Check out this interesting article for our upcoming Fall 2022 issue!

https://msrj.chm.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/219-ePub-final.pdf

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the ethical issues confronting medical students during their first exposure to emergency medicine (EM). The aim of this study was to review student narratives to determine the type and frequency of ethical issues that beginning students confront in the ED.

Methods: This was a prospective, qualitative observational study of consecutive first- and second-year medical students electing to do a pre-clinical clerkship in Emergency Medicine (EM) at five university- affiliated hospitals. Students were asked to write a short description of three cases that had the greatest impact on them during the month-long clerkship. Each essay was independently analyzed by five members of the research team. Descriptive and kappa statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results: During the four-year study period, 292 consecutive student essays were evaluated from 103 medical students. A total of 194 specific incidents were coded across 15 categories of ethical standards. Overall, 71.1% (138/194) were depictions of exemplary instances of ethical issues, 13.9% (27/194) were considered normal interactions, and 14.9% (29/194) were categorized as unethical behavior. While generally impressed by the admirable behavior of faculty and staff, students were quick to describe instances of improper treatment of patients, such as poor communication, discrimination, improper pain management, or a perceived lack of empathy.

Conclusions: Narrative essays describe a wide variety of interesting ethical situations that beginning medical students confront during their clerkships. Many of these ethical interactions seem to be connected to the student’s role as an observer of the health care team and how that role can lead to ethical tension. As educators, we need to shine a light on the subtle ethical issues that clerkship students struggle with daily and give them practical tools to deal with moral decisions required of them in medical practice.

Check out this early release of the latest article for our Fall 2022 issue!

http://msrj.chm.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/222-epub-final.pdf

Abstract

Quadricuspid aortic valves (QAVs) are a rare congenital anomaly associated with increased risk of aortic insufficiency. This case presents the incidental finding of a quadricuspid aortic valve on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography after going undetected on transthoracic echocardiography multiple times, suggesting that transesophageal echocardiography may be a superior imaging modality for the identification of this defect. This patient with a history of coronary artery disease presented with sudden onset moderate to severe aortic insufficiency and required subsequent aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Another new and interesting article! Click the link below to view the full case study.

https://msrj.chm.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/228-ePub-final.pdf

Abstract

We aim to add to the literature regarding Petit (inferior lumbar) hernias. The presence and location of lower back masses may have a deeper origin than initially apparent. We urge the surgical community to keep in mind the differential diagnosis of lumbar hernia, although rare, when evaluating subcutaneous masses and lipomata in this region. Simple excision may address the mass but not the cause and will lead to early recurrence of the presenting problem.

Check out the link below to view the full article.

http://msrj.chm.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/223-epub-final.pdf

Abstract

Case: We present a case of acute idiopathic four-compartment syndrome of the leg, treated by four-compartment fasciotomy, and wounds left to heal by secondary intention due to persistent edema following surgery.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion for idiopathic spontaneous compartment syndrome presentation. This case also illustrates the variability of compartment syndrome treatment and recovery. The standard treatment for compartment syndrome is fasciotomy with delayed primary wound closure, but the patient elected to heal by secondary intention. The patient’s long term follow-up results showed positive outcomes.

Check out the link below to view the full article!

https://msrj.chm.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/226-ePub-final.pdf

Background: In addition to the purposeful teaching of knowledge and skills to medical students, the “hidden curriculum” refers to the inadvertent – and often unrecognized – transmission of implicit ideas, attitudes, and behaviors. One way to raise student and teacher understanding of the hidden curriculum (HC) is to provide them concrete examples of how and when it occurs during medical school. The goal of this study was to investigate how the HC is depicted popular medical television (TV) shows.

Methods: A systematic content analysis of successive episodes of eight prime-time TV shows was completed using a standardized classification scheme. A complete season of each TV program was analyzed to identify and classify depictions of the HC as it pertains to medical students. Our classification scheme used four dominant themes: what students discovered about medicine, what students learned about becoming a physician, what students experienced, and what students realized about themselves. After coding, all incidents were classified as “negative” if a rule or normal procedure was broken, or “positive” if they followed established professional values or provided patient-centered care.

Results: A total of 137 episodes were viewed with 1160 depictions of the HC portrayed. The TV shows with the most depictions were Code Black and Scrubs. Within the four dominant themes, 45 subthemes were identified. Most depictions (66.7%) were described as positive and included conflict resolution, sensitivity, respect, empathy, accountability and role-modeling. However, 33.3% (386/1160) were negative and included unrealistic patient expectations, working in a chaotic environment, haphazard learning interactions, emotional detachment, loss of idealism, complex social situations, and dealing with uncertainty.

Conclusions: Television dramas contain many positive and negative examples of the hidden curriculum during undergraduate medical training. Short snippets from these incidents could be used in an educational setting to teach related issues including professionalism, ethics, role modeling, communication skills, and coping techniques.