Purpose: Narrative medicine consists of the expression of medical experiences and the reflection on narratives to foster empathic communication with patients. Reflecting on narratives increases self-awareness and recognition of the feelings of the narrator or the story’s main character, which in turn affects the audience. This study was conducted to examine the impact of a narrative medicine program on the reflective capacity and empathy of medical students.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed during the 2018–2019 academic year at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran involving 135 medical interns in 2 groups (control [n=66] and experimental [n=69]). Interns in the experimental group took part in seven 2-hour reflective practice sessions, while those in the control group underwent no educational intervention. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted for both groups using 2 valid and reliable tools for the assessment of reflective capacity and empathy. Mean reflection and empathy scores were compared within groups (between pre- and post-test values) and between groups (using the paired-t test and the t-test; P≤0.05).Results: The mean reflection and empathy scores of the experimental group significantly increased from pre-test to post-test, but those of the control group did not. Moreover, the mean post-test scores were significantly different between the 2 groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: Narrative medicine is an effective teaching method that can improve reflective capacity and empathy, thereby ultimately promoting professionalism as a core competency in medicine. Consideration of learning conditions and interdisciplinary teaching are necessary for implementing a narrative medicine program.
CONTEXT:Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) is a specialized clinical field of musculoskeletal diseases and physical impairment that is unknown for most of the medical students.AIMS:This study aimed to assess medical students’ attitude and knowledge toward PMR and its role in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.SETTING AND DESIGN:This cross-sectional study was done on 175 medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from 2015 to 2016. Sample population was selected by random sampling among 350 students.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Participants were evaluated by a research-made questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. This questionnaire included 36 questions divided in four parts including demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and performance ranking.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:Data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Statistical test for quantitative and qualitative variables was carried out by mean ± standard deviation and percentage or number, respectively. For analyzing variables, Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used.RESULTS:In this study, 150 medical students with a mean age of 24.48 ± 1.48 years participated of which 40% of them were male. The mean score of Student's knowledge about PMR and its role in diagnosis and treatment of disorders was 5.16 ± 1.90, and 91.3% had low level of knowledge. The mean score of student's attitude toward PMR and its role in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal problems was 3.33 ± 0.46, and 69.3% had attitude level above the average. Evaluation of student's performance showed that when they manage patients with musculoskeletal problems as general physician, they refer the patients to physiatrists at the first step if it is necessary.CONCLUSION:Understanding the factors influencing the attitudes and knowledge of medical students is prime to help establishing the roles, providing proper facilities, carrying out successful planning to train expert physicians and create a motivated environment in medical schools.
Background:On account of the prevalence of psychoactive substances and drug abuse and its diversity of forms and methods of use, along with the reduction in the age of drug abuse, a continuing medical educationof physicians with these issues is necessary. Although it is legally forbidden, most physicians have no close contact to these drugs, and this is not effective for training, prevention and treatment of drug addiction. In this regard, offering an educational tool is needed, if in close contact to these drugs. The ‘Nejat Briefcase’ is a tool designed for the purpose of training and familiarization of psychoactive substances and drugs. The aim of this study is to investigate the points of view of the participants in the continuing medical education program, ‘Introduction to types of psychoactive substances and drugs’ and about the Nejat Briefcase, in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS).Materials and Methods:In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, all the general physicians (108 people) who participated in the continuing medical education program, ‘Introducing types of psychoactive substances and drugs,’ in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), in 2012 – 2013, were considered. In this program, in order to introduce various types of psychoactive substances and drugs to the physicians, as well as acquaint them with their forms, methods of use, and prices, the new educational tool (Nejat Briefcase), containing various types of psychoactive substances and drugs and the related educational packages, such as, booklets and brochures, was used. A researcher-made, valid and reliable questionnaire was distributed at the end of program to gather the participants’ points of view about the educational program. Data was analyzed by the SPSS and t-test and descriptive statistical tests.Results and Discussion:The response rate to the questionnaire was 83%. Forty-four people (41%) were women and 64 (59%) were men. The mean total score of the participants’ points of view was 4/58 ± 0/45 (out of 5), which indicated the positive points of view of the participants. Ninety-seven people (90%) were satisfied with the program.Conclusions:On account of the participants’ positive points of view on the Nejat Briefcase and their consent to it, using varied and attractive educational tools for psychoactive substances and drug training and producing tools similar to the Nejat Briefcase are proposed.
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