Aprendizagem baseada em casos clínicos no ensino de genética para medicina / Learning based on clinical cases in the teaching of genetics for medicine

Resumo Introdução: A necessidade premente de formar médicos autônomos e proativos implica novas abordagens didáticas e formas de mediar o conteúdo. Nesse contexto, a utilização de métodos ativos de ensino e aprendizagem pode incrementar o perfil do novo profissional. A Aprendizagem Baseada em Casos (ABC) é uma estratégia fundamentada na capacidade de o estudante relacionar teoria e prática com autonomia e tomada de decisão. A disciplina de genética aborda conteúdos que podem parecer distantes do cotidiano e da prática profissional futura, e, por isso, a necessidade de utilizar estratégias de ensino que facilitem a compreensão da aplicação desse conhecimento na prática médica. Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a ABC como abordagem pedagógica no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de genética para o curso de Medicina de uma instituição pública. Método: Aplicou-se um protocolo de método ativo composto por nove casos clínicos a 46 estudantes de Medicina da Universidade de Brasília que, posteriormente, foram divididos em nove grupos. Por meio de questionários, avaliaram-se o desempenho e as percepções em relação ao método. Os resultados quantitativos foram analisados por meio do teste t de Student. Resultado: O rendimento do trabalho em grupo foi estatisticamente maior em oito dos nove casos em comparação ao trabalho individual. A atividade foi considerada boa ou muito boa por 76% dos estudantes, e 90% mencionaram que houve aumento da motivação. Além disso, 71,4% destes demonstraram interesse em estudar mais sobre o assunto após a aula, 20% se consideraram capazes de ensinar o assunto a outras pessoas, e 42% avaliaram que acertariam todas ou a maioria das questões caso fossem submetidos a uma nova avaliação. Com relação ao trabalho em equipe, 38% relataram se sentir mais motivados. Por fim, 86% consideraram relevante ou muito relevante a discussão de casos clínicos para a formação profissional. Conclusão: Os resultados demostraram sucesso no uso do método ABC na abordagem de genética, porém apontaram que há dificuldades na utilização de métodos de ensino alternativos à aula expositiva. Apesar disso, fica explícito que a estratégia adotada pode levar à mobilização de conhecimentos prévios em situações da prática profissional.

Abstract Introduction: The pressing need to train autonomous and proactive professionals demands new ways of mediating content. In this context, the use of active teaching and learning methods can improve the profile of the new professional. Case-Based Learning (CBL) is a strategy based on the student's ability to relate theory and practice, with autonomy and decision-making. The discipline of Genetics addresses contents that may seem distant from everyday life and future professional practice, so it is necessary to use teaching strategies that facilitate the understanding of the application of this knowledge in medical practice. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the CBL as a pedagogical approach in the teaching-learning process of Genetics for Medicine courses in a public institution. Methods: An active methodology protocol that consisted of nine clinical cases was applied to 46 medical students from Universidade de Brasília, who were later divided into nine groups. The performance and perceptions regarding the methodology were evaluated by questionnaires. Quantitative results were analyzed using Student's t test. Results: The performance of group work was statistically higher in 8 of 9 cases compared to individual work. Most students considered the activity good or very good (76%), but approximately half reported no increase in motivation. Moreover, 71.4% felt motivated to learn more about the subject after class and 20% considered they were able to teach the subject to others and 42% assessed they would get all or most of the questions correct if they were submitted to a new assessment. Regarding teamwork, 38% reported feeling more motivated. Finally, 86% considered the discussion of clinical cases relevant or very relevant for professional training. Final considerations: The results show, in general, success in the use of CBL on the study of genetic diseases but point out that there are difficulties in the use of alternative teaching methods to the lecture. Despite this, it is clear that learning based on clinical cases can lead to the mobilization of previous knowledge in situations of professional practice.

Cardiovascular risk factors across different levels of urbanization in Brazilian Afro-derived communities (quilombos).

OBJECTIVES: The frequency of cardiovascular diseases has increased throughout the world. People of African descent have been disproportionately affected, particularly if they reside in urban settings. In this work, we evaluate risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and other chronic diseases in rural and urban Afro-derived communities (quilombo) in Central Brazil. We also determine if there are associations between the frequency of CVD risk factors, sex, and proximity to urban environments. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional study of participants (n = 347) within three Brazilian Afro-derived communities: Kalunga (a semi-isolated rural community; n = 214), Cocalinho (a non-isolated rural village; n = 70), and Pé do Morro (an urban community; n = 63), we collected data regarding chronic disease (i.e., CVD, diabetes, and hypertension) risk through questionnaires, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and blood samples using standard protocols. Differences between variables were tested by the Chi-square test of Pearson and Fisher's Exact Test, independent sample t-tests, analysis of variances, and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p ≤ .05). RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension, overweight, obesity, and other cardiovascular risk factors were higher in the non-isolated rural and urban communities than in the semi-isolated rural community. We found significant sex differences in the distribution of the CVD risk factors, with all occurring at a higher frequency among females. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that Brazilian Afro-derived communities are currently going through an epidemiological transition. The urban lifestyle and its environmental factors are likely contributing to an escalation in cardio-metabolic disease risk. However, the magnitude of this transition differentially impacts the sexes, as females suffer a higher frequency of risk factors compared to males.

Increased Factor V Leiden frequency is associated with venous thrombotic events among young Brazilian patients.

INTRODUCTION: Of the inherited thrombophilias, the Factor V Leiden (FVL) and the prothrombin mutant (FII G20210A) are associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, which may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, is also considered a risk factor for VTE in some studies. However, the frequency of these genetic risk factors may vary significantly among different populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FVL, FII G20210A and C677T mutations were investigated by PCR-RFLP in 275 young VTE Brazilian patients as well as in 324 biologically unrelated individuals selected to compose the control group. RESULTS: The C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene was detected in 135 (49.1%) patients, of which 117 (42.5%) were identified as heterozygous and 18 (6.5%) as homozygous. The G20210A mutation was detected in 14 (5.1%) patients in heterozygosis. In both cases, no significant difference was observed when these results were compared to the frequencies observed in the control group. FVL was detected in heterozygosis in 19 (6.9%) patients, corresponding to a significantly increased frequency when compared to that observed for the control group (1.2%) (OR 5.9; 95% CI 2.08-16.79; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicated that FVL is significantly associated with VTE among young Brazilian patients, but also supported previous evidence that VTE is a multi-factorial disease, resulting from the interaction of genetic and acquired risk factors.

Inherited thrombophilias and pre-eclampsia in Brazilian women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the distribution of G1691A, G20210A and C677T mutations in pre-eclamptic Brazilian women and in matched control women with an uncomplicated normal pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: these mutations were investigated by PCR-RFLP in 83 normal pregnancies (control group) and in 30 pre-eclamptic pregnant women (severe form). RESULTS: G1691A mutation was detected neither in the control group nor in pre-eclamsia women. G20210A mutation was detected in heterozygosis in 3 (3.61%) control subjects, but not in pre-eclampsia group. C677T mutation was detected in homozygosis in 6 (7.23%) control subjects and 2 (6.67%) pre-eclamptic women and in heterozygosis in 31 (37.3%) control subjects and 12 (40%) pre-eclamptic women. Differences in the mutation frequencies detected in the two groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: No correlation was observed between pre-eclampsia and presence of G1691A, G20210A and C677T mutations in Brazilian women.