Reconhecimento de aspectos de genética médica na interpretação de casos clínicos: estudo comparativo entre docentes e discentes do curso de medicina do CESUPA

Abstract

The thought that the practice of medical genetics is an isolated action of the other specialties, that the geneticist is a professional away from the clinic and dedicated to laboratories is frequent. This is a mistaken idea, so many professionals still feel unable to provide diagnoses and/or conduct cases of genetic etiology in their clinical practice. Thus, we observe the need of this area in the formation of Primary Health Care, as well as its inclusion in the formation of future general practitioners. Objective: To describe the recognition of aspects of medical genetics in clinical practice among teachers and students of the Cesupa Medical Course. Methods: An observational, descriptive, comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Center of the State of Pará (CESUPA) from October 2019 to March 2020. A total of 135 questionnaires of students and 39 teachers were evaluated. Results: The overall result of the correct questions presented a statistical difference, indicating a better performance for teachers 64.1% when compared to the semesters of the basic and clinical cycle and with the last semester of the course. Regarding the individualized results, 4 of the 14 questions applied presented statistically significant differences between the groups. The majority of teachers 84.6% were able to consider all clinical manifestations presented in the clinical case as coming from a single systemic disease and among the students this value was 90.4%. For 77.8% of the students family history is important for the diagnostic hypothesis, exceeding the 56.4% found for teachers. Among those who included medical genetics among the specialties to refer the case are 94.9% of the teachers and 29.6% of the students. Conclusion: The recognition of aspects of medical genetics in the clinical practice of students and teachers exists, but there is room for improvement. The expansion of the practical theoretical approach of Medical Genetics - in undergraduate studies - can have a positive impact on Medical Education and future professional practice, since, nowadays, all areas of Medicine are moving towards molecular and genetic aspects.