What do acute myocardial infarction cases teach medical students at Dai Nam University beyond the curriculum?

Not all myocardial infarction cases begin with severe chest pain as described in textbooks. Some cases develop silently, and by the time they are detected, the "golden time" for intervention has already passed. This is what led the K14 medical students from Dai Nam University to change their perspective on the medical profession during their research project at Xanh Pon General Hospital.

A group of five medical students won second prize at the University-level Student Scientific Research Conference for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The research topic "Clinical and paraclinical characteristics and some related factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction at Xanh Pôn General Hospital in 2025" won second prize at the University-level Student Scientific Research Conference for the 2025-2026 academic year. But for the group of students, the greatest value does not lie in the award.

That was the first time they understood that the medical profession requires not only knowledge, but also meticulous attention to detail.

From real medical records to the pressures of being a doctor.

During their research at the Department of Cardiology, the group of students had access to real patient records, monitored the progress of each case, and learned how doctors make treatment decisions in different situations.

There were sessions where the team spent hours reviewing medical histories, comparing test results, and rereading the clinical course of each patient.

The group of students conducted their research project at Saint Paul General Hospital.

Student Nguyen My Ngan shared that it was the real-life cases that made the group realize that the gap between theory and clinical practice can sometimes be very large.

"The theory taught us about typical angina attacks. But in reality, some patients have unclear symptoms. In some cases, by the time it's detected, there's not much time left for intervention," My Ngan said.

According to the research team, the most difficult thing was not compiling the data, but being careful enough not to miss any details in the patient records.

Because in the medical field, even a single overlooked symptom can affect the diagnosis and treatment of a patient.

Scientific research helps students better understand the responsibilities of a physician.

During the data analysis, the team paid particular attention to the Killip scale—a scale for assessing the severity of heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The study results show that many patients are still admitted to the hospital when their condition is already severe, with the risk of serious heart failure complications present from the moment of admission.

The group of students defended their scientific thesis on "Clinical and paraclinical characteristics and some related factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction at Xanh Pôn General Hospital in 2025".

According to the group of students, this reflects the reality that many people are still not fully aware of the early warning signs of cardiovascular disease or are slow to access healthcare facilities.

Through these research findings, students not only learn how to analyze data but also gain a clearer understanding of an existing public health issue.

"We understand that doctors not only treat illnesses but also need to help people recognize risks so they can seek medical attention earlier," a member of the group shared.

Studying medicine isn't just about passing exams, but about developing a professional mindset.

Commenting on the topic, Dr. Nguyen Van Trieu, Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Dai Nam University, said that this is a practical research direction because the characteristics of cardiovascular disease and risk factors always change depending on the patient group.

According to Professor Trieu, what is noteworthy about this group of students is not only their research results but also their serious approach to their field.

"Not all students become professional researchers. But students in health-related fields need to be able to read, understand, analyze, and apply research results in practice," shared Dr. Nguyen Van Trieu.

Dr. Nguyen Van Trieu, MD, PhD - Faculty of Medicine, Dai Nam University, teaches medical students.

At Dai Nam University, scientific research is conducted in parallel with clinical practice to help students access the professional environment early on, gradually developing professional thinking and the ability to handle real-life situations.

After this project, what the group of students remember most is not just the scientific research award, but the feeling of understanding more clearly the responsibility of a medical professional: always being cautious of even the smallest signs in patients.