Career aspirations among specialty residents in France: a cross-sectional gender-based comparison

Improving mental health literacy using web- or app-based interventions: A scoping review

Background

Given the rapid advancement in technology, the Internet has grown to play a significant role in the field of healthcare. Individuals can now access a profusion of easily available materials for self-management of their health. The purpose of this review is to describe Web/App-based interventions that are primarily or secondarily designed to improve mental health literacy (MHL) and to investigate the effectiveness of online interventions for improving mental health.

Materials and Method

A scoping review was conducted by searching five databases: PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The search was limited to peer-reviewed journals published in English between 2000 and 2022. Studies focusing on enhancements of MHL or its constituent components were included.

Results

Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The interventions primarily targeted patients or individuals exhibiting symptoms of mental disorders, with a higher representation of female participants. All the interventions yielded positive outcomes. The included studies were categorized according to three themes: knowledge, attitude, and self-care skills. Although numerous studies have focused on knowledge improvement, research on interventions targeting self-care skills is scarce. Furthermore, existing literature on knowledge enhancement is limited in terms of the coverage of risk factors.

Conclusion

This review indicates gaps in web/app interventions including limited evidence on risk factors, inconsistent help-seeking awareness, and inadequate self-care skills training. Further research is critically needed to address these deficiencies and promote comprehensive MHL.

COVID-19 and Access to Medical Professional Careers: Does Gender Matter?

OBJECTIVE

To know to what extent home confinement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the results of the Medical Intern Resident Program (MIR) exam and whether or not a gender gap has occurred as a consequence.

METHOD

Econometric modeling of the final result obtained in the MIR exam and identification of the explanatory factors that determine it and its relevance, effect and meaning.

RESULTS

From the results obtained in the MIR test of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 calls, it can be seen that examinations and academic records together with demographic and calendar factors are determinants to explain the observed behavior of the final result. In relation to the gender factor, the existence of a differential fixed effect in favor of women is shown, although the interaction with the exam shows the opposite result. The nationality variable allows us to visualize a scenario of academic homogeneity. The effect of the calendar directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic makes it possible to quantify the negative impact exerted on the final result.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) The work reflects the impact of factors such as sex, nationality or the COVID-19 pandemic on access to specialized health training in Spain. (2) In contrast to previous studies, we found a significant difference in behavior between men and women, favorably linked to the female sex. However, the so-called sprint effect associated with the male sex was detected. (3) The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the final score are visualized. The existing differential with respect to the control category is quantified and the dominance of the hierarchical position of the temporal component within the set of explanatory factors is visualized.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Among Anesthesiology Trainees

Background:

Historically in medicine, women and minorities have been underrepresented. This trend is especially significant in the anesthesiology workforce.

Objective:

The goals of this study were to quantify the current state of diversity by race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation among anesthesiology residents.

Methods:

An institutionally reviewed and validated survey was delivered through Qualtrics to 130 anesthesiology program directors. Topics addressed included gender identity, sexual orientation, racial and ethnic background, rationale for pursuing anesthesiology, and medical training experiences. The study was administered from February to April 2021; 135 anesthesiology residents responded to the survey.

Results:

The sample was 44.4% white (n = 60), 54.1% male (n = 73), and 83.7% (n = 113) of respondents self-reported as straight or heterosexual. Respondents indicated that role models/mentors were somewhat or very important in their desire to pursue anesthesiology (n = 85; 67.2%), 42% reported that having women/diverse faculty was somewhat or very important in their decision to pursue anesthesiology. Discrimination during the anesthesiology residency application process or as a resident ranged from 4.4% due to sexual orientation to 18.7% due to gender/gender identity and race/ethnicity.

Conclusions:

Experiences of discrimination based on race/ethnicity, gender, and gender identity continues to be a concern among anesthesiology trainees. Creating an environment that is inclusive and supportive of all trainees regardless of race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, and sexual orientation is needed. Interventions and strategies to create an inclusive environment may improve diversity within anesthesiology.