POSTER

Medical Student Injury Prevention Behaviors

Authors: J. Graham, S. H. Mullins, B. Miller, M. E. Aitken.
University of Arkansas College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas

Introduction: Injury is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. The American Association of Medical Colleges issued a report in 2005 on injury prevention and noted that it has not been traditionally taught in medical schools. The injury prevention behavior of students is important as a baseline when planning injury prevention curricula. The purpose of this study was to document the personal safety behaviors of junior medical students.

Methods: Junior medical students on a pediatrics clerkship were asked to complete a survey of their personal safety behaviors prior to an injury prevention workshop.

Results: 46 students participated in the workshop. 84% of students reported that they wear their seat belt all of the time when driving. 61% reported that when driving, all of the passengers in their vehicle wear their seat belts. 41% of students reported that they had ridden an all terrain vehicle (ATV) in the past year and of them, 78% reported that they never wear a helmet. Of the students who rode ATVs, 84% reported that occasionally or most of the time, they carried passengers on the ATV. 32% of the students who reported that they ride bicycles reported that they always wear a helmet.

Conclusions: The self report medical students demonstrate several important deficiencies in personal injury prevention behaviors. These behaviors should be considered when planning injury prevention curricula in medical schools.