Deeper Pathways for Recruitment Efforts: Identifying Opportunities for Undergraduate and Medical Student Involvement in Infectious Diseases
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PROVIDER: S-EPMC10538255 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundAlthough students were removed from patient-facing settings at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic due to concerns of burdening teaching physicians and depleting personal protective equipment, some leaders suggest students can be effectively utilized when personnel resources may be scarce. There have been narrative discussions surrounding medical student involvement, but no studies exploring the attitudes of these students. The authors aim to quantify the degree to which factors influenced a medical student's decision to or to not volunteer during the pandemic and to characterize medical students' attitudes towards medical professionals' duty to serve in a pandemic.MethodsThe authors developed and tested a secure web-based survey before distribution to students at 23 different US allopathic medical schools that did not graduate medical students early to aid in pandemic efforts between April and June 2020. Of the 599 students who completed the survey, 65.5% self-identified as female and were on average 25.94 years old (SD = 2.5). Multiple comparisons were made based on volunteer status. Ordinal scale questions were compared with the Mann Whitney U test, and the Chi-Squared test was used for categorical variables using R version 3.62.Results67.6% of students volunteered in pandemic relief activities and a majority of those students volunteered in non-patient-facing roles. Community service, new skills, and time commitment were top 3 influencing factors for students who volunteered, while risk to other, time commitment, and risk to self were top 3 influencing factors for students who chose not to volunteer. Compared to other specialties, students interested in primary care specialties agreed to a greater degree that physicians have a duty to serve in pandemic relief efforts.ConclusionsMedical students who volunteered cited self-serving factors and altruistic values as significant motivators. Students who did not volunteer were significantly more concerned with risks of COVID-19 exposure. However, medical students in general agreed that students should be allowed to volunteer in COVID-19 related relief efforts. As large areas of the United States continue to experience increases in COVID-19 cases, institutions should involve medical students in balancing the level of acceptable risk with the educational benefits.
| S-EPMC9721039 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background Physician-patient racial and cultural concordance is essential to address health care disparities. Yet, limited literature on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) outcomes in graduate medical education (GME) suggests the need for high-yield DEI resources. Objectives To describe and identify DEI efforts by US residency program director (PD) associations and areas for collaboration among the GME community. Methods Through bimonthly teleconferences and 5 iterative revisions from June to September 2022, the DEI workgroup of the US Organization of PD Associations developed a 17-question needs assessment survey to investigate DEI activities across residency PD associations, which was delivered twice electronically from September to November 2022 to 30 specialty PD association representatives. Results Survey response rate was 73% (22 of 30). Specialties track resident demographics more than PD demographics (11 of 22, 50% vs 7 of 22, 32%). Tracked demographics vary and include race, gender, and sexual orientation. Most PD associations have DEI committees (16 of 22, 73%) implementing various initiatives, the most common of which was providing resources to ensure diverse representation (11 of 16, 69%). Most specialties provide residency recruitment resources (14 of 22, 64%) and funding for visiting rotations or mentorship for underrepresented trainees (12 of 22, 54%). Resources for pipeline programs (7 of 22, 32%) and retention of diverse residents (7 of 22, 32%) were less common. Faculty development training focused more on teaching DEI to residents (14 of 22, 64%) than on teaching health disparities (7 of 22, 32%). Conclusions Our study demonstrates substantial DEI interventions among specialty PD associations. Yet, educational gaps exist in specific DEI content, faculty development, and curricular dissemination.
| S-EPMC11475428 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This article reports the results of an experiment conducted with ChatGPT to see how its performance compares to human performance on tests that require specific knowledge and skills, such as university admission tests. We chose a general undergraduate admission test and two tests for admission to biomedical programs: the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the Cambridge BioMedical Admission Test (BMAT), and the Italian Medical School Admission Test (IMSAT). In particular, we looked closely at the difference in performance between ChatGPT-4 and its predecessor, ChatGPT-3.5, to assess its evolution. The performance of ChatGPT-4 showed a significant improvement over ChatGPT-3.5 and, compared to real students, was on average within the top 10% in the SAT test, while the score in the IMSAT test granted admission to the two highest ranked Italian medical schools. In addition to the performance analysis, we provide a qualitative analysis of incorrect answers and a classification of three different types of logical and computational errors made by ChatGPT-4, which reveal important weaknesses of the model. This provides insight into the skills needed to use these models effectively despite their weaknesses, and also suggests possible applications of our analysis in the field of education.
| S-EPMC11498684 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundInterprofessional education (IPE) is defined as students from two or more professions learning together to collaborate and advance health outcomes and is a required component of osteopathic medical education. Factors that influence osteopathic medical students' (OMS) interprofessional attitudes are currently unknown. This study sought to examine differences in interprofessional attitudes after completing an IPE didactic curriculum and identify specific student or curricular factors correlated with higher interprofessional attitudes.MethodsThis study utilized a two-phase longitudinal approach. During phase one, a pre/post survey was disseminated to OMS before and after exposure to a standardized IPE didactic curriculum. The survey collected demographic information, previous interprofessional exposures, and baseline interprofessional attitudes using the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess differences in pre/post IPAS scores. For phase two of the study, the survey was additionally disseminated to second, third-, and fourth-year OMS at the end of each academic year to identify student factors associated with higher interprofessional attitudes, including specialty interest and type of core rotation site for third year clinical clerkships and analyzed using a Kruskal Wallis test.ResultsOver two years, 628 OMS responded to the survey, with 585 providing sufficient information to calculate IPAS scores. Of these 585, responses were from 267 first, 133 second, 84 third, and 65 fourth year students (36 missing). For phase one, 74 of the 267 survey responders completed both the pre and post survey. There was no significant change in IPAS scores following participation in the IPE curriculum (mean change ± standard deviation - 2.22 ± 8.89; p = 0.13). For phase two, an overall decline in interprofessional attitudes was observed as students progressed through each year of academic training. Factors associated with statistically higher IPAS scores (p < 0.05) included age of 18-25, earlier point in academic curriculum (first year student) and completing clerkships at a non-academic core rotation site.ConclusionsDespite curricular programming aimed at enhancing interprofessional competencies, it appears non-curricular factors may play a role in interprofessional attitudes. Examination of additional student factors and enhancement of longitudinal IPE programming across all four medical curricular years should be considered.
| S-EPMC11697902 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesA teaching curriculum in health policy may be well established in medical school; however, an emphasis on applying taught principles via participation in health policy roles is less defined. We undertook a study to explore medical student participation in health policy roles.Design and settingAn anonymous online survey via convenience sampling was conducted in the UK.ParticipantsA total of 112 students from six medical schools participated in the study.Outcome measuresThe outcome measures were as follows: medical students' beliefs about their current knowledge of health policy and their desire to learn more; their current, past and future involvement in a health policy role, and perceived barriers to involvement.ResultsForty-seven percent of participants reported previous teaching on health policy, with the majority scoring themselves 2 out of 5 for knowledge about the topic (38%). Seventy-seven percent of participants expressed a desire to be taught health policy while 73% agreed with compulsory teaching. Ninety-six percent of participants reported no current or previous activity in a health policy role, with 61% willing to undertake a role in the future. The three main barriers to student involvement were: a lack of knowledge about health policy (57%), an unawareness of opportunities available (56%), and a lack of time (43%).ConclusionIn addition to already established teaching programs within medical school, implementation of community-based experiences could improve knowledge of health policy, while providing an opportunity for students to gain experience in health policy committee roles.
| S-EPMC5680898 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Medical autopsy has historically been considered a valued experience in undergraduate medical education; however, student participation has declined in recent years. Medical education literature from the educator point of view supports autopsy as an educational tool, but more data are needed on undergraduate medical students' (UMS) perspectives on autopsy. This study aims to assess UMS opinions on the role of autopsy in undergraduate medical education. A 5-point Likert scale survey concerning autopsy and medical education was offered to all UMS at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. In addition, 28 senior students were assigned a 500 word essay on hospital autopsy and its role in medical education. Senior students were given the opportunity to view an autopsy prior to completing their essays. UMS (n = 87) reported that witnessing an autopsy can improve anatomic knowledge (μ = 4.3), observational skills (μ = 4.1), and clinicopathologic correlation (μ = 4.3) but were neutral in their perceived importance of viewing an autopsy in their pathology education (μ = 3.7). Senior students (n = 27) responding to the essay prompt reported that autopsy is essential in medical education (85.2%) and increases clinical and anatomical understanding (63.0%). This study suggests that many UMS acknowledge the importance and applicability of autopsy in their education. This concurrence of UMS opinion with the medical education literature supports making autopsy participation a widely available component of undergraduate medical education.
| S-EPMC9926072 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Introduction: Reflective practice (RP) forms a core component of medical professionalism but, despite its benefits, it remains largely undervalued among medical students. The aim of this study was to explore medical students' attitudes and barriers to engagement with RP in the undergraduate programme at a UK based medical school. Methods: This was a qualitative study based on the methodology of phenomenology. All penultimate year medical students at University College London Medical School (n=361) were approached for this study and altogether thirteen participants were recruited, with data collected through two focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to generate the coding framework. Results: Five key themes emerged around student attitudes to RP, which were grouped into three domains: 'value of RP', 'barriers to engagement', and 'strategies for enabling RP'. 'Value of RP' centred on the themes of humanising medicine and developing empathy, developing professionalism and RP as a tool for sense-making. 'Barriers to engagement' centred on the purpose and tokenism of RP and in the third domain, 'strategies for enabling RP', the theme of student agency in RP emerged strongly. Conclusion: Overall, the value of RP was not fully appreciated until students began their clinical placements. Potential strategies identified by participants for optimising engagement included student co-design and positioning RP within a broader pastoral role early in the undergraduate curriculum.
| S-EPMC9926505 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7270863 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether a combination of case-based learning (CBL) and problem-based learning (PBL) methods in teaching can improve the academic performance and recruitment of medical students for neurosurgery.MethodsFour classes of fourth-year medical students were randomly divided into two groups. The traditional model group received the traditional teaching method, and the CBL-PBL group received the combined teaching methods of CBL and PBL. After the courses, the differences between the two groups in self-perceived competence, satisfaction with the course, post-class test scores, and clinical practice abilities were compared, and the proportions of neurosurgery major selection in pre- and post-curriculum between the two groups were also analyzed.ResultsSelf-perceived competence, post-class test scores, and clinical practice abilities in the CBL-PBL group were better than those in the traditional model group. The students in the CBL-PBL group showed a higher degree of satisfaction with the course than those in the traditional model group (χ2 = 12.03, P = 0.007). At the end of the semester, the proportion of students who chose neurosurgery majors in the CBL-PBL group was 13.3%, more than the 3.4% in the traditional model group (χ2 = 3.93, P = 0.048).ConclusionCompared with the traditional teaching method, the CBL and PBL integrated method is more effective for improving the performance of medical students and enhancing their clinical capabilities in neurosurgery teaching. The CBL-PBL method effectively improved students' interests in neurosurgery, potentially contributing to increasing medical student recruitment into neurosurgery.
| S-EPMC9440581 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Minimal attention has been given to student involvement in medical school admissions practices. This study explores the role of medical students and perceptions of their involvement on admissions committees. Survey responses from US medical schools were varied regarding student role, service on the committee, and voting privileges. Medical student admissions committee members surveyed at our institution felt they were able to offer different perspectives to applicant evaluation than faculty. Findings suggest that medical students may be able to contribute to the admissions process in a variety of ways depending on institution-specific missions and goals.
| S-EPMC8368167 | biostudies-literature