Medical Education Research Journal

Can you imagine a world without MEDLINE or ERIC? Implications for medical education research

Melchor Sánchez Mendiola — 2025-04-01

Supporting innovative medical educators: American Medical Association initiatives to transform medical education

Kimberly Lomis — 2025-04-01

Association between grade point average, exam and interview for residency admission

Alfredo Eymann — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The admission process for medical residencies is complex. Instruments used are expected to be valid and reliable.

Objective: To assess the association between medical school’s grade point average, score in the knowledge test and results of the residency admission interview, panel or multi-mini interviews.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Candidates for medical residencies between 2006-2010 and 2022 were included. Pearson’s coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between analyzed variables.

Results: 1254 candidates were interviewed between 2006-2010, and 493 in 2022. Average grade point average was 8.1 in 2006-2010, and 8.04 in 2022 (p = 0.05); scores in the knowledge test were 68/100 and 79/100 (p < 0.0001) respectively. Pearson’s coefficient between academic performance (medical school’s grade point average and score in knowledge test) and interview scores was 0,20 in the 2006-2010 period (p = 0.01), and 0,11 in 2022 (p = 0.01). There was also no correlation when different interview modalities were analyzed separately.

Conclusion: Interview score, which determined the final ranking for resident selection, did not correlate with academic performance, independently of the interview modality.

Validity of a job satisfaction instrument in resident doctors: pilot study

Mariana Lee Miguel Sardaneta — 2025-04-01

Introduction: A high level of job satisfaction in resident physicians has been related to better results in patient care and academic performance. Currently, there are academic satisfaction scales such as the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); however, it is important to validate a scale capable of measuring job satisfaction in order to provide better care to the population.

Objective: To validate a job satisfaction instrument for resident physicians using a scale developed by experts.

Methods: Observational, pilot, correlation, longitudinal, retrospective study. A Likert-type questionnaire with 65 items and 7 spheres of perception in the organization was made; it was subjected to content validation by means of an exploratory factor analysis and statistical tests to determine its reliability, during 2020 and 2021, in a second level of care hospital center that is part of the Health Services of the State of Puebla. Validity and reliability were based on the criteria of the American Education Research Association, American Psychological Association, National Council on Measurement in Education.

Results: Data analysis showed statistically significant results to assess resident physician satisfaction, Cronbach’s alpha of 0.987, Bartlett’s sphericity index 8683.365 a significance <0.000 and a KMO measure of sampling adequacy of 0.83.

Conclusions: The instrument employed provides evidence of validity based on factor analysis; however, it is suggested to increase the number of participants to favor its reliability.

Learning climate and readiness for independent practice: a self-determination perspective

Jaime Andrés Leal Camacho — 2025-04-01

This study examines how the learning climate (CA) influences self-determination (AD) and readiness for independent practice (PPI) among residents in medical-surgical specialization programs at a private university in Colombia. A total of 156 residents participated, and data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring CA, AD, and PPI. Results from the structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that CA has a positive and significant effect on perceived AD, which in turn positively impacts PPI. No significant differences were found in these relationships based on gender or type of training program. However, it is important to note that the study is exploratory in nature and that methodological limitations of SEM, such as normality assumptions and the need for large sample sizes, must be considered. These findings suggest the importance of a positive CA for improving professional readiness and open the door for more detailed future research.

Analysis of the scientific production of medical schools in central Peru

Sergio Armando Dextre-Vilchez — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The scientific production of medical faculties in Peru is growing. However, its development is heterogeneous and mostly concentrated in the capital, leaving the provinces at a disadvantage.

Objective: To determine the scientific production of the Medical Faculties of Huancayo in the Scopus database for the period 2016-2023.

Method: Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and bibliometric study. Through a documentary review using a systematic search strategy, publications from the period 2016-2023 were collected with affiliation to the medical faculties of Universidad Continental (UC), Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú (UNCP), and Universidad Peruana Los Andes (UPLA). A descriptive analysis and collaboration networks were conducted using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix.

Results: A total of 252 publications were obtained, with UC being the faculty with the highest publication. Scientific production showed an increase from 2020 onwards. The most frequent type of publication was the original article in all three institutions. The median number of authors was higher in UNCP with 2. The faculty with the highest number of citations (529), citations per year (66.13), citations per article (3.48), citations per author (105.84), and H-index (11) was UC. The frequent use of the Spanish language, the recurrent presence of Latin American journals, and collaboration with countries in the region were highlighted.

Conclusion: Scientific publications from the medical faculties of Huancayo are at a low level nationally; however, collaboration among these institutions and the obtained metrics stand out. It is expected that they will continue to progress on an upward trajectory.

Simulators for dental education: A bibliometric perspective (2000-2023)

Carmen Inocencia Quintana del Solar — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The use of simulators for teaching dentistry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by the implementation of ethical and health standards, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, their use has become normalized in most dental teaching institutions, necessitating changes and adaptations in teaching models.

Objective: Determine bibliometric indicators of productivity, collaboration, and impact related to using simulators for dental education globally between 2000 and 2023.

Method: A bibliometric study was conducted using the Scopus database, analyzing 104 articles.

Results: 96 original articles, 7 review articles, and one brief communication were identified. The highest scientific output occurred in 2013, with 11 articles published. The collaboration index between authors was 4.0, the degree of collaboration was 92%, and the collaboration coefficient was 0.65. Regarding impact, the most productive journal was the Journal of Dental Education, which published 61 original articles.

Conclusions: Peaks in scientific production were observed, linked to the emergence of new technologies in dental simulators, with publications primarily in European and North American journals (Q1 and Q2). Collaboration the implementation of multidisciplinary teams, leading to a greater impact of scientific research.

Utility of ultrasound training for obstetricians or midwives: a systematicreview

Naysha Xiomara Enrique-Peves — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The training of midwives in the field of ultrasound has been the subject of interest in many countries around the world, since this would contribute to the improvement of care for pregnant women, especially in rural areas or areas with difficult access for health teams.

Objective: To synthesize recent evidence related to the benefits offered by training obstetricians in the field of ultrasound through a systematic review of the scientific literature using the PICO strategy in electronic databases.

Method: It was carried out a study selection process in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was carried out by two members of the team during the period December 2023 to January 2024, in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Articles up to 5 years old were included, of a qualitative and quantitative nature, with results that indicate the usefulness of ultrasound training and whose study population is midwives.

Results: It was obtained a total of 907 studies, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria, and were mostly carried out on the African continent. The studies showed improvements in the ultrasound skills of midwives, reaching a level similar to that of specialist doctors, in addition, the existence of institutional benefits such as improvement in perinatal health outcomes, reduction in hospital stay time or increase in requests. ultrasound by pregnant women; and individual benefits such as an increase in midwives’ confidence, motivation and even performance.

Conclusions: The studies conclude that the knowledge of midwives acquired through ultrasound training is similar to that acquired by doctors or other professionals, which represents a benefit for pregnant women who are in rural areas with low economic resources, and makes visible the need for these trainings to be carried out in countries that present economic and social gaps.

Influence of scientific publication during undergraduate studies on the academic production of medical graduates

Jorge Cortez Alzamora — 2025-04-01

Introduction: In the era of evidence-based medicine, scientific research is becoming increasingly crucial in medical training and practice, offering numerous benefits for health professionals.

Objective: To determine whether publication during undergraduate studies is associated with publication after graduation from medical school.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the publications of physicians who graduated from the School of Medicine of the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) during the years 2013-2017. Physicians whose theses are published in the academic repository of the university were included in the study. Scientific publications were obtained through a systematic search in PubMed and Google Scholar. For bivariate analysis, the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used.

Results: A total of 249 participants were analyzed. Seventy-two percent of them published at least once during undergraduate, while 27% published at least once as graduates. An association was found between the number of articles published during undergraduate studies and publications as a graduate (p 0.02). Of the participants who published during their undergraduate studies, 30.4% had subsequent publications (p 0.06).

Conclusions: The proportion of UPC medical students who publish in scientific journals is high. Having published during your undergraduate studies increases the likelihood of continuing to publish as a graduate.

An online educational intervention to increase hormonal contraceptives knowledge among medical students

Arely Anayeli Mota Sánchez — 2025-04-01

Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a serious public health concern that is associated with a lack of knowledge regarding proper and consistent contraceptive use. There is a need for educational interventions on the use of hormonal contraceptives, of which the online modality is a feasible option.

Objective: To develop and implement an online course entitled “Use of hormonal contraceptives” among adolescent students and determine its effect on learning.

Method: An online course was developed that included the following topics: the female reproductive system, the sexual cycle, and hormonal contraceptives. Knowledge was measured administering two multiple-choice tests. In 2021 we fielded a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a single group (adolescent students) enrolled in their first year of medical school attending a public university in Mexico.

Results: For the pre-post, 108 students participated, 75% women and 25% men, with an average age of 18 years. The students increased their score in the pre-post evaluation (17-21 to 22-27 correct answers) and decreased in the follow-up (20-24 correct answers), with statistically significant differences according to the t test (p < 0.001). With the Friedman rank test, a mean for Instrument I was obtained, of 2.79; for instrument II, 1.32 and for the monitoring instrument, 1.89. Differences were observed between at least two groups (Chi2 33.98, df 2, p < 0.001). The post hoc analysis confirmed significant differences between the pre and post evaluations and follow-up (p < 0.001); although the score decreases after three months.

Conclusions: The implementation of this type of educational interventions with solid results is sufficient to justify its development and implementation.

Accreditations and Performance of Graduates in the National Examination of Applicants to Medical Residencies (ENARM)

Elena Soto Vega — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The objective of medical school accreditations or certifications is to ensure that institutions meet quality and training standards, in order to impact the academic level and comprehensive training of students. One way to assess that this goal is achieved is with success in the National Medical Residency Candidate Exam.

Objective: The existence of a relationship between the number of accreditations of medical schools and the results obtained in the ENARM was analyzed.

Method: A retrospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted, and data were analyzed using a Chi-square test and Student’s T-test. The results of the 68 medical schools in the country that have submitted the ENARM were compared.

Results: It was shown that those schools that had more accreditations, obtained better scores in the ENARM, 31.8% of students who study in an accredited university are selected to perform a medical specialty, these results were significant, in addition to the fact that the percentage of students accepted in the ENARM for universities with 5 accreditations was 45.8%, This figure determined that the number of accreditations also had an impact on the percentage of students selected.

Conclusions: The number of accreditations has a determining relationship with the percentage of students selected from the universities, since those with a greater number of them obtained a better score within the ENARM.

The teaching of neurologic examination: strategies and critical review

Raymundo Solís-Gómez — 2025-04-01

Introduction: The neurological examination (NE) is a cornerstone in the training of medical residents in neurology and neurosurgery, as it is an essential component of the professional practice for future specialists. However, the teaching of NE faces challenges due to traditional methodologies and single-strategy approaches, which are often insufficient to achieve the deep learning required to master the complex and nuanced competencies involved.

Objective: To analyze the main strategies used in the teaching of NE and to propose an efficient, evidence-based system.

Method: A structured review of both traditional and unconventional strategies in NE teaching and learning was conducted. These findings were compared with currently accepted competencies for NE, and a methodology was proposed based on the results. MeSH terms and keywords such as “neurological examination”, “neurological semiology”, “neurologic exam”, “residents”, and “neurology” were used.

Results: Traditional strategies primarily include lectures, often supplemented by clinical case analysis and problem-solving exercises. Innovative strategies applied in NE teaching, as reported in the literature, serve as alternatives to lectures or are part of a multi-strategic approach combined with lectures. These include problem-based learning with virtual reality, tutoring and peer tutoring among residents, simulation, and gamification. Strategies must be individualized and contextualized depending on the specific domain of NE being taught.

Conclusion: Various teaching and learning strategies are available for NE; however, there is a significant lack of systematized studies measuring their comparative effectiveness. An effective curriculum design for NE should incorporate a diversification of strategies and consider the specific requirements of each domain within the NE. It is imperative to generate evidence that prioritizes the efficiency of each available strategy for this purpose.

Distance Medical Faculty Training Program

Magali Fabiola Vega-Rodríguez — 2025-04-01

We present a distance training program for medical faculty based on various reference frameworks reported in the literature. The program aims to develop five basic skills: planning teaching, educating in the clinical setting, facilitating learning, teaching professionalism and medical ethics, and assessing learning. The program consists of the following modules: The Medical Educator and Didactic Planning, Clinical Teaching Strategies, Learning Strategies, Attitudinal Content Teaching Strategies, Evaluation Strategies, and The Reflective Practice of the Medical Educator. The instructional design and production were carried out on the Moodle platform, aimed at enabling faculty to understand the content, apply it in their teaching practice, and reflect on its usefulness for resident learning. As part of the program, the roles of tutors participating in its implementation are defined, as their work is essential to facilitate, provide feedback, and motivate participants’ learning.

Medical education, discourse on teaching work in medicine

Daniel Montoya Roldán — 2025-04-01

Pedagogical practice must modernize by reformulating teaching attitudes and practices with the aim of fostering in students a deep interest in their future profession and specialty, with discipline, rigor, love, and a genuine pursuit of the excellence and academic quality that medical professions demand in today’s world, utilizing various tools for their development. Empathy, guidance, discipline, and sparking that deep interest in medicine and science should be pillars in this process, considering that each student is there driven by a dream and a purpose. Teacher training requires constant updating, skill development, and training, which are not always accessible to all educators. Similarly, continuous updating and training should be a duty for students in the medical sciences, which face constant evolution, to ensure excellence in decision-making based on evidence, medical judgment, and knowledge.

Between saving lives and deteriorating mental health: problems in students of medical boarding schools

Brian Johan Bustos-Viviescas — 2025-04-01

Emotional Health: Physiological Aspects and Educational Strategies

María Antonia Mendoza-Espinosa — 2025-04-01

Is Graduating from a Prestigious Private Medical School Still Advantageous in Mexico?

Alain Raimundo Rodríguez-Orozco — 2025-04-01

Año 14, número 54, abril-junio 2025

Oficina Editorial — 2025-04-01