Physicians' attention to patients' communication cues can improve patient satisfaction with care and perception of physicians' empathy.

BACKGROUND: The pathway that links good communication skills and better health outcomes is still unclear. However, it is known that the way that physicians and patients communicate with each other has direct consequences on more "proximal outcomes", such as perceptions of physician empathy and patient satisfaction. However, which specific communication skills lead to those patient outcomes is still unknown. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze which specific patient and physician communication skills are correlated to patients' satisfaction with care and patient-perceived physician empathy. METHODS: The authors classified and quantified verbal and nonverbal communication of second-year internal medicine residents and their patients through video recordings of their consultations. Patients also rated their satisfaction with care and the physician's empathy for them. RESULTS: Using a linear regression model, the authors identified that patients' and physicians' expressions of disapproval, physicians' disruptions, and patients' use of content questions negatively correlated to patients' satisfaction and patient-perceived physician empathy. Conversely, patient affective behaviors and the physician's provision of advice/suggestion were positively correlated to at least one of the patient-measured outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings point to the importance of physicians' attentiveness to patients' communication cues. Training physicians to interpret those cues could help develop more satisfactory and empathic therapeutic relationships.

Professional values at the beginning of medical school: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Teaching professionalism in medical schools is central to medical education and society. We evaluated how medical students view the values of the medical profession on their first day of medical school and the influence of a conference about the competences of this profession on these students' levels of reflection. METHODS: We studied two groups of medical students who wrote narratives about the values of the medical profession and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on these values. The first group wrote the narratives after a conference about the competences of the medical profession (intervention group), and the second group wrote the same narratives after a biochemistry conference (control group). We also compared the levels of reflection of these two groups of students. RESULTS: Among the 175 medical students entering in the 2022 academic year, 159 agreed to participate in the study (response rate = 90.8%). There were more references to positive than negative models of doctor‒patient relationships experienced by the students (58.5% and 41.5% of responses, respectively). The intervention group referred to a more significant number of values than the control group did. The most cited values were empathy, humility, and ethics; the main competences were technical competence, communication/active listening, and resilience. The students' perspectives of the values of their future profession were strongly and positively influenced by the pandemic experience. The students realized the need for constant updating, basing medical practice on scientific evidence, and employing skills/attitudes such as resilience, flexibility, and collaboration for teamwork. Analysis of the levels of reflection in the narratives showed a predominance of reflections with a higher level in the intervention group and of those with a lower level in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that medical students, upon entering medical school, already have a view of medical professionalism, although they still need to present a deeper level of self-reflection. A single, planned intervention in medical professionalism can promote self-reflection. The vision of medical professional identity was strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, positively impacting the formation of a professional identity among the students who decided to enter medical school.

The effects of academic unprofessional behaviour on disciplinary action by medical boards: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of disciplinary actions by regulatory councils and unprofessional behaviour during medical graduation. METHODS: A search strategy was developed using the terms: 'physicians', 'disciplinary action', 'education', 'medical', 'undergraduate' and their synonyms, subsequently applied to the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, LILACs and grey literature, with searches up to November 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan software. RESULTS: A total of 400 studies were found in the databases, and 15 studies were selected for full-texting reading. Four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included, bringing together a total of 3341 evaluated physicians. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis, showing a greater chance of disciplinary actions among physicians who exhibited unprofessional behaviour during medical graduation (OR: 2.54; 95%CI: 1.87-3.44; I2 : 0%; P < 0.0001; 3077 participants; physicians with disciplinary action: 107/323; control physicians: 222/2754). CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant association between unprofessional behaviour during medical undergraduate study and subsequent disciplinary actions by Medical Councils. The tools for periodic assessments of student behaviour during undergraduate studies can be a perspective for future studies aimed at reducing disciplinary actions among physicians.

A percepção do estudante de medicina sobre a simulação realística em pediatria / The perception of the medical student about realistic simulation in pediatrics

Resumo Introdução: O uso de simulação realística em emergências pediátricas é particularmente valioso, pois permite o treinamento de habilidades técnicas, atitudinais e cognitivas, ajudando a garantir a segurança do paciente. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever a percepção do aluno sobre o uso da Simulação Realista de Alta Fidelidade nos módulos de emergência pediátrica durante o internato de medicina. Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa. Um questionário semiestruturado foi aplicado aos estudantes do sexto ano de medicina ao final dos módulos de internato pediátrico, com oito semanas de duração, de agosto a dezembro de 2020. Todos participaram de dois tipos de atividades sobre 14 temas: simulação de alta fidelidade (SRAF) e discussão estruturada de casos clínicos (DCC). Resultados: Dos 33 participantes, 29 responderam ao questionário. A média de idade foi de 24 ± 1,8 anos, sendo 58,6% do sexo feminino. Todos concordaram que a experiência com SRAF contribuiu para um desempenho mais seguro em emergências pediátricas, considerado ótimo por 76% e bom para os demais. A maioria achava que a associação de SRAF e DCC era o método ideal (96%). A análise de conteúdo das respostas sobre a SRAF destacou unidades temáticas em cinco categorias: aprendizagem significativa, contribuição para a formação profissional, habilidades, atitude/comportamento e qualidade da atividade. Conclusões: A reação dos estudantes ao uso da SRAF em emergências pediátricas foi muito positiva, e sua associação com a DCC foi considerada o método de ensino ideal. Conhecer as reações dos alunos ajuda os professores a planejarem suas atividades para melhorar o método de ensino-aprendizagem.

Abstract Introduction: The use of realistic simulation in pediatric emergencies is particularly valuable, as it allows the training of technical, attitudinal, and cognitive skills, helping to ensure patient safety. Objective: This study aims to describe the student's perception of using the High-Fidelity Realistic Simulation in the pediatric emergency modules during the internship. Methods: Observational, descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to sixth-year medical students at the end of the pediatric internship modules, which lasted eight weeks, from August to December 2020. All of them participated in two types of activities on 14 topics: high-fidelity simulation (HFS) and structured discussion of clinical cases (SDCC). Results: Of the 33 participants, 29 answered the questionnaire. The mean age was 24 ± 1.8 years, and 58.6% were female. All agreed that the experience with HFS contributed to safer performance in pediatric emergencies, considered optimal by 76% and good for the remainder. Most thought the association of HFS and SDCC was the ideal method (96%). The content analysis of the responses on HFS highlighted thematic units in five categories: significant learning, contribution to professional training, skills, attitude/behavior, and quality of the activity. Conclusions: Students' reaction to using HFS in pediatric emergencies was very positive, and its association with SDCC was considered the ideal teaching method. Knowing the students' reactions helps teachers plan their activities to improve the teaching-learning method.

Medical students' and residents' views on euthanasia.

BACKGROUND: Doctors are increasingly faced with end-of-life decisions. Little is known about how medical students approach euthanasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate, among medical students and residents, the view on euthanasia and its variants; correlate such a view with empathy and religiosity/spiritualism; and with the stages of medical training in Brazil. METHODS: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire to be filled out on a voluntary basis among medical students and residents, consisting of: socio-demographic data, an empathy questionnaire and questions with elaborate clinical cases that typify situations of the variants of euthanasia. RESULTS: From 1550 invitations, 273 volunteer participants responded (17.6%). The percentages of strong agreement/agreement on the concepts were: passive euthanasia (72.9%); active euthanasia (22.3%), orthothanasia (90.1%), dysthanasia (18.7%), assisted suicide (33%) and sedation (82.8%). Passive euthanasia, active euthanasia, dysthanasia and assisted suicide showed greater refusal with increasing length of medical training. Religious belief and degree of empathy did not significantly influence the opinion about the concepts. Strong agreement/agreement were: passive euthanasia (72.9%); active euthanasia (22.3%), orthothanasia (90.1%), dysthanasia (18.7%), assisted suicide (33%) and sedation (82.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Passive euthanasia, active euthanasia, dysthanasia and assisted suicide showed greater refusal with increasing length of medical training. The external validation of our findings relies on the distinct legal, cultural, and religious frameworks found across various countries.

Assessment of professional identity formation: a transcultural validation of the professional identity essay for brazilian portuguese.

INTRODUCTION: Professional identity formation (PIF) is recognized worldwide as an outcome of medical education grounded in the psychology of adult development and the literature on medical professionalism. However, instruments to assess and support PIF are scarce. The Professional Identity Essay (PIE) is an open-ended question assessment of PIF that elicits short narrative responses from learners and that can be analyzed to provide formative feedback and an overall stage of development. In this study, our aim was to translate and adapt the PIE to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: We followed a systematic procedure for the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument. A pilot study was conducted with medical students from the University of São Paulo. After providing individual formative feedback, we administered an online questionnaire to the Brazilian students to better understand the consequences of using the PIE. Content analyses of qualitative data were performed, we employ manifest content analysis, and the categories of analysis emerged from the participants' speeches. RESULTS: Students found the instrument's questions easy to interpret and self-reflective. It also gave students the opportunity to consider their PIF. The PIE was perceived as reliable and brought more awareness of the students' own processes in addition to a sense of capability to foster their own development. In the same way, the students emphasized the importance of being helped in this process. CONCLUSION: We found sufficient evidence of the validity of the PIE in terms of content, face validity, and consequences of use. The PIE enhances self-assurance in PIF through formative assessment and is sensitive to different cultures, making it a potential tool for educators.

Measurement of uncertainty tolerance revisited.

INTRODUCTION: Uncertainty tolerance (UT) is attracting increasing attention in medical education due to the numerous challenges associated with uncertainty in professional life. Inconsistencies in analysing the relationship between UT and moderators may arise from inadequate measurement methods. Most instruments were formulated before the most widely accepted framework was published. Our aim was to investigate the validity of an UT scale using an actual framework to corroborate with better and accurate instruments. METHODS: A total of 1052 students were invited. Various psychometric methods were used to explore validity of the TAMSAD scale in light of actual framework. Classic exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed. Secondly, content item classification was triangulated with exploratory graph analysis (EGA), and the new EFA, CFA, and cognitive diagnostic modelling (CDM) analysis were conducted. The reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. RESULTS: A total of 694 students (65.9%) responded to the questionnaire. The reliability of the TAMSAD scale was 0.782. The initial EFA revealed no clear interpretable dimensions. The TAMSAD scale items can be classified into sources of uncertainty. The EGA has three dimensions, and the new EFA led to a 17-item TAMSAD scale with the following three dimensions: ambiguity, complexity, and probability. These dimensions lead to better adjustment fit indices in the new CFA and CDM analyses. CONCLUSION: We found evidence that the TAMSAD scale can be considered a multidimensional scale, organised in terms of sources of uncertainty.

Remote vs. face-to-face activities in the teaching of renal pathophysiology in the context of social isolation during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic forced medical schools around the world to adopt emergency remote learning as a resort to avoid interruption of courses. However, the effectiveness of online classes as an educational strategy has been questioned by medical educators and students. In a prospective observational study design, students enrolled in a renal physiology and pathophysiology course were exposed to either face-to-face or remote synchronous classes. Students taught online obtained significantly higher mean scores than the group who had in-person classes, both groups assessed with identical exams. Appropriate screening tests suggested that fraud is unlikely to have significantly influenced these results and that the observed differences in performance reflected increased learning by the remote group. These observations suggest that online classes can help to maintain the continuity of physiology and pathophysiology courses during periods of social isolation and may contribute to improving learning under normal conditions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we were able to make a rare direct comparison of face-to-face and remote strategies for the teaching of undergraduate medical students in a specific area, namely, renal pathophysiology. Unexpectedly, students who attended the remote course had significantly higher grades than those who had mostly in-person classes.

Medical Students' Participation in Extracurricular Activities: Motivations, Contributions, and Barriers. A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Extracurricular activities in medical education are defined as any social, philanthropic, non-mandatory, and unpaid activities. These activities promote interactions between students and the community in ways that both provide care and create learning opportunities and experiences for both students and the community at large. This study elaborates on the motivational aspects, learnings, and barriers that occur when students participate in these activities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of medical students in their first to fifth years. Qualitative analyses have been used to understand the motivation, barriers, and contributions associated with extracurricular activities participation. Results: Of the 586 students enrolled in the medical course, 462 students agreed to participate in the research. The students reported that they were motivated to participate in contributing to society, support their professional choices, integrate their knowledge, gain life experience, develop communication and leadership skills, learn to work in a team, and become more responsible, empathetic, and resilient. Barriers to participation were the limited number of available positions, selection criteria, lack of support from those involved, personal issues, poor time management, risk of lowered academic performance, and lack of physical and financial resources. Discussion: Medical students are motivated to participate in Community-based extracurricular activities (CBEA) and this experience leads to improvement in the curriculum and can develop fundamental skills and attitudes such as leadership, commitment, and responsibility. To maximize the benefits of these activities, schools must support students and ensure that they have the time and chance to participate without physical strain, that were barriers mentioned by the academics.

Medical students' participation in the Volunteering Program during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study about motivation and the development of new competencies.

BACKGROUND: Considering evidence on competency-based curricula and the benefits of volunteering, this study highlights innovative ideas to improve medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the motivations and perceptions of competencies developed as leadership and management skills in medical students who joined the COVID-19 Volunteering Program in a Brazilian medical school. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, qualitative study involving medical students from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. They were invited to participate in an institutional Volunteering Program during the pandemic and filled out online application forms, including sociodemographic fields and two open-ended questions about their motivation to volunteer and perceptions of their own competencies. At the end of the program, students who were involved in management-related activities were also invited to participate in focus group interviews to track their perceptions about volunteering in this area. Data were submitted to descriptive and content analysis methods. All participants provided informed consent with electronic signatures. RESULTS: A total of 286 medical students subscribed to the Volunteering Program: 171 (60%) were men, 152 (53%) were enrolled in their 5th year of medical school, and 158 (55%) were 23-25 years old. One hundred and twelve (44%) students reported that they were motivated by altruistic reasons, 95 (37%) reported duty and 47 (19%) prioritized academic interests. Concerning CanMEDS competencies, 91 (36%) students' responses matched the Scholar component, followed by 51 (20%) with Collaborator, 49 (20%) with Professional, 32 (13%) with Communicator, 17 (7%) with Leader and 11 (4%) with Health Advocate. In focus groups, students reported the importance of management and leadership skills as a curricular component, motivations to volunteer, and acquired skills from volunteering in management and leadership-related activities, thereby indicating the development of resilient attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Students who participated in the School of Medicine of University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP) Volunteering Program reported being motivated to help others (altruistic reasons) and to serve society as future health professionals (duty). Knowledge and work-related competencies prevailed over leadership or soft skills, emphasizing the importance of including such activities in the curriculum. Participating in management-related activities could help develop a more resilient attitude toward medical training. Volunteering programs offer students opportunities to develop competencies essential for their roles as future health professionals. Thus, we should think about including such activities in the curricular structure.

Belas artes para estudantes de medicina: motivando debates transformadores / Fine arts for medical students: driving transformative debates

Introdução: Debater artes durante a graduação pode ser uma forma criativa de desenvolver novas percepções e perspectivas para estudantes de medicina. Promover atividades que visem criar momentos envolvendo temáticas humanísticas, simultaneamente ao conhecimento técnico médico, como artes e atividades físicas em um ambiente lúdico, continua sendo um desafio. Nesse contexto, foi criado um Programa Extracurricular de Aperfeiçoamento Global de Estudantes de Medicina (GIPMS) da Universidade de Fortaleza, que incluiu encontros envolvendo diversos estímulos artísticos. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar se o contato com a arte durante a graduação no contexto do GIPMS pode gerar percepções, sentimentos e reflexões para proporcionar importantes debates. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo prospectivo com um total de 42 sessões de grupo focal, que foram gravadas e transcritas na íntegra. Cada grupo foi conduzido por 2 mentores, e todos os 6 grupos focais utilizaram questionários qualitativos padronizados nas sessões, que foram realizadas a cada 45 dias. Foi realizada uma análise temática das transcrições, confirmada com o software QSR NVIVO (versão 11). Resultados: Um total de 40 alunos (15 homens e 25 mulheres) participaram deste estudo de um ano. As categorias encontradas foram: Os estímulos artísticos foram capazes de fazer os participantes pensarem (124 citações), sentirem (78, 65 sobre sentimentos positivos e 13 sobre sentimentos negativos) e lembrarem (41). Destacaram-se: a influência da carga horária de estudos no tempo dedicado às artes e às reflexões (61); relação entre arte e vida e produtividade acadêmica (75); mudanças de atitudes proporcionadas pelos estímulos artísticos propostos (38 citações). Conclusões: O programa foi capaz de gerar, de forma inovadora, novas percepções de sentimentos, sensações e reflexões, bem como evocar memórias que proporcionaram debates importantes, que, segundo os próprios alunos, serviram de inspiração para mudar perspectivas e atitudes e proporcionou benefícios subjetivos na vida acadêmica. [au]

Introduction: Debating arts during graduation can be a creative way to develop new perceptions and perspectives for medical students. To promote activities that aim to create moments involving humanistic themes, simultaneously to technical medical knowledge, such as arts and physical activities in a playful setting, remains a challenge. A extracurricular Global Improvement Programme of Medical Students (GIPMS) of the University of Fortaleza was created on this context, and included meetings involving various artistic stimuli. Purpose: The objective of this paper is to evaluate if the contact with art during graduation in the context of GIPMS can generate perceptions, feelings and reflections to provide important debates. Methods: A prospective qualitative study was conducted including a total of 42 focal group sessions, which were recorded and fully transcribed. Each group was conducted by 2 mentors, and all 6 focal groups used standardized qualitative questionnaires each session, which were performed every 45 days. A thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed, confirmed with the QSR NVIVO software (version 11). Results: A total of 40 students (15 men and 25 women) participated in this one-year study. The categories found were: Artistic stimuli were able to make participants think (124 quotes), feel (78, 65 about positive feelings and 13 about negative ones) and remember (41). The following stood out: the influence of the time load of studies in the time dedicated to the arts and the reflections. (61); relationship between the arts and life and academic productivity (75); changes in attitudes provided by the proposed artistic stimuli (38 citations). Conclusions: The program was able to generate, in an innovative way, new perceptions of feelings, sensations and reflections, as well as to evoke memories that provided important debates, which, according to the students themselves, served as inspiration to change perspectives and attitudes and provided subjective benefits in academic life. [au]

Percepção de preceptores do internato sobre a influência de modelos na formação médica / Perception of internship preceptors on the influence of models on medical education

Resumo: Introdução: O profissionalismo é a base do contrato social que legitima a medicina como profissão e pode ser desenvolvido a partir da interação com bons modelos profissionais. No papel do preceptor, um profissional da saúde tem, entre seus atributos, o de acompanhar o estudante enquanto desenvolve sua função assistencial, tornando-se, consequentemente, um modelo na formação do futuro profissional. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a percepção dos preceptores do internato do Hospital Universitário de Vassouras (HUV) sobre a influência de modelos na formação médica. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, cuja metodologia foi constituída por duas etapas. A primeira compreendeu a aplicação de um questionário estruturado com dados sociodemográficos, enquanto a segunda contemplou a realização de grupo focal on-line. Resultado: Dos 42 preceptores, 28 participaram efetivamente (75,6%). A análise dos dados evidenciou a importância atribuída pelos preceptores ao seu papel de educador não só para a formação de futuros médicos tecnicamente capacitados ao exercício de uma medicina humanizada, mas também para profissionais dotados de princípios éticos, valores e compromissos. Conclusão: Os preceptores exercem a sua função com muito prazer e compromisso, autopercebendo que são modelos de profissionalismo e que podem representar exemplos positivos ou negativos para os estudantes. Ressalta-se que o tema profissionalismo necessita ser explicitado na construção dos currículos, em vez de ficar restrito ao currículo oculto na formação médica.

Abstract: Introduction: Professionalism is the basis of social contract which legitimizes medicine as profession, and it can be developed through interaction with good professional models. As preceptor, health professionals have, among their attributes, to accompany students while developing his/her care function, thus becoming a model to form future professionals. Objective: This article aims to verify internship tutors' perception on models' influence on their medical training at the University Hospital of Vassouras (HUV). Method: This is an exploratory qualitative research, whose methodology consisted of two stages. The first comprised a structured questionnaire about sociodemographic data, while the second contemplated the accomplishment of an online focus group on the digital zoom platform. Result: From 42 preceptors invited to participate, 28 actually participated, representing 75.6%. Data analysis evidenced the importance attributed by preceptors to their role as educators not only for the training of future doctors technically qualified to exercise humanized medicine, but also for professionals endowed with ethical principles, values and commitments. Conclusion: It was concluded that preceptors exercise their role with great pleasure and commitment, self-perceiving that they are models of professionalism and that they can represent positive or negative examples for students. It is also noteworthy that the professionalism theme needs to be made explicit in the construction of curricula, rather than being restricted to the hidden curriculum in education.

[The development of autonomy among adolescents with Down syndrome based on the pedagogy of Paulo Freire]. / O desenvolvimento da autonomia em adolescentes com síndrome de Down a partir da pedagogia de Paulo Freire.

Autonomy is a process that enables us to understand and act on the environment and on ourselves. During adolescence, transformations result in the development of autonomy. Adolescents with Down syndrome (ADS) have perceptual-cognitive limitations and few opportunities to acquire autonomy. The development of autonomy in an occupational therapy group, with dyads of ADS and their main caregivers was analyzed. The evaluation of the materials produced in the therapeutic process pointed to four categories of analysis: self-perception, perception of the other, shared experience and change of attitude. The results show symbiotic relationships between the dyad, which hamper the individuation process and limit the opportunities to carry out activities independently. The therapeutic process based on Paulo Freire's pedagogy raised the level from an ingenuous to a critical awareness, resulting in changes in the attitudes of caregivers in relation to the identification of potential and acceptance of their own limitations and the ADS under care. This symbiosis complicates the individuation process and the access to experiences necessary for the development of autonomy. The therapeutic process can modify the attitudes of caregivers and foster continuity in development and autonomy.

A autonomia é um processo que nos capacita a compreender e agir sobre nós mesmos e sobre o ambiente. Na adolescência, transformações resultam no desenvolvimento da autonomia. Adolescentes com Síndrome de Down (ASD) têm limitações percepto-cognitivas e poucas oportunidades para aquisição de autonomia. Analisamos o desenvolvimento da autonomia em um grupo terapêutico de Terapia Ocupacional, com díades de ASD e seus principais cuidadores. A análise dos materiais documentais produzidos no processo terapêutico apontou quatro categorias de análise: autopercepção, percepção do outro, vivência compartilhada e mudança de atitude. Os resultados mostram relações simbióticas entre a díade, que dificultam o processo de individuação e limitam as oportunidades para realização das atividades de modo independente. O processo terapêutico baseado na pedagogia freiriana mobilizou de uma consciência ingênua para crítica, acarretando mudanças nas atitudes dos cuidadores em relação à identificação de potenciais e aceitação de limitações próprias e do ASD cuidado. Essa simbiose dificulta o processo de individuação e o acesso a experiências necessárias para o desenvolvimento de autonomia. O processo terapêutico pode modificar as atitudes dos cuidadores e propiciar continuidade do desenvolvimento e autonomia.

Medical students' perceptions and motivations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There has been a rapid increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Latin America, Africa, Asia and many countries that have an insufficient number of physicians and other health care personnel, and the need for the inclusion of medical students on health teams is a very important issue. It has been recommended that medical students work as volunteers, undergo appropriate training, not undertake any activity beyond their level of competence, and receive continuous supervision and adequate personal protective equipment. However, the motivation of medical students must be evaluated to make volunteering a more evidence-based initiative. The aim of our study was to evaluate the motivation of medical students to be part of health teams to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We developed a questionnaire specifically to evaluate medical students' perceptions about participating in the care of patients with suspected infection with coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire had two parts: a) one part with questions on individual characteristics, year in medical school and geographic location of the medical school and b) a second part with twenty-eight statements assessed on a 5-point Likert scale (totally agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree and totally disagree). To develop the questionnaire, we performed consensus meetings with a group of faculty and medical students. The questionnaire was sent to student organizations of 257 medical schools in Brazil and answered by 10,433 students. We used multinomial logistic regression models to analyze the data. Statements associated with greater odds ratios for participation of medical students in the COVID-19 pandemic were related to a sense of purpose or duty ("It is the duty of the medical student to put himself or herself at the service of the population in the pandemic"), altruism ("I am willing to take risks by participating in practice in the context of the pandemic"), and perception of good performance and professional identity ("I will be a better health professional for having experienced the pandemic"). Males were more prone than females to believe that only interns should participate in the care of patients with COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.36 [coefficient interval 95%:1.24-1.49]) and that all students should participate (OR 1.68 [CI:1.4-1.91]). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students are more motivated by a sense of purpose or duty, altruism, perception of good performance and values of professionalism than by their interest in learning. These results have implications for the development of volunteering programs and the design of health force policies in the present pandemic and in future health emergencies.

Predictive factors of quality of life among medical students: results from a multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: Medical students have a worse perception of Quality of Life (QoL) and a high prevalence of psychosocial suffering when compared to the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate associated factors with Quality of Life of Brazilian medical students from an exploratory analysis in a cross-sectional study described in accordance with the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and multicenter study with national sample randomized by sex and year of the course. Data were collected between August 2011 and August 2012, using an electronic platform (VERAS platform). Our outcomes included: personal quality of life (QoLp) and quality of life related to medical course activities (QoLmc), both measured using a score ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). Variables as predictors: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF); VERAS-Q (a questionnaire created to evaluate the QoL of students in health professions); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Resilience Scale (RS-14), Interpersonal Reactivity Multidimensional Scale (IRMS) and Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). RESULTS: Our sample is comprised of 1350 (81.8%) medical students. When comparing predictors and both quality of life outcome measures, we found a negative correlation between QoL and the BDI, PSQI and ESS scores. Through a multiple linear regression mode we identified the median of significant predictors to higher QoL. We then run a tree regression model that demonstrated that the VERAS-Q-physical health domain (a domain assessing self-care, self-perception of health, sleep, leisure, physical activity and appearance) was the most important factor predicting QoL. Students with a VERAS-Q-physical health score ≥ 60.9 and a VERAS-Q-time management (address the management of the student's time, free time and whether he can dedicate himself to other activities besides the course) score ≥ 55.7 presented the best QoLmc (score: 8.08-9.63%). Students with a VERAS-Q-physical health score ≥ 79.7 presented the highest QoLp (score 8.93-8.74%). CONCLUSION: Physical symptoms, self-perception of health and self-care assessed by the VERAS-Q physical domain had association with both final outcomes. Time management seems to have a protective role for better Quality of Life. These variables should be taken in consideration when designing interventions to improve Quality of Life among medical students.

Sleepiness, sleep deprivation, quality of life, mental symptoms and perception of academic environment in medical students.

BACKGROUND: It has been previously shown that a high percentage of medical students have sleep problems that interfere with academic performance and mental health. METHODS: To study the impact of sleep quality, daytime somnolence, and sleep deprivation on medical students, we analyzed data from a multicenter study with medical students in Brazil (22 medical schools, 1350 randomized medical students). We applied questionnaires of daytime sleepiness, quality of sleep, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms and perception of educational environment. RESULTS: 37.8% of medical students presented mild values of daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale - ESS) and 8.7% presented moderate/severe values. The percentage of female medical students that presented ESS values high or very high was significantly greater than male medical students (p <  0.05). Students with lower ESS scores presented significantly greater scores of quality of life and perception of educational environment and lower scores of depression and anxiety symptoms, and these relationships showed a dose-effect pattern. Medical students reporting more sleep deprivation showed significantly greater odds ratios of presenting anxiety and depression symptoms and lower odds of good quality of life or perception of educational environment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness with the perception of quality of life and educational environment in medical students.

Percepção dos estudantes em relação às possibilidades de aprendizado e seu papel no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 / Students' perception of learning possibilities and their role in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

O advento da pandemia da COVID-19 em 2020 impôs mudanças inesperadas nas práticas educacionais, o que implicou na transição emergencial dos cursos tradicionalmente oferecidos na modalidade de ensino presencial para o ensino remoto online. Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos estudantes brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional sobre as possibilidades de aprendizado e seu papel nos campos de prática profissional durante a pandemia. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo transversal por meio da aplicação de um questionário online. Participaram 236 estudantes de cursos públicos e privados de graduação em Terapia Ocupacional. Os participantes concordaram com a implementação do ensino remoto durante a pandemia, mas defenderam que a formação seja desenvolvida integralmente de modo presencial após o término dessa emergência. A maioria afirmou que seu estado emocional na pandemia prejudicava o aprendizado. Os estudantes reconheceram a relevância de sua atuação nos campos de prática e em maioria sentiam-se despreparados para prestar assistência à população no formato de teleatendimento. Espera-se que esse estudo contribua com o planejamento e melhorias nos cursos enquanto for necessário manter o ensino remoto, assim como, para avaliações da formação em terapia ocupacional durante e após a pandemia.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 imposed unexpected changes in educational practices, which involved the emergency transition of courses traditionally offered in the modality of face-to-face teaching to remote online teaching. This study aimed to know the perception of Brazilian occupational therapy students about the possibilities of learning and their role in the fields of professional practice during the pandemic. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted through the application of an online questionnaire. Participants were 236 students of public and private undergraduate courses in Occupational Therapy. The participants agreed to the implementation of remote education during the pandemic, but argued that training be fully developed in person after the end of this emergency. Most said that their emotional state in the pandemic impaired learning. The students recognized the relevance of their performance in the fields of practice but they felt unprepared to provide assistance to the population in the format of telehealth practices. It is expected that this study will contribute to the planning and improvements in the courses as long as it is necessary to maintain remote education, as well as to evaluate the training in occupational therapy during and after the pandemic

Online learning and COVID-19: a meta-synthesis analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic demanded a quick shift from presential to e-learning processes. Unlike planned e-learning programs, medical schools have had to quickly deliver the entire medical curriculum using remote strategies. This study aimed to perform a meta-synthesis of previous pandemic situations and describe the experience of the São Paulo University School of Medicine. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, EMBASE, Lilacs, Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC, using the following keywords: ("SARS" OR "severe acute respiratory syndrome" OR "severe acute respiratory syndrome" OR "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus" OR "middle east respiratory syndrome*" OR "MERS-CoV" OR "Mers" OR "Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome*" OR "MERS-CoV*" OR "coronavirus" OR "Coronavirus Infections" OR "coronavirus*" OR "COVID-19" OR "2019-nCoV" OR "SARS-CoV-2") AND ("online education" OR "Education, Distance" OR "e-learning" OR "course online" OR "flipped classroom") AND ("lockdown" OR "social distance" OR "quarantine"). The endpoints were the online platforms used for online learning, the model of class, recorded versus online interaction, duration of online lectures, and students' and teachers' perceptions of online learning. We retrieved 38 records; only seven articles studied online education methods related to the pandemic and social distancing rules. The most frequently used online platform was Zoom®. The studies examined both synchronous and asynchronous approaches. There was no evidence regarding duration and students' and teachers' attitude. This study suggests that the online learning shift was feasible; however, because of the nature of the education shift (pandemic), future studies must further analyze the educational structure.

Relationship between metacognitive awareness and motivation to learn in medical students.

BACKGROUND: In self-regulated learning, learning is defined as metacognitively guided, intrinsically motivated and strategic. In the context of medical education, the development of self-regulated learning can be associated with better academic and clinical performance. Hence, this report focuses on demonstrating the association between metacognitive awareness and motivation to learn among medical students in the clinical sciences portion of their education (3rd and 4th years of the medical programme) and characterizing medical students' motivational factors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with a qualitative and quantitative approach involving medical students from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil. We have selected validated self-report questionnaires for the evaluation of metacognition (the Schraw and Dennison Metacognitive Awareness Inventory - MAI) and motivation to learn (the Baranik, Barron and Finney Achievement Goals for a Work Domain - AGWD). MAI has two domains: knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition. AGWD divides achievement goals into mastery approach, mastery avoidance, performance approach and performance avoidance goal orientations. We also performed a qualitative analysis based on an open-ended question: "What motivates me the most in medical training?" RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five students completed the questionnaires: 103 (55.67%) were men, 110 (59.45%) were in their fourth year of the medical programme, and 152 (82.16%) were up to 24 years old. Only the knowledge about cognition domain of MAI was significantly associated with motivation to learn. We found that higher scores on the knowledge about cognition domain of MAI was associated with the mastery approach goal orientation (p = 0.003, median 0.71, IQR 0.23) and that lower scores on this same domain was associated with a mastery avoidance goal orientation (p = 0.034, median 0.65, IQR 0.14). The open-ended question showed that altruism, personal satisfaction, financial feedback, personal and supportive networks and graduating were motivational factors. CONCLUSIONS: Metacognitive awareness and motivation to learn are closely related. This association may represent a potential target for the educational process, as deans and faculty can adopt strategies focused on promoting self-regulated learning concerning students' motivational factors. This could enhance academic outcomes and promote more enjoyable learning.