Self-directed learning and approach to seeking medical evidence: perceptions of students from a private medical university of Karachi

Objective: To assess self-directed learning among medical students and their approach towards seeking medical evidence. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, at the Baqai Medical University, Karachi, and comprised first to fifth year medical students of either gender. Data was collected using a structured online questionnaire which also included questions from the self-directed learning instrument. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 250 students approached, 159(63.6%) responded were received; 102(64.2%) females and 57(35.8%) males. The overall mean age was 21.78±1.72 years, with 88(54.1%) subjects aged >21 years. Majority 127(79.9%) participants scored above average on the self-directed learning instrument scale, while 131(84.2%) showed satisfactory approach towards evidence-based medicine. Students with better attitude towards self-directed learning were more likely to have satisfactory approach towards evidence-based medicine, but this relationship was not significant (p=0.136). Conclusion: Medical students were found to be keen to adopt self-directed learning and practice evidence-based medicine though they have not been formally exposed to it. Key Words: Evidence-based medicine, self-directed learning as topic, Students, Medical

Fungal infection in nail psoriasis: An existence to consider

Introduction: Onychomycosis is a common superficial fungal infection of nail in both developed and developing countries. It may involve any component of the nail unit, including the nail matrix, the nail bed, or the nail plate. It represents up to 20.0% of all nail disorders. Its prevalence is estimated at 2 to 18 percentage worldwide and up to 48-percentage incidence by age 70. Onychomycosis can be caused by dermatophyte mold, yeasts and non dermatophyte mold. We planned this study to determine the frequency of onychomycosis in psoriatic nails to establish the local perspective as the international studies shows wide variation. Objective: To find the presence of fungal elements in nails of patients affected by psoriasis. Setting: Dermatology (OPD), Baqai Medical University. Duration: 06 months from 15th July 2022 - 15th Dec 2022. Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Results: In this study, out of 96 cases, 32.29% (n=31) of patients were between 18-40 years and 67.71% (n=65) were between 41-70 years of age, mean+SD: 47.32+11.94 years

Effectiveness of topical application of 15℅ salicyclic acid and 0.1℅ diphencyprone combined in an ointment form for treatment of plantar warts

Objective: To determine the Effectiveness of topical application of 15℅ salicyclic acid and 0.1℅ Diphencyprone combined in an ointment form for treatment of plantar warts. Place and Duration: This Descriptive, case series was held in Dermatology outpatient department, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi. Method: A sample size of 80 patients with plantar warts were included as calculated by exact 95% confidence interval. Results: Total 80 patients of plantar warts were enrolled. 40 (50%) were females and 40 (50%) were males, with mean age of 31 yrs. 65 patients (81.25%) showed positive response to treatment with combined DPCP and salicyclic acid, while remaining 15 (18.75%) had some mild adverse reactions. Conclusion: As Plantar wart is a common problem in all populations therefore more randomized trials should be done on combined chemical treatments for better outcomes