BMC Med Educ. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):513. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07056-3.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Compassionate patient care is essential for improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare experience. However, in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan, systemic barriers and a lack of structured curricula hinder its consistent delivery. This study evaluates a targeted compassion-training intervention for residents in a tertiary care hospital and explores barriers to its implementation. Given shared challenges like resource constraints, high patient loads, and gaps in formal training, these findings have broader implications for integrating structured compassion-based education across LMICs.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted with first-year residents over a one-year period (November 2023 - October 2024). A 4-hour compassion-training session was delivered to develop compassion as a clinical competency. Quantitative data on satisfaction and self-reported compassion competence were collected using the Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire-Healthcare Provider Competence Self-Assessment (SCQ-HCPCSA) and analyzed via paired t-tests. Qualitative data from focused group discussions (FGDs) exploring barriers and facilitators underwent thematic analysis.
RESULTS: 204 residents participated. Baseline compassion competence was 4.03 ± 0.54, with no demographic variations (p > 0.05). Participants rated sessions highly for interest (4.54 ± 0.65), relevance (4.50 ± 0.82), and interactivity (4.68 ± 0.61). Post-training, compassion competence significantly improved to 4.58 ± 0.47 (p < 0.001), with all SCQ-HCPCSA items showing significant improvements (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings revealed key barriers to practicing compassionate care, including time constraints, high workloads, and compassion fatigue, particularly in high-pressure specialties like surgery and intensive care. Institutional factors like documentation inefficiencies, financial pressures, and hierarchical workplace culture also limit compassionate care delivery. Culturally specific challenges emerged, including language barriers, differences in patient expectations, and perceptions of compassion as a transactional service in a largely out-of-pocket healthcare system. Facilitators of compassionate care included interdisciplinary collaboration, supportive senior staff, and effective communication strategies.
CONCLUSIONS: Targeted compassion-training interventions can enhance compassionate care among physicians. To ensure long-term impact, postgraduate medical education programs should formally integrate structured curricula, alongside institutional policy reforms that reduce administrative burdens and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Future studies should explore long-term retention of training effects and assess scalability of similar curricula across diverse healthcare settings, particularly in other lower-middle-income countries.
BMC Med Educ. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):514. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07050-9.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Special Study Modules (SSMs) in Cross-Sectional Anatomy. These modules offer students the opportunity to develop their learning skills and foster specific academic interests. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction levels and learning outcomes of students who participated in the Cross-Sectional Anatomy SSMs, as determined by their feedback.
METHODS: Data for this descriptive study were collected from student feedback at the beginning and end of the SSMs. A total of 100 undergraduate medical students provided feedback on the modules between 2018 and 2022. The student survey consisted of 11 questions, and feedback was obtained using an open-ended questionnaire.
RESULTS: 74% of students emphasized the importance of these classes (p = 0.004).Teamwork was also significantly valued by 9% of students (p = 0.025). While 52% of students appreciated the module for presentation skills and clinical learning, the difference was not statistically significant. The module's impact on career choice and communication with faculty was noted by 13% of the students (p = 0.057).
CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional anatomy SSMs were found to be valuable by students, enhancing their ability to identify anatomical structures in cross-sectional images and distinguish sections from different levels and regions. SSMs also promote greater proficiency in imaging techniques. Overall, these modules were effective in key educational domains, particularly in facilitating the integration of knowledge and fostering teamwork among participants.
BMC Med Educ. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):512. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-06730-w.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Public health professionals are instrumental in shaping evidence-based policies and improving population health by translating research findings into actionable solutions. To sustain this progress, it is essential to understand the research engagement, aspirations, and challenges of public health students, as their active participation in research is critical for their development into successful public health practitioners.
METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study surveyed graduate public health students from universities in Bangladesh offering Master of Public Health program, using a questionnaire to collect data on demographics, research engagement, training, future aspirations, and the challenges encountered during research.
RESULTS: Among the 417 participating students, the mean age was 31.3 ± 5.7 (SD) years, with a majority being female (58.7%). Approximately half of the participants (49.2%) had engaged in research activities prior to pursuing their current degree, while 27.6% had received formal research training. Of all, 87.8% students (n = 366) had an intention to pursue research career in future. Female students (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.02-4.19, p = 0.043), students who were ≥ 30 years (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.11-5.69, p = 0.027), and studying MPH in public institutions (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22-0.90, p = 0.024) exhibited a higher likelihood of conducting research independently, compared to male students, age < 30 years and studying MPH in private institutions, respectively. Factors such as prior research training (aOR 5.61, 95% CI 2.64-11.9, p < 0.001) and prior education in non-science discipline (aOR 3.40, 95% CI 1.16-9.99, p = 0.026) were positively associated with conducting research independently.
CONCLUSION: Graduate public health students have demonstrated a strong interest in research careers, with nearly half reporting prior research experience. Being able to conduct research independently is shaped by factors such as gender, academic background, and the quality of training they receive.
