title: Teaching transfusion medicine: current situation and proposals for proper medical training.
abstract: The current curricula in medical schools and hospital residence worldwide lack exposure to blood transfusion medicine, and require the reformulation of academic programs. In many countries, training in blood transfusion is not currently offered to medical students or during residency. Clinical evidence indicates that blood transfusions occur more frequently than recommended, contributing to increased risk due to this procedure. Therefore, the rational use of blood and its components is essential, due to the frequent undesirable reactions, to the increasing demand of blood products and the cost of the process. Significant improvements in knowledge of and skills in transfusion medicine are needed by both students and residents. Improvements are needed in both background knowledge and the practical application of this knowledge to improve safety. Studies prove that hemovigilance has an impact on transfusion safety and helps to prevent the occurrence of transfusion-related adverse effects. To ensure that all these aspects of blood transfusion are being properly addressed, many countries have instituted hospital transfusion committees. From this perspective, the interventions performed during the formation of medical students and residents, even the simplest, have proven effective in the acquisition of knowledge and medical training, thereby leading to a reduction in inappropriate use of blood. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the importance of the exposure of medical students and residents to blood services and transfusion medicine in order for them to acquire adequate medical training, as well as to discuss some changes in the current medical curricula regarding transfusion medicine that we judge critical.
authors: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Gustavo de Freitas
authors: Gde F
authors: Flausino
authors: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Flávio Ferreira
authors: FF
authors: Nunes
authors: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Júnia Guimarães Mourão
authors: JG
authors: Cioffi
authors: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: annaproietti@gmail.com.
authors: Anna Bárbara de Freitas Carneiro
authors: AB
authors: Proietti
keywords: Advisory committees; Blood safety; Blood transfusion
references: Am J Med. 2014 Feb;127(2):124-131.e3
references: 24331453
references: Implement Sci. 2012 Sep 21;7:93
references: 22999460
references: Vox Sang. 2013 Apr;104(3):250-72
references: 23409732
references: Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter. 2014 Mar-Apr;36(2):106-7
references: 25030816
references: Br J Health Psychol. 2009 Nov;14 (Pt 4):625-46
references: 19159506
references: Arch Intern Med. 2005 Apr 25;165(8):845-52
references: 15851633
references: Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter. 2013;35(3):158-9
references: 23904800
references: Transfus Med. 2009 Jun;19(3):132-8
references: 19566670
references: Blood Transfus. 2012 Jan;10(1):1-3
references: 22044957
references: Transfusion. 2007 Aug;47(2 Suppl):132S-136S; discussion 155S-156S
references: 17651336
references: Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter. 2013;35(3):180-4
references: 23904807
references: Intensive Care Med. 2010 Jul;36(7):1107-9
references: 20440602