A Profile of Medical Students at the University of São Paulo. Is the Admissions Test Biased?

Abstract: The course entitled Na Introduction to Medicine and Medical Specialties at the University of São Paulo seeks to simulate ethical principles and humanitarianism. Students’ perspectives may help foster this process. This study analyzes the profile of first-year medical students from 1999 to 2001 as compared to applicants for admissions. Students answered a questionnaire. Male students ranging from 17 to 21 years of age made up the majority. Most students were from São Paulo State, half from families with physicians. There was an apparent tendency to shun formal religion, although they expressed faith in God. The most frequently cited essential attributes for doctors were dedication, humanitarianism, responsibility, solidarity, and patience. Students had chosen the field of medicine to “help others” or out of a feeling of calling, and reported fearing the heavy schedule and load of information in medical school. Although 60% of applicants were female, women represented 35% of first-year students, thus displaying a reversal in this gender ratio. University of São Paulo medical students are thus primarily from São Paulo itself, non worshippers but spiritually inclined, humanitarian, and fearsome of lack of time and information overload in medical school.

摘要：圣保罗大学（University of São Paulo）开设的《医学与医学专科导论》课程，旨在引导学生体悟医学伦理原则与践行人道主义精神，学生的视角可为该教学过程提供有效助力。本研究针对1999至2001年的一年级医学生群体画像展开分析，并与同期入学申请者进行对比。研究采用问卷调查法收集数据。样本中多数为17至21岁的男性学生，生源主要来自圣保罗州，近半数学生的家庭拥有医师职业背景。尽管多数学生表达了对上帝的信仰，但他们普遍表现出回避正式宗教活动的倾向。学生们认为医师最核心的素养依次为奉献精神、人道主义、责任感、互助精神与耐心。学生选择医学专业的动机多为"帮助他人"或是出于职业使命感，同时坦言担忧医学院繁重的课程安排与过量的信息负荷。尽管60%的入学申请者为女性，但一年级医学生中女性占比仅为35%，性别比例出现明显反转。综上，圣保罗大学医学生主要来自圣保罗本地，他们虽不热衷正式宗教活动但具备精神信仰倾向，兼具人道主义精神，且普遍担忧医学院课程紧张与信息过载问题。