Attitudes Of Medical Students Research Articles

Drawing a line from CO2 emissions to health—evaluation of medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards climate change and health following a novel serious game: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundEducation is urgently needed to equip medical students with knowledge, values and skills to promote planetary health. However, the current literature offers little insight into evidence-based approaches and best practices. In response to this pressing need, a novel serious game was introduced into the medical curriculum at Erasmus Medical Center in 2023. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of medical students after they had played a serious game that addresses climate change and health.MethodsIn accordance with a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected using pre- and post-intervention surveys. Differences were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Focus group discussions were held after the game and thematically analysed.ResultsOne hundred forty-five students (38.6% of the entire cohort) played the game, of which 59 students completed the pre- and post-intervention surveys. After the game, self-reported knowledge increased. Regarding objective knowledge, an increase in the proportion of students who answered one of the two questions correctly was observed, while the proportion of correct responses decreased for the other question. Student’s responses to two out of five attitude questions were significantly more positive. The proportion of students who recognized the importance of climate change education, to inform patients and society about the health impacts of climate change, increased. Moreover, survey results indicated a significant increase in climate worry subsequent to the game. Eleven students participated in the focus group discussions. Thematic analysis highlighted participants’ reflections on the roles and responsibilities in climate change and health, along with their realisation of the tools for action that climate and health co-benefits provide. Another significant aspect was the importance participants placed on learning alongside peers with diverse attitudes. Additionally, participants appreciated the tangible overview of climate change and health provided by the serious game.ConclusionsOur novel serious game addressed an important gap in the medical curriculum. The game can enable medical students to cultivate the necessary knowledge and attitudes to promote health in times of a climate crisis. The accompanying climate worry needs attention through the empowerment of students’ agency to foster change.

Medical students' professionalism attributes, knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward COVID-19 and attitudes toward care provision during pandemic amidst the COVID-19 outbreak according to their demographics and mental health.

This study examines various aspects related to medical professionalism in medical students during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, focusing on their medical professionalism attributes, KPA (knowledge, practices, and attitudes) toward COVID-19 and attitudes toward provision of care in pandemic. We assessed whether these aspects related to medical professionalism were varied by their demographics and mental health level. Six questionnaires related to medical professionalism were distributed online to medical students in six grades at a single medical school. A one-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences in scores related to medical professionalism based on their demographics, for examples, gender, grade, residence, religion, as well as their mental health levels. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine correlations between each variable. Female students scored higher on medical professionalism attributes and attitudes toward duty-to-care than male students. Medical professionalism attribute scores were higher with higher relationship satisfaction and resilience levels but lower with higher anxiety levels. Furthermore, these scores were significantly associated with attitudes toward COVID-19 preparedness. However, COVID-19 knowledge and practice scores were negatively associated with attitudes toward COVID-19 preparedness and careers after graduation. Meanwhile, students who took the leave of absence related to 2020 doctors' strike had significantly lower scores on attitudes toward COVID-19 preparedness and duty to care than those who did not. Our findings suggest that mental health of medical students is strongly related to their various aspects related to medical professionalism, especially their attitudes toward COVID-19 preparedness. Good mental health was positively linked to medical professionalism attributes and attitudes toward COVID-19 preparedness. However, knowledge and practice of COVID-19 were negatively associated with willingness to participate in the pandemic response. Additionally, the experience of the 2020 leave of absence impacted the attitudes of medical students toward COVID-19 preparedness (p=0.015) and their duty to care (p=0.012) negatively.

Attitude and Perception of Preclinical Undergraduate Medical Students about Problem Based Learning in Medical College of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Problem-based learning is a student-centered learning method. Assessing students’ understanding, settled way of thinking and interpretation towards problem-based learning is essential. The objective of the study was to understand the attitude and perception of preclinicalM.B.B.S. students about problem-based learning.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July 5, 2023 to September 4, 2023 for the duration of two months after duly approval from Institutional Review Committee (Protocol No: IRC-LMC-04/Q-23). First and second year M.B.B.S. students who had good experience of attending problem-based learning sessions in integrated basic science subjects were included in the study.Fifteen close-ended questions related to attitude and perceptions were designed in Google Form. The responses were taken on five point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1), disagree (2), neutral (3), agree (4), and strongly agree (5). Data were expressed as frequency and percentage.Results: Among 164 participants, 92 (56.09%) strongly agreed and 67 (40.87%) agreed that problem based learning enhances self-directed learning on the topic. Similarly, 103 (62.80%) strongly agreed and 59 (35.98%) agreed that problem based learning improves communication skills. Likewise, 78(47.57%) agreed and 53 (32.32%) strongly agreed that this learning method improves confidence in decision-making. Moreover, 89 (54.28%) agreed and 58 (35.36%) strongly agreed that tutors motivate students to learn themselves through problem based learning.Conclusions: Majority of the students have positive attitude and good perception towards problem based learning. This method helps in generating skills like communication skills, group discussion, constructive critical reasoning, decision–making.

Perceptions of attitudes toward statistics among medical undergraduates: insights from a regional medical college in China.

Among Chinese medical students, medical statistics is often perceived as a formidable subject. While existing research has explored the attitudes of Chinese postgraduate medical students towards statistics and its impact on academic performance, there is a scarcity of studies examining the attitudes of Chinese medical undergraduates on this subject. This study endeavors to scrutinize the attitudes of Chinese medical undergraduates towards statistics, assessing their ramifications on learning achievements, and delving into the influence of demographic factors. 1266 medical undergraduates participated in this study, completing a questionnaire that included SATS-36 and additional queries. Furthermore, an examination was administered at the end of the medical statistics course. The analysis encompassed the SATS score and exam scores, examining both the overall participant population and specific demographic subgroups. Undergraduate medical students generally exhibit a favorable disposition towards statistics concerning Affect, Cognitive Competence, and Value components, yet harbor less favorable sentiments regarding the Difficulty component of SATS-36, aligning with previous research findings. In comparison to their postgraduate counterparts, undergraduates display heightened enthusiasm for medical statistics. However, they demonstrate a lower cognitive capacity in statistics and tend to underestimate both the value and difficulty of learning statistics. Despite these disparities, undergraduate medical students express a genuine interest in statistics and exhibit a strong dedication to mastering the subject. It is noteworthy that students' attitudes toward statistics may be influenced by their major and gender. Additionally, there exists a statistically significant positive correlation between learning achievement and the Affect, Cognitive Competence, Value, Interest, and Effort components of the SATS-36, while a negative correlation is observed with the Difficulty component. Educators should carefully consider the influence of attitudes toward statistics, especially the variations observed among majors and genders when formulating strategies and curricula to enhance medical statistics education.

Effect of pharmaceutical promotion and incentives offered by pharmaceutical companies on the prescribing pattern of medical students: a cross-sectional study from a developing nation Pakistan

BackgroundPharmaceutical companies continuously pursue healthcare professionals, starting from the medical college level, which can ultimately lead to irrational prescribing of drugs and antibiotics. Therefore, our main aim was to evaluate the opinions and attitudes of medical students toward pharmaceutical promotion.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional online survey that applied the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected from three public and three private sector medical colleges in Punjab, Pakistan using snowball sampling. A modified version of a pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect data between October 2020 and January 2021. Medical students from the third year onward were captivated. The tool was made available on Google Forms and students could access it by clicking the link shared. The effect of promotion on prescribing pattern and future prescribing of antibiotics were measured. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-test were used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 1,301 students filled out the survey, but only 1,227 responses were acceptable. The average age was found to be 23.4 ± 1.59 years. Slightly more than half of the respondents were male participants (57.7%), and a significant proportion (84.1%) reported being aware of pharmaceutical promotion. A smaller number (27.7%) felt that physicians who meet medical representatives more frequently tend to prescribe more antibiotics and 46.3% indicated they would be willing to prescribe antibiotics under the promotional influence. Medical students who were male, in senior college years, attended government institutions, and had lower parental income showed significantly higher perception and attitude scores (p < 0.05) which, in turn, may show their inclination to promotional activities. Many students agreed with the view that pharmaceutical promotion (PP) activities may alter prescribing practices and also believed that they contribute to the increased irrational prescribing of drugs and antibiotics.ConclusionThe study revealed that only a small number of students are willing to engage in promotional activities and accept rewards, which influences their choice toward selection of drugs and antibiotics. This study highlighted the necessity of giving proper educational instructions regarding the promotion of drugs to medical students. This study also focused on the educational prerequisites of the students.

HEXACO personality traits, spiritual intelligence, and views on euthanasia among medical students: a moderation analysis

The ethical dilemma of euthanasia presents a significant challenge in medical practice. The attitudes of medical students toward euthanasia can be shaped by a variety of factors, such as their personal beliefs, values, and personality traits. This study explored the intricate relationship between personality traits, as outlined by the model, and medical students’ attitudes toward euthanasia, with a particular focus on the potential moderating effect of spiritual intelligence. In this cross-sectional study, 219 medical students from Zahedan, Iran, including 85 males and 134 females, were selected in 2022 using a non-random convenience sampling method. Participants provided socio-demographic information, including age, gender, and medical degree. They were also evaluated using the spiritual intelligence self-report inventory, the 24-item brief HEXACO inventory, and the euthanasia attitude scale (EAS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 29 and included both descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical linear regression). The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between the personality trait of openness to experience and favorable attitudes toward euthanasia. In contrast, there was a negative correlation between EAS scores and spiritual intelligence, as well as the honesty-humility dimension of personality. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that spiritual intelligence moderated the relationship between EAS scores and the associated personality traits. The study underscores the importance of understanding how HEXACO personality traits and spiritual intelligence influence medical students’ attitudes toward euthanasia. This insight is vital for medical educators and policymakers in creating educational programs that foster critical thinking, empathy, and ethical decision-making in future healthcare professionals. Additionally, this knowledge can guide the formulation of euthanasia policies that respect the diverse viewpoints and values within the medical community.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding self-medication for acne among medical students in Beni-Suef University.

To evaluate medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-medication practices for acne vulgaris. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Beni-Suef University's Faculty of Medicine from January 2023 to June 2023. A pre-structured questionnaire was used for the study. A total of 297 students (85.1 %) used self-medications for acne without a prescription. The total knowledge score of self-medication among the study participants was 3.81 ± 2.23. About 71.4 % knew about precautions, and 72.7 % of the participants reported that self-medication is part of self-care. There was a statistical significance between the total mean knowledge score and age (p=0.007), gender (p=0.013), and academic year (p=0.001). A significant portion of students self-medicate about acne. The total knowledge score of self-medication was to some extent not relatively high. Educational programs can be developed to increase medical students' awareness of the risks and benefits of self-medication, information on appropriate use of medications, and when to seek medical attention.

Factors Associated with Medical Students' Attitudes About Cost-Conscious Care: A Mixed-Methods Multi-school Study.

Because physician practices contribute to national healthcare expenditures, initiatives aimed at educating physicians about high-value cost-conscious care (HVCCC) are important. Prior studies suggest that the training environment influences physician attitudes and behaviors towards HVCCC. To explore the relationship between medical student experiences and HVCCC attitudes. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of a multi-institutional survey. Medical students from nine US medical schools. A 44-item survey that included the Maastricht HVCCC Attitudes Questionnaire, a validated tool for assessing HVCCC attitudes, was administered electronically. Attitudinal domains of high-value care (HVC), cost incorporation (CI), and perceived drawbacks (PD) were compared using one-way ANOVA among students with a range of exposures. Open text responses inviting participants to reflect on their attitudes were analyzed using classical content analysis. A total of 740 students completed the survey (response rate 15%). Students pursuing a "continuity-oriented" specialty held more favorable attitudes towards HVCCC than those pursuing "technique-oriented" specialties (HVC sub-score = 3.20 vs. 3.06; p = 0.005, CI sub-score = 2.83 vs. 2.74; p < 0.001). Qualitative analyses revealed personal, educational, and professional experiences shape students' HVCCC attitudes, with similar experiences interpreted differently leading to both more and less favorable attitudes. Students pursuing specialties with longitudinal patient contact may be more enthusiastic about practicing high-value care. Life experiences before and during medical school shape these attitudes, and complex interactions between these forces drive student perceptions of HVCCC.

Cluster analysis of medical students’ attitudes regarding people who use drugs: a first step to design a tailored education program

IntroductionPeople with substance use disorder (SUD) deal with stigmatization in various areas of life, including healthcare system. In this study, we investigated the attitudes of final-year medical students towards SUD people and attempted to understand their influence.MethodsWe conducted a two-stage cluster analysis (hierarchical ascending classification followed by K-means clustering) based on the “beSAAS”. We administrated this 23-item questionnaire to 923 final-year medical students in Belgium (response rate = 71,1%). Sociodemographic characteristics were compared between the clusters.ResultsFour clusters of students with specific characteristics were identified in this study. The first, “The Inclusives” (including 27,9% of respondents) had the least negative attitudes; they wanted to specialize mainly in psychiatry and gynecology. The second, “The Centrists" (23,6%) consisted mainly of male students. They had many private and professional experiences with substance use and considered themselves less healthy than others did. Most wanted to specialize in pediatrics and general practice. Their attitudes were slightly negative towards people with SUD. The third, “The Moralists” (27,6%), were mainly older, from non-European countries, had the least experience with substance use (or contact mainly in hospitals), had the less high mother’s level of education and reported excellent health. They were heading toward other specialties. They had the most stereotypes and moralism, and less treatment optimism. The fourth, “The Specialist care-oriented” (20,8%), were the most in favor of specialized treatment. This group had a higher proportion of Belgian, females, and students who had specific contact with this population. They especially intended to specialize in internal medicine.ConclusionThis study revealed 4 profiles of medical students with different attitudes towards SUD people. “The Moralists”, including more than a quarter of the respondents, were characterized by strong stereotypes and moralism and little treatment optimism. These clusters could contribute to the design of a learner-centered program aimed at addressing stigma within the main curriculum.

Contraception and abortion attitudes among military medical students: An exploratory study

ObjectivesTo investigate military medical students’ attitudes toward contraception and abortion after clerkships. Study designWe adapted a survey of civilian medical student attitudes for military students. We asked how clerkships changed perspectives and comfort discussing these topics. ResultsEighty-five (85%) of 100 respondents felt more comfortable discussing contraception and abortion after clerkships. More students changed perspectives on contraception than abortion (29% vs 17%, p = 0.043). Students noted limited exposure to abortion. ConclusionsClerkships increased comfort discussing contraception and abortion but were unlikely to change their attitudes. ImplicationsMore exposure to abortion care is needed.

Attitude and willingness on gamete donation among medical students: An experience from a state university in Sri Lanka

Objective: To assess the attitude and willingness of medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, regarding gamete donation. Methods: An institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, from September 2022 to May 2023 among undergraduate medical students who gave their voluntary participation. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a study instrument to collect data regarding their attitude and willingness toward gamete donation. Results: A total of 345 participants were recruited and their socio-demographic data revealed that 56.8% of the participants were female, 62.3% aged between 26 and 30 years, and 92.2% were unmarried. Many of them received information regarding gamete donations during their clinical appointments. Over half (67.8%) of them showed a negative attitude towards gamete donation. Regarding willingness, only 39.7% of participants had a positive approach for being a gamete donor; among them, 84.7% preferred anonymous donations. Religion and ethnicity had a significant influence on their attitudes and willingness. In addition, male was also found to be more willing to donate gametes. Conclusions: Most medical students have negative views about gamete donation. Imparting awareness and knowledge of assisted reproductive technology and gamete donation within medical students' sociocultural and ethical backgrounds might facilitate a change in attitude towards gamete donation amongst future medical practitioners.

Attitudes of first and sixth year medical faculty students towards sexual assault victims: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: Sexual violence encompasses a range of coercive behaviors, from verbal harassment to forced penetration, and includes from social pressure and intimidation to the application of physical force. Sexual violence has numerous mental and physical health consequences on the individual. Although physicians recognize their crucial role in caring for sexual violence victims, various attitudes and behaviors hinder their fulfillment of these roles. In our study, the aim was to determine the attitudes of first and sixth-year medical faculty students towards sexual assault victims and the socio-demographic factors influencing these attitudes. Materials and methods: A total of 370 voluntary first- and sixth-year students enrolled in the 2021-2022 academic year at Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine were administered a questionnaire comprising socio-demographic characteristics, the "Social Attitudes Scale Towards Sexual Assault Victims," and questions assessing their knowledge of forensic medicine regarding sexual assault. Results: Our study found that 55.9% of the medical faculty students who participated were female, with an average age of 20.83±2.85 years. 56.5% were first-year students. 18.9% reported that they or someone close to them had been subjected to behavior considered as sexual assault. The average score of the participants in the Social Attitudes Scale towards Sexual Assault Victims was determined to be 95.29. It was statistically significant that women aged between 17-22 and those with a high monthly family income had higher average scores on the scale. It was found that 17.3% of the participants answered all six forensic medical questions correctly. The total scores of female students on the Social Attitudes Scale Towards Sexual Assault Victims and the scores of the behavior and thought sub-dimensions were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of male students. Conclusion: It was determined that participants generally held a positive attitude towards sexual assault victims. Factors contributing to this positive attitude included higher parental education levels, the influence of education received during medical school and preceding periods, and social environments.

Отношение студентов медицинского университета к элективной дисциплине по снижению веса

The organization of high-quality education in the university is one of the priority tasks of the state. The modernization of medical education in the modern era involves the development and emergence of new elective disciplines related to the subject, physical education and sports. The work cites the attitude of medical students to the weight loss project implemented by the Department of Physical Culture and Sports at the Privolzhsky Research Medical University. The survey of 50 students participating in this project is being analyzed. Research on the opinions of students of the medical university in the future will help improve practical classes and the theoretical basis of the elective discipline of weight loss for students of the medical university.

Attitudes of Polish Medical Students toward Organ Donation in Cases of Brain Death.

(1) The aim of our study was to determine the attitudes of medical students toward organ donation in the case of brain death. (2) The study was conducted among 1348 medical students from three medical universities in Poland. The research tool was the Polish version of the standardized questionnaire concerning attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) [PCID-DTO RIOS: A questionnaire designed by the 'International Collaborative Organ Donation project about organ transplantation and donation]. (3) Some sources of information on organ donation were found to have a significant impact on the recipients' knowledge of brain death. These were books, friends, family, lectures in other centers, social media, and the Church. Medical students holding the opinion that recovery and leading a normal lifestyle after brain death is impossible were significantly more likely to donate their organs after death, not for religious reasons and not because they wanted to survive their own death. (4) The medical students in our study showed a high level of awareness and favorable attitudes toward ODT. However, the number of registered donors was low. It is important to educate students on these issues to raise the awareness of both future medical professionals and the public on organ transplantation procedures. The public should be made aware that transplantation procedures are of a high standard, and that the law protects both donors and recipients. These measures would reduce recipients' waiting time, and certainly increase the statistics of the number of life-saving and health-saving procedures.

Attitude of undergraduate medical students towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: A cross-sectional study.

Euthanasia is categorically prohibited in Pakistan by Islamic law, but a clash of opinions among doctors and human rights advocates still prevails. As a result, medical students are becoming concerned about its practice and this problem needs to be addressed. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Faisalabad Medical University (FMU), Pakistan, from April 2023 to May 2023, using random sampling and statistical programme SPSS version 25, to assess the attitudes of medical students regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Despite the conditions and scenarios presented to the students, most of them expressed opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide because of their religious beliefs and optimistic approach to life. Most of them favoured palliative care and passive euthanasia. Some students showed compliance with euthanasia even though it is equivalent to murder in Islam. Such contrasting results can baffle a physician to make wise decisions. Hence, it must be covered in medical curriculum in depth in order to help the future physicians clearly understand its practice under all circumstances.

Medical Student and Faculty Attitudes Toward Translanguaging with Spanish-Speaking Patients

Background: Spanish is the second most common US language, and Spanish speakers commonly translanguage—spontaneously integrate multiple languages. Medical language courses have proliferated, yet learner and faculty attitudes about translanguaging with patients remain unexplored. Also, it is unclear whether medical Spanish courses address real-world patient linguistic practices, such as translanguaging. Methods: We applied a community cultural wealth framework to identify translanguaging practices relevant to patient-physician communication: regionalisms, Spanglish, and non-standard language usage. From January 2020 to May 2021, we surveyed students (n=355) and faculty (n=14) in a standardized medical Spanish course at 14 sites on their attitudes toward translanguaging practices. Results: Regionalisms were the most widely accepted translanguaging practice by both students and faculty, and this opinion was reinforced by the course (94% pre vs. 95% post-course agreement; p=0.045). Student agreement with Spanglish was moderate and declined post-course (58% vs. 55%; p&lt;0.001). Faculty were likelier than students to be accepting of non-standard language usage (57% faculty vs. 5% students; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Medical students and faculty reported mixed attitudes about translanguaging practices in healthcare, and taking a medical Spanish course had variable effects on student responses. Future work should focus on developing and evaluating medical Spanish educational pedagogies that explicitly incorporate real-world patient perspectives and promote flexible language use that prioritizes mutual respect and understanding.

Psychological Factors Influencing Attitudes towards Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and Palliative Care among Medical Students and Doctors in Training.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the attitudes of medical students, Polish and classical philology students and trainee doctors towards the legalisation and practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide, to explore their beliefs about palliative care and to identify the cognitive, behavioural and emotional factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: An anonymous 22-question survey was sent by email to 670 participants, who comprised students of medicine, students of Polish and classical philology and trainee physicians. Results: Out of the 670 people invited to the survey, 313 (46.72%) responded; 215 (68.69%) and 112 (35.80%) participants supported the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide, respectively. No differences were found between the respondent groups studied. The respondents' attitudes were influenced by religion, place of residence and professed values in the doctor-patient relationship. Among the medical students and trainee doctors surveyed, the declared willingness to perform euthanasia was lower, with 90 (43.7%) people, than the support for its legalisation, with 135 (65.5%) people. Significantly higher support for palliative care was expressed by fifth- and sixth-year medical students and trainee doctors, with 88 respondents (89.89%), less support was expressed by first- and fourth-year medical students, with 74 respondents (68.5%), and the lowest support was observed among Polish and classical philology students, with 63 respondents (58.9%). Conclusions: The legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide was supported by more than two-thirds and one-third of all the respondents, respectively, with the majority of medical students and trainee doctors surveyed expressing uncertainty or lack of readiness towards their practice. More than 70% of all the respondents showed a positive opinion towards palliative care, with the lowest support being among Polish and classical philology students.

Factors influencing death attitudes of medical students: a scoping review.

To summarize factors influencing death attitudes of medical students, help identify intervention targets, and design precision interventions for improving death attitudes of medical students. Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, OVID, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched. Retrieval time was from January 2012 to September 2023. Studies on factors influencing death attitudes of medical students were included. Thirty-five studies were included in the final review. A total of 28 factors influencing death attitudes of medical students were summarized and divided into three categories comprising personal factors, social factors, and psychological factors. More than 15 studies confirmed that gender, religion, and discussing death with families were factors that influenced medical students' death attitudes. Results indicate that there are many types of factors that influence death attitudes of medical students. It is necessary for universities to implement death education based individual characteristics and guide medical students to cultivate generally optimistic death attitudes and appropriate life values.

Perception, Knowledge, Indications, and Future Prospects of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become integral across medical specialties globally, addressing clinical queries, guiding procedures, and bridging the gap between physical examination and advanced imaging. Early ultrasound training for medical students enhances clinical decision-making and reduces diagnostic errors. Aims To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of senior medical students towards POCUS and to assess knowledge gaps and difficulties encountered by senior medical students to assist in the development of future curricula. Methodology This is an observational, cross-sectional approach to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice ofPOCUSamong senior medical students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from January to September 2023. An electronic questionnaire was distributed through online platforms utilizing medical school databases across various regions. The survey encompassed sociodemographics, training methods, diagnostic indications, and participants' self-reported proficiency and attitudes toward POCUS. The data was chiefly collected using the Likert scale. Descriptive statisticswere used to describe the quantitative and categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine correlations. Results A total of 359 senior medical students completed the survey. Most responders were females (57.9%) with the predominating age group being ≤ 24 years (83.6%). The students predominantly were from the Central region of Saudi Arabia (75.5%). Ultrasound training varied among responders; 31.5% received formal courses (median duration: two hours) and 23.4% informal courses (median duration: four hours). Around 17.3% practiced POCUS self-teaching (median duration: four hours). A total of 3.6% had formal POCUS accreditation. A gargantuan 82.2% never used POCUS in their attached hospital for a variety of reasons.Multivariable logistic binary regression analysis showed a positive correlationbetween students' self-teaching of POCUS and their perceived difficulty performing an ultrasound examination for patients in daily practice. Discussion A comparable study was done at King Saud binAbdulazizUniversity for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in 2022 surveying 229 senior medical students byRajendramet al. In their study, 21.4% completed formal courses and 12.7% took informal courses. While many students in our study were not exposed to POCUS (82.2%), KSAU-HS reported a higher percentage reaching 94.8%. A study by Russel et al. demonstrated more than half of 154 surveyed medical schools in the United States have implemented POCUS into their students' curriculum. Conclusion POCUS stands as a valuable skill that can enhance the educational journey of undergraduate medical students. Considering that a significant number of participants haven't yet taken formal medical school courses suggests a lack of awareness about its significance in the medical field. Offering additional courses with practical components could enhance the proficiency, confidence, and outlook of medical students toward POCUS.

Community food insecurity experts may improve medical student attitudes and self-efficacy in caring for older adults.

Community food insecurity experts may improve medical student attitudes and self-efficacy in caring for older adults.