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9/26/2014  |   4:30 PM - 6:00 PM   |  

Survey of congenital cytomegalovirus knowledge among medical students

Survey of congenital CMV knowledge among medical students Baer HR, McBride HE, Caviness AC, Demmler-Harrison GJ Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Background: Congenital CMV (cCMV) is common yet physicians and medical students have little knowledge of congenital CMV infection. Objective: To test the hypothesis medical students (MS) have little awareness about cCMV and to collect data on MS knowledge about cCMV. Long term goal of this research is to improve education of MS about cCMV so that knwoeldge may translate into improved medical practice. Design: MS at one institution (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas) were sent an email survey to assess their knowledge of cCMV. Responses were described, quantified, and compared between groups. Results: 751 surveys were sent and 422 completed responses received. Respondents were distributed over all 4 MS class years. MS1 were less knoweldgeable than MS2-4. Only 34% of MS1 had heard of cCMV compared to 100% MS2-4 (P<0.0001). All MS2-4 who reported being "very familiar" with cCMV learned about CMV in medical school, 80% in just a part of one lecture. Inaccuracies of perceived cCMV knowledge were observed in the responses. Conclusions: A baseline lack of knowledge about cCMV was documented in MS1 students. A sharp increase in perceived knowledge of cCMV occurred between MS1 to MS2 years, likely due to preclinical MS curriculum. However, significant knowledge gaps regarding transmission and treatment were observed in all MS years, representing opportunities for medical education.

Gail Demmler-Harrison (Point of Contact,Primary Presenter,Author), gdemmler@bcm.edu;
Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine with over 30 years experience in the research and clinical management of infants with congenital CMV infection; PI of the HOuston Longitudinal Congenital CMV Followup Study; co author or author of numerous publicaitons, chapters and presenter at national and international meetings

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

Hannah Baer (Author), hrbaer@yahoo.com;
Hannah has her MD from Baylor College of Medicine; now a pediatric resident at Little Rock Children's Hospital

Holly McBride (Author), hollycorwin@gmail.com;
Holly is currently a PA student at Drexel University. She has an MPH and experience in focus groups and CMV research.

Chantal Caviness (Author), accavine@texaschildrens.org;
Associate Professor Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine; CMV Study co investigator

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Handouts:
327GailDemmler-Harrison.pdf