Citation

Tyagi S, Corbett S, Welfare M. Clin. Med. (Lond.) 2006; 6(2): 154-156.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Royal College of Physicians of London)

DOI

10.7861/clinmedicine.6-2-154

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The risk of students contracting HIV on electives has received much coverage. Few data exist, however, on risks of other adverse events. Medical schools gave comprehensive advice on infectious disease but little on personal safety. There were no reported parenteral infections or deaths from infection, despite cases of malaria and one needle-stick injury. Accidents were responsible for six deaths and three serious injuries from just nine medical schools. A further student committed suicide after return to the UK. Personal violence and events related to the political situation of the elected country were also reported. This paper is based on a retrospective survey of elective convenors from UK medical schools examining advice given and adverse events. Accidents appear to pose significant risk to medical students on elective and there appears to be a lack of advice on personal safety issues. Further research should examine behaviours that put students at risk of accidents, and strategies that could prevent such events.

Language: en

Keywords

Accident; human; Death; health education; accident; prevalence; medical education; risk assessment; article; questionnaire; health program; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; Medical students; health care; school health service; medical school; infection risk; Information; Elective; Infectious diseases