Medio siglo craquelando el techo de cristal, romperlo no ha sido posible / Half a century cracking the glass ceiling: breaking it has not been possible / Meio século quebrando o teto de vidro: quebrá-lo não foi possível

Este artículo es un análisis de la composición por grado y sexo del plantel docente de la Facultad de Medicina. Se espera contribuir a la discusión sobre los factores estructurales que determinan y condicionan las trayectorias docentes en la facultad. Estos factores generan y reproducen desigualdades de género, que podrían ser anuladas modificando los esquemas explícitos e implícitos que habilitan su existencia. Se relevó y procesó información (de grado y sexo) proveniente de las páginas web actualizadas de 36 servicios de la Facultad que incluyó a 887 docentes. Luego del análisis de los datos analizados en el artículo, enfatizamos que es necesario romper con los esquemas que producen y reproducen los modelos hegemónicos, dando lugar a nuevas formas de relacionamiento entre los géneros, a deconstruir el formato tradicional de la carrera docente. Es una discusión que debería involucrar a todos los órdenes universitarios y a todos los individuos que los componen, independientemente del género.

This article is an analysis of the composition by grade and sex of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Medicine. It is expected to contribute to the discussion on the structural factors that determine and condition the teaching paths in the faculty. These factors generate and reproduce gender inequalities, which could be annulled by modifying the explicit and implicit schemes that enable their existence. Information (of grade and gender) was collected and processed from the updated web pages of 36 services of the Faculty, which included 887 teachers. After analyzing the data analyzed in the article, we emphasize that it is necessary to break with the schemes that produce and reproduce the hegemonic models, giving rise to new forms of relationship between genders, to deconstruct the traditional format of the teaching career. It is a discussion that should involve all university orders and all the individuals that compose them, regardless of gender.

Este artigo é uma análise da composição por série e sexo do corpo docente da Faculdade de Medicina. Espera-se contribuir para a discussão sobre os fatores estruturais que determinam e condicionam os percursos pedagógicos na faculdade. Esses fatores geram e reproduzem as desigualdades de gênero, que poderiam ser anuladas modificando os esquemas explícitos e implícitos que possibilitam sua existência. As informações (de série e gênero) foram coletadas e processadas nas páginas atualizadas da web de 36 serviços da Faculdade, que incluíram 887 professores. Após a análise dos dados analisados ​​no artigo, destacamos que é necessário romper com os esquemas que produzem e reproduzem os modelos hegemônicos, dando origem a novas formas de relação entre os gêneros, para desconstruir o formato tradicional da carreira docente. É uma discussão que deve envolver todas as ordens universitárias e todos os indivíduos que as compõem, independentemente do gênero.

Morbidades referidas por professores de medicina / Morbidities reported by medical teachers

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência do relato de diagnóstico médico de doenças crônicas e fatores associados entre professores. Métodos: Estudo transversal em amostra do tipo censo do corpo docente do curso de medicina de uma universidade da Região Sul do Brasil, utilizando-se como instrumento o questionário adaptado da Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico. Resultados: As doenças crônicas não transmissíveis mais frequentes na amostra estudada foram a Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (19,2%) e a dislipidemia (15,4%). A comparação da ocorrência das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis pelas razões de prevalência, segundo as características individuais da amostra total (n=156), mostrou frequência quase seis vezes maior de hipertensão nos professores com excesso de peso (33,3%) do que entre os eutróficos (5,1%) e cinco vezes maior entre os professores com 45 anos ou mais (33,3%) do que entre os mais jovens (6,2%). Conclusão: Os achados da pesquisa colocam em evidência a relevância da prevenção dos fatores de riscos modificáveis, para reduzir a incidência das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, além do controle adequado para a população que já apresenta a doença instalada.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of medical diagnosis of chronic diseases and associated factors among teachers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with census-type sampling of the faculty of the medical school of a university in the south region of Brazil, using as instrument the adapted questionnaire of the Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Inquiry. Results: The most frequent chronic noncommunicable diseases in the study sample were Systemic Arterial Hypertension (19.2%) and dyslipidemia (15.4%). The comparison of the occurrence of chronic noncommunicable diseases by prevalence ratios according to the individual characteristics of the total sample (n=156) showed an almost 6-fold higher frequency of hypertension in overweight teachers (33.3%) compared to the eutrophic (5.1%) and five times higher among teachers aged 45 years or more (33.3%) than among the younger ones (6.2%). Conclusion: The research findings highlight the relevance of the prevention of modifiable risk factors, in order to reduce the incidence of chronic noncommunicable diseases, as well as the adequate control for the population that already has the disease.

Consideraciones sobre la necesidad de supervisión a los ingresantes a las residencias médicas / On the need for supervision of the entrants to medical residences

Según la Asociación Americana de Facultades de Medicina existen 13 actividades profesionales confiables que los graduados de medicina deberían poder realizar en su primer día de residencia sin supervisión directa. Esas actividades no están claramente definidas en nuestro país. Además, no existen datos locales sobre la necesidad de su supervisión. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la opinión de residentes y docentes acerca del nivel de supervisión que requieren los médicos ingresantes al sistema de residencias para realizar esas actividades. Se efectuó un estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron residentes de primer año de especialidades clínicas y quirúrgicas y sus docentes. Se enviaron encuestas electrónicas o en papel, con participación voluntaria y anónima. Se investigó la estimación sobre el nivel de supervisión que requerían los médicos ingresantes durante el primer mes de formación para 13 actividades. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la evaluación hecha por residentes (n = 71) y los docentes (n = 39) en 11 de 13 de esas actividades. Más de la mitad de los docentes consideró que los residentes requerían supervisión directa para realizarlas, con las excepciones de formular interrogatorios clínicos y buscar evidencia. La mayoría de los residentes consideró que se requería supervisión directa solo en seis de ellas. En conclusión, los residentes estimaron requerir menor supervisión que sus docentes, quienes pensaban que los ingresantes al sistema de residencia no eran capaces de realizar la mayoría de las competencias clínicas de manera autónoma. Sería importante mejorar esta evaluación en los recién graduados, para definir con mayor precisión los niveles de supervisión.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there are thirteen core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) that medical graduates should be able to perform in their first day of residency, without direct supervision. In Argentina EPAs are not clearly defined. Moreover, there is no local data about the need of supervision regarding these activities. The aim of this study was to assess residents' and teaching physicians' estimations about the level of supervision that physicians in their first month of residency needed in order to perform EPAs. A cross-section study was conducted. First-year medical residents and teaching physicians were included. Electronic or paper surveys were sent, asking the level of supervision the participants estimated that residents needed to perform the 13 core EPAs, during their first month of residency. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. There were significant differences between the opinion of residents (n = 71) and teaching physicians (n = 39), for 11 out of 13 EPAs. More than half of the teaching physicians considered that residents needed direct supervision when performing EPAs, except for asking clinical questions and looking for evidence. Most residents thought that they required direct supervision in 6 EPAs. In conclusion, medical residents perceived the need of lower levels of supervision when compared to teaching physicians, who considered that medical graduates were not capable of performing most EPAs without direct supervision upon entering residency. Thus, it would be important to improve the procedures to evaluate the competences of medical graduates in order to establish more accurate supervision levels.

Condiciones del contexto educativo para ejercer el rol docente en Ciencias de la Salud: un enfoque cualitativo / The educational context to train health care professionals: a qualitative approach

Background: There are differences in the educational context in Health Sciences, between clinical and non-clinical teachers. Therefore, the didactic and reflexive peculiarities of both educational scenarios should be analyzed. Aim: To describe the conditions of the educational context in Health Sciences for the practice of the teaching role in a Chilean university. Material and Methods: Qualitative study, performed according to Grounded Theory of Strauss and Corbin. Thirty one teachers from six health sciences programs were selected according to Patton's maximum variation criterion and contacted personally, after an informed consent process. Semi-structured interviews and focus group were performed, analyzed by open coding, using the constant comparison method, with the Atlas-ti 7.5.2 software. Results: Six conditions of the educational context that can support the teaching role in these careers emerged. Namely, a clinical field suited for patient attention and teaching, classrooms designed for the new educational models, number of students in the classrooms and clinical settings, insertion programs for teachers' training, teachers' coordination and economic resources of the program. Conclusions: Health Sciences programs are developed in a complex educational context, having to articulate diverse elements to train professionals. Therefore, it is fundamental to understand the conditions of the educational context that can favor the practice of the teaching role, thus generating improvements in teaching-learning process.

Respiratory immunohistochemical study in rats exposed to cigarette smoke and alcohol

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of exposure to cigarette and alcohol on immunohistochemical disorders caused by these attacks to respiratory system of rats. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats in four groups: control, cigarette smoke, alcohol and cigarette smoke + alcohol during 260 days. Immunohistochemistry was performed by researching survivin and protein P53 expressions and apoptotic index in parenchymal lung and trachea using TUNEL technique. RESULTS: There was body growth impairment in all experimental groups. Both smoker groups animals had higher trachea survivin expression and bronchial higher apoptotic index. The trachea apoptotic index was also higher in the cigarette smoke group as well as in the alveoli in the cigarette smoke + alcohol group. The three experimental groups showed negative immunoexpression for P53. CONCLUSIONS: this model resulted in immunohistochemical changes caused mainly by exposure to cigarette smoke. There was a synergistic action between alcohol and tobacco in the growth impairment in animals as well as in the cellular apoptotic index. The positive immunoexpression for tracheal survivin in animals from both groups exposed to tobacco smoke and associated with a negative P53 immunoexpression suggests that despite the aggression, carcinogenesis has not happened yet. In addition, the bronchial higher apoptotic index in smokers may be responsible for emphysema. .

Clotting Factor XIII and desmopressin improve hemostasis in uncontrolled bleeding

PURPOSE: To investigate hemostatic effects of supplementary factor XIII and desmopressin (DDAVP) in resuscitation of uncontrolled bleeding. METHODS: Fifty-four rabbits were randomized in nine groups: G1: Sham; G2: FXIII and normotensive resuscitation (NBP); G3: FXIII and permissive hypotension (PH) (MAP 60% baseline); G4: FXIII/DDAVP/NBP; G5: FXIII/DDAVP/PH; G6: NBP only; G7: FXIII no hemorrhage; G8: FXIII/DDAVP no hemorrhage; G9: PH only. Thromboelastometry and intra-abdominal blood loss were assessed. Scanning electron microscopy (EM) of the clots was performed. RESULTS: Compared to Sham, only G8 (FXIII/DDAVP w/o hemorrhage) showed clotting time (CT) significantly lower (p<0.05). NBP alone (G6) resulted in significantly prolonged CT compared to G2, G3 and G5 (p<0.05). Similarly, median alpha angle was significantly larger in G3,4,5, and 9 compared to G6 (p<0.05). Area under the curve was significantly greater in G5 than G2. Intra-abdominal blood loss was lower in G5 and G9 compared to G2 and G6. FXIII/DDAVP and PH resulted in more robust fibrin mesh by EM. CONCLUSIONS: Normotensive resuscitation provokes more bleeding and worsens coagulation compared to pH, that is partially reversed by factor XIII and desmopressin. FXIII and DDAVP can synergistically improve coagulation. Permissive hypotension reduces bleeding regardless of those agents. .

Chronic non-communicable disease Risk Factor Survey 2010 among University of the West Indies staff at Cave Hill, Barbados / Encuesta de 2010 Sobre Factores de Riesgo de las enfermedades no comunicables entre el personal de la Universidad de West Indies, en el Campus de Cave Hill, Barbados

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) among staff of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill campus, in Barbados. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire comprising validated questions from the WHO STEPS NCD Risk Factor Survey, the Jamaica Healthy Lifestyle (JHL) Survey and the Behaviour Risk Factor (BRF) Survey, was conducted during the Staff Health Day in May 2010, and at four locations on campus during July 2010. Standardized measurements of weight, height and blood pressure were taken. Data were analysed using EXCEL and STATA and results were compared to the Barbados 2007 STEPS NCD survey. RESULTS: The target population was all staff at the Cave Hill campus of UWI. The coverage rate was 25.2% (269/1068); 63.8% of males and 75% of females were either overweight or obese. Ninety-seven per cent ate less than the recommended 5 fruits and vegetables per day. Low levels of physical activity were reported in 51.9% of males and 62.2% of females. Thirty-two per cent of males and 13% of females were binge drinkers. All participants had at least one of the risk factors (current daily smoker, < 5 fruits and vegetables/day, physical inactivity, overweight/obese and raised blood pressure) whilst 48% of males and 57.2% of females demonstrated three or more risk factors. These results are similar to those found in the Barbados STEPS NCD risk factor survey of 2007. CONCLUSION: The results confirm a similar high prevalence of NCD risk factors among Cave Hill UWI staff as among the Barbadian population. The study reveals opportunities to inform policy on strategies to positively impact the risk factors.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo de ENCs entre el personal de la Universidad de West Indies (UWI), en el campus de Cave Hill, Barbados. MÉTODOS: El Día de la Salud del Personal en mayo de 2010, y en cuatro localidades del campus durante julio de 2010, se aplicó un cuestionario auto-administrado formado por varias preguntas validadas de las encuestas conocidas como WHO STEPS NCD Risk Factor Survey, JHL Survey y BRF Survey. Se hicieron mediciones estandarizadas del peso, la altura, y la presión arterial. Los datos fueron analizados usando EXCEL y STATA, y los resultados fueron comparados como los de la encuesta de Barbados 2007 STEPS NCD. RESULTADOS: La población objeto del estudio estuvo formada por todo el personal en el campus de Cave Hill de la Universidad de West Indies (UWI). La tasa de cobertura fue 25.2% (269/1068); el 63.8% de los varones y el 75% de hembras tenían sobrepeso o eran obesos. Noventa y siete por ciento consumía menos de las 5 frutas y vegetales recomendados por día. Se reportaron bajos niveles de actividad física en 51.9% de los varones y 62.2% de las hembras. Treinta y dos por ciento de los varones y 13% de las hembras eran bebedores consumados. Todos los participantes tenían al menos uno de los factores de riesgo (fumador consuetudinario, < 5 frutas y vegetales/día, inactividad física, sobrepeso/obeso, y alta presión arterial) en tanto que el 48% de los varones y el 57.2% de las hembras mostraron tres o más factores de riesgo. Estos resultados son similares a los hallados en la encuesta Barbados STEPS NCD Risk Factor Survey del 2007. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados confirman una alta prevalencia de factores de riesgo de ENC entre el personal de Cave Hill de UWI similar a la existente entre la población barbadense en general. El estudio revela oportunidades de informar las políticas sobre estrategias de modo que puedan lograr un impacto positivo sobre los factores de riesgo.

Observer Variability and the Performance between Faculties and Residents: US Criteria for Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interobserver variability and performance in the interpretation of ultrasonographic (US) findings of thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 malignant nodules and 61 benign nodules were enrolled as part of this study. Five faculty radiologists and four residents independently performed a retrospective analysis of the US images. The observers received one training session after the first interpretation and then performed a secondary interpretation. Agreement was analyzed by Cohen's kappa statistic. Degree of performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Agreement between the faculties was fair-to-good for all criteria; however, between residents, agreement was poor-to-fair. The area under the ROC curves was 0.72, 0.62, and 0.60 for the faculties, senior residents, and junior residents, respectively. There was a significant difference in performance between the faculties and the residents (p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the agreement for some criteria in the faculties and the senior residents after the training session, but no significant increase in the junior residents. CONCLUSION: Independent reporting of thyroid US performed by residents is undesirable. A continuous and specialized resident training is essential to enhance the degree of agreement and performance.

Restless legs syndrome: study of prevalence among medical school faculty members / Síndrome das pernas inquietas: estudo de prevalência entre professores do curso de medicina

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) and its correlations in a sample of Medical School faculty members. A transversal study was conducted at a Medical School in the south of Brazil included 78 faculty members. The subjects answered to a structured questionnaire specific to RLS diagnosis and the Epworth and the Stanford scales to measure daytime sleepiness. Severity of the disease was also evaluated. The variables were analyzed to statistical significance. RLS was diagnosed in 10.25 percent of the subjects evaluated and most were women (62.5 percent). The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was significantly greater among the subjects suffering from RLS (p=0.04). RLS subjects were significantly younger than the group without the syndrome (p=0.02). RLS had a considerable prevalence in the sample studied. Daytime sleepiness and young age showed an important correlation to this syndrome, as other potential factors were not confirmed.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência da síndrome das pernas inquietas (SPI) e suas implicações clínicas em uma amostra envolvendo docentes de um curso de Medicina. Foi realizado um estudo transversal que envolveu 78 docentes do curso de Medicina de uma Universidade do Sul do Brasil. Os indivíduos avaliados responderam um questionário com perguntas epidemiológicas e de diagnóstico para SPI, assim como escalas de sonolência de Epworth e Stanford. Os portadores de SPI responderam questionário de gravidade. As variáveis foram analisadas quanto à significância estatística. Obtivemos uma prevalência de indivíduos portadores de SPI de 10,25 por cento, sendo 62,5 por cento destes do sexo feminino. A existência de sonolência diurna excessiva foi significativamente maior em pacientes portadores da síndrome (p=0,04). Os pacientes portadores de SPI possuíam idade significativamente inferior ao grupo não sindrômico (p=0,02). A SPI mostrou-se bastante prevalente em nossa amostra. A prevalência de sonolência diurna e menos idade mostrou importante relação com esta síndrome, enquanto outros fatores possivelmente relacionados não foram confirmados.

The scientific production of full professors of the faculdade de medicina da universidade de São Paulo: a view of the period of 2001-2006

INTRODUCTION: The scientific production of institutions of higher education, as well as the dissemination and use of this published work by peer institutions, can be assessed by means of quantitative and qualitative measurements. This type of analysis can also serve as the basis of further academic actions. Variables such as the type of evaluation, the number of faculty members and the decision to include or exclude researchers who are not professors are difficult to measure when comparing different schools and institutions. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the scientific production of tenured faculty from the Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina performed from 2001 to 2006. METHODS: Medline/PubMed database was considered and the Impact factors (IFs - Journal Citation Report, 2006) and the number of generated citations (Web of Science/ISI Thomson) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The analysis of the scientific production of 66 full professors (level MS-6) revealed 1,960 scientific articles published in 630 scientific journals, of which 31.3 percent were Brazilian and 68.7 percent were from international sources. Among these, 47 percent of the articles were published in 62.9 percent of the journals with IFs above 10, although 16.4 percent of the journals did not have assigned IF values. We verified that 45 percent of the published articles received 9,335 citations (average of 11 + 17), with the majority of these (8,968 citations) appearing in international scientific journals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it is possible to analyze the scientific production of a learning institution by the number of papers published by full professors, taking into account not only their academic position and influence, but also the fact that publication is an opportunity to stimulate joint projects with other members of the same institution.

The frequency of smoking, quitting and socio-demographic characteristics of physicians of a medical faculty / Frecuencia del hábito de fumar, su abandono, y las características sociodemográficas de los médicos de una facultad de medicina

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of smoking among physicians and to describe their socio-demographic characteristics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers and research assistants working for the Faculty of Medicine of Meram, University of Selçuk, were included in the study. Of the 500 subjects, 363 (72.6) completed the anonymous questionnaire of the survey satisfactorily. The smoking status, age at smoking initiation, daily cigarette consumption and association between current smoking and socio-demographic variables, family characteristics and body mass index were examined. The SPSS software was used to tabulate the data. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.2 +/- 9.1 years. The rate of ever-smokers was 28.7(n = 104). The rates of smoking in females and males were 13.4(n = 15) and 35.6(n = 89), respectively (p = 0.000). The rate of ex-smokers was 9.9(n = 36). The rate of never-smokers was 61.4(n = 223). The mean age at starting smoking was 21.7 +/- 4.9 years. The quit ratio was 25.7(36/140) [23.3(27/116) for men and 37.5(9/24) for women]. Fagerstrom score was averaged 2.8 +/- 2.7 among all smokers. The rate of smoking in the families (p = 0.003) and among close friends (p = 0.000) of the smoker-group was higher than in non-smokers. CONCLUSION: In Turkey, prevalence of tobacco smoking is high among physicians though lower than the general community. This may compromise their role in tobacco control unless they quit smoking.

ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio, fue determinar la epidemiología del hábito de fumar entre médicos y describir sus características socio-demográficas.SUJEITOS Y MÉTODOS: Todos los profesores universitarios – titulares, auxiliares, asistentes, conferen-cistas – y los auxiliares de investigación, que trabajan para la Facultad de Medicina de Meram, Universidad de Selçuk, fueron incluidos en el estudio. De los 500 sujetos, 363 (72.6%) completaron el cuestionario anónimo de la encuesta satisfactoriamente. Se examinó el estatus del hábito de fumar, la edad de iniciación en el hábito, el consumo de cigarrillos por día, así como la asociación entre el hábito de fumar corriente y las variables sociodemográficas, las características familiares y el índice de masa corporal. Para la tabulación de los datos, se usó el software SPSS. Para el análisis esta-dístico, se empleo la prueba de chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS: La media de la edad fue de 34.2 B1 9.1 años. La tasa de fumadores consuetudinarios fue 28.7% (n = 104). La tasa del hábito de fumar en mujeres y hombres fue 13.4% (n = 15) y 35.6% (n = 89), respectivamente (p = 0.000). La tasa de los ex-fumadores fue 9.9% (n = 36). La tasa de los no fumadores en lo absoluto fue 61.4% (n = 223). La edad media al comienzo del hábito de fumar fue 21.7 B1 4.9 años. La proporción de abandono del hábito fue 25.7% (36/140) [23.3% (27/116) para los hombres y 37.5% (9/24) para las mujeres]. La puntuación en el test de Fagerstrom promedió 2.8 B1 2.7 entre todos los fumadores. La tasa del hábito de fumar en las familias (p = 0.003) y entre los amigos íntimos (p = 0.000) del grupo de fumadores, fue más alta que la de los no fumadores. CONCLUSIÓN: En Turquía, la prevalencia del hábito tabáquico es alta entre los médicos, aunque más baja que en la comunidad en general. Esto puede comprometer su papel en el control del tabaco, a menos que abandonen el hábito de fumar.

A study of job strain and dissatisfaction among lecturers in the School of Medical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Job stress has now become one of the most significant health and safety issues in the workplace and one of the least understood areas of organizational cost. A cross-sectional study to assess job strain and dissatisfaction in lecturers of the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was undertaken between August 2001 and May 2002. The original English version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) version 1.7 (revised 1997) by Robert Karasek was self-administered to 73 (response rate 58.4%) lecturers in School of Medical Sciences USM. The prevalence of job strain (defined by low decision latitude and high psychological demands) in USM was 23.3%. The risk factors of job strain in the lecturers were psychological stressors (adjusted OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.4), created skill (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8) and working in clinical-based departments (adjusted OR 18.7, 95% CI 1.6, 22.7). The prevalence of job dissatisfaction was 42.6%. Associated factors of job dissatisfaction in USM lecturers were decision authority (p < 0.001) and psychological job demand (p < 0.001). We conclude that psychological stressors and created skill were non-protective and protective, respectively, against job strain in USM lecturers. Clinical-based lecturers experienced higher job strain compared to non-clinical-based lecturers. Psychological job demand was strongly associated with job dissatisfaction, and decision authority was protective against job dissatisfaction.

Knowledge and attitude of faculty members on problem based learning.

An intervention study was carried out in Mymensingh Medical College during the second week of January, 2003 to compare knowledge and attitude of the faculty members of Mymensingh Medical College on PBL before and after exposure to a symposium. Pretest was done among 48 faculty members before and 45 faculty members after exposure to the symposium using a self-administered questionnaire. Before the symposium about 17% of faculty members had a sound knowledge on PBL, the figure rose significantly to about 61% after exposure to the symposium (P < 0.001). About 73 % of faculty members felt that PBL is effective in problem solving after exposure to the symposium, as compared to about 60% who felt that PBL is effective in problem solving before the symposium (P < 0.01). About 69% of faculty members stated that PBL is better than traditional ward teaching after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 51.1% who stated that PBL is better than traditional ward teaching before the symposium (P < 0.001). About 69% of faculty members stated that PBL enhances self-directed learning after exposure to the symposium, as compared to about 52% who stated PBL enhances self-directed learning before the symposium(P <0.005). About 64% of faculty members affirmed that they will welcome PBL in clinical teaching after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 62.5% of faculty members who would welcome PBL in clinical teaching before the symposium (P < 0.01). A total of 59% of faculty members asserted that they will recommend PBL to be included in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum after exposure to the symposium, as compared to 60.3% who would recommend PBL in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum before the symposium. About 51 % of faculty members agreed that practicing PBL will help students after graduation to continue independent learning before the symposium, as compared to 60% who agreed that practicing PBL will help students after graduation after exposure to the symposium (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that exposure to a symposium centered on PBL can improve knowledge and attitude of faculty members on PBL positively & significantly.

Tabaquismo en académicos, no académicos y estudiantes de la Universidad de Concepción / Prevalence of smoking among academic, non-academic workers and students of the Universidad de Concepción

Background: Effective smoking cessation campaigns require as baseline, precise estimations of smoking habits in different populations. Aim: To assess the prevalence of smoking in academic, non-academics workers and student of the University of Concepción. Material and methods: In a random and stratified sample of 272 workers (including academics) and 1146 students, a previously validated, self administered questionnaire about smoking was applied. Daily smoking was defined as smoking seven or more cigarettes per week and occasional smoking as smoking less than seven cigarettes per week. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 23 percent among academics, 34 percent among non-academic workers and 44 percent among students. Nineteen percent of men and 16 percent of women were occasional smokers; 23 percent of men and 25 percent of women were daily smokers. Students started smoking at 15 ñ 2 years old and workers did so at 18 ñ 3 years old. The grater influence about smoking came from parents. Workers from the administrative services and from the natural sciences faculty had the higher prevalence of the habit. The total annual cost of smoking was $33,000,000 (US$62,000). Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking at the University of Concepción is higher among students than workers. Quitting programs are urgently needed

El pensamiento abstracto en el nivel universitario: análisis de la prevalencia del pensamiento abstracto en médicos jóvenes / Abstract thinking in university level: analysis of prevalence in young physicians

Antecedentes: estudiantes universitarios y médicos jóvenes no son capaces de pensar eficazmente con operaciones abstractas. Objetivo: analizar esta hipótesis y la actitud de los docentes. Método: se sometieron 50 médicos jóvenes a 4 pruebas que evaluaban aspectos del pensamiento lógico y abstracto. Además, se encuestaron 30 docentes para evaluar su actitud y opinión sobre el tema. Resultados: las fallas en el uso del pensamiento abstracto se observaron en el 42, 24, 14 y 100 por ciento de los jóvenes para las pruebas 1, 2, 3 y 4 respectivamente. De acuerdo a los docentes, el 56 por ciento de los alumnos no usa generalmente el pensamiento abstracto en su proceso de aprendizaje. Conclusiones: el 30 por ciento de los médicos jóvenes estuvieron por debajo del nivel esperado en la lógica empleada para la resolución de pruebas de habilidad intelectual, dato que contó con el consenso de los docentes