Medical Interns Research Articles

An action research to introduce direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) as clinical skill performance assessment tool during medical internship in the department of surgery, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, 2023

An action research to introduce direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) as clinical skill performance assessment tool during medical internship in the department of surgery, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, 2023

Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Do-Not-Resuscitate Decisions Among Clinical-Year Medical Students and Interns in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

Background The directive to withhold emergent interventions in the case of cardiac and/or respiratory arrest with the continuation of standard care and therapy is known as do-not-resuscitate (DNR). The diversity of DNR guidelines depends on moral and religious factors. In Saudi Arabia, a DNR policy was published in 2017 which corresponds to the religious and ethical aspects of Islamic law. To augment future awareness regarding DNR decisions, as they are an essential element in critical care medicine, the foundational principles of DNR must be provided during the clinical years of medical school. Objectives The current study aims to assess and evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding DNR decisions among clinical-year medical students and interns in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2023, utilizing a self-administered online survey distributed via social media platforms. After receiving ethical approval from the institutional review board, data were collected from clinical-yearmedical students and interns in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, and an appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results A total of 397 participants were enrolled in this study. More than half (n = 251, 63.2%) were from Umm Al-Qura University, while the remaining (n=79, 19.9%) were from Taibah University. Of the total, 258 (65%) were male participants, and 139 (35%) were female. A total of 152 (38.3%) were fifth-year medical students, and 102 (25.7%) were interns. The vast majority (n = 364, 91.7%) had heard the term DNR, with the most reported source of information being from healthcare providers (n = 306, 83.2%), while a minority (n = 33, 8.3%) had not. Of the respondents, 226 (56.9%) identified the presence of a clear DNR policy in Saudi Arabia, and 77 (19.4%) had previously had experience with DNR. Most of the studied population (n = 333, 83.9%) expressed a willingness to take a lecture/session regarding DNR. Most of our participants, 347 (87.4%), believe it is essential to consider legal concerns when making a DNR decision. Interestingly, 152 (38.5%) of the participants think it is acceptable to be conservative in investigations and treatments with patients who are labeled as DNR, and 223 (56.2%) agree that patients should be aware of their DNR status. Approximately three-quarters of the study population (n = 290, 73%) agreed that it is stressful to discuss the possibility of a DNR order. In the association of who heard about DNR more, 101 (99%) of the interns had heard about the term DNR, while only 53 (75.7%) of the fourth-year medical students had. At the same time, 74 (72.5%) of the interns showed a positive attitude regarding the DNR definition, compared to 33 (47.1%) of the fourth-year medical students. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity of integrating educational interventions into DNR decisions in addition to clinical placement in the intensive care unit as part of the medical school curriculum.

Professional identity and representations of advanced practice nurses specialising in psychiatry and mental health: A national study.

Advanced practice nurses constitute a new professional group within the French health care system. Advanced practice nurses specialise in one of five disciplines including Psychiatry/Mental-Health. This specific discipline is strongly marked by stigmatising representations by healthcare users and other health professionals (including other advanced practice nurses), whose consequences have a deleterious effect. The aim was to highlight all advanced practice nurses representation of Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses. An observational descriptive survey, based on an anonymous online questionnaire was conducted in April 2022 among qualified and student advanced practice nurses from the five specialist disciplines. Overall, 356 advanced practice nurses completed the survey questionnaire. No significant difference in stigmatising representations of Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses versus other advanced practice nurses was observed. Only 3.3% of other advanced practice nurses thought that Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses are often 'strange'. Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses and other advanced practice nurses appeared to have similar representations of the professional roles of advanced practice nurses in general and of advanced practice nurses APN specifically. Unlike other professionals in the psychiatric field (e.g. medical interns, nurses), very little stigmatisation of Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses by their colleagues (i.e. other advanced practice nurses) was observed. This could be partly due to the fact that advanced practice nurses professional identity appeared to be built collectively around the concept of advanced practice. Advanced practice nurses constitute a professional group that is fully involved in contemporary transformations in care and organisational innovation. The very low level of stigmatisation of Psychiatry/Mental-Health advanced practice nurses by other advanced practice nurses in our study suggests that these new healthcare actors could play a crucial role in the improvement of professional health practices, particularly in terms of improved coordination between psychiatric-care and physical-care.

Design, implementation and evaluation of e-learning program for common diseases to smartphone-based medical students: at a developing university

ObjectiveMobile-based educational software offers a wealth of resources that can foster the growth of learners and facilitate the creation of an interactive learning environment. This environment encourages both students and instructors to engage in exploration and the examination of various medical issues. The objective of this study is to design, implement, and evaluate an electronic educational program focused on common medical conditions, specifically tailored for medical students and accessible through mobile phones.MethodThe study was conducted following an action research approach, which comprised four key stages: needs assessment, application design, training, and evaluation. This research took place at the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences’ Medical School. In the needs assessment phase, a formal survey was distributed to the teaching faculty members, requesting them to identify diseases and medical issues of high importance for medical interns’ education that were suitable for virtual teaching. Each faculty member was asked to prioritize a minimum of three and a maximum of seven cases. Subsequently, 10 faculty members from various departments completed the survey, leading to the identification of 47 common diseases after eliminating duplicates. These 47 cases were then presented to 30 medical interns, who were asked to select the 20 most significant cases. The 20 diseases with the highest statistical frequency were selected for further development due to resource constraints. The mobile application was developed for the Android platform using the Java programming language and the Android Studio development environment. To assess the application’s effectiveness from the students’ perspective, a questionnaire was designed, encompassing 25 questions across five domains: satisfaction, performance, learning, usability, and educational effectiveness. The questionnaire employed a Likert scale, with response options ranging from ‘completely disagree’ to ‘completely agree,’ scored from 1 to 5. One hundred medical interns and trainees were invited to participate in the evaluation, with 92 of them completing the questionnaires.ResultsThe findings revealed a significant disparity in the average scores between students who underwent traditional teaching methods and those who engaged in mobile-based app-assisted education. This discrepancy was statistically significant across all three examined components.ConclusionMobile-based learning represents a burgeoning educational approach with profound implications for healthcare education and the enhancement of patient care quality. The widespread integration of mobile phones into the educational framework offers a flexible teaching paradigm, fostering the potential for continuous lifelong learning.

Comparison of three-dimensional position of maxillary dentition model treated with two digital transfer methods

Objective: To compare and evaluate the difference in maxillary dentition position using an anatomical facebow and jaw movement analyzer. Methods: From March to May 2023, 15 medical interns from Yantai Stomatological Hospital were recruited, including 9 males and 6 females, aged 20-25 years. Digital models and plaster models of maxillary dentition were obtained from the 15 medical interns. The anatomical facebow group (AFB) and jaw movement analyzer group (JMA) were used to transfer the position of the maxillary dentition to the virtual articulator. The virtual occlusal articulator module of exocad denture design software was used to measure the inclination angle of the occlusal plane of the two groups, the distance between the mesio-incisal angle of the left maxillary central incisor and the lateral center point of the lateral condylar sphere of the virtual occlusal articulator, the distance between the mesial buccal cusp of the maxillary first molar and the lateral center point of the lateral condyle sphere of the virtual articulator. The same marks (mesial incisor point of left maxillary central incisor and mesial buccal cusp point of both maxillary first molars) were measured in two groups of maxillary dentition, and the root-mean-square error between 3 points was calculated. Results: The occlusal plane inclination angle in AFB group (9.11°±3.85°) was significantly larger than that in JMA group (4.94°±2.69°) (t=10.45, P<0.001). There were significant differences between AFB and JMA groups. The distances from the mesial cusp of the left first molar to the lateral center of the left condylar, from the mesial cusp of the left maxillary central incisor to the lateral center of the left condylar[(91.75±3.05), (129.09±4.60) mm]were significantly smaller than those in the JMA group[(95.68±5.45), (132.41±5.64) mm](t=-4.48, P=0.001; t=-4.21, P=0.001). In both groups of models, the distance of the mesial cusp of the left maxillary central incisor was (8.81±2.56) mm, and the distance between mesial buccal cusp of maxillary left first molar was (7.56±2.49) mm, the distance between mesial buccal cusp of maxillary right first molar was (7.13±2.77) mm; the root mean square error was (7.93± 2.94) mm. Compared with 0, the difference was statistically significant (t=10.45, P<0.001). Conclusions: There were differences between the two methods (anatomical facebow and the jaw movement analyzer) for transferring the maxillary dentition position to the three-dimensional space position of the virtual articulator.

Determinants of Postgraduate Medical Education Regarding Speciality and Place among North Indian Graduates: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Medical undergraduates are a vital source of the country’s physicians. Their preference for medicalspecialties helps allocate the workforce among various medical specialties. The options for medical careerspecialties have increased, parallel to expanding knowledge in different fields. Given the vast opportunities tochoose from, the factors influencing the choices of medical interns in our country need to be better understood.Objectives: This study was conducted to know what factors influence the interns to choose the place to pursuepostgraduation.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to August 2022 at GMC Patiala. Out of the 203interns of the MBBS batch 2017 batch, 199 were interviewed using an online google form.Results: Out of the 199 participants, 73.8% of students wanted to pursue postgraduation in India. General Medicine(77.4%) was the most preferred branch. Almost half (47.7%) of students chose the specialty during their internship.Most participants (82%) with a family income of fewer than ten lakhs preferred to pursue Postgraduation in India.Conclusions: Participants favored clinical medicine branches, with General Medicine being the most popular.Family income, rather than marks, influenced the decision to pursue postgraduate studies abroad or in India. Themain reason for studying abroad was better education and a higher standard of living. At the same time, somestudents preferred to stay close to home and study in India for postgraduate studies for the sake of family andfamiliar surroundings.

Determinants of Postgraduate Medical Education Regarding Speciality and Place among North Indian Graduates: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Medical undergraduates are a vital source of the country’s physicians. Their preference for medicalspecialties helps allocate the workforce among various medical specialties. The options for medical careerspecialties have increased, parallel to expanding knowledge in different fields. Given the vast opportunities tochoose from, the factors influencing the choices of medical interns in our country need to be better understood.Objectives: This study was conducted to know what factors influence the interns to choose the place to pursuepostgraduation.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to August 2022 at GMC Patiala. Out of the 203interns of the MBBS batch 2017 batch, 199 were interviewed using an online google form.Results: Out of the 199 participants, 73.8% of students wanted to pursue postgraduation in India. General Medicine(77.4%) was the most preferred branch. Almost half (47.7%) of students chose the specialty during their internship.Most participants (82%) with a family income of fewer than ten lakhs preferred to pursue Postgraduation in India.Conclusions: Participants favored clinical medicine branches, with General Medicine being the most popular.Family income, rather than marks, influenced the decision to pursue postgraduate studies abroad or in India. Themain reason for studying abroad was better education and a higher standard of living. At the same time, somestudents preferred to stay close to home and study in India for postgraduate studies for the sake of family andfamiliar surroundings.

Effectiveness of Entrustable Professional Activity-Based Clinical Psychiatry Training for Indian Medical Interns: A Preliminary Study

Objective Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) are discretely measurable specific professional tasks that integrate multiple competencies to define and provide varying levels of faculty support per trainee needs. Methods: We developed an EPA-based psychiatry curriculum for medical interns. Fifty-four interns completed the OSCE stations, Multiple Choice Questions, and Attitude questionnaires to assess EPAs, knowledge and attitudes towards the relevance and utility of clinical psychiatry in general practice. Results: Two weeks of EPA-based psychiatry training resulted in improvement in median scores on attitude questions (p < 0.05), clinical skills measured using EPA levels. Conclusions: EPA-based curriculum can improve clinical skills, knowledge, and attitudes towards clinical psychiatry in interns.

Subtyping of Performance Trajectory During Medical School, Medical Internship, and the First Year of Residency in Training Physicians: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Developmental trajectories of clinical skills in training physicians vary among tasks and show interindividual differences. This study examined the predictors of medical internship performance and residency entrance and found subtypes of performance trajectory in training physicians. This retrospective cohort study involved 888 training physicians who completed a medical internship between 2015 and 2019. After the internship, 627 physicians applied for residency training between 2016 and 2020. Finally, 160 of them completed their first-year residency in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry departments between 2016 and 2020. Pearson's correlation coefficients of internship performance and first year-residency performance (n = 160) were calculated. Latent profile analysis identified performance trajectory subtypes according to medical school grade point average (GPA), internship performance, English proficiency, and residency selection procedures. Multivariate logistic regression models of residency acceptance (n = 627) and performance in the top 30%/lower 10% in the first year of residency were also constructed. Medical internship performance showed a significant positive correlation with the medical school GPA (r = 0.194) and the written score for the medical licensing examination (r = 0.125). Higher scores in the interview (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.57) and written examination (aOR, 1.45) of residency selection procedures and higher medical internship performance (aOR, 1.19) were associated with a higher chance of residency acceptance. The latent profile analyses identified three training physician subgroups: average performance, consistently high performance (top 30%), and adaptation to changes (lowest 10%). Higher scores in the interview for residency selection (aOR, 1.35) and lower scores for medical internship performance (aOR, 0.79) were associated with a higher chance of performing in the top 30% or lowest 10% in the first year of residency, respectively. Performance in the interview and medical internship predicted being among the top 30% and lowest 10% of performers in the first year of residency training, respectively. Individualized educational programs to enhance the prospect of trainees becoming high-functioning physicians are needed.

Efficacy of the Gulu University Reproductive Health Simulation Training for final year medical students and interns: a before-and-after study.

Reproductive health emergencies, such as postpartum hemorrhage, contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda due to knowledge and skills gaps. Medical interns, intern midwives, and nurses are crucial as frontline healthcare workers in responding to these emergencies. Our proposed hands-on strategy involves comprehensive simulation-based training (SBT) to equip these healthcare workers with the essential knowledge to manage common reproductive health emergencies and procedures in the country. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive SBT in improving the knowledge of interns and fifth-year medical students on reproductive health emergencies and procedures at Gulu University and its Teaching Hospitals in Uganda. A before-and-after study. A 4-day SBT was conducted for fifth-year medical students and interns (nurses, midwives, and doctors) at Gulu University Teaching Hospitals, focusing on reproductive health emergencies. Pre- and post-tests with 40 multiple-choice questions were used to evaluate knowledge enhancement, the scores were summarized as medians and interquartile ranges. Paired sample t-tests was used to test the difference in pre- and post-test scores. Independent sample t-tests compared median post-test results between interns and students, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant. A total of 153 participants were enrolled, the majority being males (78.4%, n = 120) and medical students (73.9%, n = 113). Among the 40 interns, 55% (n = 22) were doctors, 30% (n = 12) were midwives, and 15% (n = 6) were nurses. The study participants showed an increase in knowledge, with median post-test scores higher than pre-test scores for all participants [63% (interquartile ranges, IQR: 57-71%) versus 49% (42-54%), with a median difference of 14% (8-23%), p < 0.001]. The SBT effectively imparts key knowledge competencies to the interns and fifth-year medical students. We recommend that SBT be included as part of the course units that students should take and for continuous medical education for qualified healthcare workers in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence of Career Indecision and Factors Influencing it among Medical Students and Interns in Oman

Aim and objectives: Career indecision (CI) is a broad term refers to the uncertainty and difficulty of decision- making of the future career among junior professionals. This study aims primarily to estimate the prevalence of CI among senior medical students and medical interns in Oman. Secondly, it assesses the association of socio-demographics factors influencing it. Finally, it examines the association between participation in career development activities and CI among them during the academic year of 2022-2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymous self-administered questionnaire in English language. We used a 21-item Career Factors Inventory (CFI) to determine CI score. CI scores were further classified to low-level CI (score 27-71) and high-level CI (score 72-105). Results: Total number of participants was 161. The minimum sample size calculated was 153 participants for 95% confidence interval. Unpaired t test and ANOVA test were used to determine association. The results showed the prevalence of high-level CI is 63.4% (95% CI 55.4% - 70.8%) among the participants. Participants with one of their parents in healthcare professions and those who did not participate in career development activities have high CI scores with P-value 0.002 and 0.022 respectively. Moreover, participants younger than 25 years of age in comparison to older participants had higher Need for Self-Knowledge (NSK) scores (p-value 0.018). Conclusion: Study participants showed high prevalence of high-level CI among senior medical students and medical interns in Oman. Few factors were found to be statistically associated, especially participation in career development activities. Further studies are recommended to investigate the causality of high CI levels among junior professionals in Oman and the contributing factors. Curricular and extra-curricular career development activities and counselling may improve CI and reduce its burden.

Interventional radiology perception among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialized field within radiology that diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions through minimally invasive surgical procedures involving various radiological techniques. In recent years, the role of IR has expanded to include a range of organ systems, leading to an increased demand for this specialty. The present study aimed at investigating the perceptions of interventional radiology (IR) as a specialty among medical students and medical interns in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design, targeting male and female medical students in Riyadh City, KSA, in January 2023. We utilized a questionnaire for face-to-face and phone interviews to assess their knowledge about IR. The data were cleared and entered through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: A total of 314 students participated in the study, with 49% in the preclinical years and 51% in the clinical years. Forty-two percent reported that they had poor information and knowledge about IR. Only 28% of students were planning to take an elective and radiology rotation, while 27% said they would consider a career in IR. Among the 73% of participants who would not consider a career in IR, the highest reasons, in order, were \&amp;quot;I do not find it interesting\&amp;quot; (45%), \&amp;quot;Radiation exposure\&amp;quot; (14%), and \&amp;quot;The lifestyle is not for me\&amp;quot; (12%). Regarding training, 48% thought that an IR must complete a residency training program in both radiology and surgery, and only 36% of the students believed that an IR must finish training in radiology. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that the perception and exposure to IR among medical students and interns are generally poor. This has a direct influence on the students\&amp;apos; decision regarding IR as a career.

Competency in electrocardiogram interpretation among medical interns and residents of internal medicine and ER residents

Background: For both undergraduate and graduate medical students, understanding how to interpret an ECG is essential. It has been demonstrated that accurate ECG interpretation influences the course of care for several acute cardiovascular emergencies, such as acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest patients. Aim: This study aims to assess the Competency in Electrocardiogram Interpretation Among Medical interns and Residents of Internal Medicine and ER residents. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted including intern medical students at Taif University and IM and ER residents who are actively doing residency training programs in Taif Hospitals including (King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital, Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, and King Faisal Hospital). The survey was conducted from November 01, 2022, to November 30, 2023. ECGs were selected from the ECG textbooks and ECG web blogs and will be reviewed by two cardiologists. After the ECG strip selection, the reviewed structured questionnaires were distributed to the survey participants. Results: A total of 163 medical interns and residents were included. Exact 79 (48.5%) aged less than 25 years and 84 (51.5%) aged 25 years or more with a mean age of 25.1 ± 3.2 years old. A total of 88 (54%) were females. Overall ECG competency level among medical interns and internal medicine and ER residents. A total of 59 (36.2%) had an overall high competency level with ECG, 79 (48.5%) had moderate ECG competency, and 25 (15.3%) had a low competency level. The overall competency score ranged from 1 to 10 with a mean score of 6.6 ± 1.9 points out of 10. Receiving training and having an ACLS course was significantly associated with competence level (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study showed that medical interns and residents in Taif showed an average competence level regarding ECG interpretation with higher competence e among those who were trained and received ACLS courses.

Clinical and epidemiological factors associated with post-traumatic stress in medical interns during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Peruvian hospital, 2021

Introduction: post-traumatic stress is a potential psychological and behavioral consequence of exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by the inability to overcome an unpleasant experience. Medical students, especially during their internships, often encounter stressful situations and challenges.Objective: this study aims to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical interns and identify the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with PTSD.Methods: this cross-sectional observational study utilized the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity Scale and a validated form for clinical and epidemiological factors. The study was conducted with medical students from the Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista and Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25. Results: this study revealed that 47,1 % of medical interns experienced low levels of post-traumatic stress, 42,5 % experienced moderate levels, and 10,3 % experienced high levels. Clinical and epidemiological factors that showed a statistically significant correlation (p&lt;0,05) with post-traumatic stress included working extra shifts, caring for COVID-19 patients, having infected relatives, and experiencing harassment or verbal aggression from patients, colleagues, or other hospital staff. Conclusion: this study suggests that clinical and epidemiological factors, such as caring for COVID-19 patients, working extra shifts, and experiencing harassment or verbal aggression from patients or colleagues, are associated with post-traumatic stress in medical interns

Prevalence and factors associated with burnout among junior medical doctors at a South African tertiary public sector hospital.

burnout is a syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and emotional exhaustion that occurs due to exposure to stressful conditions over a long period. It can lead to poor job performance, apathy, and lack of productivity. This study looks at the prevalence of burnout in medical interns in a tertiary hospital in South Africa and the factors that may contribute to burnout. an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Medical interns working in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in 2019 were invited to participate. The participants filled questionnaire that had demographic information, the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale, a scale to rate the rotations that they believed contributed towards their burnout and factors they think contributed towards their burnout. Our data was analyzed using Stata. out of a possible 165 potential participants, 101 medical interns enrolled. 95% of the participants reported burnout. Statistically significant factors contributing towards burnout were lack of resources and poor relations with support staff and senior staff. The medical rotation that was reported by the participants to contribute most towards their burnout was internal medicine. burnout in this population of medical interns is alarmingly high. Higher than reported in similar studies in South Africa and internationally.

Dietary supplement use among medical students at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and assess the awareness and attitude regarding dietary supplement usage among medical students and interns of Tabuk University and to explore the associations between dietary supplement usage and the participants&amp;apos; gender, age, and academic year. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among male and female medical students and interns aged 18 years and above at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, from June to the end of July, 2021. Data were obtained from the study participants through an online, self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of dietary supplement usage among the participants was 50%. There were no significant associations between nutritional supplement use and the gender, age, or academic level of the study group (all p-values &amp;gt; 0.05.). Common reasons for using dietary supplements were promoting general health (30.9%) and nutritional deficiencies (29.3%). The described adverse effects of dietary supplements comprised sleeplessness, heart palpitations, seizure, and shortness of breath (12.5%, 10.3%, 4.4%, and 2.1%, respectively), and a more significant number (70.7%) reported other harmful effects. Higher percentage of the participants thought that using dietary supplements is good for their health (80.7%) and necessary for food metabolism (78.7%). Conclusions: There was a relatively high prevalence of dietary supplement use among medical students and interns at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The medical students and interns had a positive attitude towards using dietary supplements. However, the self-reported knowledge about the dosage, side effects, and interactions with concomitantly used drugs was limited.

Job Crafting and Resilience among Medical Interns: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use Intensity

COVID‐19 brought many difficulties for medical workers’ mental health. They tend to exhibit a high turnover rate, which has deteriorated the situation of high demands on the healthcare workforce. Thus, enhancing medical interns’ resilience is of great significance. Previous studies have delved into how job crafting relates to resilience, but there has been limited exploration of how the three dimensions of job crafting interplay with resilience. Thus, our research examined the moderating role of social media use intensity in associations between task crafting, cognitive crafting, relational crafting, and resilience. A total of 605 medical interns were obtained. The results revealed that task crafting, cognitive crafting, and relational crafting exhibited significant and positive associations with resilience. More importantly, social media use intensity moderated associations between task crafting, cognitive crafting, and resilience, with these associations being weaker for individuals with high levels of social media use intensity. However, the moderating role of social media use intensity was not significant between relational crafting and resilience. Finally, the findings provided some guidance for instructors to enhance medical interns’ resilience and thus prepare them for employment.

Career perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate medical students and interns in South India

Introduction: Choosing the appropriate medical specialty as a career is one of the greatest responsibilities of a medical student. This has become a greater challenge in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to find out whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the career perceptions of medical students and interns and to find out the factors influencing them. Materials and Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was done among medical undergraduate students and interns aged ≥18 years at a private institution. Data were collected using a semi-structured Google Form. Participants were asked to select the first, second, and third preferences of their specialties of interest before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The most preferred specialty among participants after surgery and medicine was obstetrics and gynecology before and anatomy after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 158 (35.2%) participants strongly agreed/agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their career choices. This was much more significant in participants who were aged ≥23 years, those not planning to go abroad for further studies or employment, local residents, and those currently studying their final year of MBBS. As many as 257 (57.3%) participants strongly disagreed/disagreed that the current online academic training was sufficient to pursue their desired career. Conclusion: Measures need to be taken to enhance the effectiveness of online teaching methods. Career-related counseling services are essential for medical students in the postpandemic era. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Practice-based learning and improvement, Systems-based practice, and Professionalism.

Crafting Tomorrow's Medical Leaders: Insights from Medical Students and Interns in Saudi Arabia.

Leadership is increasingly recognized as a crucial competency in medicine, with physicians expected to provide leadership skills throughout their careers. This study explores the perceptions, attitudes, and interests of medical students and interns in Saudi Arabia regarding medical leadership. Medical graduates are expected to "provide leadership skills that enhance team functioning, the learning environment, and the healthcare delivery system", according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2023, involving 519 medical students and interns in Saudi Arabia. An online survey covered demographic data, perceptions, attitudes, interests, and self-perceived leadership skills. A pilot study was conducted to ensure the questionnaire's validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, employing descriptive statistics and inferential tests. Most participants had a positive perception of leadership (38.3%), with higher scores associated with medical specialties as a career choice (p < 0.001). The majority expressed average interest in medical leadership (29.1%). Communication and organizational skills were highly self-rated leadership attributes. Barriers to leadership implementation included lack of interest (49.3%), inadequate training (45.1%), and time constraints (43.2%). Only 14.6% rated leadership education in medical school as "very good". This study underscores the importance of leadership in medical education. Integrating comprehensive and structured leadership programs into medical curricula, addressing barriers, and promoting awareness can foster future medical leaders. Continuous evaluation and adaptation are essential for ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of leadership training.

Barriers to Choosing Pediatrics as a Specialty: Insights From a Cross-Sectional Analysis.

The pediatric field in South Korea is experiencing a significant workforce crisis due to a sharp decline in pediatricians, exacerbated by a decrease in pediatric residents and a series of distressing incidents in pediatric healthcare institutions. No prior studies have explored the waning interest in pediatrics among South Korea's medical students and interns, which our research seeks to address during a pediatric workforce decline. This study aimed to investigate the declining interest in pediatrics among medical students and interns in South Korea amidst decreasing birth rates. We conducted a comprehensive survey to identify the factors deterring young medical professionals from pursuing a career in pediatrics. In this cross-sectional study, in December 2023 we surveyed medical students and interns at Jeonbuk National University and Hospital using a 40-item electronically distributed questionnaire tailored to assess the factors influencing specialty choice, focusing on pediatrics. The participants were divided into the pre-clinical and clinical groups, allowing for analysis across educational stages. The survey covered demographics, perceptions of pediatrics, attitudes toward medical errors, and awareness of critical issues; it included a range of question types to ensure detailed and nuanced data collection. Our findings revealed a clear decrease in interest in pediatrics as medical students progressed through their education, with 86.69% displaying negative views. Although a sense of mission and emotional satisfaction from patient interactions were highlighted as positive influences, they were significantly countered by worries related to declining pediatric populations, legal challenges, and interactions with patient guardians. Additionally, 95.84% of the participants recognized the critical role of vital pediatric departments; however, litigation risks and psychological burdens substantially affected their willingness to specialize in these areas. The analysis also showed an increasing awareness of pediatric incidents as students advanced through their education; however, this did not directly correlate with their choice of specialty (P = 0.090). The results emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions to alleviate concerns and improve the attractiveness of pediatrics. These efforts are essential to counteract the declining interest and ensure a sustainable pediatric workforce for the future.