Publicação
Impact of a personalized and evidence-based model on the improvement of preventive care: influence on medical student training
| Resumo: | Introduction: Preventive medicine plays a pivotal role in enhancing people’s well-being promoting anticipative healthcare with the goal of preventing disease, disability, and premature death. Despite its significance, concerns about knowledge and skills gaps among medical students in preventive areas are growing. This study aimed to analyze whether the preventive knowledge of 6th-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, was in line with the latest recommendations. Additionally, it sought to examine students' perspectives on the advantages of routine appointments and investigate potential gender differences across various components.Methods: This observational cross-sectional study employed an online inquiry, presenting a clinical case on preventive interventions to 6th-year students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra via invitation to answer a Google Forms. The aim was to assess agreement with recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force and Portuguese National Health Directorate standards. Descriptive analysis and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test were used for gender-based differences.Results: In a size representative convenience sample of n=144 students the average correct response rate for intervention implementation was 88.1%, with significant gender variations in weight and height measurement, favoring females. For preventive exam frequency, the average correct response rate was 73.1%, with significant gender differences for electrocardiograms (p=0.023) and chest X-rays (p=0.013), indicating less frequent requests by females. Screening exams had an 85.8% correct response rate, with females leaning towards more negative responses, except for the Prostate-specific antigen test. Perceived benefits of routine health assessments scored the lowest, with a 59.04% correct response rate and no significant gender differences.Discussion: Students showed strong adherence to evidence-based practices in routine consultations, preventive exams and screening. Despite recognizing the positive impact of routine consultations on improved risk factor control and increased utilization of preventive clinical services, as well as their lack of impact on reducing cardiovascular risk, they questioned their influence on chronic disease detection and quality of life improvement, suggesting room for improvement. Limitations were noted due to the study's online nature and single-university focus.Conclusion: The 6th-year medical students at FMUC demonstrated solid knowledge of Preventive Medicine, with female students showing particular proficiency in requesting appropriate exams. The students performed less satisfactorily when asked about the benefits of routine consultations, suggesting a deficit in awareness regarding the efficacy and importance of periodic preventive visits in contrast to annual routine check-ups. |
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| Autores principais: | Loureiro, Andreia Leão Pipa Mascarenhas |
| Assunto: | Evidence-based medicine Medical Students Periodic preventive visits Preventive Health Services Medicina Baseada na Evidência Estudantes de Medicina Visitas Preventivas Periódicas Serviços de Saúde Preventivos |
| Ano: | 2024 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Coimbra |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra |
| Resumo: | Introduction: Preventive medicine plays a pivotal role in enhancing people’s well-being promoting anticipative healthcare with the goal of preventing disease, disability, and premature death. Despite its significance, concerns about knowledge and skills gaps among medical students in preventive areas are growing. This study aimed to analyze whether the preventive knowledge of 6th-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, was in line with the latest recommendations. Additionally, it sought to examine students' perspectives on the advantages of routine appointments and investigate potential gender differences across various components.Methods: This observational cross-sectional study employed an online inquiry, presenting a clinical case on preventive interventions to 6th-year students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra via invitation to answer a Google Forms. The aim was to assess agreement with recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force and Portuguese National Health Directorate standards. Descriptive analysis and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test were used for gender-based differences.Results: In a size representative convenience sample of n=144 students the average correct response rate for intervention implementation was 88.1%, with significant gender variations in weight and height measurement, favoring females. For preventive exam frequency, the average correct response rate was 73.1%, with significant gender differences for electrocardiograms (p=0.023) and chest X-rays (p=0.013), indicating less frequent requests by females. Screening exams had an 85.8% correct response rate, with females leaning towards more negative responses, except for the Prostate-specific antigen test. Perceived benefits of routine health assessments scored the lowest, with a 59.04% correct response rate and no significant gender differences.Discussion: Students showed strong adherence to evidence-based practices in routine consultations, preventive exams and screening. Despite recognizing the positive impact of routine consultations on improved risk factor control and increased utilization of preventive clinical services, as well as their lack of impact on reducing cardiovascular risk, they questioned their influence on chronic disease detection and quality of life improvement, suggesting room for improvement. Limitations were noted due to the study's online nature and single-university focus.Conclusion: The 6th-year medical students at FMUC demonstrated solid knowledge of Preventive Medicine, with female students showing particular proficiency in requesting appropriate exams. The students performed less satisfactorily when asked about the benefits of routine consultations, suggesting a deficit in awareness regarding the efficacy and importance of periodic preventive visits in contrast to annual routine check-ups. |
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