La educación médica continua y la vigencia de la especialidad médica / Continuous medical education and the validity of medical specialty

La educación médica continua (EMC) es el proceso de adquisición de nuevos conocimientos y habilidades a lo largo de toda la vida activa de los médicos. Es responsabilidad de cada médico para poder ofrecer la mejor atención a sus enfermos. La EMC no se limita a la educación formal, sino que dispone de distintas estrategias de aprendizaje, entre las que se mencionan los cursos y ateneos, la concurrencia a congresos, jornadas y simposios, el entrenamiento en servicio, la educación a distancia y el autoaprendizaje. La EMC debe ser considerada como la etapa final y más larga en la formación de un médico. (AU)

Continuing medical education (CME) is the process of acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout active life of doctors. It is the responsibility of each doctor to be able to offer the best care of their patients. The CME is not limited to formal education, but different learning are available, including courses, athenaeums, congress attendance, conferences and symposia, in-service training, distance education and self-learning. The CME should be considered as the final and longest stage in the doctor´s training. (AU)

The Efficacy of Mammography Boot Camp to Improve the Performance of Radiologists

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a mammography boot camp (MBC) to improve radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January and July of 2013, 141 radiologists were invited to a 3-day educational program composed of lectures and group practice readings using 250 digital mammography cases. The radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms were evaluated using a pre- and post-camp test set of 25 cases validated prior to the camp by experienced breast radiologists. Factors affecting the radiologists' performance, including age, type of attending institution, and type of test set cases, were analyzed. RESULTS: The average scores of the pre- and post-camp tests were 56.0 +/- 12.2 and 78.3 +/- 9.2, respectively (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MBC improves radiologists' performance in interpreting mammograms irrespective of age and type of attending institution. Improved interpretation is observed for suspicious cases, but not for negative cases.

Proyecto institucional para la educación médica continua en investigación clínica / Continuing medical education: A clinical research institutional project

En la Argentina, educar en investigación clínica consiste principalmente en cursos teóricos. En países desarrollados existen programas que generan el entorno propicio para un aprendizaje práctico y continuo. En el 2006, en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires se creó el Área de Investigación en Medicina Interna para formar profesionales capaces de participar en todas las etapas de la investigación clínica. El propósito de este estudio es describir el área y su impacto en la educación en investigación en medicina interna durante el período 2006-2008. El proyecto cuenta con un programa de capacitación en investigación clínica para residentes y otro de perfeccionamiento para becarios. Además de becas, asesoramiento en proyectos, ateneos sobre investigación clínica y registros de enfermedades prevalentes en medicina interna. Participan el 33% (6/18) de los clínicos de internación, se encuentran en formación 3 becarios y 7 monitores de investigación. 25 residentes pasaron por el programa de capacitación, completaron una propuesta de investigación 19 (76%). Se hicieron 59 presentaciones en congresos. Se encuentran en proceso de publicación 6 artículos originales y 2 en revisión por comités editoriales. De un cuestionario de evaluación del área, el 76% (35/46) considera que ha adquirido nuevas habilidades, y 93% (44/47) refiere que las utiliza en la práctica diaria. El 100% (47/47) considera que ha recibido orientación adecuada. El 97% (45/46) considera que sus ideas han sido respetadas. La implementación del área de investigación logró aumentar la capacitación y producción científica en investigación clínica independiente.

In Argentina, education in clinical investigation is based on courses with theoric content. In developed countries programs with ongoing and practical content exist, generating the proper context to learn. In 2006, the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA) created an area to train physicians, Research Area in Internal Medicine, and enable them to participate in every step of the clinical investigation process. The objective of this study is to describe this teaching area and its impact on the investigation in Internal Medicine in the HIBA, in the period 2006-2008. This area counts with fellow positions and provides training in Clinical Investigation for rotating residents. It has different activities including lectures, project counseling and 3 ongoing Institutional Registers for prevalent medical problems, 33% (6/18) of Intern staff are currently participating, with 3 fellows and 7 monitors for the Registers; 25 residents rotated in the area and generated their own research projects. 59 posters were presented in local and international congresses. Currently 6 original articles are in process of publication and 2 in peer review evaluation. A survey was carried out to evaluate the area where 76% (35/46) of the participants believed that they have acquired new skills; with 93% (44/47) using these knowledges in their every day practice. A 100% thought that they were adequately oriented in their projects, their ideas being fully respected (97%) (45/46). The inclusion of the Research Area in Internal Medicine improved the knowledge of the process of clinical Investigation and increased independent scientific production.

Faculty development and medical education units in India: A survey.

Background. Faculty development in medical education is gaining momentum in India. While planning a National Conference on Medical Education (NCME 2007), we did a survey of principals and faculty of medical colleges to understand the status of faculty development programmes and medical education units in medical colleges in India. Methods. Questionnaires were sent to principals of medical colleges by surface mail and to faculty through a web-based programme to elicit information on various aspects of faculty development programmes and medical education units. The responses of both groups were analysed. Results. The number of medical education units has increased rapidly after regulations have been revised in 1997 by the Medical Council of India. The main activities of medical education units were to conduct workshops targeted at medical teachers. The frequently covered topics were teaching–learning, media and student assessment. Lectures dominated the methodology of imparting information. Evaluation was done mainly by feedback questionnaires and pre-test/post-test questionnaires. Projects and follow up were rarely used. The responses from both groups were strikingly similar. The major strengths of medical education units were perceived as availability of trained and motivated faculty, good infrastructure and supportive leadership. The shortcomings were lack of infrastructure, funding and full-time faculty, besides time constraints and resistance to change. The respondents suggested strengthening of infrastructure, appointment of full-time faculty and staff, incentives and recognition of contributions to faculty development, making participation a mandatory requirement, extending the scope of faculty development programmes to include research and networking at the national level. Conclusion. The study reveals the need for policy decisions that support functioning of medical education units in India besides active participation of the faculty.

Influência do subsídio financeiro e do local da realização do curso de suporte avançado de vida em cardiologia, no aprendizado da emergência cardiovascular / Influence of financial subsidy and venue on advanced cardiac life support courses, in the learning of cardiovascular emergency

FUNDAMENTO: O sucesso no aprendizado da emergência depende de muitos fatores que podem ser resumidos como: aluno, instrutores e curso. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do subsídio financeiro e do local da realização do curso no aprendizado da emergência cardiovascular. MÉTODOS: Analisaram-se dados referentes aos cursos de Suporte Avançado de Vida em Cardiologia (ACLS) no período de dezembro de 2005 a dezembro de 2006. De acordo com o subsídio financeiro, foram divididos em: grupo 1 - subsídio integral; grupo 2 - subsídio de 50 por cento; e grupo 3 - sem subsídio. Quanto ao local do curso, foram divididos em: local A - curso em cidade com > 1 milhão de habitantes; e local B - curso em cidade com < 1 milhão de habitantes. Compararam-se a aprovação prática e teórica e a média teórica. RESULTADOS: Participaram do ACLS 819 alunos: 199 (24 por cento) no grupo 1, 122 (15 por cento) no 2 e 498 (61 por cento) no 3. A aprovação prática e teórica e a média na prova teórica foram maiores no grupo 3 que nos demais grupos (p<0,05). Quatrocentos e oitenta e dois fizeram o curso no local A (59 por cento) e 337 (41 por cento) no local B. A aprovação prática foi semelhante para ambos os grupos (p = 0,33), entretanto a aprovação teórica foi maior no local A (73 por cento vs. 65 por cento - p = 0,021 - OR = 1,44 e IC: 1,05 - 1,97). A média teórica foi maior no local A (87,1 ± 10,4 e 86 ± 11, respectivamente p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O subsídio financeiro e o local da realização do curso influenciaram na aprovação teórica e prática.

BACKGROUND: The success in learning of emergency depends on many factors that can be summarized as: student, instructors and course. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of financial subsidy and venue of course in learning cardiovascular emergency. METHODS: Data were analyzed regarding the courses of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in the period from December 2005 to December 2006. In agreement with the financial subsidy, they were divided in: group 1 - integral subsidy; group 2 - subsidy of 50 percent; and group 3 - without subsidy. As for the venue of the course, they were divided in: locality A - study in city with> 1 million inhabitants; and locality B - study in city with <1 million inhabitants. The practical and theoretical approval and the theoretical average were compared. RESULTS: 819 students participated in ACLS: 199 (24 percent) in group 1, 122 (15 percent) in 2 and 498 (61 percent) in 3. The practical and theoretical approval and the average in the theoretical exam were greater in group 3 than in other groups (p <0.05). Four hundred and eighty two (482) took the course in venue A (59 percent) and 337 (41 percent) in venue B. The practical approval was similar for both groups (p = 0.33), however the theoretical approval was greater in venue A (73 percent vs. 65 percent - p = 0.021 - OR = 1.44 and IC: 1.05 - 1.97). The theoretical average was greater in venue A (87.1 ± 10.4 and 86 ± 11, respectively p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The financial subsidy and venue of the course had influence in the theoretical and practical approval.

Revalidação do título de especialista / Specialist's title revalidation

Neste artigo os autores discutem aspectos relacionados à revalidação do título de especialista, destacando a sua importância e fazendo um breve histórico do processo em nosso País.

Percepções de oftalmologistas referentes ao modelo de ensino aplicado a lentes de contato / Perceptions of ophthalmologists regarding teaching models applied to contact lenses

OBJETIVO: Identificar percepções referentes ao modelo de ensino em lentes de contato ao final de um curso intensivo teórico - prático realizado em 32 horas. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal em amostra prontamente acessível formada por oftalmologistas (n=39), por meio da aplicação de questionário. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 39 oftalmologistas, 51,3 por cento do sexo masculino e 48,7 por cento do sexo feminino. Quanto à freqüência anterior a cursos de lentes de contato, referiram somente um curso 28,2 por cento; dois cursos 25,6 por cento; três cursos 5,1 por cento; cinco cursos 2,6 por cento e mais de 10 cursos 2,6 por cento. 23,1 por cento nunca freqüentaram cursos de lentes de contato e 12,8 por cento não responderam. Comparando o conhecimento anterior com o adquirido no treinamento oferecido, 59,0 por cento declararam ter este acrescentado muito conhecimento; 33,3 por cento conhecimento mediano; 2,6 por cento pouco e 5,1 por cento não responderam. Em relação a estágios em lentes de contato; 66,7 por cento responderam que não fizeram nenhum estágio; 30,7 por cento responderam afirmativamente; e 2,6 por cento não responderam. Dentre os que já fizeram estágio, 75,0 por cento declararam ter sido bom; 16,7 por cento muito bom; e 8,3 por cento regular. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo de ensino oferecido em lentes de contato foi considerado de grande valia, acrescentando muito conhecimento para a maioria dos sujeitos.

PURPOSE: To identify perceptions regarding teaching models applied to contact lenses. METHODS: A transversal study in a readily accessible sample consisting of ophthalmologists (n=39) was performed by applying a questionnaire. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 39 ophthalmologists, 51.3 percent males and 48.7 percent females. Regarding frequency prior to courses on contact lenses, 28.2 percent reported only one course; 25.6 percent two courses; 5.1 percent three courses; 2.6 percent five courses and 2.6 percent more than 10 courses. 23.1 percent never attended contact lens courses and 12.8 percent did not answer the questionnaire. On comparison of previous knowledge with that acquired by the offered course, 59.0 percent declared that they increased their knowledge a lot; 33.3 percent reported median increase; 2.6 percent little increase and 5.1 percent did not answer. As concerns training in contact lenses, 66.7 percent answered that they never had any training; 30.7 percent answered affirmatively and 2.6 percent did not answer. Among those who had training, 75 percent declared it was good; 16.7 percent, very good and 8.3 percent, regular. CONCLUSION: The offered teaching model for contact lenses was considered very valuable, increasing a great deal of knowledge in most subjects.