings provide useful information for veterinary medical educators interested in creating a culture that encourages the disclosure of mental illness and contributes to the debate about mental illness within the veterinary profession.

Medical Student Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Across Five Nations.

Negative attitudes toward people with mental illness are a widespread concern and may vary across countries. This study used a 36-item questionnaire to compare attitudes toward people with mental illness and beliefs about the causes of mental illness among medical students from the United States, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, and China (N = 1131). Exploratory factor analysis identified the underlying factor structure of the questionnaire, and analysis of covariance was then used to compare factors representing four nonstigmatized attitudes across students from the five countries. US Medical students scored highest on all four factors, followed by those from Brazil. Nigerian and Ghanaian students scored lowest on nonsupernatural etiology of mental illness, and Chinese students showed the lowest score on personal social acceptance and public policy acceptance of people with mental illness. Differences in medical student attitudes between these five countries suggest underlying sociocultural differences in attitudes with the more stigmatized attitudes in developing countries.

A Survey of Medical Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Urmia, Iran.

Personal beliefs of medical students may interfere with their tendency for learning Complementary and Alternative Medicine concepts. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward complementary and alternative medicine in Urmia, Iran. A structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. One hundred questionnaires were returned. Thirty-one percent of students reported use of alternative medicine for at least once. Iranian Traditional Medicine was the main type of alternative medicine used by medical students (93.5%). Neuromuscular disorders were the main indication of alternative medicine use among students (34.4%). Ninety percent of participants demonstrated competent knowledge about acupuncture while the lowest scores belonged to homeopathy (12%). Study results showed that 49% of medical students had positive attitudes and demonstrated a willingness to receive training on the subject. Thus, there appears a necessity to integrate complementary and alternative medicine into the medical curriculum, by taking expectations and feedbacks of medical students into consideration.

The relationship between quality of life and spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs of medical students.

This study investigated the effects of spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs on the quality of life (QOL) of medical students affiliated with a religious faith and those without affiliation. Using a cross-sectional design, 275 medical students (78% response rate) in their fourth and fifth year of study completed the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life instrument and the WHOQOL-SRPB module for spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs. For religious students, a larger range of characteristics of existential beliefs were positively related to quality of life. For all students, hope and optimism and meaning of life predicted higher scores on psychological. For religious and nonreligious medical students, reduced meaning in life and hope were the strongest indicators of psychological distress. Interventions to improve the mental well-being of medical students may be more effective if aimed at teaching students how to find meaning and purpose in their lives and how to foster an enduring sense of hope and optimism.

Death and cadavers: knowledge, skills and attitudes will have to change

Dear Editor, Charlier et al are to be praised for bringing to light the beliefs of medical students from Parakou about death and cadavers1. Greater insight into such beliefs will be the first step to changing these beliefs. Yet insight into beliefs alone is insufficient. A programmatic approach will be needed to bring about changed practice. First of all we will need a deeper insight into the knowledge of medical students about autopsies (and not just their beliefs). Secondly we will need an insight into students' skills at explaining autopsies to relatives. Excellent communication skills in this regard will be essential. Thirdly we will need an assessment of students' and doctors' motivation to change their practice. Without motivation, change will simply not happen. Fourthly even with insight into all these areas, there may be barriers to change that may prevent doctors from changing their practice even should they wish to. For example if doctors wish to change their practice with regard to requesting autopsies but the general public and thus relatives do not want their deceased relative to have an autopsy, then changed practice will not occur. Once the many possible barriers to change have been identified, then measures to overcome these barriers will have to be put in place. Once again a programmatic approach will be required. Educational materials will likely help students improve their knowledge and beliefs. Communication skills teaching should help students overcome any deficits in this area. Recruiting respected opinion leaders to deliver education should help - especially in overcoming long and deeply held beliefs. Lastly patient and public education should be aligned with that of student and healthcare professional education. Once public opinion begins to change then better educated doctors will be reaching out to a more receptive audience. Yours sincerely, Dr Kieran Walsh

Undergraduate medical students’ attitudes towards psychiatry: An international cross-sectional survey between India and Japan

Undergraduate psychiatric education has an important role in developing psychiatric knowledge, decreasing stigma towards mental illness, and promoting psychiatry as a career choice. The attitudes and beliefs of medical students towards psychiatry have not been well understood, especially in non-western countries. To clarify this aspect, we have conducted a cross-sectional study between India and Japan. This study, conducted at two centres, one each in India and Japan, used a semi-structured questionnaire to evaluate the attitudes and beliefs of third-year medical students towards mental illness and psychiatry; such as emotions experienced dealing with psychiatric patients, aetiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders, and psychiatry as a career choice. A total of 79 medical students from India and 77 from Japan participated in the present study. Significant differences were observed in the emotions experienced by the medical students while dealing with psychiatric patients. Most medical students (> 90%) from both study sites favoured psychiatrists for treatment of psychiatric illness. Psychiatry as a carrier choice was significantly related to the nationality of the medical students. The findings of the current study provide insight in to the attitudes of third-year medical students from India and Japan towards psychiatric patients.

Assessing the cultural beliefs of medical students: impact on the cadaveric dissection experience in the gross anatomy laboratory

It is well established that cadaver dissection offers a beneficial learning experience to medical students in gross anatomy courses. Although researchers have sought to identify different learning styles in the dissection lab among students of various nationalities, no study has addressed the specific question of how a student's cultural identity or beliefs play a role in the emotional aspect of cadaver dissection.The purpose of this study is to examine the emotional impact of cadaver dissection across cultures and whether this impact affects the learners or learning experience. This is a quantitative/qualitative study targeting first year medical students of various cultural backgrounds partaking in cadaveric dissection. Students will be recruited via e‐mail and will complete an online survey.Based on preliminary oral responses, a relationship between students’ cultural identities and unique experiences in the gross anatomy laboratory was reported.This study will help medical educators understand the student learning experience of cadaveric dissection as it relates to cultural identity and will facilitate the preparation of students for the dissecting room experience.Grant Funding Source: N/A

Bilgibilimsel İnançlar Ölçeğinin Türkçe Uyarlamasının Geçerlilik, Güvenilirliği ve Tıp Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Bilgiye İlişkin İnançları

Amaç: Mevcut literatür bilgileri, bireylerin epistemolojik inançları ile bilgiye yaklaşımları ve gösterdikleri öğrenme davranışları arasında ilişki bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Türkçe'de epistemik inançların belirlenmesine yönelik geçerlilik ve güvenilirlik çalışması yapılmış bir gerece rastlanmamıştır. Bu çalışmada, 2002 yılında Schraw, Bendixen ve Dunkle tarafından geliştirilmiş olan Epistemic Beliefs Inventory'nin Türkçe çevirisinin geçerlilik ve güvenilirliğinin saptanması ve bu ölçekle Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi öğrencilerinin bilgiye ilişkin inançlarının araştırılması hedeflenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışma 2010-2011 akademik yılında Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dönem 1, 3 ve 5 öğrencileriyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çeviri-yeniden çeviri yöntemiyle elde edilen Türkçe ölçek ve bağımsız değişkenlere ilişkin sorulardan oluşan anket formu uygulanmıştır. Ölçeğin güvenilirliğinin değerlendirilmesinde Cronbach alfa ve madde-toplam puan korelasyonu kullanılmıştır. Dil ve kapsam geçerlilikleri uzman görüşü ile, yapı geçerliliği faktör analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Epistemik inançların analizinde Mann-Whitney testi ve Pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Yapılan çalışma sonucunda, beş boyut altında yer alan 19 soru içeren, geçerli ve güvenilir bir Türkçe ölçek elde edilmiştir. Orijinal ölçekte var olan “bilgi edinmenin hızı” boyutu Türkçe ölçekte bulunmazken, “öğrenme süreci/başarısı” olarak adlandırılan yeni bir boyut bulunmuştur. Öğrencilerin epistemik inançlarının genel olarak hafif dereceli objektivist yönelim gösterdiği görülmüştür. Sonuç: Çalışma sonucunda elde edilen ölçek, epistemik inançların araştırılmasında kullanılabilir niteliktedir. Öğrencilerin bilgiye ilişkin inançlarının yapılanmasındaki nedensel ilişkilerin saptanabilmesi için farklı bağımsız değişkenlerle çalışmaya gereksinim vardır. Tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin bilgiye ilişkin inançlarının zayıf dereceli objektivist yönelim göstermesi nedeniyle, öğrencilerin bilimle olan ilişkilerinin fakülte eğitim programının hedefleri açısından tartışılması ve diğer tıp fakülteleriyle karşılaştırmalı çalışmalar yapılmasının uygun olacağı düşünülmektedir.