This is the feeling of many medical students at all levels. We have to think of ways of improving medical education and evaluation. A fearfull doctor is not the best person to treat his patients. I think it is time at all times to conquer this overwhelming feeling.
A study done in Cairo Medical Faculty in Cairo/Egypt on 1000 medical students by Professor Hossam Mawafy showed that:
Medical students whose BP was 120/80; on going for an oral exams their BP raised to very high levels. Some up to 240/140 and to return back to 120/80 few hours after finishing !!!
I think that this needs more great attention.
We need to spread the culture of self-trust among medical students. A single oral exam cannot judge your skills and credentials. Moreover, they are already hard workers and do study hard.
Dr Hossam,
Thank you for your comment.
Do you have more observations regarding medical education and exams.?
Why medical exams are very stressful and how do you think we can avoid these hard stresses? Any more suggestions?
I appreciate,
I think the the attitude and personality of the medical students and how they approach the exams need to be carefully studied. Moreover, they see the exams are the only way to determine their future as a physician in Egypt.
Exams success and grade do affect the future of medical students dear Dr Hossam. Failure or not taking good marks are a shame and delay with frustration for anybody.
May be students need more training to face oral exams. Also examiners should put in consideration the stresses students face.
When I was in the fourth grade, I do remember a section of ophthalmolgy guided by Professor Abdel Latif Siam. He was encouraging us to answer his questions. He presented 2 patients: one with acute glaucoma and the second with chronic glaucoma for comparison.
He told us I am not examining you, but training you to answer in oral exams. He told us in one oral exam. his colleague Professor called him as the student in front of him is not uttering a word. The question was what are the signs in chronic glaucoma and Prof. Abdel Latif began to help him telling Ca Ca Ca. Student remembered and told cupping of disc. On encouraging him he told the other signs and questions and passed.
The study done above by Prof. Hosam Mawafi included 1000 students and BP rose to very high levels in a large number of them. I think this is an indication to review exams evaluations and techniques as well as sections and training and to encourage students to say some wrong things without criticism in front of others. More training and talking with students will help them to do better in exams and to learn better and to get confidence.
I think what is needed more is to learn how to work together (team work). This is very important in facing patients in hospitals. We need to know how to work together in harmony and how to support each other and cooperate.
My best regards,
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