Medical education: views and opinions of teachers and students at the University of Athens

Athens University teachers' and students' views and opinions on general issues in medical education were recorded by the method of written questionnaires. This was undertaken in an attempt to have basic material necessary for possible reform of the present system. Eleven professors, fifty associate professors, eighty‐three lecturers, 107 assistants, sixty final‐year students and eighteen teachers, who had just finished a course in educational techniques, responded to the thirty‐six items of a Greek‐oriented questionnaire especially prepared for this purpose. Results were analysed and presented in topics such as evaluation, students' characteristics, ways of training, and characteristics of the effective university teacher. Commonly accepted issues were: frequent examinations; repeated orientation and guidance of students; examination to evaluate both students and teachers; smaller group tutorial teaching; student participation in curriculum planning; lesser factual details; teaching how to search into the sources of knowledge; inspiration of life learning. It is concluded that there are several key issues shared in common among both senior and junior teachers and students. Reform which is desirable can thus be widely accepted. 1983 Blackwell Publishin

The effect of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole on human dihydrofolate reductase

The effect of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole on human dihydrofolate reductase was studied in vivo using cytochemical methods applied prior, during and after trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole treatment in 36 children (3 months-14 years). The doses used were 4-7 mg/kg/day of trimethoprim and 20-35 mg/kg of sulphamethoxazole up to maximal duration of 1 year. Although 15 children showed decreased enzyme activity during treatment with trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole, red and white cell morphology was nevertheless normal. Six of these children had reduced enzyme activity over 4 months and they did not develop megaloblastic abnormalities. Treatment was not discontinued and folates were not added. Enzyme activity returned to normal after drug administration was discontinued. The other 21 children did not show decreased enzyme activity. With the above simple method, it is easy to reveal early effects of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole on folate metabolism. This study also indicates that prophylactic folate co-administration is not necessary. © 1984 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted

Estilos educativos familiares y acoso escolar: un estudio en la comunidad autónoma de la Rioja (España)

Se ha pretendido averiguar si el estilo educativo familiar influye en el desencadena - miento de acoso escolar, para lo que se ha estudiado primero el porcentaje de casos de acoso escolar y el estilo educativo familiar entre los participantes, así como la relación entre ambas variables. Se ha realizado un amplio estudio en la comunidad autónoma de La Rioja, a través de un cuestionario dirigido a 348 alumnos de la ESO, cuatro grupos de discusión con padres y alumnos de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) y entrevistas dirigidas a treinta profesionales de la educación. Los resultados muestran que la gran mayoría de las familias riojanas se relacionan con sus hijos de forma democrática, y a su vez, el porcentaje de acoso escolar en La Rioja es relativamente bajo. La conclusión principal es que los estilos demo - cráticos parentales influyen altamente en el bajo porcentaje de acoso escolar, algo apoyado ampliamente por todos los participantes