Pishoy Gouda

Paediatric learning in a clinical attachment: undergraduate medical students’ perspectives

BackgroundThe clinical environment in paediatrics presents many unique challenges for medical students to achieve clinical proficiency.AimsOur study aimed to explore how different elements of the paediatric rotation aid medical students in achieving learning outcomes at the undergraduate stage.MethodsUsing a small-scale exploratory case study, three focus group interviews were conducted with 19 participants by an independent facilitator. Students’ self-reported levels of achievement of module learning outcomes were also analysed. Qualitative data were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Open coding was initially employed; codes were then refined into categories and grouped. Themes were identified, reviewed and defined.ResultsStudents highlighted several key themes including trainee factors, teacher factors and environmental factors that were associated with positive learning environments. These included the opportunity to contribute to the patient care, feeling like part of the team.ConclusionsA clinical learning environment that allows medical students to become actively involved in patient care and to contribute as members to the clinical team can enhance their learning experience.

Investigating the Irish brain drain: factors influencing migration intentions among medical students

Background Ireland has the highest level of medical emigration in Europe with an increasing demand for physicians worldwide [1,2]. This has received considerable public and political interest. However, few studies have described the migration intentions of medical students at the undergraduate level [3]. Our study aimed to describe the migration intentions of Irish medical students by nationality and identify unique factors, “push factors”, that influence their decisions.

Late presentation of an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery treated with conservative surgical management with long-term cardiac magnetic resonance imaging follow-up

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is rare congenital abnormality that most commonly presents in childhood and is associated with a high mortality. In the elderly, patients may present acutely with arrhythmias or signs of ischemia or with vague chronic presentations of shortness of breath and fatigue. In the high-risk elderly population, it is unclear as to whether conservative surgical management by means of suture ligation of the left coronary artery is associated with positive long-term outcomes. We present a case of a 69-year-old patient diagnosed with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, which was treated with conservative surgical management and followed up for 15 years with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, with positive outcomes.

Perspectives on studying abroad

Barer and colleagues[1][1] present a sobering picture for Canadians studying abroad. Although the number of Canadians studying abroad continues to grow, the demographics of this population are changing. Personally, I have seen a decrease in the age of those applying to international medical schools