Assessment of knowledge of emergency medicine residents in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences about forensic issues

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Medical Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, & Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: regarding the increasing population of Iran and improved health indexes the medico-legal cases are increasing. Today, knowledge and awareness about forensic medicine are of utmost importance for medical students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of emergency medicine students about different aspects of forensic medicine.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 36 emergency medicine students in governmental hospitals of Mashhad, Iran. Demographic data including age, sex, years of residency and years of experience as a general physician were recorded. Participants’ knowledge was assessed using a 30-item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS.16
Results: Our results showed that the mean of correct answers was 38±11 percent. The topic with the highest knowledge among residents wasApproach to alcohol and drug abuse (65±48) and the lowest knowledge was about neglectance and death certificate (28±22). We found a direct and significant correlation between the age and knowledge about the forensic medicine (p<0.05, r=0.54). However, no significant correlation was found between the experience and knowledge about the forensic medicine.
Conclusion: the results suggest that emergency medicine residents’ knowledge about different topics of forensic medicine is relatively low. According to our research, it seems mandatory to educate forensic medicine to Emergency medicine residents.

Keywords


References
1.             Madadin M, Al-Saif DM, Khamis AH, Taha AZ, Kharoshah MA, Alsayyah A, et al. Undergraduate teaching of forensic medicine in Saudi Arabia. Medicine, Science and the Law. 2016;56(3):163-6.
2.             Madea B, Saukko P. Future in forensic medicine as an academic discipline—focussing on research. Forensic science international. 2007;165(2):87-91.
3.             González L, Inzunza J, Bustos L, Vallejos C, Gutiérrez R. [Training and research in forensic medicine: present situation and future challenges for medical schools in Chile]. Revista medica de Chile. 2005;133(7):805-12.
4.             Rao GV, Hari N. Medico-legal knowledge assessment of interns and post graduate students in a medical institution.
5.             Kahouei m, Sadoughi f, Askari Majd Abadi ha-d. Medical assistants and students’ knowledge and practice rate of Semnan Medical Sciences University regarding documentation of cares provided to patient from medicolegal aspect. Iranian Journal of Forensic Medicine. 2007;13(2):92-7.
6.             Azimi N, Tadayon Najafabadi M, Ziagham S, Kiani M. Knowledge of students of medical science schools about retributive legal midwifery in field of medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University in 2013. Iranian Journal of Forensic Medicine. 2014;19(2):313-9.
7.             Rai JJ, Acharya RV, Dave D. Knowledge and Awareness among interns and residents about medical law and negligence in a medical college in Vadodara–A Questionnaire Study. Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences. 2013;3(4):32-8.
8              Lakkireddy DR, Gowda MS, Murray CW, Basarakodu KR, Vacek JL. Death certificate completion: how well are physicians trained and are cardiovascular causes overstated? The American journal of medicine. 2004;117(7):492-8.
9.             Haripriya A, Haripriya V. Knowledge about medical law and its negligence among doctors: A cross-sectional study. Int J Sci Res Publ. 2014;4(5):1-3.
10.          Mousavi S, Bazargan A, Malek F, Malek M, Babaei M, Ghahremanfard F, et al. Self evaluation for quality improvment in department of internal medicine of Semnan university of medical sciences. koomesh Journal. 2000;1(2):11-8.
11.          Asef Zadeh S, Javadi S. The results of the mentorship program for jonior medical students in Ghazvin university of medical sciences. Journal of facualty of medicie. 2002.