Experiences Of Medical Students Research Articles

Alleviating stressfeeding in the emergency department: Elucidating the tensions induced by workplace lactation space issues.

Women remain underrepresented in the emergency medicine (EM) workforce, academic EM, and institutional leadership. In order to support women physicians in EM, we must explore factors that contribute to attrition and workplace satisfaction. For example, tensions between workplace and familial roles are important to consider as women navigate careers in EM. The logistics and stressors of workplace lactation pose a particular challenge during an already stressful time for a new mother returning to work in a busy emergency department (ED), but limited empirical data exist regarding this experience. We aimed to explore the stressors associated with workplace lactation spaces in order to better inform the creation of lactation spaces for individuals working in EDs. Our team used an exploratory qualitative design to investigate lactation-specific stressors and understand their relationship to individuals' needs when lactating in EM workplace environments. A total of 40 individuals were interviewed, highlighting post-pregnancy return-to-work (RTW) experiences of medical students, residents, advanced practice professionals, nurses, fellows, and faculty. Interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. We identified both tangible and intangible characteristics of lactation spaces that contribute to stress for lactating individuals. Additionally, we discovered that participants frequently noted a desire to work simultaneously while pumping in order to feel they were self-actualizing in their dual roles of parent and clinician. Among tangible items, access to a computer within lactation space was a key driver of ability to fulfill dual roles. Among intangible characteristics, we identified three distinct, yet interrelated, subthemes, including the need for lactation spaces to be respectful of individuals' time, privacy, and general health and well-being. This study suggests that meeting basic lactation needs with thoughtfully designed lactation spaces can empower individuals in their roles both as a lactating parent and a clinician. EM leadership can evaluate existing lactation spaces to ensure they meet the tangible and intangible needs of lactating physicians, trainees, advanced practice professionals, and nurses.

Evaluation of high-fidelity and virtual reality simulation platforms for assessing fourth-year medical students’ encounters with patients in need of urgent or emergent care

Background Medical students in the U.S. must demonstrate urgent and emergent care competence before graduation. Urgent and emergent care competence involves recognizing, evaluating and initiating management of an unstable patient. High-fidelity (HF) simulation can improve urgent and emergent care skills, but because it is resource intense, alternative methods are needed. Study Objective Our primary purpose was to use program evaluations to compare medical student experiences with HF and virtual reality (VR) simulations as assessment platforms for urgent and emergent care skills. Methods During their emergency medicine clerkship, students at The Ohio State University College of Medicine must demonstrate on HF manikins, competence in recognizing and initiating care of a patient requiring urgent or emergent care. Students evaluated these simulations on a five-point quality scale and answered open-ended questions about simulation strengths and weaknesses. Faculty provided feedback on student competence in delivering urgent or emergent care. In 2022, we introduced VR as an alternative assessment platform. We used Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Boxplots to compare ratings of HF to VR and McNemar Test to compare competence ratings. Comments were analyzed with summative content analysis or thematic coding. Results We received at least one evaluation survey from 160 of 216 (74.1%) emergency medicine clerkship students. We were able to match 125 of 216 (57.9%) evaluation surveys for students who completed both. Average ratings of HF simulations were 4.6 of 5, while ratings of VR simulations were slightly lower at 4.4. Comments suggested that feedback from both simulation platforms was valued. Students described VR as novel, immersive, and good preparation for clinical practice. Constructive criticism identified the need for additional practice in the VR environment. Student performance between platforms was significantly different with 91.7% of students achieving competence in HF, but only 65.5% in VR (p≤.001, odds-ratio = 5.75). Conclusion VR simulation functions similarly to HF for formative assessment of urgent and emergent care competence. However, using VR simulation for summative assessment of urgent and emergent care competence must be considered with caution because students require considerable practice and acclimation to the virtual environment.

Factors associated with satisfaction of the australian rural resident medical officer cadetship program: results from a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAustralian Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetships are awarded to medical students interested in a rural medical career. The Rural Residential Medical Officer Cadetship Program (Cadetship Program) is administered by the Rural Doctors Network on behalf of the NSW Ministry of Health. This study aimed to assess the overall experience of medical students and key factors that contributed to their satisfaction with the Cadetship Program.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 107 former cadets who had completed the Cadetship Program. Data on medical students’ experience with the Cadetship Program (outcome variable) and potential explanatory variables were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Explanatory variables included gender, geographical location, rural health club membership, rural clinical school attendance, financial support, mentorship benefits, networking opportunities, influence on career decisions, opportunity for preferential placements, and relocation. Both bivariate (Pearson’s chi-squared test) and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to identify the factors associated with medical students’ overall experience with the Cadetship Program. The non-linear analysis was weighted to represent the rural/remote health workforce, in Stata/SE 14.1.ResultsOur results indicate that 91% of medical students were satisfied with the Cadetship Program. The logistic regression model identified two significant predictors of a positive experience with the Cadetship Program. Medical students who perceived financial support as beneficial were significantly more likely to report a satisfactory program experience (aOR = 6.22, 95% CI: 1.36–28.44, p = 0.019) than those who perceived financial support as not beneficial. Similarly, those who valued networking opportunities were more likely to have a positive view of their cadetship experience (aOR = 10.06, 95% CI: 1.11–91.06, p = 0.040) than their counterparts.ConclusionOur study found that students who valued financial support and networking opportunities had the most positive views of the Cadetship Program. These findings demonstrate that the Cadetship Program may be most helpful for those who need financial support and for students who seek networking opportunities. These findings increase our knowledge about the characteristics of medical students who have the most positive experiences with the Cadetship Program. They help us to understand the mechanisms of influence of such programs on individuals’ decisions to be part of the future rural health workforce.

Medical students experience in working in a public COVID-19 telehealth program: a descriptive study

BackgroundGiven the health and social needs generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil, implemented a teleconsultation and telemonitoring program to assist patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, the TeleCOVID-MG program. The telemonitoring service was conducted by medical students, under the supervision of a physician. The main goal of this study was to analyze the experience of the students while collaborating on the aforementioned telemonitoring program.MethodsA questionnaire with 27 questions was developed to address the participation of the students in the telehealth program. The questionnaire included questions about the student’s profile, the system usability, and the satisfaction in participating in such a telehealth program. The questionnaire was generated on Google Forms® platform and sent via email to each student who was part of the telemonitoring team.ResultsSixty students were included in the analysis (median age 25 years-old [interquartile range 24–26], 70% women). Of those, 61.6% collaborated on the telehealth program for more than 6 months, 65.1% performed more than 100 telemonitoring calls, 95.2% reported difficulties in contacting the patient through phone calls; 60.3% believe some patients might have felt insecure about being approached by medical students and not by graduate professionals; and 39.6% reported eventual system instabilities. The main strengths reported by the students were related to the system usability and to the self-perception of the quality of healthcare delivered to the patients. Even though 68.3% of the students mentioned technical difficulties, 96.6% reported that they were promptly solved. Finally, 98.3% believed that the program was useful and would recommend it to an acquaintance.ConclusionThis study reports a successful experience of undergraduate medical students in a COVID-19 telemonitoring program. Overall, the medical students were satisfied with their participation, especially considering the continuity of clinical practice remotely during a period of classes suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic and their important role in the assistance of patients from low-income regions, which has minimized the health system burden in an emergency context.

Examining the impact of self-stigma on workplace well-being: an empirical investigation of medical students with physical disabilities in China and the moderating role of trait mindfulness

BackgroundAs societal evolution unfolds in China, individuals with physical disabilities are increasingly provided opportunities in higher education, particularly in the field of medicine. However, these medical students often encounter bias in their work environments, including during internships, which fosters self-stigma and impedes their experience for workplace well-being (WWB). Such a decrease in WWB detrimentally affects not only their mental health in the workplace but also hinders their sense of personal worth and assimilation into broader society. This study aims to examine the challenges faced by medical students with physical disabilities in China as they aspire to achieve WWB, and to explore potential intervention strategies.MethodsLeveraging cognitive consistency theory (CCT), we introduces a conceptual framework to examine the relationships among self-stigma, perceived discrimination, and WWB. It also investigates the role of trait mindfulness as a potential mitigating factor in this dynamic. We employed the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Discrimination Perception Questionnaire (DPQ), Workplace Well-being Subscale (WWBS), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to survey 316 medical students with physical disabilities. Statistical analyses, including correlation, regression, and moderated mediation effect assessments, were conducted using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 24.0.ResultsA notable negative correlation exists between self-stigma and WWB (r = -0.56, p < 0.01). Perceived discrimination partially mediates the relationship between self-stigma and WWB. The direct effect of self-stigma and its mediating effect through perceived discrimination account for 60.71% and 21.43% of the total effect, respectively. Trait mindfulness moderates the latter part of this mediating pathway. Moderation models indicate that trait mindfulness has a significant negative moderating effect on the impact of perceived discrimination on WWB (β = -0.10, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSelf-stigma adversely affects the positive work experiences of medical students with physical disabilities by eliciting a heightened sensitivity to discriminatory cues, thereby undermining their WWB. Trait mindfulness can effectively counter the detrimental effects of perceived discrimination on WWB. Consequently, this study advocates for the systematic incorporation of mindfulness training into educational services and workplace enhancement programs for medical students with disabilities, aiming to foster an inclusive and supportive external environment.

Examining the impact of self-stigma on workplace well-being: an empirical investigation of medical students with physical disabilities in China and the moderating role of trait mindfulness

BackgroundAs societal evolution unfolds in China, individuals with physical disabilities are increasingly provided opportunities in higher education, particularly in the field of medicine. However, these medical students often encounter bias in their work environments, including during internships, which fosters self-stigma and impedes their experience for workplace well-being (WWB). Such a decrease in WWB detrimentally affects not only their mental health in the workplace but also hinders their sense of personal worth and assimilation into broader society. This study aims to examine the challenges faced by medical students with physical disabilities in China as they aspire to achieve WWB, and to explore potential intervention strategies.MethodsLeveraging cognitive consistency theory (CCT), we introduces a conceptual framework to examine the relationships among self-stigma, perceived discrimination, and WWB. It also investigates the role of trait mindfulness as a potential mitigating factor in this dynamic. We employed the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Discrimination Perception Questionnaire (DPQ), Workplace Well-being Subscale (WWBS), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to survey 316 medical students with physical disabilities. Statistical analyses, including correlation, regression, and moderated mediation effect assessments, were conducted using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 24.0.ResultsA notable negative correlation exists between self-stigma and WWB (r = -0.56, p < 0.01). Perceived discrimination partially mediates the relationship between self-stigma and WWB. The direct effect of self-stigma and its mediating effect through perceived discrimination account for 60.71% and 21.43% of the total effect, respectively. Trait mindfulness moderates the latter part of this mediating pathway. Moderation models indicate that trait mindfulness has a significant negative moderating effect on the impact of perceived discrimination on WWB (β = -0.10, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSelf-stigma adversely affects the positive work experiences of medical students with physical disabilities by eliciting a heightened sensitivity to discriminatory cues, thereby undermining their WWB. Trait mindfulness can effectively counter the detrimental effects of perceived discrimination on WWB. Consequently, this study advocates for the systematic incorporation of mindfulness training into educational services and workplace enhancement programs for medical students with disabilities, aiming to foster an inclusive and supportive external environment.

The conditional inclusion of Muslims in medicine: intersectional experiences of Muslim medical students at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine from 1887-1964

Background: Archival research has unearthed processes of exclusion impacting the experiences of Black, female, and Jewish communities at Canadian medical schools. However, the history of Muslim medical students is little known. Our research is the first known study to examine when Muslim medical students with varying identities were first admitted to the University of Toronto’s (UofT) Faculty of Medicine (FoM) and their experiences. Knowing this history can contribute to ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts in medical school admissions and curriculum development. Methods: This is an exploratory case study with no clear, single set of expected outcomes. We consulted the UofT’s Archive &amp; Record Management Services and looked for students who self-identified as Muslim in primary documents from the FoM between 1887-1964, including admissions applications, correspondences from the Dean’s Office, photographs, and yearbooks. We analysed the archival data for emerging themes. Results: We found six medical school applicants who self-identified as Muslim (n = 6) and were admitted between 1945 and 1961 and graduated between 1948 and 1966. We also found four (n = 4) postgraduates from one South Asian country who may have been Muslim, and who were granted fellowships from the Canadian government. Conclusions: Self-identified Muslim students were first admitted to the UofT’s FoM in 1945 and continued to be admitted infrequently until 1964. These early students’ experiences included financial hardships despite having privileged backgrounds; discrimination due to being foreign; and conditional inclusion while in medical school. We discuss the study’s continuing contemporary relevance, limitations, and directions for future research.

Applicant Perception and Content Exploration of the 2024 podiatric Residency Interview Process

Considerable resources are dedicated on an annual basis to the podiatric medicine and surgery residency interview by both students and programs. Despite this, relatively little is known about student perception of the process, nor the format and content of interview. The objective of this investigation was to study and organize experiences of fourth-year podiatric medical students following the 2024 Centralized Residency Interview Program (CRIP) process. An anonymous and voluntary survey was developed and made available to fourth year podiatric medical students. It was relatively common for there to be academic, social/personal, case work-up, and rapid-fire academic question components to the interview. It was also very common to be provided with the opportunity to ask programs questions. It was relatively uncommon for there to be ethical/moral questions, personality/psychologic assessments, logic assessments, and hands-on demonstrations. The most common hands-on demonstrations were suturing, hand ties and performance of fixation principles. Relatively high yield academic topics included plain film radiography interpretation, rearfoot/ankle osseous trauma, diabetic foot infection, advanced imaging interpretation, and fixation constructs/principles. When evaluating programs, students placed high value on surgical volume, surgical variety, relative resident autonomy, program location, exposure to outpatient clinics, salary, future connections as a program alumnus, unique off-service rotations, exposure to business management/coding/billing, scope of practice, exposure to inpatient management, resident salary, and who the senior co-residents would be. The results of this investigation provide unique information for both medical students and residency programs with respect to the perception, format and content of the podiatric residency interview process.

What are the experiences of medical students and their trainers regarding undergraduate training in primary health care at four South African medical schools? A qualitative study.

In 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted primary health care (PHC) as the most effective strategy to meet the healthcare needs of communities. This raises the question as to the extent and nature of the training that undergraduate (UG) medical students receive in medical schools regarding PHC, following this statement. The study aim was to explore the experiences of UG medical students and their trainers regarding training in PHC in their institutions. A qualitative study was conducted among UG medical students (MBChB 4-6) and their trainers at four conveniently selected South African medical schools. A total of 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 27 in-depth interviews were conducted among students and their trainers, respectively. The MAXQDA 2020 (Analytics Pro) software program was used to arrange the data, resulting in 2,179 data segments, from which categories, sub-themes and themes were derived. Both the UG medical students and their trainers regarded PHC as mainly an approach to health rather than a level of care. Students were trained by specialists and generalists, received training in the undifferentiated patient, coordinated, comprehensive and continuity of care. The training in tertiary centers, conducted mainly by specialists, the implicitness of the training and the inadequacy of trainers at the PHC settings presented challenges. Students and their trainers experienced UG student training in PHC in line with the internationally recognized principles on the subject. The view by students and their trainers that PHC is an approach rather than a level of care enhanced its training across disciplines. The implicitness of the training and the tertiary learning platforms were the main challenges experienced. For optimum PHC training, more time should be dedicated to distributed training platforms with supportive specialist outreach programs in the South African medical schools.

The other side of the mark sheet: lessons learnt when medical students assess peers in formative clinical examinations.

This study aimed to investigate the experience of medical students assessing their cohort peers in formative clinical assessment. The exercise was designed to provide students with a formative experience prior to their summative assessment, and to determine what students could learn by being on the "other side of the mark sheet." Students were grateful for the experience learning both from the assessment practice, and from the individual written feedback provided immediately afterwards. They also described how much they learnt from seeing the assessment from the assessor's viewpoint, with many students commenting that they learnt more from being the "assessor" than from being the "student" in the process. Students were asked how they felt about being assessed by their peers, with some describing the experience as being more intimidating and stressful than when compared to assessment by clinicians. An interesting aspect of this study is that it also demonstrates some findings which suggest that the students' current learning context appears to have an effect on their attitudes to their peers as assessors. It is possible the competitive cultural milieu of the teaching hospital environment may have a negative effect on medical student collegiality and peer support.

Exploring Preclinical Medical Students' Experience Facilitating Group Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for a Student-Run Mental Health Clinic: A Qualitative Study.

This report explores the experiences of preclinical medical students who led group dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for a student-run LGBTQ + mental health clinic. In the clinic, experienced clinicians trained and supervised preclinical medical students to facilitate DBT groups. The authors conducted a qualitative study to understand the impact of the DBT groups on the student facilitators via semi-structured interviews, which were evaluated using thematic analysis. The clinic hosted nine iterations of group DBT facilitated by preclinical medical students, involving 18 student leaders and 30 patients. Twelve student facilitators were interviewed. Participants had a diverse array of specialty interests and were primarily motivated by the opportunity for early clinical experience. They reported improved clinical skills, increased appreciation of psychotherapy as a treatment modality, and increased interest in incorporating psychotherapy in their future practice. Furthermore, participants reported using DBT skills to cultivate wellbeing during clerkship year and in their personal lives. Offering preclinical medical students the opportunity to lead group DBT therapy is a novel educational model providing early training in psychotherapy techniques. This opportunity for early direct patient experience in a supervised group setting attracted medical students with a diverse range of specialty interests. This model provided medical students specific DBT skills to implement in future patient care interactions and to maintain their personal wellbeing throughout medical training. The broad appeal and lasting effects of this program may prove beneficial at other institutions.

Feeling the responsibility: Exploring the emotional experiences of final-year medical students when carrying out clinical tasks

Purpose The concept of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) is increasingly used to operationalize learning in the clinical workplace, yet little is known about the emotions of learners feeling the responsibility when carrying out professional tasks. Methods We explored the emotional experiences of medical students in their final clerkship year when performing clinical tasks. We used an online reflective diary. Text entries were analysed using inductive-deductive content analysis with reference to the EPA framework and the control-value theory of achievement emotions. Results Students described a wide range of emotions related to carrying out various clinical tasks. They reported positive-activating emotions, ranging from enjoyment to relaxation, and negative-deactivating emotions, ranging from anxiety to boredom. Emotions varied across individual students and were related to the characteristics of a task, an increasing level of autonomy, the students’ perceived ability to perform a task and the level of supervision provided. Discussion Emotions are widely present and impact on the workplace learning of medical students which is related to key elements of the EPA framework. Supervisors play a key role in eliciting positive-activating emotions and the motivation to learn by providing a level of supervision and guidance appropriate to the students’ perceived ability to perform the task.

Negative Impact of Smaller Hometown Size on the Educational Experience of Medical Students: A Nationwide Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective Saudi Arabia's rapid medical education expansion has posed unique challenges for its students, particularly concerning specialty selection. Having broad exposure to medical specialties is crucial for making informed decisions. This study explores how the size of students' hometowns influences their exposure to their preferred specialty, thereby affecting their choice. Methods Our cross-sectional study collected data from medical students in their 4th and 5th years, interns, and graduates across Saudi Arabia. An electronic survey gathered information about medical specialty choice, interest levels, students' self-ranking compared to their peers, and level of exposure to the chosen specialty. Overall exposure to specialties was quantified by tallying participants' experiences in preclinical observerships, didactic lectures, research projects, core and elective rotations, and attended conferences. We divided the students into three city sizes: primary urban centers, intermediate urban cities, and small townships and compared the outcomes between these three groups. Results Responses were obtained from 1,072 participants, with 424 (39.6%) from primary urban centers, 367 (34.2%) from intermediate urban cities, and 281 (26.2%) from small townships. Student hometown size was an independent predictor of specialty exposure, with students from smaller cities reporting lower exposure scores (OR = 0.73, (0.63-0.84), p<0.01). The study also identified gender disparities in exposure, with female students found to be correlated with a lower exposure score (OR = 0.72, (0.58-0.89), p<0.01). Conclusion City size is a significant determinant of specialty exposure for Saudi medical students. These findings highlight the need for initiatives that promote equal educational experiences, ensuring comprehensive specialty exposure to all students.

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.

Optimizing Educational Efficiency: Exploring the Relationship Between Bulk and Clinical Rotation Group Size in Medical Education Students’ Perspective in Busitema University Uganda

Clinical rotation group size plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality, efficiency, and overall student experience in medical education. Despite its significance, determining the ideal group size remains a daunting task. This research endeavors to delve into the correlation between group size and what is termed as "bulk," representing the comprehensive efficiency and productivity of clinical rotation groups. By examining this relationship, the study aims to offer valuable insights into potential strategies for optimizing group size, thereby enhancing the educational experience for medical students. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of productivity metrics with qualitative assessments of student and faculty perceptions. Surveys, interviews, and observational data were utilized to capture the nuances of group dynamics, learning outcomes, and resource utilization across different group sizes. Statistical techniques such as regression analysis and ANOVA were employed to identify significant correlations and differences. Data were collected from medical students undergoing clinical rotations across multiple specialties. Group sizes varied from small (2-3) and large (4 and more). The study measured bulk using indicators such as patient encounters per student, learning outcomes, and faculty-student interaction. Results indicated a nonlinear relationship between bulk and group size. Smaller groups showed higher individual student engagement, personalized learning experiences, and increased faculty-student interaction. Conversely, larger groups exhibited greater overall productivity due to economies of scale and enhanced peer learning. However, beyond a certain threshold, further increases in group size led to diminishing returns, compromising individualized attention and educational quality. The findings underscore the importance of balancing group size to optimize educational outcomes in clinical rotations. While larger groups may offer efficiency gains, they must be carefully managed to mitigate potential drawbacks such as reduced individualized attention and faculty-student interaction. Smaller groups foster a more personalized learning environment but may lack the resource utilization efficiency of larger cohorts. Institutions should consider contextual factors such as specialty, learning objectives, and available resources when determining optimal group sizes. In conclusion, the relationship between bulk and clinical rotation group size is complex, with both benefits and limitations associated with different group sizes. Institutions should strive to strike a balance between efficiency and educational quality by tailoring group sizes to specific contexts and objectives. Further research is needed to explore additional factors influencing bulk and to develop targeted interventions for optimizing clinical rotation experiences.

Exploring Medical Student Experiences With Direct Observation During the Pediatric Clerkship.

Direct observation (DO) enables assessment of vital competencies, such as clinical skills. Despite national requirement that medical students experience DOs during each clerkship, the frequency, length, quality, and context of these DOs are not well established. This study examines the quality, quantity, and characteristics of DOs obtained during pediatrics clerkships across multiple institutions. This multimethod study was performed at 6 U.S.-based institutions from March through October 2022. In the qualitative phase, focus groups and/or semistructured interviews were conducted with third-year medical students at the conclusion of pediatrics clerkships. In the quantitative phase, the authors administered an internally developed instrument after focus group discussions or interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative data were analyzed using anonymous survey responses. Seventy-three medical students participated in 20 focus groups, and 71 (97.3%) completed the survey. The authors identified 7 themes that were organized into key principles: before, during, and after DO. Most students reported their DOs were conducted primarily by residents (62 [87.3%]) rather than attendings (6 [8.4%]) in inpatient settings. Participants reported daily attending observation of clinical reasoning (38 [53.5%]), communication (39 [54.9%]), and presentation skills (58 [81.7%]). One-third reported they were never observed taking a history by an inpatient attending (23 [32.4%]), and one-quarter reported they were never observed performing a physical exam (18 [25.4%]). This study revealed that students are not being assessed for performing vital clinical skills in the inpatient setting by attendings as frequently as previously believed. When observers set expectations, create a safe learning environment, and follow up with actionable feedback, medical students perceive the experience as valuable; however, the DO experience is currently suboptimal. Therefore, a high-quality, competency-based clinical education for medical students is necessary to directly drive future patient care by way of a competent physician workforce.

Examining How Black Women Medical Students Rate Their Experiences with Medical School Mistreatment on the Aamc Graduate Questionnaire.

Few researchers have examined how medical student mistreatment varies by race/ethnicity and gender, specifically highlighting Black women's experiences. Moreover, researchers often fail to use theoretical frameworks when examining the experiences of minoritized populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of mistreatment US Black women medical students experience and how this compared to other students underrepresented in medicine (URiM) using intersectionality as a theoretical framework. We used the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduate Questionnaire (GQ) as the data source for examining descriptive statistics and frequencies. We examined differences between US Black women (N = 2,537) and other URiM students (N = 7,863) with Mann-Whitney U tests. The results from this study highlighted that most Black women medical students did not experience mistreatment, yet a higher proportion of these trainees reported experiencing gendered (χ2(1) = 28.59, p < .01) and racially/ethnically (χ2(1) = 2935.15, p < .01) offensive remarks at higher frequency than their URiM counterparts. We also found US Black women medical students infrequently (27.3%) reported mistreatment from a lack of confidence for advocacy on their behalf, fear of reprisal, and seeing the incident as insignificant. A paucity of research exists on Black women medical students and even less using relevant theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality. Failure to extract Black women's experiences exacerbates alienation, invisibility, and inappropriate attention to their mistreatment.

Perceptions of Medical Students Concerning Online Education

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online education systems worldwide, significantly affecting traditional learning environments. This study examines the perceptions and experiences of medical students at Liaquat University of Medical &amp; Health Sciences (LUMHS) during the enforced online education period, exploring the efficacy and challenges of this sudden transition. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess medical students' perceptions of online education, their engagement with various digital tools, and the effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probability convenience sampling method at LUMHS. The study spanned one month and included undergraduate medical students who consented to participate. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on students' demographics, their experiences with online classes, and the challenges faced. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Review Committee of LUMHS. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and Chi-square tests to assess the relationships between variables. Results: The study comprised 328 participants with a gender distribution of 40.55% male and 59.45% female. Age groups were 18-20 (30.48%), 21-22 (33.55%), and 23-24 (35.97%). Most students preferred online sessions of 40-45 minutes, with significant dissatisfaction reported regarding the educational effectiveness of online learning compared to traditional methods. Technical issues, internet connectivity, and inadequate electrical supplies were significant barriers encountered. Conclusion: The findings highlight the challenges and limitations of sudden transitions to online learning. Despite the proactive measures by educational institutions and government bodies, students faced significant hurdles that impacted their learning experiences. Future educational strategies should consider these insights to enhance the design and delivery of online education, ensuring it is more robust and effective.

Lessons Learned From Early Undergraduate Exposure to the Medical School Curriculum: A Qualitative Analysis.

Students considering the health profession as a career rarely have an opportunity to explore medical school experiences. Pathway programs and "mini-medical school" programs existbut rarely involve integrating participants into the medical school experience. A novelfor-credit undergraduate course was developed to embed students into a clinical skills course for medical students beginning in 2013. To better understand the impact of these experiences, this study explored former students' perceptions and career trajectories. Participants were contacted via email to participate in a virtual, semi-structured interview. Virtual interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three investigators analyzed 17 interview transcripts independently and developed a codebook. Investigators met to discuss common themes and outcomes. Participants received early education on patient interviewing and physical examination skills, healthpolicy, and ultrasound. They noted their course experience was a productive way to gain insight into medical school and often cited it when applying for their chosen professional school. Although not a formal part of the course curriculum, many received guidance on the medical school application process, and some obtained letters of recommendation from physician facilitators. Participants emphasized the sense of belonging within the medical school community and affirmation of pursuing a health professional degree. Participants found their experience to be meaningful and cited it as an influential factor in deciding to pursue a health professional degree. The course could be adopted by other institutions to enhance the variety of pre-health experiences for future medical students or health professionstudents.

What Do LGBTQ+ Medical Students Experience and Need in Medical School? A Multicenter Qualitative Study in Thailand.

This study evaluated the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) attending medical schools in Thailand. Medical students from 4 medical schools in Thailand were recruited in 2022. LGBTQ+ participants were selected via purposive sampling and invited for semistructured interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with 39 students identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, nonbinary, asexual, or androgynous, with a mean age of 21. The experiences of these LGBTQ+ individuals in medical school had 4 themes: (1) normalization of LGBTQ+ identity among friends, or not openly identifying as LGBTQ+ (because it was viewed as unnecessary), facilitated everyday life; (2) fear of negative judgments from being LGBTQ+ by attending physicians and patients; (3) authenticity to sexual or gender identity provided relief; and (4) personal histories of discrimination affected self-disclosure and social dynamics. Overall, approximately 17% of reported stressors were directly associated with participants' LGBTQ+ identity. The identified needs within medical schools comprised 2 themes: (1) treat each other with equal respect (with 3 subthemes: nonjudgmental attitudes supported by effective discrimination reporting systems; more LGBTQ+-related education and extracurricular activities; and activities driven by voluntariness without gender-based selection); and (2) abolishment or amendment of regulations that strictly enforce gender binaries. These amendments could include implementing flexible dress codes, establishing gender-neutral restrooms and dormitories, and introducing gender-neutral titles. Transgendered participants reported experiencing the most significant disparities due to binary regulations and infrastructures. LGBTQ+ medical students in Thailand reported fear of negative perceptions by attending physicians and patients. Exposing everyone, particularly attending physicians, to examples of unintentional discrimination is recommended. There is also a need to promote LGBTQ+-related education and extracurricular activities and to ensure activities and regulations are not gender-divided.