Iranian Medical Students Research Articles

Attitudes toward learning communication skills among Iranian medical students

BackgroundAttitudes determine behavior, and alterations in attitude may result in behavioral changes. Medical students would benefit from learning communication skills. This study aimed to determine the attitude of medical students toward the importance of learning communication skills and the training courses and their role in contributing.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 442 medical students from three different levels of medical training were enrolled. Students in the first 4 years of the medical program were classified as basic sciences and physiopathology students, those in the fifth and sixth years were classified as clerkship students, and those in the last three terms of medical training were classified as interns. The attitude among these three groups was assessed by the Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS) questionnaire, and the contributing factors were determined.ResultsThe mean total points for attitude in positive and negative aspects were 50.7 and 30.9, respectively showing a positive attitude toward communication skills among medical students. The median scores of the scales Important in Medical Content, Excuse, Learning, and Overconfidence varied significantly from highest to lowest, respectively. Gender, educational level, ethnic origin, language, family burden, paternal literacy, history of presence in communication skills courses, self-report from communication skills, and need to further learning in this era showed significant association with attitude (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIt may be concluded that generally, medical students have a positive attitude toward communication skills, and this perspective is a multi-factorial entity that programming according to the various related factors would help to attainment of additional communication capabilities among medical students.

On the Spot Scaffolding as the Hermeneutic Phenomenology Action Field: Critical Thinking Case for Medical Students in Iran.

A major contribution to the humanities literature has been the development and application of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory in relevant fields. Constructivism as a paradigm is owed to Vygotsky and his efforts. On-the-spot scaffolding in this regard is one of the innovations that can be triangulated with hermeneutic phenomenology to pave the way for a paradigm shift in the educational system in a broad view and for critical thinking for medical students in a narrow view. This study aimed to illuminate the other side of the behavioristic lesson plan, which is on-the-spot scaffolding in implementing one of the modules of essential skills for doctors of medicine (Adab-e Pezeshki), which is critical thinking. This study was qualitative and longitudinal. It is longitudinal due to the 3 years of involvement and qualitative due to the study design approach and the use of discourse analysis and hermeneutic phenomenology as tools. Three main findings emerged from the study's qualitative nature: first, students who attended the sessions or who merely completed the assignments created an on-the-spot critical thinking scaffolding design, which is an alternative to a behavioristic lesson plan; and second, the students wrote numerous movie reviews in both Persian and English. One of the components of reflective autobiography is these film critics and a student-written, instructor-edited paper submitted to ICHPE 2023. There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift and comparative-historical investigations in the medical education system in Iran.

The impact of badmouthing of medical specialties to medical students.

This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of Irish medical students exposed to 'badmouthing' of different specialities and to ascertain: the degree of criticism of specialities based on the seniority of clinical or academic members of staff; if 'badmouthing' influenced student career choice in psychiatry; and attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry as a speciality and career choice. Medical students in three Irish universities were invited to complete an online survey to determine the frequency and effect of non-constructive criticism on choice of medical specialty. The online questionnaire was distributed to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Galway (UoG) and University College Dublin (UCD) in the academic year 2020-2021. General practice (69%), surgery (65%) and psychiatry (50%) were the most criticised specialties. Criticism was most likely to be heard from medical students. 46% of students reported reconsidering a career in psychiatry due to criticism from junior doctors. There was a positive perception of psychiatry with 27% of respondents considering psychiatry as a first-choice specialty. Criticism of psychiatry by doctors, academics and student peers negatively influences students' career choice, which could be contributing to recruitment difficulties in psychiatry.

The prevalence of sleep disturbance and its possible associated factors among iranian medical students: A cross-sectional study with a national meta-analysis

BackgroundThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its possible associated factors among Iranian medical students. Additionally, a national meta-analysis was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of sleep disturbance in this population. MethodsA sample of medical students from Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran was included in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep disturbance. Demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as academic performance, were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The data collected from this study were combined with existing studies through a meta-analysis to estimate the overall prevalence of sleep disturbance among Iranian medical students using the random effects model. ResultsA total of 249 medical students participated in the study. The prevalence of sleep disturbance among Guilan University of Medical Sciences medical students was found to be 71.1%. A significant difference was observed in total PSQI means regarding medical students’ residency (p < 0.001) and their duration of sleep in the last 24 h (p = 0.006). The national prevalence of sleep disturbances was 59% (95% CI: [51%–66%], I2 = 97%). ConclusionSleep disturbance is highly prevalent among Iranian medical students, with various factors contributing to its occurrence. The findings of this study highlight the need for interventions and strategies to improve sleep quality and overall well-being among this population. The national meta-analysis provides valuable insights into the overall burden of sleep disturbance among Iranian medical students and can serve as a reference for future studies and public health initiatives targeting this issue.

Characteristics of medical students with problematic smartphone use: a cross-sectional study

Background: Excessive smartphone use is common among university students and can negatively affect students’ mental health, but data from Middle-East countries is scarce. Objective of the study was to determine the characteristics of medical students affected by and the prevalence of problematic smartphone use in a sample of Iranian medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a large Iranian medical university. A convenience sample of 356 students of different years of medical training were recruited. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, daily estimated average time using a smartphone, and main motivations to use a smartphone were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Problematic smartphone use (PSU) was evaluated using the smartphone addiction scale – short version (SAS-SV) questionnaire. Backward logistic regression analysis was used to understand independent factors associated with PSU. Results: Overall, two-thirds of Iranian medical students were affected by PSU, including 68.5% of male and 64% of female students. Students who lived alone had significantly higher SAS-SV scores than those who lived with their families (p=0.007). Additionally, students with daily smartphone use &gt;4 hours were 3.2 times more likely to be diagnosed with PSU (p&lt;0.001). Social media use was the main motivation that strongly predicted the presence of PSU among medical students (adjusted OR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.68-4.89). Conclusions: Main motivation to use and duration of phone use are the most important factors predicting problematic smartphone use among medical students.

Structural validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index among medical students in Iran

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-reported questionnaire evaluating sleep quality based on seven domains of sleep disorders. However, the factor structure of PSQI needs to be well-established among medical students. This study was conducted to establish the factor structure of PSQI among medical students. Four-hundred and four medical students completed the PSQI. Considering each PSQI component as an "observed variable," exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Six models explaining the factor structure of PSQI were compared by confirmatory factor analysis to achieve the best model. All PSQI components were loaded on three factors. The first factor included sleep duration and habitual sleep efficiency, the second was subjective sleep quality and sleep latency, and the third was sleep disturbances, sleeping medications, and daytime dysfunction (root mean square error of approximation = < 0.01, goodness of fit index = 0.99). The differences in Bayesian information criteria and root mean square error of approximation between our best-fit model and each of the other resulted in rejection of all other Models. Besides confirming the structural validity among medical students, our findings indicated the adequacy of the 3-factor structure of PSQI, including sleep efficiency, perceived sleep quality, and daily disturbances in this population.

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among medical students and resident physicians in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We sought to conduct this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in Iranian medical students and resident physicians. A systematic search was conducted on 23 December 2023 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Iranian national databases. We pooled the prevalence of individual studies using the random effect model. Our systematic search showed 36 articles that meet the eligibility criteria. Most included studies were cross-sectional. The most used questionnaire to assess depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance among Iranian medical students were 43% (95%CI: 33%-53%%, I2 = 98%), 44% (95%CI: 31%-58%%, I2 = 99%), 48% (95%CI: 39%-56%%, I2 = 97%), respectively. The results of subgroup and meta-regression analyses showed questionnaires used and the place of the medical school were significantly associated with the prevalence of aforementioned outcomes. Funnel plot and Begg's regression test did not show a significant source of funnel plot asymmetry for depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. In conclusion, our study showed that nearly half of the medical students had some type of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance problems. To address this serious national public health issue, efficient preventive measures, routine screenings, and prompt interventions are required.

Is Sleep Duration Associated With Depression and Anxiety? A Cross-Sectional Study on Medical Students in Iran

Background and Objective As the quantity of sleep can influence our mental health, this study examined the association of sleep duration with depression and anxiety in freshman students of Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences (NUMS).Methods This study was conducted on 471 freshman students who enrolled at NUMS in the academic years of 2019 and 2020. Data collection and evaluation of sleep duration, depression, and anxiety were done using the Persian versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The association between sleep duration with depression and anxiety was analyzed using the multinomial logistic regression models.Results The prevalence of inadequate and excessive sleep duration in the participants was 41.8% and 6.4%, respectively. More than 20% of the students reported depression (mild = 10.2%, moderate = 7.0%, and severe = 4.2%), and approximately one-third reported anxiety (mild = 20.6%, moderate = 7.9%, and severe = 3.4%). The analytical results showed that the odds of moderate and severe depression in individuals with inadequate sleep were three times higher compared to the individuals with adequate sleep (p &lt; 0.05). Further, the odds of moderate anxiety in individuals with inadequate sleep was relatively three times higher compared to individuals with adequate sleep (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions Inadequate sleep predisposes students to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, policymakers and educators should develop psychological interventions to prevent anxiety and depression in students and help students live a healthy lifestyle such as improving sleep.

Changes in Medical Students’ Empathy Level in Different Academic Years: A Trend Analysis

Empathy is an essential attribute that enables physicians to comprehend the condition and emotions of their patients, facilitating accurate responses. Consequently, empathy has been linked to improved diagnoses and enhanced clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the changing patterns of empathy levels among medical students during their academic tenure in medical school. A descriptive study was conducted using convenience sampling, involving 361 medical students in Ahvaz, Iran, between September and December 2021. Empathy levels were assessed using the Persian adaptation of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (student version) (JSE-S). Statistical analyses were conducted using the t-test and variance analysis (ANOVA). Based on the empathy scale (ranging from 20 to 140), the mean empathy score among medical students was found to be 106.42±14.8, exhibiting variations based on study year, gender, and grade point average (GPA) (p &lt; 0.01). Notably, a significant decline in empathy scores was observed in final-year students compared to their counterparts in the first year (113.39 vs. 97.05; p &lt; 0.001). Female students and those with higher GPAs demonstrated a higher level of empathy (p &lt; 0.001). The results of the present study revealed that medical students in Iran exhibit a moderate level of empathy compared to findings from local studies. Furthermore, the findings suggest a decline in empathy levels as students progress through their years in medical school. Based on these findings, it is strongly recommended to integrate empathy training into the medical curriculum. Such an approach would enhance student learning and contribute to positive patient care outcomes.

Internet gaming disorder in medical students: Is it a risk factor for poor educational outcomes?

Background: Today, computer games have taken a prominent place in the lives of children and teenagers, and statistics indicate that online gaming constitutes the majority of computer usage. Numerous studies have explored the detrimental effects of internet gaming on individuals. However, to date, no comprehensive research has been conducted specifically investigating the effect of online gaming on academic performance within a medical education context. To address this gap, we have conducted this study, focusing on the impact of online gaming on the academic performance of Iranian medical students. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 185 medical students from four disciplines ((basic sciences, Physiopathology, extern, intern) were selected through a multi-stage sampling method at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) test as well as the grade point average (GPA) of the last academic semester, the average study hours on normal days and near the exam, the efficiency of study hours, the number of failed semesters, and academic satisfaction were assessed. Results: In this study, a total of 185 medical students participated, of which 62.2% (115 students) were females. The prevalence of IGD was found to be 3.8%. Interestingly, the prevalence of IGD was approximately four times higher in males than in females (7.1% vs. 1.7%, P=0.106). Furthermore, both the overall daily study time (P&lt;0.001) and the daily study time on days near exams (P=0.031) were found to be significantly higher in students without IGD compared to those with IGD. However, factors such as age, gender, being native to Mashhad, discipline level, last GPA, number of failed semesters, and satisfaction with education showed no correlation with IGD. Conclusion: These findings may serve as a cautionary signal for educational authorities within the Iranian medical education system. However, to obtain more robust results, further investigations are recommended, particularly in other academic majors.

Premenstrual Disorders (PMS and PMDD) Incidence, and its Predictors in Iranian Medical University Students; An Exploratory Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Premenstrual disorders are a wide range of physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms which emergence before menstruation and in the first initial days of menstruation which repeat in several cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) incidence and its related factors among Iranian medical students. Materials and Methods: In a is cross sectional study 264 students of Qom university of Medical Sciences were selected by stratified proportional to size and simple random sampling method. Demographic form, Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) and Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaires were used for data collection and evaluation of subjects for PMS and PMMD according to the DSM-IV criteria. Data analysis conducted using SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by Chi square, independent t-test and multivariable logistic regression. P value lower 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean age of subjects was 21.05±2.20 years and 102 students (38.6%) were diagnosed as PMS that 8% (21 subjects) were labeled as PMMD. Decreased interest in daily activities (60.6%), depressed mood (60.2%), fatigue/lack of energy (52.3%), physical symptoms and difficulty concentrating (51.1%) were the most common PMS symptoms. Bivariate analysis showed that BMI, marital status, chronic disease history, and continuous use of medication have significant relationship with PMS morbidity. Marriage 2.1 (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.12-4.42) and stress in the last 3 months (OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.23-4.63) were two most important predictors of PMS in medical students based on multivariate logistic regression. Conclusion: Decreasing the students stress, especially in students with chronic disease history that have continuous medication consumption could be effective factors for control the PMS symptoms. Moreover, educational stress beside higher familial stress in married students due to socioeconomic and cultural factors, are the related predictive determinants of PMS. Change in life style by rest taking and enough sleeping, and counseling could be help the affected subjects.

Translation and psychometric evaluation of the reflective capacity scale in Iranian medical education

BackgroundExamining the reflective capacity in medical students is a principal step for the development of effective educational strategies to improve it. Reflection scales available in Iran are inadequate due to the lack of focus on students’ willingness and tendency to participate in reflection. This study aimed at translation and psychometric evaluation of “Reflective Capacity Scale” in Iranian medical education.MethodsThis methodological research was completed in two parts: translation and psychometric evaluation. After getting permission from the main developer of the tool, the translation process was done based on Polit and Yang model in Persian language. Then, face validity and content validity of the tool were established using a qualitative method. Construct validity was surveyed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis via completing the questionnaire by 320 medical students, who were selected using convenience sampling. The reliability of the tool was also checked with two methods of internal consistency and stability. The gleaned data were analyzed with SPSS20 and AMOS.Results“Reflective Capacity Scale” includes 16 items that were retained after cross-cultural translation. Face validity and content validity were acceptable. By performing exploratory factor analysis, four factors were identified that accounted for 63.79% of the total variance. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the values of the fit indices confirmed the appropriate fit of the model. The internal consistency reliability of the whole tool was equal to 0.83 and the intra-class correlation coefficient was equal to 0.98.ConclusionThe translated and validated “Reflective Capacity Scale” provides a robust tool for assessing reflective capacity among Iranian medical students. Its validity and reliability underscore its potential for measuring the reflective capacity of medical students.

Social health among Iranian medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: It has been experienced that the COVID-19 pandemic affects students’ physical and psychological health as well as their mortality risk; therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to recognize that medical students’ social health is more important than ever before. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students at preclinical and clinical training levels. The population of the study included medical students of the faculty of medicine at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. We used the Raosoft sample size calculator. This study was conducted using an online Standardized questionnaire of "Keyes’s Social Well-being" and a demographic scale in the Persian language from the 5th to 29th of October, 2020. We applied the Mann-Whitney test to compare mean scores concerning gender, marital status, level of education, and residence. P value&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The current study involved 242 female and 118 male medical students with average ages of 22.54 (SD=2.41) and 22.48 (SD=2.36) respectively. The majority of participants (294) were single; more than half of them (204) lived in the dormitory. The participants had an average social health score of 84.21 (SD=8.34), indicated a low level of social health in this study. Moreover, we found that social health score was associated with education level, residence, gender, and marital status (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to provide medical students with appropriate social health programs to improve their quality of life and increase their achievement.

Risk of Eating Disorders (EDs) among Iranian Medical Students: Perceived Social Support (PSS) and COVID-19-Related Anxiety

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are characterized by severe difficulties with eating behavior and emotions, increasing among medical students. Objectives: Since social support can play a preventive role, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between these conditions considering COVID-19-related anxiety. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 at Alborz medical science university, Iran, on 282 medical students who were selected randomly. The Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire were used to collect data. The chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were utilized via SPSS software version 23. The level of significance is below 0.05. Results: In this study, 153 (51.1%) participants were men. The average age (SD) of respondents was 22.06 (1.65). The prevalence of medical students was 17% at risk for eating disorders. Logistic regression indicated that a low level of perceived social support (OR, 14.91; 95% CI, 3.49 – 63.64), a moderate level of COVID-19-related anxiety (OR, 6.36; 95% CI, 2.96 – 13.63), being obese (OR, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.75 – 22.68), and being female (OR, 5.58; 95% CI, 2.13 – 14.62) were significantly related to being at risk of EDs. Conclusions: Based on the results, the high prevalence of tendency to eating disorders should be taken seriously among medical students. Strong evidence was provided regarding the need for screening and enhancing the perceived social support of medical students.

Psychometric properties of the persian version of the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS)

IntroductionThere are numerous cases where artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied to improve the outcomes of medical education. The extent to which medical practitioners and students are ready to work and leverage this paradigm is unclear in Iran. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS) developed by Karaca, et al. in 2021. In future studies, the medical AI readiness for Iranian medical students could be investigated using this scale, and effective interventions might be planned and implemented according to the results.MethodsIn this study, 502 medical students (mean age 22.66(± 2.767); 55% female) responded to the Persian questionnaire in an online survey. The original questionnaire was translated into Persian using a back translation procedure, and all participants completed the demographic component and the entire MAIRS-MS. Internal and external consistencies, factor analysis, construct validity, and confirmatory factor analysis were examined to analyze the collected data. A P ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of statistical significance.ResultsFour subscales emerged from the exploratory factor analysis (Cognition, Ability, Vision, and Ethics), and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four subscales. The Cronbach alpha value for internal consistency was 0.944 for the total scale and 0.886, 0.905, 0.865, and 0.856 for cognition, ability, vision, and ethics, respectively.ConclusionsThe Persian version of MAIRS-MS was fairly equivalent to the original one regarding the conceptual and linguistic aspects. This study also confirmed the validity and reliability of the Persian version of MAIRS-MS. Therefore, the Persian version can be a suitable and brief instrument to assess Iranian Medical Students’ readiness for medical artificial intelligence.

Iranian medical students’ tendency to migrate and its associated factors

BackgroundMedical staff migration is one of the challenges for both developed and developing countries affecting society’s health and welfare, which limits access to equity. Therefore, this study was designed and conducted to investigate the tendency to migrate and the factors affecting it among medical students of the Tehran University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2019.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed among 472 medical students using a valid questionnaire which was designed after reviewing the literature and using the opinions of experts. The tendency to migrate and its associated factors were analyzed and reported using the Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA test, Tukey post-hock test, and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test.ResultsAccording to this study, the tendency to migrate was 6.13 ± 2.82 out of 10. While there was no significant relationship between age, marital status, medical educational phase and the tendency to migrate (p > 0.05); There was a significant relationship between willingness to migrate with variables of gender (p = 0.027), pre-university study region (p < 0.001), father’s academic degree (p = 0.007), mother’s academic degree (p < 0.001), having the relative abroad (p < 0.001), foreign trip experience (p < 0.001), foreign language skills (p < 0.001), number of published articles (p = 0.005) and Iran’s National Elite Foundation membership (p = 0.039).ConclusionsFemales, elites, and those with higher socioeconomic state, previous exposure to foreign countries, the ability to speak foreign languages, and research activity are more likely to migrate. Considering the high tendency to migrate among Iranian medical students, urgent and severe strategies must be undertaken to solve this social and health problem.

The Association Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Medical Students.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the two most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders affecting communication and behavior. The co-occurrence of these conditions is probable and can contribute to several challenges in adaptive functioning and academic achievement.In this cross-sectional study, 168 Iranian medical students (107 female, 61 male) studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2021 were enrolled. We administered the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaires online to assess different symptoms of ASD and ADHD in our sample. In this study, the RAADS-R was translated into Persian and validated for the first time in Iran.The correlation tests demonstrated a significant association between the total score and different subscales' scores of the RAADS-R and the total score and the two subscales' scores of the ASRS questionnaire (p < 0.001, 0.27 < Spearman correlation coefficient < 0.51). This study also illustrated a high prevalence of ASD and ADHD symptoms among the participants. Moreover, male respondents had a significantly higher prevalence of ASD symptoms (57.3% in males vs. 28.03% in females, p < 0.001).This study indicated that the distinct impairments in behavior and cognition attributed to ASD and ADHD could be common manifestations in medical students. Given that the co-occurrence of these disorders may lead to significant challenges in their professional life, the early diagnosis and subsequent support for medical students with co-occurring expressions of ASD and ADHD could be extremely helpful, as it could indirectly improve the medical services provided to patients by future physicians, leading to an improvement in public health.

The Effect of an Online Teaching Platform on Self-concept and Self-regulation of Medical Students at Kashan University of Medical Sciences

Background: Online language learning has recently gained a reputation in educational research, holding specifically true in English for specific purposes (ESP) courses. However, ESP online learning has not been sufficiently examined in particular disciplines such as medicine. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of teaching English medical vocabulary through a virtual learning platform (Adobe Connect) on Iranian medical students’ learner factors, including their self-regulation and self-concept. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 60 female and male medical students learning English for Medicine at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. An Oxford Placement Test (OPT) was administered to ensure the sample’s homogeneity. Then, the participants were categorized into Adobe Connect (experimental) and conventional face-to-face (control) groups. Data were collected using the Academic Self-concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) and the Self-regulation Questionnaire (SRQ). An ANCOVA test was run to compare the possible role of the two instructional methods on medical students’ self-regulation and self-concept. Results: Adobe Connect, as the experimental group, had a higher median score than the control group regarding the self-regulation posttest (P = 0.000). Therefore, using Adobe Connect virtual platform significantly improved the self-regulation of ESP medical students. Additionally, the results revealed that the experimental participants outperformed the control group regarding their self-concept (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Based on the results, the online platform positively affected self-regulation and self-concept among medical students.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding child maltreatment amongst Iranian medical students through internship course: an 18-month longitudinal study

BackgroundChild maltreatment has been a major worldwide problem and has remained a persistent public health challenge in all countries. Physicians have a significant role in the prevention and intervention of child maltreatment. An educated physician that can effectively identify and report child maltreatment can fill one of the most significant gaps in reducing child abuse.This study was performed to examine the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding child maltreatment among Iranian medical students through an internship course.MethodAll the medical students (235 students) of the Iran University of Medical Sciences who passed the internship entrance exam in the 2019–2020 academic year participated in this study. The participants completed a 49-item scale questionnaire built by combining three other validated questionnaires that evaluate their attitude, knowledge, and practice skills in the first month of their internship course and then completed the same questionnaire 18 months later, at the end-point of the internship period.ResultsOne-hundred thirty nine (59.1%) participants were female, and 96 (40.9%) were male. The mean age of the subjects was 24.35 ± 0.76. Only 7 (3%) of them formerly received any education about child maltreatment. There was a significant improvement in scores of the knowledge of prevention (p-value = 0.001), the practice of prevention (p-value < 0.001) and the general subscale of the practice section (p-value < 0.001) during the internship course. However, the performance of participants decreased significantly in the subscales of the attitude towards diagnosis (p-value = 0.001) and the attitude towards reporting (p-value < 0.001) of child maltreatment. At the end of the study, the result of graduated physicians was: The total knowledge and attitude of participants were satisfactory, and the majority were at reasonable levels. Although in the practice subscale, 70.6% of the participants didn’t identify, 84.7% didn’t refer, and 86.4% didn’t report a child abuse case in the past year.ConclusionThe knowledge and attitude of Iranian physicians regarding child maltreatment are at a satisfactory level. Although, the practice level has deficiencies. In addition, our findings show that Iranian interns have a shallow experience regarding child maltreatment, particularly despite the higher scores in attitude and knowledge, which can be the reason for deficiencies in the practice level.

Iranian Medical Students’ EFL Writings Anxiety, Coping Strategies, and Attitudes towards Writing in an Online Setting

To make stronger claims about the function of anxiety in online setting and its interaction with writing performance, there is a need to carry out extensive studies in various settings and with participants of different background experiences. Hence, this mixed method study set out to examine the effect of E-learning of English writing on Iranian medical students’ writing anxiety and writing attitude. Students’ sources of writing anxiety and coping strategies were also explored. To achieve the objectives, 71 upper-intermediate and advanced level Iranian medical students from Semnan, Iran, were recruited. In the quantitative phase, the required data were collected by employing two adapted questionnaires, namely, Writing Attitude and Second Language Writing Anxiety Inventory. In the qualitative phase, nine participants were interviewed. The results revealed that after receiving the online instruction, the students’ writing anxiety decreased while their attitudes became more positive. Regarding the qualitative data analysis, “technical issues”, “lecturer”, and “time management” were the most prevalent sources of writing anxiety, and “staying calm and relaxed”, “focusing on the given topic”, and “preparing in advance” were mentioned as the most prevalent coping strategies amongst the students. The findings have useful pedagogical implications.