UMF Exam Study Notes - Medical Sciences

UMF Exam Study Notes

• Physiology: 1260 questions
• Immunology: 300 questions
• Methodology of Documentation and Scientific Research in Medicine: 167 questions
• Microbiology: 291 questions
• Anatomy and Embryology: 300 questions

Source Classification

• Sources cannot be definitively classified
• Sources can be in print format
• Sources can be secondary or primary, or both
• Primary sources can be exclusively primary
• Sources can be in electronic format or print format
• Sources can be tertiary, or exclusively tertiary
• Sources can be exclusively electronic
• Primary sources can be represented by a book chapter, library catalogue, book card, or journal index
• Primary sources can be represented by a book or database
• Primary sources are characterized by bibliographies on the topic
• Primary sources provide a basis for information in scientific articles
• Primary sources ensure the coherent transmission of information

Secondary Source

• Secondary sources include journal indexes and databases
• Secondary sources can be in print format, or exclusively electronic
• Secondary sources are essential tools in scientific searches
• Secondary sources can be represented by articles, book chapters, or library catalogues
• Secondary sources are tools in scientific searches
• Secondary sources provide elements of actual knowledge, consisting of original information (in extenso)

Scientific Journal Characteristics

• Scientific journals are similar to secondary sources
• Scientific journals have International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs)
• Scientific journals publish book chapters and books
• Scientific journals do not have periodicity
• Scientific journals may have a single author

Scientific Search

• Keywords are used for scientific searches
• University and research institution names are search terms
• PubMed databases are searchable
• Author and publisher names are search terms
• Single keywords can be used for searches
• Journal names and titles are search terms
• Impact factors are search variables
• Article titles can be used in searches for certain articles
• Article text in print format can be searched

Article Quick Reading

• Evaluations of article conclusions and principles of scientific writing are used for quick reading
• Objectives and the authors are evaluated during quick reading
• Source selection uses quick article reading
• Article abstracts are evaluated during quick article reading

Pubmed

• Pubmed is a reputable journal index
• Clarivate Analytics provides Pubmed
• Elsevier produces Pubmed
• The National Library of Medicine, USA produces Pubmed
• Pubmed is a notable medical database
• Pubmed is a credible secondary source
• Pubmed allows searches using a title
• Pubmed allows searches using keywords according to MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)
• Pubmed allows searches using author names
• Pubmed allows searches using keywords.

Scientific Journal Characteristics (repeated from above)

• Scientific journals are similar to secondary sources
• Scientific journals have International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs)
• Scientific journals publish book chapters and books
• Scientific journals do not have periodicity
• Scientific journals may have a single author

Undergraduate Thesis

• Motivation for choosing a topic includes factors like mass media, student experiences, and previous medical experiences
• Scientific writing is based on principles of scientific rigor; developed progressively and based on international publishers
• Scientific writing is based on rules set by PubMed and guidelines from the National Library of Medicine, USA

Undergraduate Thesis Sequence

• Objectives - Third Stage
• Objectives - Fourth Stage
• Scientific Search - Fifth Stage
• Work Plan - Third Stage
• Scientific Leader - First Stage
• Theme - Fifth Stage
• Theme - Second Stage
• Work Plan - Fourth Stage
• Scientific Search - First Stage
• Scientific Leader - Second Stage

Personal Section of Undergraduate Thesis

• The personal section in an undergraduate thesis is approximately two-thirds of the total work
• Includes the Material and Methods chapter
• The personal section does not necessarily include a Discussion chapter

Bachelor Thesis

• Bachelor theses are structured into general and personal sections
• Includes an introduction
• Can be completed without teaching coordination
• Must have between 60 and 200 pages
• May not include references
• Includes a general and personal section
• Must include bibliographic references

Discussion Section

• Includes materials used in the study in the Discussion section
• Contains conclusions about the study findings
• Emphasizes the originality of the research
• Refers to the current state of knowledge
• Explanations regarding results obtained and limitations are presented

Primary Literature

• Original research is a necessary component
• It targets a modern and specific theme
• It is distinct from secondary literature
• It includes analysis of clinical or laboratory data
• Monographs and books on a particular subject are considered primary literature
• Requires original research
• Includes technical and scientific reports
• It includes articles from peer-reviewed journals
• Often includes summaries and meta-analysis
• Does not include technical reports in some cases

Original Article Characteristics

• Presents results from fundamental or clinical research
• Does not strictly require IMRAD structure
• May target already existing research themes, subjects, or directions
• Not always the most valuable form of scientific article
• Has similar importance to an editorial

Scientific Article Structure

• Title of article
• Authors and Affiliations
• Presentation of meta-analysis (it isn't always required)
• Summary of the article
• Acknowledgements section
• Presentation of clinical case = mandatory
• Letter to the editor of a journal = not mandatory
• Literary commentary on the written text = not mandatory
• Text of the article written according to the appropriate style for the article type = usually mandatory

IMRAD Structure

• Meta-analysis
• Conclusions
• Systematic review
• Narrative review
• Results
• Presentation of case series
• Discussions
• Materials and methods
• Introduction
• Clinical case presentation = often included

Introduction Section of Article

• Research limitations
• Research objectives
• Information gap to be solved
• Purpose of the research
• Materials and methods

Material and Methods Section

• Acknowledgements to those who supported the research
• Discussion of results
• Study design description
• Information about research ethics approval
• Description of how the research was performed
• Tables or graphs of results = often included in this section
• Randomization methods = often included in this section
• Patient numbers

Results Section of Article

• Study findings are included
• Materials used in the study are described
• Results organized in tables
• Specifics about the patients included in the study
• Results obtained using statistical analysis
• Discussion about the significance of results
• Results presented in images as well as tables
• Techniques and methods as well as methodology used presented

Discussion Section Characteristics

• Limitations of the research are described
• Summarization of what was already known about the problem investigated
• Highlights of what has been discovered and wasn't known previously
• Referencing to the current state of knowledge
• Commenting on the significance of obtained results
• Emphasizing the originality of the study
• Description of the general characteristics of the studied patient group
• Displaying tables and graphs of results

Conclusion Section of Article

• Single paragraph or brief text
• Omission of figures and graphics
• Inclusion after the Introduction section
• Section included in Study Objectives section

Grey Literature

• Government reports
• Study or research reports
• Conference Papers
• Original research articles
• Bachelor and PhD theses
• Editorials
• Patents
• Cohort studies
• Meta-analysis

IMRAD Structure (repeated from above)

• Meta-analysis
• Conclusions
• Systematic review
• Narrative review
• Results
• Presentation of case series
• Discussions
• Materials and methods
• Introduction
• Clinical case presentation = often included
• Text/Essay = may be structured according to literary style

Bibliography Section Characteristics

• Typically located after the results section
• Lists all cited sources
• Usually includes publication information
• May include additional articles relevant to the topic
• Is an optional section sometimes
• Sources are often listed by dates or citation order

Narrative Review Characteristics

• A comprehensive analysis of a certain topic, frequently leading to further hypotheses
• Descriptive, often with a retrospective element
• Describes the current state of knowledge
• Includes a small number of bibliographic references

Primary Literature Characteristics

• Original research is necessary
• Can target modern and specific themes
• distinct from secondary literature
• Includes systematic review analysis
• Includes analysis of clinical or laboratory data, but not always
• Monographs/Books, sometimes
• Includes articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Does not always require meta-analysis

Original Article Characteristics (repeated from page 81)

• Presents results from fundamental or clinical research
• Does not strictly require IMRAD structure
• May target already existing research themes, subjects, or directions
• Not always the most valuable form of scientific article
• Has similar importance to an editorial

Meta-Analysis Article Summary

• Summary is not obligatory
• Includes a statistical analysis plan
• It represents a form of clinical study (prospective or retrospective as well)
• Includes a Material and Methods section
• Results is an optional section
• Analyzes articles from primary literature
• Conclusions reflect current knowledge and objectives
• Includes the introduction section
• Is considered to be part of secondary literature

Objective Statements in Article

• Mentioned in the Introduction section
• Not influenced by results
• Important relationships to current state of knowledge of subject are defined

Results Section Characteristics (repeated from page 93)

• Presents clinical / paraclinical variables of patients
• Includes criteria for patient inclusion
• Is followed by conclusions
• Can show primary and secondary results
• A required section
• Contains qualitative / quantitative analysis of studies already published
• Supported by tables and figures
• Includes statistical data such as total number of patients, ages, and comorbidities

Publication Implication Summary

• Payment of publication fee, without mandatory peer-review process
• Ensures original research
• Existence of ethics approval
• No mandatory personal relationship exists between journal editor and author

Abstract Summary

• The method may need adjustment to align with findings
• Negative results should not be excluded from the abstract to improve publication odds
• The key findings of the study are presented
• The current knowledge and objectives of the study are discussed
• Abstract should summarize the method of conducting the study.
• Figures and tables can be included
• Conclusions are mentioned

Strengths and Limitations of Article Summary

• Number of patients included can be a limitation
• Large patient loss to follow-up is also a limitation
• Data collection and analysis methods should be adapted to research topic
• Choice of strategy to obtain results may affect data quality
• Discussion / Summary section includes reporting of strengths and limitations
• Strengths or limitations of the study are not always included in the Materials and Methods section

Results Section of Article (repeated from page 97)

• Comparing results with those obtained by other authors
• Statistical Methods detailed
• Statistical data from analysis mentioned
• Data reproducible under study conditions
• Data in tables matches text data
• Bibliography references are presented
• The data is organized/systematized and no personal comments are included
• Figures match text/tables

Patient Selection in a Clinical Trial

• Some patients may be excluded for a desired outcome and study characteristics
• Characteristics of included patients influence results
• Patients are categorized according to demographics.
• Inclusion/Exclusion criteria are well-defined
• Patients enrolled may not meet inclusion criteria
• Exclusions should be well motivated
• Criteria can be tailored to patient groups
• Reasons for inclusion of special groups are clearly presented
• Patients may be excluded without explanation

Current Affairs Article Summary

• Written by students/residents usually
• No bibliographic references
• Not organized using an IMRAD structure
• Presents data from the last 10 years
• Summarizes what is new in a certain area, sometimes with specific data
• Has an overview of a specific topic
• References (often many) are also included

Systematic Review Articles

• Analyses of primary literature data as the data source
• -Can be prospective or retrospective
• -Is a type of secondary literature article
• -Conclusions not always necessary
• Structure generally is introduction, methods, results, and discussion
• -Performed using a strict methodology
• -Involves patient follow-up and original data reporting
• -Is a form of secondary research
• -Not the same as meta-analysis

Introduction Section of Clinical Trial Article

• Requires bibliographic references
• Presents fundamental rationale
• References clinical studies of the main topic
• Explains statistical methods

Prepare for your UMF exams with this comprehensive quiz covering key topics in medical sciences. This quiz includes questions from physiology, immunology, microbiology, and more, ensuring a well-rounded review of essential concepts. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding before the exam.