Alison R Althans1, Pierre Tamer1, Justin T Brady2, Emily Steinhagen2, Vanessa P Ho1. 1. 1 Division of Trauma, Acute Care, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center , Cleveland, Ohio. 2. 2 Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center , Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that treatment of acute, uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) with antibiotics is as effective as surgery. A 2015 study indicated that more than 50% of patients would choose antibiotic therapy. Medical students represent a unique population of potential patients with greater medical knowledge than the general public and possibly less bias than practicing physicians. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate what the MEDICAL STUDENT'S treatment choice for AUA would be and what factors influence these decisions. METHODS: We conducted a survey of current medical students at a single institution. Survey data included demographics, interest in surgery or a procedure-related specialty, knowledge of and experience with surgery and antibiotics, and concerns about treatments. A summary of the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of antibiotics and surgery was presented. Each participant was asked which treatment he or she would choose if affected by AUA. RESULTS: A series of 255 medical students completed the survey (mean age 24.8 ± 2.4 y; 51.5% female). The largest number of respondents (41.2%) were second-year students, and more than half (54.2%) reported an interest in a procedure-related specialty. Nearly all (93%) reported prior antibiotic use (19% reporting adverse effects), and 50% had prior surgery (20% reporting adverse events). When asked to identify concerns about each treatment choice, "surgical complications" was selected most frequently (82%) for surgery, and "adverse events and side effects" was selected most frequently for antibiotics (57%). When asked how they would treat their own AUA, 66.3% selected surgery, 24.3% selected antibiotics, and 9.4% were unsure. Race, gender, specialty of interest, year of training, and history of adverse effects related to antibiotics or surgery were not significantly related to treatment choice (all p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: When informed of the benefits and risks of surgery and antibiotics to treat AUA, medical students in our study were more likely to choose surgery.
BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that treatment of acute, uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) with antibiotics is as effective as surgery. A 2015 study indicated that more than 50% of patients would choose antibiotic therapy. Medical students represent a unique population of potential patients with greater medical knowledge than the general public and possibly less bias than practicing physicians. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate what the MEDICAL STUDENT'S treatment choice for AUA would be and what factors influence these decisions. METHODS: We conducted a survey of current medical students at a single institution. Survey data included demographics, interest in surgery or a procedure-related specialty, knowledge of and experience with surgery and antibiotics, and concerns about treatments. A summary of the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of antibiotics and surgery was presented. Each participant was asked which treatment he or she would choose if affected by AUA. RESULTS: A series of 255 medical students completed the survey (mean age 24.8 ± 2.4 y; 51.5% female). The largest number of respondents (41.2%) were second-year students, and more than half (54.2%) reported an interest in a procedure-related specialty. Nearly all (93%) reported prior antibiotic use (19% reporting adverse effects), and 50% had prior surgery (20% reporting adverse events). When asked to identify concerns about each treatment choice, "surgical complications" was selected most frequently (82%) for surgery, and "adverse events and side effects" was selected most frequently for antibiotics (57%). When asked how they would treat their own AUA, 66.3% selected surgery, 24.3% selected antibiotics, and 9.4% were unsure. Race, gender, specialty of interest, year of training, and history of adverse effects related to antibiotics or surgery were not significantly related to treatment choice (all p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: When informed of the benefits and risks of surgery and antibiotics to treat AUA, medical students in our study were more likely to choose surgery.
Authors: Suvi Sippola; Jussi Haijanen; Lauri Viinikainen; Juha Grönroos; Hannu Paajanen; Tero Rautio; Pia Nordström; Markku Aarnio; Tuomo Rantanen; Saija Hurme; Jukka-Pekka Mecklin; Juhani Sand; Airi Jartti; Paulina Salminen Journal: JAMA Surg Date: 2020-04-01 Impact factor: 14.766
Authors: Wouter J Bom; Jochem C G Scheijmans; Sander Ubels; Anna A W van Geloven; Sarah L Gans; Kristien M A J Tytgat; Charles C van Rossem; Lianne Koens; Jaap Stoker; Willem A Bemelman; Marcel G W Dijkgraaf; Marja A Boermeester Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 2.692