Original Article

Can Medical Students Learn the Pediatric Musculoskeletal Examination Independently?

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether medical students can learn a pediatric musculoskeletal examination independently by studying the pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, and Spine (pGALS) assessment. Methods: Fourth-year medical students were surveyed in 2018 regarding confidence and experience with the pediatric musculoskeletal training. Students performed an initial scored musculoskeletal…

Constellation Quality Health Awards Scholarships in Partnership with SMA

During SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia, Constellation Quality Health awarded two $2,500 scholarships to outstanding third-year medical students.

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the 2025 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships

During SMA’s recent Annual Scientific Assembly, the recipients of 2025 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships were announced.

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the 2025 Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarship Awards

During SMA’s recent Annual Scientific Assembly, the recipients of SMA’s Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships were announced.

Original Article

Trends in Medical Students’ Legal Concerns Regarding Abortion Care in the Wake of the 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision

Objectives: The 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization US Supreme Court decision dramatically shifted the legal landscape in health care, leaving state legislatures to redefine the ethics of medical practice. As gold-standard medical procedures become banned and criminalized, physicians are facing heightened legal uncertainty and grappling with moral dilemmas…

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the 2024 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships

During SMA’s recent Annual Scientific Assembly, the recipients of 2024 Dr. Donna Breen Scholarships were announced.

Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarship Awards

During SMA’s recent Annual Scientific Assembly, the recipients of SMA’s Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships were announced.

SMA Celebrates Partnership with Constellation Quality Health, as Constellation Awards Scholarships to Future Medical Leaders

During SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia, Constellation Quality Health awarded two $2,500 scholarships to outstanding third-year medical students.

Original Article

Ethical and Professional Issues Encountered by Fourth-Year Medical Students during a Critical Care Clerkship before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe ethical and professional issues encountered and the ethical and professional values cited by medical students during their critical care clerkship, with a comparison of issues encountered before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective mixed-methods…

Original Article

Improved Confidence and Clinical Application: The Effects of a Longitudinal Suture Curriculum for Medical Students

Objective: The ability to competently suture is an expected skill for graduating medical students, but many graduates report feeling unprepared to perform this skill. This study aimed to improve student confidence and clinical readiness for third-year clerkships by implementing a novel, mandatory 7.5-hour longitudinal suturing skills curriculum across the first…

Original Article

Does Medical Students’ High Expression of Empathy Correlate with Their Choice of Primary Care Residencies?

Objectives: There are many factors that influence medical students’ (MS) decisions when choosing a career. Some prominent factors include life–work balance, indebtedness, and flexibility of work hours. Whereas the expression of empathy has many positive correlates with a trusting and meaningful physician–patient interaction, only a few studies have analyzed the…

Original Article

What Defines an Honors Student? Survey of Pediatric and Internal Medicine Faculty Perspectives

Objective: Although considerable emphasis is placed on the attainment of honors in core medical school clerkships, little is known about what student characteristics are used by attending physicians to earn this designation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate what values and characteristics that attending physicians consider important in…

Original Article

Differences in Medical Students’ Academic Performance between a Pass/Fail and Tiered Grading System

Objectives: Medical school implementation of a pass/fail grading system offers the opportunity for a reduction in student stress and anxiety and the creation of a less competitive environment, leading to an improvement in overall well-being. Some critics of a pass/fail system have raised concerns of a decrement in academic performance….

Original Article

Team-Based Learning Activities for First-Year Medical Students: Perception of the Learners

Objectives: Team-based learning (TBL) is an active learning strategy that is used increasingly in medical education to promote critical thinking, knowledge application, teamwork, and collaboration. The aim of this study was to assess the students’ perspective on the utility of TBL compared with traditional lectures. Methods: We used a validated…

Original Article

Women’s Health Curriculum for Medical Students

Objectives: Knowledge of women’s health is important for physicians in various specialties, but training often is inadequate. The objective of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a women’s health curriculum for medical students at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. Methods: After reviewing previous pertinent…

Original Article

Impact of Trainees on Length of Stay in the Emergency Department at an Academic Medical Center

Objectives: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding remains a growing concern despite continued efforts by hospitals to improve efficiency while also maintaining quality of care and medical education. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the total number of trainees rotating in the ED affects length of stay (LOS). Methods:…

Original Article

A Comparison of Medical Students’ Learning Approaches between the First and Fourth Years

Objectives: We hypothesized that medical students exposed to a case-based curriculum in years 1 and 2 and clinical cases in the year 3 clerkship would demonstrate a longitudinal increase in the deep approach to learning and a decrease in the surface apathetic approach. Methods: A cohort of first-year medical students…

Original Article

Impact of a Fitness Intervention on Medical Students

Objective: It is known that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health. This study sought to determine the impact of a fitness intervention on the levels of exercise and well-being of medical students. Methods: In 2011, the authors conducted a prospective cohort study involving medical students at the Johns…

Original Article

Intimate Partner Violence Education for Medical Students: Toward a Comprehensive Curriculum Revision

Objectives: Previous studies examined the prevalence and efficacy of intimate partner violence (IPV) education in medical school. We documented IPV content exposure shortage in medical school curriculum at a southern university health science center and measured personal IPV experience among medical students. Methods: Responses were gathered from a 67-item survey…

Original Article

Burnout in Medical Students: Examining the Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objective: Burnout has been described as a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment, and may originate during medical school. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of burnout and contributing factors in medical students. Methods: A survey was administered to 249 medical students using…