Medical Students Research Articles

Developing Research Skills in Medical Students- Experience from Research Methodology Workshops for Indian Medical Graduates

Developing Research Skills in Medical Students- Experience from Research Methodology Workshops for Indian Medical Graduates

Student Urology Conference Increases Participant Knowledge of Urology Match and Confidence in Research.

To study the impact of a student-specific urology conference for students considering a career in urology. The first symposium specifically for medical students interested in urology was designed to provide an opportunity to present their research, explore urological subspecialties, and network with faculty members, residents, and other students. Medical students and faculty at a U.S. medical school organized the inaugural New England Student Urology Symposium (NESUS). The conference consisted of presentations from faculty members on various urology subspecialties, invited keynote speakers from regional Urology faculty, student poster and oral presentations, a surgical skills fair, and student and faculty panels surrounding the Urology Match and impact on career decision-making. Surveys were administered both before and after the conference to assess student perspectives. 42 medical students attended the conference, representing 21 medical schools from 15 states across all major U.S. regions. Attending the conference was associated with increased knowledge surrounding the Urology Match for students at schools without urology clinical rotations and decreased certainty about pursuing urology as a specialty along with increased comfort with presenting research for all attendees. 100% of student attendees recommended the conference to medical students interested in urology. Our study demonstrates that conference attendees found NESUS to be a valuable opportunity to gain confidence in presenting research, strengthen knowledge about the match process and its competitiveness, and network with faculty, residents, and fellow students. Future student-focused conferences in urology and other specialties should be considered at the regional or national level.

Exploring Factors Influencing US Medical Students’ Choice of Internal Medicine Residency

Exploring Factors Influencing US Medical Students’ Choice of Internal Medicine Residency

Pilot Study on Integrating 3D-Printed Models into Undergraduate Medical Education for Congenital Heart Disease

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing 3D-printed heart models in the education of medical students in a Canadian Medical School. MethodsThree types of 3D-printed models – normal, unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and surgically repaired adult TOF – were provided for medical students in their 2nd year of training after a 30-minute lecture. The repaired TOF model depicted a transannular patch, ventricular septal defect closure, and right ventricular outflow tract resection. Knowledge acquisition was measured by comparing pre-and post-session tests consisting of 5 questions. Learner satisfaction ratings were measured with questionnaires completed after the session. A statistical analysis was performed using the t-test. ResultsTwenty-two medical students participated in the study with 20 students submitting complete data for analysis. The students’ score on 5 questions improved after the 3D-printed model session. The average number of correct answers in the test was 2.1 ± 1.0 pre-session and 4.3 ± 0.9 post-session (P < 0.001) out of the possible total of 5. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction (86.4%), understanding (86.4%), and usefulness (90.9%) with the incorporation of 3D-printed models in the educational session. ConclusionsAn educational session which integrated 3D-printed anatomic models to teach congenital heart disease anatomy significantly enhanced knowledge outcomes. Learner assessment of the impact of the use of the 3D models was highly favourable.

Comparative Analysis of Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics Among Non-Medical and Medical College Students in India

Background: Self-medication is prevalent globally, making the processes easier but raising potential hazards like antibiotic resistance. College students, influenced by social media, exhibit alarming self-medication behaviours. This cross-sectional study surveyed undergraduate students across medical, nursing, and non-health science institutions to assess the self-medication habits, knowledge and attitude of students. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across various educational institutions from August 2023 to February 2024, targeting undergraduate students aged 18 and over. Using a pre-validated questionnaire, data on socio-demography, self-medication with antibiotics, and related knowledge were collected via Google Forms. The sample size was doubled to 1175 for better statistical power. Data analysis was performed using standard statistical tools. Results: Analysis of data demonstrated that a substantive proportion of students self-medicate with antibiotics. For medical students, convenience was the biggest issue and for non-medical students, it was cost-saving coupled with distrust in doctors. The most common complaint received for self-medication was throat pain. Medical students used textbooks for necessary information whereas non-medical students went to local shops for advice. Patterns differed somewhat in comparison with international studies, indicating regional differences. Strikingly, medical students predominantly relied on academic knowledge and previous experiences while using antibiotics, whereas non-medical students often obtained antibiotics from shops or the internet, making them vulnerable to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Conclusion: This highlights the importance of implementing specific interventions to reduce unsafe self-medication practices in students.

Holding the Knife on Perceptions of Surgery

Negative stereotypes associated with surgery by medical students are well documented in literature. Many cite long hours, poor work-life balance, pessimism, mean personalities, and cynicism as pervasive among surgeons and operating room culture. If allowed to persist, these negative perceptions can deter otherwise interested students from pursuing surgical subspecialties. Incorporation of peer-teaching in the third-year clerkship to not only illuminate the hidden curriculum in surgery but adequately prepare students to participate in the operating room is paramount to taking steps to improve student perception as well as success as clerkship students. An academic medical center. Pre-clinical medical students. One-hundred and forty-three third year clerkship students were surveyed with pre- and postinstruments. Students who participated in these pre clerkship peer-teaching sessions reported significant improvements in their ability to identify surgical anatomy (p < 0.001), an increased confidence in answering questions from attendings about anatomy and function as well as in identifying anatomical abnormalities (all p < 0.001). Students also reported significantly improved perceptions about surgeons as teachers and their willingness to support students pursuing surgery. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of an immersive orientation prior to the start of the surgery clerkship has significantly positive impacts on the learning experience and confidence of medical students. Increased efforts should be made to introduce students to surgeons, surgical careers, and the operating room prior to the surgery clerkship, being sure to incorporate aspects of the hidden curriculum, to address the negative perceptions that continue to exist regarding surgical fields.

Musculoskeletal Clinical Online Cases With a Focus on Anatomy for Preclinical Learners.

While musculoskeletal disorders are leading causes of medical visits, musculoskeletal education is underrepresented in US medical curricula. Previous studies have demonstrated that undergraduate medical students often fail to demonstrate competency surrounding musculoskeletal disorders. More educational content is needed to support musculoskeletal knowledge in learners. We developed an online, case-based musculoskeletal module for second-year medical students alongside their standard course material and presented clinical cases with multiple-choice question quizzes regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and anatomic correlation of musculoskeletal conditions. Cases, under 10 minutes each, targeted common, medically important areas of musculoskeletal health. Grades in the required musculoskeletal course were significantly and positively correlated with online module quiz performance. 258 (73%) of 354 students completed at least one quiz, and students completed an average of 14 out of 15 quizzes. Learners who completed more than 50% of the quizzes performed significantly better in the course than those who completed fewer quizzes; this was true for a formative internal course exam (p = .035), an NBME customized assessment (p = .008), and the course overall (p = .021). Additional analyses of students' perceptions revealed that students valued the self-directed online learning environment. The high completion rate (73%) for the online module also signaled student value in the content and format. This module represents educational material that has been demonstrated to improve medical student musculoskeletal learning. Additionally, the module could be expanded to address inadequacies in orthopedic education among other students, such as allied health learners.

Hubungan kelelahan dengan kejadian depresi pada mahasiswa kedokteran semester 7 di Universitas Palangka Raya

Fatigue can be defined as a feeling of lack of energy and difficulty in initiating or maintaining spontaneous activities. Fatigue is a growing problem among medical students. A common reason for fatigue in medical students is excessive academic workload. In recent years, fatigue has been linked to stress which can lead to depression. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between fatigue and the incidence of depression in 7th semester medical students at Palangkaraya University. This research is an observational study with a cross sectional research design. which data were taken using a questionnaire from 140 respondents using purposive sampling technique. Statistical analysis using Spearman. The results of statistical analysis showed that of 140 respondents with an age range of 20 – 23 years, 82 respondents (58.57%) experienced significant fatigue. There were 93 respondents (66.43%) experiencing minimal depression, 24 respondents (17.14%) experiencing mild depression, 16 respondents (11.43%) experiencing moderate depression and 7 respondents (5%) experiencing severe depression. From the results of the hypothesis test, it was found that there was a relationship between fatigue and the incidence of depression with a value of p = 0.001. This research shows there is a statistically significant relationship between fatigue and depression.

Educational Recommendations for Medical Students Regarding Assessment and Management of Patients of Undifferentiated Criticality

Classical medical education teaches history and physical skills using scenarios wherein the criticality of a patient is predefined. This educational approach creates a gap in medical knowledge for students, who do not regularly define or establish patient criticality, and this gap is realized when it comes to the triage and management of critical patients. The purpose of this paper is to define an approach to patient assessment and management that is accessible to medical students regardless of criticality. This approach is algorithmic and defined by the use of three steps: (1) a primary survey, during which a general impression of the patient is formed, ABCDEs are assessed, and a criticality assessment is made; (2) a secondary survey, during which vitals, history, and exam data are all collected to form a working diagnosis; and (3) plan and treatment, during which supportive diagnostics, such as labs, imaging, and testing, are performed in the service of patient stabilization and intervention, consults/referrals are ordered/placed, and a final disposition is established. This model is intended to complement existing medical education and further expand it to encompass both critical and noncritical patients.

How I Do It: Process Control in Medical Student Experiences of Surgery

ObjectiveExtreme variation exists in teaching and clinical exposure for medical students, both from specialty-to-specialty but also between universities. There is mounting literature highlighting the need to reform and standardise surgical education to allow for unified graduate competency. In line with the recommendations from the GMC2 and the Royal College of Surgeons England (RCSE) 3, Queens University Belfast (QUB) significantly revised their undergraduate medical programme. Within this new curriculum is the introduction of Specialty Focus week in Surgery. This report reviews the processes used in the introduction of this week. DesignThe initial curriculum was formulated with a weekly timetable consisting of tutorials, bedside teaching and students following a peri-operative case. Run charts were populated with an alert when feedback dropped below a certain standard, which then triggered an intervention. ParticipantsFeedback was collected via a QR code from the first 200 surgical student. SettingsBelfast City Hospital in association with Queens university Belfast (QUB) undergraduate surgical curriculum. ResultsRun charts resulted in an alert when feedback dropped below 8/10. Following this we implemented smaller group bedside teaching. There was a significant improvement in feedback post intervention (P=0.04) with no further alerts. Overall feedback had a non-significant feedback improvement post intervention (P=0.07) with once again, no further alerts. ConclusionThis review has shown how we have provided some standardisation of local surgical teaching, as well as having a process centred model of monitoring. This curriculum is easy to implement and could be reproduced elsewhere.

Ophthalmic Surgeries at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital from the Perspectives of Undergraduate Medical Education

BackgroundAn appraisal of the profile of ophthalmic surgeries performed at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECHTH), Ogbomosho, Nigeria over a seven-year period with a view to harnessing their potentials for maximising ophthalmic experiences of medical students. MethodsA retrospective review of ophthalmic surgery records over a seven-year period (2013 – 2019) at LAUTECHTH. ResultsThere were 386 eye surgeries, mean ophthalmic surgeries: 4 - 5/month or 55/year. Most (329, 85.2%) surgeries were performed on individuals aged at least 45 (range 10 - 95) years with slight male dominance (1.1:1). The most common indication for surgery was cataract (307, 79.6%). Most surgeries were elective (362, 93.8%) and performed under local anaesthesia (367, 95.1%). Despite the highest number of surgeries being performed in the months of April and September; and lowest during the months of May and October; there was fair distribution across and over the years. Small incision cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens implant (307, 79.6%) was the most common surgery followed by pterygium excision with adjuvant therapy (37, 9.6%). ConclusionThe study showed a broad spectrum of eye surgeries, including cataract and pterygium, performed at the teaching hospital, encompassing common conditions that lead to visual impairment or blindness. This exposure provides valuable training opportunities for undergraduate medical students to become physicians especially those aspiring to become ophthalmologists. However, there is a need to increase the overall volume of eye surgeries to enhance the learning experience and potentially influence career choices.

Covid-19 Policy Responses, Digital Health Apps and Data Sharing: Attitudes of Swiss Medical Students

Background: In this paper we present findings from a survey with 256 medical students in Switzerland about their perception of Covid-19 public health measures, their attitude towards digital health apps to respond to the pandemic, and whether the Covid-19 crisis changed their willingness to share their health data in the future for public health research purposes. Results: Results show that most respondents indicated to be somewhat negatively affected by the pandemic, but deemed the public health policy responses to the pandemic in Switzerland as just right or even as slightly too unrestrictive. Most respondents evaluate the use of apps to respond to the pandemic as positive, and 61.7% indicated that they used the contact tracing app and 97.6% the immunity certificate app. The latter was evaluated more positively than the former. They indicated that a better communication about its benefits or the possibility to share health data for research (e.g. by listing Covid-19 symptoms and vaccination status) would improve the contact tracing app. Nearly all respondents indicated that they would share their health data or samples for research purposes in the future. The types of data they would be willing to share are mostly questionnaires about their health status, blood samples and other biological samples, with social media being the least willing to share. Our findings highlight that most respondents believe that their attitude towards sharing data for public health research did not change during or with the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Recent developments in digital health app use were fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic and the public – as a central actor – defined social trends with regard to digital health app uptake and willingness to share health data. With this survey we aimed to fill the gap of empirically examining how Swiss medical students – a young, technology- and medicine-inclined subpopulation, perceived the Covid-19 pandemic response, how they evaluate the related use of apps to respond to the pandemic as well as their willingness to share data for health research. The results may shed light on how the Covid-19-related use of technology and health data is changing the health landscape in Switzerland.

Validation of the Thai translation of the attitudes toward euthanasia scale

In Thailand, euthanasia has been a controversial topic for several decades. The assessment of attitudes toward euthanasia among medical students who will become future medical practitioners is essential for the progression of future legislation and practice. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale in the Thai context and measure its validity and reliability. First, the scale was translated into Thai by certified translation centers using the forward-backward technique. This cross-sectional study involved 112 Thai students. Self-reported online questionnaires and the Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale were used for data collection. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega coefficient), reproducibility, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha for the Thai Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale was 0.83, and the reproducibility was acceptable, with no statistically significant difference between the first and subsequent responses for each item. The two-factor model was extracted using exploratory factor analysis, and the values of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin criterion and Bartlett's test of sphericity all fell within a satisfactory range. Two- and four-factor models were analyzed for the confirmatory factor analysis, and the latter provided more acceptable model fit indices. In conclusion, the Thai Attitude Towards Euthanasia scale is valid for assessing attitudes toward euthanasia among Thai medical students.

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among medical students in AL-Iraqia College of Medicine, correlation with socioeconomic and physiological conditions

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among medical students in AL-Iraqia College of Medicine, correlation with socioeconomic and physiological conditions

Self-diagnosis and self-medication based on internet search among Non-Medical University students of Karachi.

For a decade, the topic of self-diagnosis and self-medication has gained significant attention due to the widespread availability of information on the internet and over-the-counter medication. This research explores the rational considerations behind individuals' self-diagnosis and self-medication practices. Our main objective is to find out the frequency of self-diagnosis and self-medication in the general population and its associated risks and benefits. A cross-sectional community-based prospective study was conducted over 7 months and included 160 students from various nonmedical universities in Karachi. A questionnaire regarding baseline characteristics, self-medication, and self-diagnosis was made, and the data was collected from the participants and then analyzed using SPSS statistical software. One-fifth of the participants used the method of diagnosing themselves regularly, whereas 9% of the involved population demonstrated medicating themselves very often. However, most of the population had self-diagnosed (50.6) or self-medicated (61.9) sometimes. The internet was the primary source of searching (75%), and home remedies were the preferred medications (71.7%). The two primary reasons for this were the scarcity of time and resources. Overall, our study points out the significance of self-medication and self-diagnosis among different nonmedical students of Karachi. Teaching people about medicines, enforcing strong prescription policies, and providing medical facilities are vital steps toward preventing this problem. The role of doctors and medical students is significant; therefore, detailed doctor-patient communication needs to be encouraged.

Comparing Provider and ChatGPT Responses to Breast Reconstruction Patient Questions in the Electronic Health Record.

Patient-directed Electronic Health Record (EHR) messaging is used as an adjunct to enhance patient-physician interactions but further burdens the physician. There is a need for clear electronic patient communication in all aspects of medicine, including plastic surgery. We can potentially utilize innovative communication tools like ChatGPT. This study assesses ChatGPT's effectiveness in answering breast reconstruction queries, comparing its accuracy, empathy, and readability with healthcare providers' responses. Ten deidentified questions regarding breast reconstruction were extracted from electronic messages. They were presented to ChatGPT3, ChatGPT4, plastic surgeons, and advanced practice providers for response. ChatGPT3 and ChatGPT4 were also prompted to give brief responses. Using 1-5 Likert scoring, accuracy and empathy were graded by 2 plastic surgeons and medical students, respectively. Readability was measured using Flesch Reading Ease. Grades were compared using 2-tailed t tests. Combined provider responses had better Flesch Reading Ease scores compared to all combined chatbot responses (53.3 ± 13.3 vs 36.0 ± 11.6, P < 0.001) and combined brief chatbot responses (53.3 ± 13.3 vs 34.7 ± 12.8, P < 0.001). Empathy scores were higher in all combined chatbot than in those from combined providers (2.9 ± 0.8 vs 2.0 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in accuracy between combined providers and all combined chatbot responses (4.3 ± 0.9 vs 4.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.170) or combined brief chatbot responses (4.3 ± 0.9 vs 4.6 ± 0.6, P = 0.128). Amid the time constraints and complexities of plastic surgery decision making, our study underscores ChatGPT's potential to enhance patient communication. ChatGPT excels in empathy and accuracy, yet its readability presents limitations that should be addressed.

Leveraging digital skills to reduce cognitive strain: Implications for academic self-efficacy in medical education

BackgroundDigital literacy influences academic behaviors, especially in medical education, where students encounter considerable academic challenges. However, the effects of this phenomenon on academic self-efficacy and cognitive load remain inadequately understood. ObjectivesThis research explores the relationships between digital literacy and academic self-efficacy, emphasizing the mediating role of cognitive load and its various dimensions among medical students in Islamabad, Pakistan. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from seven medical colleges in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October to December 2023. The research employed meticulously validated measurement tools encompassing a digital literacy scale, academic self-efficacy scale, and cognitive load scale and collected data on 633 medical students. Descriptive statistics and inferential testing (mediation analysis) were performed to investigate the direct and indirect relationships of the study variables. ResultsThe empirical results revealed that digital literacy significantly enhances academic self-efficacy both directly and indirectly. First, the total cognitive load score showed partial mediation (β = 0.165, p < 0.001). Then, individual subscale analysis revealed that intrinsic cognitive load (β = 0.147, p < 0.001) and extraneous cognitive load (β = 0.144, p < 0.001) were significant mediators. However, the mediation effect through self-perceived learning (β = 0.105, p = 0.361) was not supported, suggesting variability in how students perceive their learning gains or other influencing factors influencing this relationship, which warrants further investigation. ConclusionThe research finding underscores the crucial integration of digital literacy instruction into medical curriculums to bolster students' academic self-efficacy by adeptly managing cognitive load. While digital literacy notably reduces intrinsic and extraneous cognitive loads, its impact on perceived learning appears context-dependent and requires further exploration. Additional studies are needed to understand these relationships across educational settings and identify other potential influencing factors.

Coagulation studies are frequently ordered in emergency department chest pain patients and do not change emergency department management

BackgroundDespite research findings, implementation into clinical practice is often delayed. Coagulation panels are still ordered as part of an emergency department (ED) chest pain evaluation, despite multiple studies showing that it is unnecessary and does not change management. ObjectiveOur primary outcome is to determine if the practice of ordering coagulation studies (PT/INR) is still occurring in ED chest pain patients. Our secondary outcome is to determine if abnormal results change management. MethodsWe performed an IRB approved retrospective chart review of patients with chest pain presenting to three rural-community EDs over 49 months. Medical students, blinded to the study intent, performed data abstraction using the approach of Gilbert and Lowenstein to determine if coagulation testing (PT/INR) was ‘indicated’ based on a preexisting condition (ie liver disease) or medication use (warfarin). Next, the data abstractors determined if the abnormal coagulation results prompted a therapeutic intervention or change in the management in the ED. ResultsWe randomly identified 1,200 patients with chest pain before covid-19 and, after exclusions, analyzed 830 patient charts. 440 patients (53.0%) had coagulation panels completed, but they were only indicated in 55 of the 440 patients (12.5%). Of the 385 patients without indications, 378 (98.2%) had an INR level in the normal range and 7 patients (1.8%) had an elevated INR. None of these 7 patients had a change in ED management. ConclusionsIn this multicenter study, 53% of ED patients with chest pain had coagulation studies ordered. Only 12.5% were indicated. None of the abnormal results changed management.

Cleft Lip Scar Appearance is Associated With Speech Outcomes After Primary Palatoplasty.

This study aims to investigate the correlation between the quality of cleft lip scar and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Clinical photographs from 56 patients with repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP) were collected and anonymized by cropping the image to the region of interest around the lip and nose. A survey displaying each cleft lip scar image with five associated scar quality features, including scar color, thickness, width, lip shortening, and overall appearance, was distributed. Surveys were distributed using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), an online crowdsourcing platform, to obtain ratings from 330 laypeople. The same surveys were also distributed to 45 medical students. Hypernasality was used as the primary speech outcome measure. Ordinal logistic regression was used to compare the ratings for each of the five scar quality categories with the patients' CAPS-A-AM hypernasality rating for both MTurk and medical student raters. Significance was set at α = 0.05. For medical student ratings', ordinal logistic regression showed a statistically significant relationship between lip shortening (P=0.019) and overall appearance (P=0.044) with CAPS-A-AM hypernasality score, whereas the other scar categories showed no significant association. There was no statistically significant relationship between MTurk ratings and hypernasality for any of the scar categories. The association found between lip shortening and overall scar appearance, thought by the authors to indicate scar contracture, and hypernasality, an indicator of VPI severity, provides an interesting insight into how to potentially identify patients who may be at increased risk for developing VPI.

Neurocircle microsurgery model: Description of simulation-based training and exoscope

Background: Microsurgery is crucial in neurosurgery, requiring precise skills for interventions on delicate structures. Effective training is essential for developing these skills. In Peru and Latin America, however, there is a notable shortage of specialized training centers and high costs associated with foreign simulators, hindering the development of neurosurgical skills. To address this issue, the NeuroZone3D Research Center has initiated a project to create a national dataset on Peruvian craniometry and develop locally adapted training models. Methods: The “NeuroCircle Microsurgery Model” was created through a multi-phase process. Phase 1 involved designing a simulation platform using a 3D printer. Phase 2 focused on creating a realistic biomodel with polyurethane and advanced modeling techniques. In Phase 3, the biomodel was assembled and integrated into the platform. Phase 4 included using a wooden module, a cost-effective exoscope simulation, and surgical instruments to provide a realistic training environment. Results: The “NeuroCircle Microsurgery Model” provided a stable and effective training environment. Feedback from training sessions with neurosurgery residents and medical students indicated significant improvements in microsurgical skills. Participants valued the model’s realism and its role in enhancing their surgical proficiency. Conclusion: The “NeuroCircle Microsurgery Model” is a significant advancement in microsurgery training for Peru and Latin America. Its development provides a valuable, locally adaptable tool for improving surgical skills and addresses the critical training gaps in the region.