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Medical students' conceptualizations of quality of life associated with children with IBD
Guadalupe Salazar1, Judith C Barker, Melvin B Heyman
1*Department of Anthropology , San Jose State University, San Jose, CA †Department of Anthropology, History, and Social Medicine ‡Division of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition, University of California-San Francisco.
Insights
Medical students gained insight into the quality of life for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While perceptions improved, negative stereotypes about IBD symptoms persisted, highlighting the need for further training.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Medical Education
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Childhood inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly impacts a child's quality of life.
- Understanding medical students' perceptions of pediatric IBD is crucial for effective patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess second-year medical students' comprehension of quality of life in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- To evaluate the impact of patient testimonials on medical students' understanding of chronic childhood illness.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving second-year medical students at a San Francisco teaching institution.
- Administration of a questionnaire after a gastroenterology lecture featuring pediatric IBD patients.
- Analysis of quantitative questionnaire data and qualitative thematic analysis of patient audiotapes.
Main Results:
- Students reported positive engagement with patient narratives, gaining awareness of psychosocial challenges.
- Despite hearing from healthy young patients, students largely viewed pediatric IBD negatively.
- The experience shifted students' definition of 'healthy' in the context of chronic illness.
Conclusions:
- Patient interviews enhanced medical students' understanding of pediatric IBD's complexities.
- The teaching method introduced students to the condition but did not eliminate negative perceptions.
- Stigma associated with IBD symptoms influences student perceptions, indicating a need for further education and research.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to investigate second-year medical students' understanding of quality of life associated with childhood inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Methods:
A cross-sectional study in a major teaching institution in San Francisco was carried out. A questionnaire was administered following an hour-long gastroenterology lecture, which featured 2 young patients with pediatric-onset IBD who addressed everyday life with the disease. Analyses of numerate responses to the questionnaire were paired with a content and thematic analysis of audiotape recordings of the patients' commentaries.
Results:
Medical students' responses to the patient interviews were extremely positive. Medical students gained a new awareness of the psychosocial complexities associated with living with a pediatric chronic illness and a new way of thinking about the meaning of "healthy." Despite listening to 2 healthy young patients, however, the medical students still conceptualized pediatric IBD in mostly, although not exclusively, negative terms.
Conclusions:
Medical students' perceptions of pediatric IBD improved as a result of listening to the patient interviews. Although this teaching modality effectively introduced students to a complex condition, it did not overcome their unfavorable impression of the effect of IBD on children's lives. The symptoms associated with IBD have stigma attached to them, and these stereotypes influence how medical students perceive those living with this chronic illness. More research and training in this area is necessary.
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