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Use of Cognitive Enhancers by Portuguese Medical Students: Do Academic Challenges Matter?

2022Journal article Open access
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dc.contributor.authorMiranda, M
dc.contributor.authorBarbosa, M
dc.date.accessioned2023-09-10T20:08:10Z
dc.date.available2023-09-10T20:08:10Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and other substances for cognitive enhancement in the academic environment has been documented in several studies. However, the prevalence among Portuguese university students is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and academic contexts of the use of cognitive enhancers of a sample of Portuguese medical students. Material and methods: An online questionnaire about the use of cognitive enhancers was completed by 1156 participants, who were either medical students (group 1) or newly qualified physicians applying for the Portuguese medical licensing exam (group 2). Results: Coffee was the most frequently used substance for cognitive enhancement purposes in both groups, whereas nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was lower in undergraduate students (5%) and higher in licensing exam applicants (14%). Methylphenidate (35%) and modafinil (10%) were the most consumed prescription substances and they were mainly used to enhance attention (83%) and memory (44%). Use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement was mainly associated with studying for medical school exams and the medical licensing exam. Most prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement were obtained through medical prescription (54%). Discussion: These results show a low consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement by Portuguese medical students. Licensing exam applicants show a higher consumption of almost every substance included in this study, which might be explained by the crucial role of the exam in defining their future career path and desire by students to improve the cognitive skills that determine exam success. Conclusion: Studying drugtaking behaviors in medical students and young doctors is relevant for public health and medical education, since they will soon be in charge of drugs prescription. Therefore, ethical and medical concerns raised by off label consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement purposes must be openly addressed.pt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.citationActa Med Port . 2022 Apr 1;35(4):257-263pt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.20344/amp.14220pt_PT
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/46477
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.subjectDesempenho Académicopt_PT
dc.subjectEstimulantes do Sistema Nervoso Centralpt_PT
dc.subjectEstudantes de Medicinapt_PT
dc.subjectUso Indevido de Medicamentospt_PT
dc.subjectAcademic Performancept_PT
dc.subjectCentral Nervous System Stimulantspt_PT
dc.subjectPrescription Drug Misusept_PT
dc.subjectStudents, Medicalpt_PT
dc.titleUse of Cognitive Enhancers by Portuguese Medical Students: Do Academic Challenges Matter?pt_PT
dc.title.alternativeEstratégias de Aprimoramento Cognitivo em Estudantes de Medicina Portugueses: Qual a Relevância dos Desafios Académicos?pt_PT
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.endPage263pt_PT
oaire.citation.issue4pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage257pt_PT
oaire.citation.titleActa Médica Portuguesapt_PT
oaire.citation.volume35pt_PT
rcaap.rightsopenAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typearticlept_PT

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