Evaluation of Legal Medicine knowledge by medical students in a public university in Brazil’s northernmost estate

Abstract

Introduction:The knowledge hoarded by humanity grows and renews itself at each passing day, reformulating theories and proofing or discarding phenomena that were previously had as anomalies or certainties. Therefore, it is not hard to imagine that the way it is passed on to the subsequent generations has to change and suit new paradigms and available tools, in order to become better and more efficient. After all, at each year, there is more information to be passed on, but there isn't more time to do so. This stands out in the area of medical education, as medicine is a profession that nowadays seeks to exert its office with excellence, always based on solid evidence. Methodology:The data here presented were collected only after the express consent and authorization of the competent department, the Standing Committee on Ethics and Research of the Federal University of Roraima (CEPE/UFRR) under the reports 3.636.850 of October 11th, 2019, and 3.892.410 of March 02nd, 2020. registered at the CAAE 21975519.7.0000.5302, available for public consultation at https://plataformabrasil.saude.gov.br.The project was conducted as a transversal, qualitative and quantitative study through the application of standard questionnaires. It gathered a total sum of 203 questionnaires properly filled, throughout five applications. There were 11 invalid questionnaires, even after the five applications. In the end, the sample acquired was: 51 students of the sixth year, 80 students of the third year, and 72 students of the first year, all the samples were statistically representative of their groups according to the official list of enrolling of each respective year, which was provided by the Health Science Centre (CCS/UFRR) regarding the academic year of 2019. Results:The following confidence intervals to Pearson R 1st year x 3rd year: 0,08403 to 0,7759; 1st year x 6th year: -1,12620 to 0,67720; 3rd year to 6th year: 0,36310 to 0,8695. Nonetheless, the growing performance stands out, as the first year held a mean of 4,708 (SD +/-1,826) and a median of 5, the third year held a mean of 7,112 (SD +/-2,407) and a mean of 7 and, at last, the sixth year held a mean of 9,803 (SD +/-2,702) with a median of 10. Taking into consideration the amount of 20 items and the baseline for approval as 70 %, both third and sixth years had only 3 students, each, who marked at least 14 correct items, representing an approval rate of 3,75 % and 5,88 % respectively. Conclusion:Based on the aforementioned, the data found suggest that, although students receive formal education and are approved by the Ministry of Education for employability and validation in face of the national scenario, there is evidence of a shortage in the areas of legal medicine, with the evident tendency to grow as the course progresses, but still insufficient when compared to the recently applied medical exams requirements standard.