Differences in opinions on disaster myths between first-year and sixth-year medical students

Objective We aimed to determine the influence of a medical school program on altering the opinion of medical students on disaster myths. Methods This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in October 2005 in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, with the participation of 191 (83.0%) first-year and 232 (80.8%) sixth-year medical students. The opinions of the students with regard to 22 disaster myths and the influence of the medical school program on these opinions were evaluated. Chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis. Results One hundred and fifty-nine first-year (83.2%) and 178 (76.7%) sixth-year students had knowledge about disasters (chi(2) = 2.75, P = 0.972). Television was cited as the leading source of knowledge among both first-year (63.9%, 122) and sixth-year (62.1%, 144) students. The medical school was the last resource for knowledge as reported by first-year students (0.5%, one student), and ranked fourth as a knowledge resource according to sixth-year students (47.0%, 109 students). Statistically significant differences were determined in opinions between the two groups of students, with sixth-year students having a higher rate of correct answers in only seven myths. In 17 myths, the number of correct responses for both groups was below 60%. Conclusion If the myths and realities in disaster situations are valid, we demonstrated that the medical education curriculum at one of the leading medical faculties in Turkey failed to correct the misconceptions of the medical students. As the opinions of students regarding disaster myths may reflect those of their trainers, similar surveys conducted among the faculty would be informative. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 16:80-83 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.