Fundamental Shifts in Research, Ethics and Peer Review in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to fundamental shifts in research, ethics, and peer review including reframing of the research design, adapting methodologies to the study type, transitioning of research mechanics, changing research methodologies, overcoming data collection and standardization constraints, upholding research standards and ethics, maintaining informativeness and social value, and providing guarded peer review flexibility. Indeed, the COVID-19 crisis, despite disrupting research worldwide to an unprecedented degree, has also become a catalyst to develop strategies of adaptation to this disruption. As the COVID-19 pandemic continuous to evolve, new, cost-effective, and highly flexible research models need to be developed. Planning is crucial for ensuring short-term and long-term contingency funds to support research logistics and personnel. A mental shift must accompany changes in methodologies to mentor and support researchers who are vital to the continuity of high-caliber research in the long term. A global research perspective through interinstitutional and interprofessional collaboration will sustain adherence to the highest standards of data collection and research reporting

Culturally-adapted resilience-building curriculum for medical students: a comprehensive approach at Showa University School of Medicine, Japan

The growing prevalence of psychological morbidity, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment among medical students underscores the need for resilience-enhancing programs tailored to their specific needs. Incorporating cultural perspectives and societal context into these interventions is crucial to ensure their effectiveness and relevance. In response, Showa University School of Medicine in Japan has pioneered a culturally-adapted, resilience-based curriculum for medical students from their first through sixth years since 2020. This presentation will outline the comprehensive framework of the resilience-focused curriculum, including course objectives, content, learning resources, timetables, and pedagogical approaches. Key components of the curriculum encompass self-assessment and reflection, stress management strategies, effective communication and conflict resolution skills, and fostering a growth mindset. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaborations with psychology and social work departments provide individual supports and resources for students. Emphasizing the distinct challenges faced by medical students, such as academic stressors, relationships with senior clinical educators, patient and family interactions, and managing errors and burnout, the presentation will highlight the classes on the curriculum, support systems and mentorship programs in promoting mental well-being and resilience. The experiences and outcomes of the 2020-2022 cohorts will be shared, offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of the resilience-building curriculum in the Japanese context. Lessons learned from the implementation process, including challenges faced and strategies employed, will provide practical examples for other medical schools seeking to develop similar programs

A proposed core curriculum for dental English education in Japan

Background: Globalization of the professions has become a necessity among schools and universities across the world. It has affected the medical and dental professions in terms of curriculum design and student and patient needs. In Japan, where medicine and dentistry are taught mainly in the Japanese language, profession-based courses in English, known as Medical English and Dental English, have been integrated into the existing curriculum among its 83 medical and 29 dental schools. Unfortunately, there is neither a core curriculum nor a model syllabus for these courses. Methods: This report is based on a survey, two discussion forums, a workshop, and finally, the drafting of a proposed core curriculum for dental English approved by consensus of the participants from each university. Results: The core curriculum covers the theoretical aspects, including dental English terms and oral pathologies; and practical aspects, including blended learning and dentist-patient communication. It is divided into modules and is recommended to be offered for at least two semesters. Conclusions: The core curriculum is expected to guide curriculum developers in schools where dental English courses are yet to be offered or are still in their early development. It may also serve as a model curriculum to medical and dental schools in countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America, where English is not the medium of instruction

UNFAMILIARITY WITH KEY ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARLY WRITING AND RESEARCH IMPEDES ETHICAL PUBLISHING

Scientific authors must become familiar with the key elements of scholarly writing and research to ensure ethical publishing. They should be proficient in writing the different sections of scholarly articles. Their knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods procedures must be sufficiently deep, including how to develop research questions and hypotheses. The authors must aim to be flawless when drafting scholarly articles to facilitate a deeper understanding of the extracted concepts. They should avoid duplicate publication, plagiarism, and salami science. When conducting research, the authors should ensure protection of human subjects and avoid bias