Learning and Teaching Styles at Wah Medical College; A Qualitative Approach

Objective: Study was conducted to understand the learning styles of students to improve teaching and learning and have a clear vision of students’ perceptions about an educational institution. Methodology: A mixed-methodology was used to conduct the study in Wah Medical College by using a structured questionnaire; responses were recorded from three students of third year MBBS. Quantitative part was analyzed as binary responses and qualitative part of the study was recorded and verbatim transcriptions were thematically analyzed. Results: Majority of the students liked to learn independently initially but for the preparation of viva voce they preferred discussion with peers. Students also liked the use of information technology by teachers and the most agreeable part of their study was clinical rotation. Students think that the lectures should be made more understandable and enjoyable by providing less information and using a blend of languages. Five main themes emerged from the qualitative part of the study, namely: learning by doing, interaction-effective strategy of learning, career selection, institutional ranking and professional ability. Conclusion: The students learn in two ways initially by making their own notes and studying separately and later by discussions with peers and teachers. Clinical rotations, small group discussions and demonstrations were considered very effective by the students when contrasted with lectures. Teachers should be trained to improve their skills on these modalities as it shall have positive impact in student learning. The institutional environment  if disciplined and conducive contributed more to learning and  offered them enough opportunity to acquire the required skills and competency needed for future practice

The Implication of Positive Reinforcement Strategy in dealing with Disruptive Behaviour in the Classroom: A Scoping Review

The scoping review study was carried out from January 18, 2019, to February 18, 2019, by following the Arksey and O'Malley method of scoping review. An extensive search in the bibliographic databases, PubMed, ERIC, and Google scholar for the gray literature was done. The search was narrowed by a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies included in the literature search were sort by the PRISMA flow chart. The selected studies address the use of a positive reinforcement strategy to manage disruptive behavior in the classroom. The positive reinforcement strategies identified were praise (41%), feedback (33%), and other classroom management studies (25%). Skinner's operant learning principle has a classroom implication for increasing the likelihood of the desired behavior. The results of the review can be used to implement evidence-based practice and policy regarding improving the desired behavior in the classroom

Neonatal sepsis and resistance pattern of isolates in Tertiary level neonatal unit: Time to evaluate the empirical antibiotics selection

Objective: To find out the most common organisms involved in neonatal sepsis origination and observe the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity and resistance of bacterial isolates.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics Izzat Ali Shah Hospital, Wah Cantt. Out of 420 patients admitted with sepsis in NICU, 19.5% of patients with positive blood cultures were included in the study. A consecutive, non-probability sampling technique was used.Results: Out of 82 positive blood cultures gram-positive bacteria were observed in 19 patients (23.2%) and gram-negative bacteria were seen in 63 patients (76.8%). The most common gram-negative pathogens isolated were Acinetobacter (29.3%) and Klebsiella (24.4%). Staphylococcus aureus (12.2%) was the commonest gram-positive organism isolated. Gram-negative organisms showed maximum sensitivity to Tigecycline and Colistin and were resistant to Cefixime, Aztreonam, Amoxicillin, and Ceftriaxone. Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to Teicoplanin, Linezolid, and Vancomycin while resistance was shown to penicillin and amoxicillin.Conclusion: The current study showed that gram-negative bacteria were the major contributors to sepsis in the respective setup and showed resistance to first-line antibiotics such as Penicillins and Cephalosporins. Strict infection control measures need to be implemented to avoid the emergence of resistant strains of pathogens in NICUs. This will help to reduce the incidence of neonatal sepsis leading to mortality.

Learning and Teaching Styles at Wah Medical College; A Qualitative Approach

Objective: Study was conducted to understand the learning styles of students to improve teaching and learning and have a clear vision of students’ perceptions about an educational institution. Methodology: A mixed-methodology was used to conduct the study in Wah Medical College by using a structured questionnaire; responses were recorded from three students of third year MBBS. Quantitative part was analyzed as binary responses and qualitative part of the study was recorded and verbatim transcriptions were thematically analyzed. Results: Majority of the students liked to learn independently initially but for the preparation of viva voce they preferred discussion with peers. Students also liked the use of information technology by teachers and the most agreeable part of their study was clinical rotation. Students think that the lectures should be made more understandable and enjoyable by providing less information and using a blend of languages. Five main themes emerged from the qualitative part of the study, namely: learning by doing, interaction-effective strategy of learning, career selection, institutional ranking and professional ability. Conclusion: The students learn in two ways initially by making their own notes and studying separately and later by discussions with peers and teachers. Clinical rotations, small group discussions and demonstrations were considered very effective by the students when contrasted with lectures. Teachers should be trained to improve their skills on these modalities as it shall have positive impact in student learning. The institutional environment  if disciplined and conducive contributed more to learning and  offered them enough opportunity to acquire the required skills and competency needed for future practice

Is behaviourism really dead? a scoping review to document the presence of behaviourism in current medical education

Behaviourism is the underpinning learning theory of many teaching and assessment tools utilized to enhance the effectiveness of learning. Feedback, reinforcements, motivation, learning outcomes and objectives are few among many which are implied by the medical teachers while teaching both basic and clinical sciences to the students. The claim of Behaviourism being redundant or dead is not based on realities. Behaviourist approach is and will remain the most powerful theory to be implied in educational processes for gaining successful outcomes. Keywords: Behaviourism, Implications, Medical Education, dead, learning. Continuous..

Developing consensus on content & format of e-portfolio for MHPE students: a Delphi study

Objectives: To build a consensus on portfolio framework for master’s in health professional education students and document programme learning outcomes, tasks for students related to each outcome, and the pieces of evidence regarding the completion of each task. --Continu

Pre-analytical Quality Assurance; An Important Milestone to be Achieved

Objective: To assess the knowledge of junior doctors and nurses about proper collection, storage and dispatch of pathology specimens to the laboratory. Methodology: This was a cross sectional questionnaire-based study conducted at Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital (DANTH), Islamabad and Pakistan Ordinance factories (POF) Hospital Wah from Jan-June 2023. Hard copy of questionnaire with 29 questions regarding sample collection related to Hematology, Microbiology, Chemical pathology and Histopathology was given to junior doctors and nurses.  Total 171 responses were received from junior doctors and nurses of both hospitals. Hundred participants were from DANTH and 71 from POF hospital. Results: Fifty-eight nurses (34%) and one hundred thirteen doctors (66%) – mainly house officers and postgraduate trainees filled the questionnaire.  Data was analyzed with SPSS 21.0 to calculate the percentages of correct answers. Overall, the knowledge was poor with mean score of 9.8 (35%) ranging from 5-17 for doctors and 5-14 for nurses. There was statistically no significant difference (V=12.134, df=12, p=0.435) in the knowledge of doctors (X? =9.98 ± 2.4) and nurses (X?=9.5 ± 2.3). However, in Clinical Chemistry and Histopathology doctors had slightly better knowledge than nurses. Conclusion: This study showed lack of knowledge in nurses and junior doctors regarding proper sampling. It seems appropriate that medical students and paramedics should get an awareness about sample collection as part of their curriculum to avoid extra workload on the laboratory as well as proper management of patients