ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Different approaches to learning can exert considerable influence on the teaching-learning process in medical education. This study aimed to investigate the association of surface and deep learning with study patterns, preferred type of assessment, practices of cheating and quality of sleep among medical students. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on medical students enrolled in all six years of a medical school in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. METHODS: Questionnaires were applied to evaluate learning approaches (R-SPQ-2F), study patterns, sources and choices, and quality of sleep. Students’ learning approaches (deep or surface) were assessed in relation to their study patterns, study resources, quality of sleep and whether they cheated in tests. RESULTS: Among the 710 students included, 43% frequently studied on the night before an exam, 65% had used psychostimulants to study and more than 46% had cheated in an exam. Regarding quality of sleep, most students (53.4%) reported that their quality of sleep was poor, such that 45.3% slept for fewer than five hours before an exam. Those who studied just prior to an exam, used class summaries, preferred multiple-choice questions and cheated during the test had a more surface-learning approach. On the other hand, those who read books, preferred practical exams and slept better had a deeper approach. CONCLUSION: The type of learning approach was associated with study patterns and choices among medical students. Educators need to be attentive to the type of learning their students use and think of measures that impact teaching and assessment methods.

Resumo O testamento vital é um documento em que os pacientes expõem suas vontades acerca de quais tratamentos serão realizados caso se encontrem em estado terminal. Por ser tema recente, tem gerado dúvidas em relação à sua difusão, aceitação social e princípios éticos. Nosso objetivo foi verificar o grau de conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde a respeito desse documento e analisar aspectos de sua regulamentação legal e aplicabilidade. Tratou-se de pesquisa transversal, descritiva e quantitativa, com 351 profissionais de saúde, mediante entrevista composta de 29 questões de múltipla escolha, 9 abrangendo o perfil sociodemográfico da amostra e 20, a opinião sobre o testamento vital. Entre os entrevistados, 7,98% declararam saber redigi-lo, 73,79% se sentiriam mais seguros com sua regulamentação e 61,82% o fariam para si próprios (p < 0,05). A maioria amostral declarou-se favorável ao documento e à sua regulamentação, apesar de desconhecê-lo previamente, o que sugere a necessidade de maior discussão e divulgação sobre o tema na área de saúde.

Abstract The living will is a document in which the patients specify their wishes regarding what treatments should be carried out if they are in terminal condition. As it is a new subject, it has been generating doubts in relation to its diffusion, social acceptance and ethical principles. Our study is aimed at verifying the knowledge of healthcare professionals about this document, and analyzing different aspects related to its legal regulation and applicability. A cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study was performed in a sample of 351 healthcare professionals, through the application of a survey containing 29 multiple-choice questions, 9 about the sociodemographic profile and 20 about the opinion of the interviewees regarding the document. Among the respondents, 7.98% declared they knew how to write the document, 73.79% felt safer with its regulation, and 61.82% would do it for themselves (p < 0.05). Despite not previously knowing what a living will was, the majority of the sample stated they were in favour of the document and its regulation. This result suggests a need for further discussion and disclosure on the subject in the health sector.

Resumen El testamento vital es un documento en el cual los pacientes exponen sus deseos acerca de qué tratamientos se realizarán si se encuentran en estado terminal. Por ser un tema reciente, ha generado dudas sobre su difusión, aceptación social y principios éticos. Nuestro objetivo consiste en verificar el grado de conocimiento de los profesionales de la salud sobre este documento y analizar aspectos de su regulación legal y aplicabilidad. Se trata de una investigación transversal, descriptiva y cuantitativa, con 351 profesionales de la salud, a través de una entrevista que consta de 29 preguntas de opción múltiple, 9 relativas al perfil sociodemográfico de la muestra y 20 a la opinión sobre el testamento vital. Un 7,98% afirmaron saber redactarlo. Un 73,79% demostraron más seguridad con respecto a su regulación y un 61,82% lo harían para ellos mismos (p < 0,05). La mayoría de la muestra resultó favorable al documento y a su regulación, aunque lo desconocía anteriormente, lo que sugiere la necesidad de continuar el debate y la divulgación sobre el tema en el área de la salud.