Assessment of knowledge of emergency medicine residents in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences about forensic issues

regarding the increasing population of Iran and improved health indexes the medico-legal cases are increasing. Today, knowledge and awareness about forensic medicine are of utmost importance for medical students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of emergency medicine students about different aspects of forensic medicine.

This cross-sectional study was carried out among 36 emergency medicine students in governmental hospitals of Mashhad, Iran. Demographic data including age, sex, years of residency and years of experience as a general physician were recorded. Participants’ knowledge was assessed using a 30-item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS.16

Our results showed that the mean of correct answers were 38±11 percent. The topic with the highest knowledge among residents was Approach to alcohol and drug abuse (65±48) and the lowest knowledge was about neglectance and death certificate (28±22). We found a direct and significant correlation between the age and knowledge about the forensic medicine (p<0.05, r=0.54). However, no significant correlation was found between the experience and knowledge about the forensic medicine.

the results of this study suggest that emergency medicine residents’ knowledge about different topics of forensic medicine is relatively low. According to our research, it seems mandatory to educate forensic medicine to Emergency medicine residents.