title: [Survey on Brazilian Critical Care Medicine undergraduate study groups].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Brazilian Intensive Care Medicine Association (AMIB) has been stimulating the creation of undergraduate associations/study groups on Critical Care Medicine (CCM), considering them a useful instrument to fill gaps in professional formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activities developed by CCM undergraduate study groups in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analyzed information was obtained on answers to a standard questionnaire. Contact by e-mail and/or telephone was made with representatives of all study groups registered on AMIB Committee of Undergraduate Study Groups on CCM (LIGAMI-AMIB) in September of 2007. In that period, there were 33 groups associated to LIGAMI, which 4 doesn't exist anymore, 17 answered to the sent questionnaire and the remaining 12 didn't answer the questionnaire or it was not obtained contact.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most study groups were founded after 2005, coinciding with the LIGAMI-AMIB Committee creation, and they are linked to one or more medical schools. Among the group's activities, the most frequent was theoretical classes (100%), usually supplied by teachers or invited physicians (69%). Other activities include practices on Intensive Care Units (88%), organization of scientific events (77%) and research projects (65%). Most study groups (65%) had already organized some scientific event such as courses and symposia; however, only three had already accomplished the AMIB CCM Introductory Course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The growing number of CCM undergraduate study groups in Brazil demonstrates students' interest for this specialty. Besides, there is a necessity of larger integration between existing groups to change experiences, cooperate in the accomplishment of research projects and participation on national and international events.
authors.affiliation: Liga Acadêmica de Medicina Intensiva da Bahia.
authors.forename: Flávia Branco Cerqueira Serra
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.affiliation: Liga Acadêmica de Medicina Intensiva da Bahia.
authors.forename: Patrícia Sena
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Liga Acadêmica de Medicina Intensiva da Bahia.
authors.forename: Elaine Andrade
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cravo
authors.affiliation: Liga Acadêmica de Medicina Intensiva da Bahia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Almir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitencourt
authors.affiliation: EPM, Universidade Federal de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Hélio Penna
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Liga Acadêmica de Medicina Intensiva da Bahia.
authors.forename: Gilson Soares
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Feitosa-Filho
authors.forename: José Maria da Costa
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Orlando