Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar1, Mihnea-Alexandru Găman2, Juan C. Puyana3
doi: http://dx.doi.org/ijms.2024.3024
Volume 12, Number 3: 236-238
As we continue to foster the growth of future medical professionals, the International Journal of Medical Students (IJMS) is thrilled to present this issue featuring a wide array of research that spans critical areas in healthcare, medical education, and clinical practice. Our journal's growing influence was recently recognized in The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on mental health in Ukraine, which cited a previous Editorial in its discussion of global efforts to advance mental health care in challenging environments.1 This accomplishment underscores the journal's commitment to disseminating impactful research that addresses both current and emerging challenges in medicine.
We begin with “The Power of Story Slams: A Mixed-Method Analysis of Narrative Medicine,”2 which explores how storytelling events can reduce burnout and enhance community among healthcare workers. This study demonstrates the value of narrative medicine in improving professional satisfaction and fostering better patient relationships. Another article, “Stress Levels and Coping Strategies in Medical Students,”3 investigates the connection between stress levels and coping mechanisms, with findings that highlight the importance of promoting effective stress management interventions within medical training.
The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a focal point in healthcare research. “The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Cancer Referrals in Primary Care in the UK”4 reveals a significant decrease in cancer referrals during lockdown, emphasizing the need to prioritize early detection post-pandemic. Additionally, “A Descriptive Analysis of Therapeutics in COVID-19 Patients and Media Influence”5 examines how media coverage swayed treatment choices during the pandemic, calling for stronger collaboration between medical leaders and the media to ensure accurate public health information. Finally, a review on the “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity in Children”6 continues to shed light on the pandemic's impact in other areas of healthcare.
Antimicrobial resistance is also a crucial public health issue, as highlighted in “Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance in UTI-Causing Microorganisms in Southern Punjab.”7 This study found that Escherichia coli demonstrated high resistance to antibiotics such as Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, stressing the need for culture-based diagnostics in guiding treatment. Meanwhile, “Improving Access to Syphilis Screening Among Unhoused People in Yolo County”8 underscores the success of incentive-based screening programs in increasing healthcare access for vulnerable populations, achieving a notable 87.5% rise in syphilis screening.
In the field of pediatrics, “Evolving Patterns in Inpatient Pediatric Consultations to Allergy/Immunology”9 explores shifts in consultation patterns, particularly with regard to immunodeficiencies and drug allergies. This study points to the increasing importance of T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) screening and its impact on clinical decision-making. Another clinical review, “Vascular Anomalies Review of the Head and Neck for Physicians in Training,”10 provides an in-depth look, from experts in the field, at vascular anomalies and stresses the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care, particularly in pediatric patients.
Medical education also takes center stage in “A Scoping Review on the Utility of Ultrasound to Visualize Bursae in Anatomical Dissection Courses,”11 which advocates for integrating ultrasound into anatomy courses to enhance students' understanding of anatomical structures. Similarly, “Integrating Tendinous Pathophysiology Into Rotator Cuff Tears and Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome”12 offers new insights into tendon pathophysiology, challenging traditional views and suggesting earlier non-surgical interventions for both shoulder and hip conditions.
Several case reports bring to light rare and challenging medical conditions. “An Atypical Sellar Mass - Sellar Tuberculoma in a Young Patient”13 presents a rare case of sellar tuberculoma, an uncommon form of tuberculosis that mimics pituitary tumors. The case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and successful management with anti-tubercular therapy and hormone replacement. “Successful Subungual Glomus Tumor Removal”14 provides another compelling case study, detailing the diagnostic process and successful surgical treatment of a rare benign tumor in the thumb.
Personal reflections on medical education are also featured. “Summer Surgical Elective in Hong Kong”15 reflects on a medical student's elective experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Queen Mary Hospital, illustrating the educational value of international electives. “Innovating Against Odds: A Medical Student's Research Journey in a Resource-Constrained Environment,”16 shares the challenges and triumphs of conducting research with limited resources, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and resourcefulness.
Public health efforts are explored in “VAXXED & BOOSTED: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in West Greenville”17 which highlights a successful community vaccination campaign aimed at overcoming vaccine hesitancy in a low-income area. Additionally, “The Shame Is Not Mine: Addressing Abuse of Power Dynamics in Medical Training”18 presents a medical student's courageous and deeply personal reflection on mistreatment during a surgery clerkship, advocating for institutional reform and support for students facing such challenges.
Finally, in “Intricacies of Using Spaced Repetition Tools,”19 a letter to the Editor, the author reflects on the benefits and challenges of using Anki for medical board exam preparation, offering practical insights for students striving to enhance their learning techniques.
The IJMS is pleased to provide this issue, which covers a broad range of research covering important topics in healthcare, medical education, and clinical practice, as we continue to support the development of future medical professionals. This selection of papers demonstrates the journal's dedication to offering varied, excellent material that tackles both present and future medical issues.
We are excited to announce the third edition of the World Conference on Medical Student Research (WCMSR), which will be held on October 26, 2024. More than 100 people from 40 nations will attend this event, which will highlight the best research from across the world. The presentations and discussions from this global platform are highly anticipated, and you can watch them live and participate on YouTube.
We hope that these papers will inspire and educate students, researchers, and healthcare practitioners around the world as we continue to support the next generation of medical professionals. We appreciate your participation in our efforts to increase medical knowledge and enhance healthcare for all.
The Authors have no funding, financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Juan C. Puyana work is partially funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the United States with the grant UH3HL151595. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.
1. Pinchuk I, Leventhal BL, Ladyk-Bryzghalova A, Lien L, Yachnik Y, Casanova Dias M, et al. The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on mental health in Ukraine. Lancet Psychiatry. 2024: S2215–0366(24)00241-4.
2. Stringer AD, Liu L, Marino J, Mupparapu A, Fergus A, Rosenberg N, et al The Power of Story Slams: A Mixed-Method Analysis of Narrative Medicine Connecting, Encouraging and Comforting Healthcare Trainees and Professionals. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):239–245.
3. Karanth M, Shenoy Basti AR, NC, Reberio C. Stress Levels and Coping Strategies in Medical Students and its Association with Salivary IL-6 Levels]. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):246–251.
4. Whittle O, Bushby L, Chambers R, Gittens J. The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Cancer Referrals in Primary Care in the UK: Two Years On. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):252–258.
5. Mathew AA, Mensah B, Cravero JC, Moffatt DC, Dongre R, Giang TK, et al A Descriptive Analysis of the Use of Various Therapeutics in a Cohort of COVID-19 Patients and the Influence of Media Coverage. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):259–266.
6. Ramirez A, Rapp AB, Santarossa S. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity in Children: A Systematic Review. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):311–333.
7. Anjum MM, Khalid F, Saleem R, Abdul Malik MAB, Rizwan M. Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance and Susceptibility Pattern of UTI-causing microorganisms in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):267–273.
8. Kupa J, Bruguera R, Agnoli N, Agnoli A, Melgoza L, Portnoy A, et al Improving Access to Syphilis Screening Among Unhoused People in Yolo County, USA. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3): 274–277.
9. Wurst M, Brameli A, Krantz M, Peebles RS Jr, Khan Y, Stone CA Jr. Evolving Patterns in Inpatient Pediatric Consultations to Allergy/Immunology at an Academic Medical Center. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3): 278–283.
10. Allred CM, Zenner KB, Bonilla-Velez J. Vascular Anomalies Review of the Head and Neck for Physicians in Training. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):284–293.
11. Margenfeld F, Zendehdel A, Tamborrini G, Polzer J, Naville M, Poilliot A, et al A Scoping Review on the Utility of Ultrasound to Visualize Bursae in Anatomical Dissection Courses. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):294–302.
12. Poole JR, Alaia E, Meislin RJ. Integrating Tendinous Pathophysiology Into Rotator Cuff Tears And Greater Trochanteric Pain. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):303–310.
13. Jamali AM, Luhana R. Case Report: An Atypical Sellar Mass - Sellar Tuberculoma in a Young Patient. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):334–337.
14. Made Bramantya K, Suteja RC. Successful Subungual Glomus Tumor Removal: A Case Report and Future Guidance on Diagnosis and Treatment. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):338–344.
15. Ho M, Chow V. Summer Surgical Elective in Hong Kong. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):345–346.
16. Rajakumar HK. Innovating Against Odds: A Medical Student's Research Journey in a Resource-Constrained Environment. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):347–349.
17. Stamey T, Opelami o, Moye J. VAXXED & BOOSTED: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in West Greenville, NC, USA. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3): 350–353.
18. Norman S. The Shame Is Not Mine: Addressing Abuse of Power Dynamics in Medical Training. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):354–365.
19. Ghani A, Intricacies of Using Spaced Repetition Tools. Int J Med Stud. 2024;12(3):366.
Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar, 1 MD, MSc, PhD, Department of Ophtalmology; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Fundación Somos Ciencia al Servicio de la Comunidad, Fundación SCISCO/Science to Serve the Community Foundation, SCISCO Foundation, Cali Colombia. Grupo de investigación en Visión y Salud Ocular, VISOC, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. Editor in Chief, IJMS.
Mihnea-Alexandru Găman, 2 MD, PhD(c), Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania & Department of Hematology, Center of Hematologyand Bone Marrow Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania. Scientific Editor, IJMS.
Juan C. Puyana, 3 MD, FACS, School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Critical Care Medicine, and Clinical Translational Science, Director for Global Health-Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. O'Brien Professor of Global Surgery for Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Editorial Board Member, IJMS.
Correspondence: Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar. Address: 750 Republican St, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Email: editor.in.chief@ijms.info
Cite as Bonilla-Escobar FJ, Găman MA, Puyana JC. Bridging Innovation and Education: IJMS Volume 12 Issue 3 and the 2024 World Conference on Medical Student Research (WCMSR). Int J Med Stud. 2024 Jul-Sep;12(3):236-238.
Copyright © 2024 Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar, Mihnea-Alexandru Găman, Juan C. Puyana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
International Journal of Medical Students, VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3, September 2024