Attitudes of Ugandan medical students toward 'straight' and 'modified' ECT

In third world countries, limited resources of anaesthetists and resuscitation facilities mean that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is usually given 'straight'(i.e. without anaesthetic and muscle relaxant). This study compared the attitudes of Ugandan medical students towards ECT given straight and ECT administered with muscle relaxant and general anaesthesia (i.e.'modified' ECT). Results confirmed the clinical impression that students regarded straight ECT as an inhumane method of treatment. However, whilst this was a major factor influencing students' preference for modified ECT as a treatment for themselves or for a close friend, it was relatively unimportant in determining their choice of ECT technique for a patient. Convenience of administration was the main criterion applied by students when deciding whether they would prefer to administer straight or modified ECT to a patient. Implications for medical education and the development of professional attitudes are discussed.     

Attitudes and knowledge of students in the allied health professions toward their future professional team members

The investigators wished to explore final-year allied health students' knowledge of their future colleagues. A survey developed by Felsher and Ross (1994) was adapted and administered to 35 occupational therapy (OT), 35 physical therapy (PT), and 35 speech-language pathology (SLP) students. Findings suggested that all students had a good understanding and knowledge of their own professions. Differences were found among the three groups of students regarding their understanding of other disciplines and the overlap in OT and SLP roles. Specifically, OT and SLP students perceived their own professions as the primary providers of cognitive treatment. Ways to foster student understanding and collaboration are suggested.     

医学生对男同性恋认知和态度量表编制

编制男同性恋的认知和态度量表并检验信度、效度,为评价对男同性恋的认知及态度提供可靠的测量工具.方法 通过文献复习和咨询专家意见,自行编制男同性恋认知和态度量表.随机整群抽取310名医学生进行测试,4种方法联合使用筛选条目.采用分层整群抽样方法,从天津市3所医学高校随机抽取医学本科生、研究生765名开展现场调查,评价量表的信度与效度.结果 同性恋认知量表分半信度为0.74,Cronbach'sα系数为0.86;对男同性恋态度量表的分半信度为0.82,Cronbach's α系数为0.96.通过探索性因子分析评价量表的结构效度,认知量表提取出性质认知(8项)、性交往认知(3项)及生存认知(4项)3个公因子,包含15项条目,累计方差贡献率为51.00%;态度量表提取出情感认同(13项)、权力认同(4项)、道德认同(5项)和社交认同(3项)4个公因子,包含25项条目,累计方差贡献率为68.40%.以ATG量表为效标,测得自编态度量表的效标效度为0.86.结论 自编的男同性恋认知和态度量表具有较好的信度与效度,具有一定的实际应用价值.     

Attitudes of medical students in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, toward preventive medicine and epidemiology

Medical students in Belgrade were interviewed regarding their opinions about the teaching of preventive medicine, with particular emphasis on epidemiology, at the beginning and at the end of the course. Results indicated that the course provoked no interest whatsoever in the disciplines of preventive medicine. A part of social factors influencing the motivation of students, the didactic approach to teaching and the strict division between preventive and clinical medicine were implicated as the main reasons for this lack of enthusiasm. The absence in this country of clear and generally accepted ideas regarding what a graduate student should know in order to meet optimally the health needs of the community has been assessed as the factor which obscures definition of the aims of teaching and, accordingly, the creation of purposeful syllabuses.     

Attitudes toward learning communication skills among medical students of a university in Iran

Communication skills play a paramount role in clinical practice. In every clinical setting, medical doctors need to interview their patients efficiently and be persuasive toward their health issues. This study aimed at assessing the attitudes of medical students toward learning communication skills at Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the questionnaires were distributed to 210 medical students. Twenty eight students were excluded since they either did not return the questionnaires or filled them out incompletely. So, totally 182 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate=%86.6). Data was collected using communication skills attitude scale (CSAS) which consists of 26 items, 13 indicative of positive attitude and 13 indicative of negative attitude toward learning communication skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. The mean age of the participants was 21.7 (SD=2.7). Male and female students accounted for 38.5% and 61.5% of the participants respectively. The mean scores for positive attitude was 54.8 (SD=7.3) out of 65, and the mean scores for negative attitude was 35.3 (SD=5.9) out of 65. There were statistically significant differences between male and female students and between basic sciences and pathophysiology students on the one hand and clinical course students on the other as regards their attitudes toward learning communication skills (P<0.05). Although students had strongly positive attitudes toward learning communication skills, curriculum planners should not lose sight of negative attitudes and measures need to be taken to minimize or if possible eliminate them.     

A multidisciplinary team approach to day hospital patient care

A review of practice in a mental health day hospital led to a multidisciplinary quality group being established. Outlines changes implemented leading to service improvements and increases in patient and staff satisfaction.     

Improving the peri-operative experience: a multidisciplinary team approach

Describes the clinical audit forum of anaesthetists in North Tees NHS Trust with particular reference to patients' peri-operative experience. Shows that a designated waiting room in theatre has improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the service provided.     

Attitudes of elderly patients to medical students

The attitudes of elderly patients towards clinical teaching of medical students was assessed by a structured interview carried out by a doctor unknown to the patient immediately prior to discharge. One hundred and thirty alert patients were approached on three acute geriatric medicine wards in the Royal Liverpool (Teaching) Hospital. A total of 106 (81.5%) patients were suitable for inclusion in the study (mean age, 80.2 years). Twenty-nine per cent did not know what a medical student was despite having been interviewed and examined by one. Fifty-nine per cent of patients had no prior knowledge that clinical teaching occurred. Fourteen patients (13 women, 1 man, P < 0.05) objected to being examined. Nineteen women patients were examined by a man student without a chaperone. Students usually (95%) asked permission to interview and examine the patients whereas doctors only asked patients in the context of bedside teaching (33%). Elderly patients were sympathetic towards ('They have to learn') and positive about ('It's good to have them') medical students. However, 29% of patients were not aware that a medical student was going to be a doctor despite being interviewed and examined. We suggest that the term should be used either with explanation or abandoned in favour of 'student doctor'. The level of awareness of clinical teaching was poor and examination of women patients without a chaperone caused distress and should be rectified.     

Attitudes of medical students to the teaching of medical ethics

Summary. The teaching of ethics to medical students has recently become a topic of much importance to all concerned with medical education. However, those most involved, the students themselves, have been consulted very little. This paper reports the views of a sample of medical students at Oxford University on what ethics teaching they receive, of how much value they consider it to be and what form of teaching they would like to see included in their curriculum.     

Attitudes of medical students to medical ethics in their curriculum

One hundred and one students at different levels of their medical education were surveyed as to their views about inclusion of medical ethics in their curriculum. The results showed that 88% of the students feel that medical ethics has a place in their curriculum, and 84% rated medical ethics to be of High to Critical Importance to good medical care. They tended to read infrequently about medical ethics, which they would like integrated at all levels of the curriculum, particularly the clinical years. The more senior students were less sensitive to ethical issues. The students mentioned only dramatic issues in their accounts of encounters with cases involving ethical issues. It is felt that a wide gap is left in the education of these students if medical ethics is not included in a positive way in their curriculum.     

Attitudes of men and women medical students to psychiatry

The attitudes of men and women medical students to psychiatry were compared using an attitude scale, before they began their psychiatry training. Major differences between the sexes were obtained, with the women students consistently displaying more positive attitudes to many aspects of psychiatry. The implications in terms of teaching and recruitment are considered.     

Attitude of medical students toward the handicapped

In their daily professional work physicians are increasingly faced with persons who live with chronic diseases or handicaps. Beyond profound medical knowledge, an understanding of psychosocial factors and a positive attitude are essential for providing optimal treatment. In order to teach the medical students of Leipzig University how to balance these factors they are required to visit self-help groups and institutions for disabled persons as part of the course "Social Medicine". 250 medical students of the 9th semester filled out a questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes toward handicapped persons as well as their motivation for choosing the medical profession. The questionnaire was given twice, once before their visitations and once following. 28 students of special supportive education served as a control group. While the attitudes of the medical students were very similar to those of the standard population, the attitudes of the supportive education students were significantly more positive. A comparison of the results of the questionnaires before and after the visitations showed that the attitudes of the medical students remained essentially the same without any obvious changes due to their experiences during the visitations. This evidence suggests that there needs to be more emphasis in Social Medicine and medical education in general placed on the problems specific to handicapped people.     

Attitudes of medical students towards female genital mutilation

This study investigated the attitudes of medical students towards female genital mutilation (FGM). The students agreed that it is a priority health problem in the community. As physicians, 61% said they would not perform it on their patients and 17% would join any group fighting this practice. While still students, 52% said they would fight its practice within their families, and 26% planned to initiate action against it. It was not considered a problem at all by 22% of the students surveyed.     

护士学生对同性恋态度及其与共情关系

目的 了解护士学生对同性恋的态度及与共情的关系,为护士学生教育和同性恋护理提供相应理论依据。方法采用同性恋态度量表(ATHQ)和中文版人际反应指针量表(IRI-C)对重庆市410名护士学生进行自填式问卷调查。结果 护士学生ATHQ各因子得分与中国台湾护士比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);城市与农村护士学生ATHQI、RI-C比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.001);农村学生谴责/宽容、同情性关心及个人痛苦得分高于城市学生,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.001);IRI-C想象力因子与ATHQ存在负相关关系。结论 护士学生对同性恋持消极态度,尤其是来自农村护士学生;来自农村护士学生共情水平高于来自城市护士学生;想象力与对同性恋的态度存在联系。     

Attitudes toward prevention of cardiovascular diseases among first-year students at eight American medical schools, 1983-1985

First-year medical students at eight U.S. medical schools were surveyed by written questionnaire in 1983-1985 to determine their attitudes toward cardiovascular diseases prevention at medical school entry. An overall response rate of 92% was achieved (2,654 questionnaires), and 97% of responders provided complete and analyzable survey data. Response rates at five of eight medical schools were 98-100%, and one school each had rates of 67, 84, or 90%. Differences in mean attitude responses from school to school were small, as were differences between men and women or between blacks and whites. This survey found that entering medical students have generally positive attitudes toward the effectiveness of preventive cardiology practice as well as toward the importance of research efforts in cardiovascular disease prevention. Students frequently indicated, however, that it is "extremely difficult" to change patients' unhealthful habits and that "physician encouragement" may not be sufficient to help patients achieve more healthful behaviors. These findings could be helpful in directing educational efforts for medical students. The data suggest that major emphasis should be placed on conveying facts regarding the physicians' efficacy in clinical preventive cardiology and on teaching the skills of preventive cardiology practice. Less emphasis appears to be necessary on encouraging positive attitudes about the importance of prevention since current students' attitudes appear to be already positive in this dimension.