Good Treatment by Teachers as Perceived by Medical Students in Chile: A Survey-Based Study.

<p style="text-align:justify">This study was designed to investigate the state of self-concept among Chilean and Portuguese university students with disabilities with the aim of introducing proposals to help their inclusion and academic performance. First, the two samples compared separately students with and without disabilities with their peers and subsequently both were compared with students with disabilities from both countries. The role of gender and participation in support programmes for students with disabilities was also examined. The instrument used was the AF5-Scale, which assesses five dimensions of self-concept (academic, social, emotional, family and physical) and a socio-demographic form. The results (applying a non-parametric analysis) showed that students with disabilities in both countries presented lower scores for physical self-concept than peers without disabilities, the Chilean students being those who obtained the lower scores when comparing only students with disabilities. Women showed higher academic self-concept, but worse emotional self-concept than men. Finally, it was found that students participating in support programmes have a higher physical self-concept than those who do not. It is concluded that a way to improve the deficit in self-concept in both samples could be associated with participation in these support programmes.</p>

Medical education is inherently challenging, and students with symptoms suggestive of specific learning disabilities [SLDs; e.g. dyslexia (reading disorder) and dysgraphia (writing disorder)] often face additional academic obstacles. However, limited research exists on how these disabilities impact academic satisfaction and self-efficacy among medical students, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study explored the prevalence of self-reported SLD symptoms among medical students in Saudi Arabia and their effects on academic satisfaction and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional study of 208 medical students assessed sociodemographics, SLD symptoms, academic satisfaction, and self-efficacy. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multinomial regression [Exp(B) = odds ratio]. Results showed a high prevalence of symptoms reporting: dysgraphia (35.1%), dyscalculia (37.5%), and auditory/language processing difficulties (21.6-24.0%). Dysgraphia [odds ratio (OR) = 2.325, P = 0.020] and dyslexia (OR = 3.697, P = 0.058) predicted lower self-efficacy. Saudi students reported lower self-efficacy (P = 0.044) and satisfaction (P = 0.024) than non-Saudi students, potentially due to language/cultural factors. Academic satisfaction strongly correlated with self-reported performance (OR = 6.261, P < 0.001) and self-efficacy (r = 0.245, P < 0.001). These findings highlight the needs for: (i) formal screening for SLDs, (ii) tailored accommodations, and (iii) future studies evaluating intervention efficacy. Research should also examine longitudinal outcomes across diverse institutions.

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), the anxiety of being excluded from meaningful experiences, could affect medical students due to their intense academic demands and limited social interactions. This anxiety compels students to remain constantly connected, often leading to excessive social media engagement and feelings of inadequacy through online comparisons. Such behavior disrupts sleep patterns, diminishes academic performance, and heightens stress levels. Addressing FoMO’s impact on well-being is crucial for educators in supporting medical students’ mental health and professional competency. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 355 medical students at a Thai university via validated Thai versions of the FoMO Scale, SAS-SV (Smartphone Addiction Scale), and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) were utilized to assess FoMO, smartphone addiction, and depression, respectively. Demographic data were collected to identify predictive and protective factors. Of the 355 medical students (mean age: 20 years, 58.9% female), participants spent an average of 7.87 hours daily on the internet, including 4.70 hours on social media. The mean FoMO score was 21.67 (SD = 7.51), indicating mild FoMO in most students. The prevalence of smartphone addiction and depression were 24.2% and 34.6%, respectively. Additionally, 71.0% experienced sleep problems, and 30.4% reported low self-esteem. Moderate correlations were identified between FoMO and depression (r = 0.456, p < 0.001) and between FoMO and smartphone addiction (r = 0.558, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that being in a relationship (p = 0.039) was significantly associated with higher FoMO scores, while occasional exercise (p = 0.037) and higher life satisfaction (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with lower FoMO scores. FoMO correlates with smartphone addiction and depression among medical students. Occasional exercise and higher life satisfaction were associated with lower FoMO, while partnered status contributed to higher FoMO. These findings demonstrate educators should address FoMO by fostering life satisfaction, promoting occasional physical activity, advising students on managing intimate relationships, and establishing healthy boundaries for digital wellness and mental health improvements. Mitigating FoMO may help reduce depression and smartphone addiction, as they are positively correlated. Educators can reduce FoMO by incorporating strategies for personal relationships, exercise, and life satisfaction into medical curricula.

Because information about travel medicine in Chile is lacking, a knowledge, attitudes, and practices evaluation in international travelers and medical students was done. The travelers and medical students did not know the travel medicine and sanitary conditions of their destinations, although they perceived travel-associated health risks, but <10% had any vaccination and 5% got sick during international trips.

Vaccination is a proven tool for fighting infectious diseases. With the development of the pandemic, the relevance of vaccination prevention has significantly increased, and therefore the importance of considering aspects of vaccination among various population groups has increased. Of particular importance is the commitment to vaccination of medical university students, as future doctors on the one hand, and young mothers on the other. P u r p o s e – identification of the peculiarities of adherence to vaccination of students of a separate medical university and young mothers of a certain territory to optimize the popularization of vaccination prevention. M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . A comparative study of vaccination adherence of 167 medical university students (average age 22,3±0,79 years) and 200 mothers aged 19 to 30 years (average age 23,5±5,1 years) living in Smolensk was planned and conducted. In the course of the study, statistical, analytical methods, and open online questionnaires were used. R e s a l t s . The analysis of the results of the survey of young mothers and medical students indicates a generally positive attitude towards vaccination, the importance of which is understood by more than half of the respondents. Respondents of both groups are actively interested in the topic of vaccination prevention and would like to receive more information on this issue. The main source of information about vaccination in both young mothers and medical students are medical professionals. The majority of respondents of both sexes will vaccinate their children within the framework of the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations. F i n d i n g s . It is necessary to strengthen the formation of commitment to vaccine prevention among medical students and young mothers. This can be done by making changes in the educational structure; conducting webinars, seminars, conferences on immunoprophylaxis; development of informational materials for the population on vaccine prevention in the form of models, posters with the participation of students. It will be advisable to involve volunteers – medical students to speak to parents and peers on vaccination, as well as strengthening health education work among the population and talking to parents about the possible consequences of lack of vaccination.

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2–5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443–8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154–371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864–2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880–1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358–20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2–5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.

Experiences of sexual violence in adolescence and young adulthood have received little attention in Chilean public health research and practice. To describe the prevalence and contexts of sexual violence victimization in a sample of university students in Chile. A self-administered, quantitative survey including items on sexual violence was completed by 484 female and 466 male students at a public university in Chile in 2005. Thirty-one percent of women and 21 % of men reported having experienced at least one incident of sexual violence since age 14; the corresponding percentages for the past 12 months were 17% and 12%, respectively. The perpetrators were identified predominantly as an acquaintance; another important fraction corresponded to a partner or a date. Alcohol or other substances were involved in most cases. Among students who indicated having been assaulted, the incident was reported to the police by none of the men and 2% of women. Twenty one percent of women and 9% of men reported having experienced sexual violence before age 14. The high prevalence of sexual violence found in this study indicates that this issue merits further public health attention in Chile.

This study determined the teachers’ levels of competencies in terms of digital literacy and subject mastery. It utilized a descriptive quantitative research design and was conducted among four elementary schools located in Bongao Municipality. The respondents were the teachers handling English subjects. The researchers developed a survey questionnaire, which was pilot tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. The questionnaire had a reliability coefficient of .91, which was highly acceptable. Percentage and weighted mean were used to analyze the demographic profile of the teachers. Spearman correlation was used to determine the significant relationships among variables. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the demographic profile of the teachers and their subject mastery and digital literacy. Researchers concluded that teachers were very highly competent in both subject mastery and digital literacy. Furthermore, teachers can still be provided with ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance their skills.

The literature proposes that the scientific production of the students of medicine and health sciences in Latin American countries is very poor and contradicts one of the key functions of universities when the concept of Knowledge Society is taken into account. The sequential and systematic application of courses related with the Research Methodology decreased the unsatisfactory indicators when applied to students at the Fines Terrae University Medical School (Chile). It was observed that those students who received the aforesaid courses were able to successfully complete their scientific investigation. Some of them were able to present their results in scientific meetings, whilst others could also produce publications. The referred system generates conditions for developing interdisciplinary processes (basic and preclinical subjects and approaching to clinical ones), contributes to diminishing the poor indicators linked to Student Scientific Production, guarantees that all students may acquire investigative competences, even under critical circumstances, and collaborates with the approach between Faculties of Health Sciences and the Knowledge Society.

P03-239 Study of stress level among medical school students of Semnan university, Iran

Las investigaciones destacan la necesidad de indagar los mecanismos psicológicos que intervienen en el desarrollo de los aprendizajes en el aula. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el rol mediador de los tipos de regulación que componen la motivación autónoma, en la relación entre percepción de apoyo a la autonomía, satisfacción académica y desempeño académico percibido por estudiantes universitarios. Los participantes fueron 229 estudiantes de primer año de cuatro universidades chilenas. El efecto mediador se evaluó utilizando el macro PROCESS para SPSS. Los resultados indicaron que tanto la regulación intrínseca como la regulación identificada intervienen parcialmente el efecto de la percepción de apoyo a la autonomía sobre la satisfacción académica, pero sólo la regulación intrínseca interviene totalmente el efecto sobre el desempeño académico. Se concluye que los tipos de regulación autónoma constituyen mecanismos a través de los cuales se influye positivamente en el bienestar y logro académico de estudiantes universitarios.

Stress is one of the significant psychological problems among medical students undergoing clinical internship (koas). This condition can be triggered by academic demands, clinical practice burdens, and social interaction dynamics in the educational and healthcare environments. One factor that is thought to be related to the stress levels of koas students is the social support they receive from their surroundings. This study aims to determine the relationship between social support and stress levels among general medical coas students in West Sumatra. This study uses a quantitative approach with a correlational design. Data collection was conducted using a Likert scale through the Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ), which consisted of 39 statements, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), which consisted of 11 statements. The research sample consisted of 113 medical students. Data analysis was performed using Spearman's rho correlation test. The hypothesis test results showed a correlation coefficient of −0.794 with a significance level of p = 0.000 (p &lt; 0.05). These results indicate a strong negative relationship between social support and stress levels among medical students in West Sumatra, meaning that the higher the social support received by students, the lower their stress levels, and vice versa.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among medical college students in their last three academic years and assess the risk factor of LBP among medical college students at Taif University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey-based study. The target population for this study was Taif University medical students, involving a total of 50% of medical (clinical) students studying in the period from June 1 to August 1, 2023. The participants included were undergraduate medical students with an onset of LBP. Data were collected through an online survey. Results: The study found that 95.2% of the participants had never been hospitalized for LBP, but 24.1% missed a day of work due to it. The duration of pain varied, with 47.0% having lasting pain of 1-3 days and 22.3% having lasting pain of 8-30 days. Only 3.0% reported daily back pain. The LBP affected 28.5% of home and college work and 14.6% of leisure activities, with 11.7% impacting all activities. With p-values of 0.012 and 0.027, respectively, gender and age had a significant relationship with LBP, while the intensity of pain was significantly related to participant weight. Furthermore, 21.9% sought medical attention for LBP. Conclusion: The study revealed that LBP is a prevalent issue, affecting many participants, leading to work absenteeism and limited daily activities. Most of them did not seek medical treatment. The link between gender, age, weight, and pain underscores the need for further research and prevention.

Background In the United States, new regulations on access to abortion and, in some cases, penalization of physicians who provide abortions, have been established on a state-by-state basis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that medical schools include abortion training in their curriculum. It is still unknown if the Dobbs decision will limit medical students' abortion training and/or discourage them from pursuing a career in obstetrics. The goal of this study was to investigate the attitudes of medical students toward abortion following the Dobbs decision and their beliefs about its possible effect on future medical education and practice. Methods This cross-sectional, observational study collected data from students enrolled in a Florida, United States osteopathic medical school using an anonymous online questionnaire from February to March 2023. The questionnaire contained 35 items that addressed medical students' attitudes towards a range of potential implications on medical training due to the new abortion restrictions. Hypothesis testing was performed using Spearman's rho correlation and multivariate linear regression to explore the relationship between the predictor variables (concerns about future practice regarding abortion, religiosity, and acceptability of abortion based on gestation age) and the predicted variable (attitudes about abortion). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Version 28.0, Armonk, NY). Results In total, 158 participants completed the questionnaire; 91 (57.6%) were women. The mean age was 25.8 (range 21-37 years). Using a stepwise regression analysis, only the variables shown to be statistically associated (per Spearman's rho bivariate correlation) with the predicted variable (abortion attitudes) were entered into the model (i.e., concerns about abortion education and future practice, religiosity, and abortion acceptability based on gestational age). A significant regression equation was found (F(3,134) = 205.750, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.822, R2 adjusted = 0.818). The percentage of variance in the scores accounted for by the model was 82%. Higher levels of feeling that the abortion ban would negatively affect their training and future practice, greater religiosity, and acceptability of abortion at later gestation ages were statistically significant predictors of more positive attitudes toward abortion in this sample of osteopathic medical students. Conclusions The results suggest that the attitudes of medical students toward abortion are related to multiple factors, including concerns about future abortion training, religiosity, and the week of pregnancy acceptable for a woman to have an abortion. Findings also highlight the attitudes of medical students in response to more restrictive abortion legislation, emphasizing their desire for possible curricular enhancements to safeguard their training and education.

Pharmacy and medical students’ competence and confidence with prescribing: A cross-sectional study