Transfusion medicine in medical education: an analysis of curricular grids in Brazil and a review of the current literature

Abstract

BackgroundBlood transfusions are one of the most performed medical procedures in the world. Thus, as education in transfusion medicine is vital to medical care, it should aim to promote a responsible practice with the rational use of blood by doctors. This study aims to investigate the situation of the teaching of transfusion medicine in medical schools in Brazil.MethodThe websites of the 249 Brazilian medical schools in operation in June 2015 were visited and the curricula of the medical courses were investigated in respect to the presence or absence of a transfusion medicine discipline. When available, the subject grids were analyzed to verify whether a description of content regarding transfusion medicine was given within other disciplines.ResultsOf the 249 medical school sites visited, information on the curriculum was obtained from 178. Of the medical schools that published their curriculum, 132 (74.1%) did not have disciplines of transfusion medicine or hematology and only seven (3.9%) had a discipline of transfusion medicine in the curricular grid.ConclusionsEducation on transfusion medicine is of fundamental importance for safe and efficient transfusion practices. Deficiencies in medical knowledge of this subject have been found worldwide. The results of this study indicate a possible deficiency in teaching the basics of this specialty. Thus, additional prospective studies to assess the knowledge and practice of transfusion medicine in Brazilian medical schools are warranted, which could prompt a discussion on the importance of offering training in transfusion medicine to medical students.

Assessment of the knowledge and perceptions of Brazilian medical residents on transfusion medicine

“…It is important to note that a very small percentage of the participating physicians had undergraduate training (17%). This result is consistent with a previous survey that indicated that only 27% of Brazilian medical schools mentioned the content or offered the subject of transfusion medicine or hematology in their curricula available online 19 …”

Red blood cell prescription and recognition of transfusion reactions by pediatricians

“…( 27 ) In 2015, 249 Brazilian Medical Schools were evaluated, and only 3.9% of courses covered transfusion medicine. ( 28 ) Similar data have been described in other countries. ( 29 , 30 )…”

“…( 27 ) Em 2015, 249 escolas médicas brasileiras foram avaliadas, e apenas 3,9% dos cursos abordavam medicina transfusional. ( 28 ) Dados semelhantes foram descritos em outros países. ( 29 , 30 )…”

Patient blood management programs: how to spread the word?

“…Importantly, the majority of residents (65%) stated that additional transfusion medicine training may be “very” or “extremely” helpful [ 23 ]. Although RBC transfusion is one of the most common procedures performed in hospitals [ 24 ], it is surprising and disappointing that the training of medical students and residents in the field of transfusion medicine is lacking [ 25 , 26 ].…”