Independent Study (BIOL 4990): Global Implications of COVID-19 on Education and Research in STEM and Healthcare: Analysis of Case Studies

The zoonotic novel coronavirus presents as a major challenge to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Effects in the education and research in the field of healthcare and STEM are accentuated in lower-developed countries or communities where the access to technology and a reliable internet connection are luxuries making it difficult to attain education virtually. COVID-19 has also disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. With significant increases in infection rates there is an urge to redirect projects towards virology research and vaccine development. This comprehensive literature review includes case studies highlighting the consequences of COVID-19 on education and research in both STEM and healthcare on a global scale. This study further presents strategies implemented to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic faced by least developed and most developed countries

Stapedotomy and its effect on hearing – our experience with 54 cases

Introduction: This study reviews the cases of stapedotomy and evaluates its effectiveness at improving hearing loss in patients with otosclerosis.Materials and methods: Retrospective review of patients’ records who had clinical and audiometric diagnosis of otosclerosis from January to December 2012Results: A total of 54 stapedotomy surgeries (52 unilateral and 1 bilateral surgeries) were received. Average post-operative ABG for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 KHz showed that 61.1% had complete closure of ABG ( ABG < 10 dB) compared with 1.6% preoperatively and 85.2% had closure of ABG to within 20dB compared with 4.7% preoperatively (t – 13.89, p = 0.000). More than 94% had hearing improvement and 81.5% had ABG closure greater than 10 dB postoperatively (mean gain 23.38 ± 12.37, t = 13.89, p = 0.000). A total of 13% complications were recorded with TM perforation (5.6%) being the commonest complication.Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patients’ quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique.Keywords: Otosclerosis, Stapedotomy, conductive hearing loss, air-bone ga

COVID-19-Impacted Research and Education in Global Healthcare and STEM: Evaluation of Case Studies

The zoonotic novel coronavirus has posed major challenges to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Effects in the education and research in the field of healthcare and STEM are accentuated in lower-developed countries or communities where the access to technology and a reliable internet connection are luxuries making it difficult to attain education virtually. The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. With significant increases in infection rates there is an urge to redirect projects towards virology research and vaccine development. This comprehensive literature review includes case studies highlighting the consequences of COVID-19 on education and research in both STEM and healthcare on a global scale. The study further presents strategies implemented to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic faced by countries ranging from the least developed to the most developed ones

Global Implications of COVID-19 on Education and Research in Healthcare and STEM: Analysis of Case Studies

The zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 posed major threats to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in STEM and healthcare were no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from in-person operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As academic organizations implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, COVID-19 necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These effects were accentuated in less developed/developing nations or underprivileged communities where access to technology and reliable internet connection can be a challenge, making it difficult to attain education virtually. Nevertheless, the pandemic propelled remarkable innovations in the education sector centering around these subjects. Additionally, COVID-19 disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. Continuing both laboratory and clinical research became onerous, with a decrease in the supply of resources and laboratory staff members. This comprehensive literature review encapsulates notable case studies highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM on a global scale. It also showcases evidence-based strategies implemented to mitigate the adverse consequences of the pandemic in these critical fields within underdeveloped as well as developed countries. Furthermore, the analysis would help us prepare for future pandemics and improve distance learning and research in STEM and healthcare by identifying and bridging COVID-19-based gaps among the key stakeholders – students, scholars, faculty, and institutional administrators

Stapedotomy and its effect on hearing \u2013 our experience with 54 cases.

Introduction: This study reviews the cases of stapedotomy and evaluates its effectiveness at improving hearing loss in patients with otosclerosis. Materials and methods: Retrospective review of patients\u2019 records who had clinical and audiometric diagnosis of otosclerosis from January to December 2012. Results: A total of 54 stapedotomy surgeries (52 unilateral and 1 bilateral surgeries) were received. Average post-operative ABG for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 KHz showed that 61.1% had complete closure of ABG (ABG < 10 dB) compared with 1.6% preoperatively and 85.2% had closure of ABG to within 20dB compared with 4.7% preoperatively (t \u2013 13.89, p = 0.000). More than 94% had hearing improvement and 81.5% had ABG closure greater than 10 dB postoperatively (mean gain 23.38 \ub1 12.37, t = 13.89, p = 0.000). A total of 13% complications were recorded with TM perforation (5.6%) being the commonest complication. Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patients\u2019 quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique

Tympanoplasty Outcomes: A Review of 789 Cases

Introduction: Tympanoplasty is indicated to restore hearing disability and prevent recurrent otorrhea.  Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients who underwent tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy over a 1-year period.  Results: A total of 789 tympanoplasties were reviewed, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. In total, 91% and 9% of tympanoplasties were performed without and with mastoidectomy, respectively. Complete graft take was observed in 98.6% of cases. Approximately 25% of patients had an air-bone gap (ABG) gap ≤20dB pre-operatively, increasing to 75.6% post-operatively. ABG closure improved from 0.8% to 46.7%. Mean ABG improved from 26.30 ±8.1dB pre-operatively to 14 ± 10.41dB post- operatively (t=28.7,

Global Impacts of COVID-19 on Education and Research in STEM and Healthcare: Analysis of Case Studies

The zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has presented as a major threat to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in the fields of STEM and healthcare are no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from face-to-face operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As schools and higher academic institutions implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, the pandemic introduced further hurdles and necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These effects are accentuated in less developed/developing nations or underprivileged communities where access to technology and reliable internet connection can be a challenge, making it difficult to attain education virtually. Nevertheless, the pandemic has propelled remarkable innovations in the education sector centering around these subjects. Additionally, COVID-19 has disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. With recurrent waves of the viral infection worldwide, fostering projects towards virology research, vaccine development, and healthcare management have become crucial. Continuing both laboratory and clinical research has also become onerous, with a decrease in the supply of resources and laboratory staff members. This comprehensive literature review encapsulates notable case studies highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM on a global scale. Furthermore, the study presents strategies implemented to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic faced by education and research in STEM and healthcare fields within underdeveloped as well as developed countries. The analysis would help improve the content, delivery, and efficacy of research and education in healthcare and STEM

Global impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM: Analysis of case studies

Owing to the zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, major threats have been faced by the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in the fields of STEM and healthcare are no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from face-to-face operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As schools and higher academic institutions implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, the pandemic introduced further hurdles and necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These effects are accentuated in less developed/developing nations or underprivileged communities where access to technology and reliable internet connection can be a challenge, making it difficult to attain education virtually. Nevertheless, the pandemic has propelled remarkable innovations in the education sector centering around these subjects. Additionally, COVID-19 has disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. With recurrent waves of the viral infection worldwide, fostering projects towards virology research, vaccine development, and healthcare management have become crucial. Continuing both laboratory and clinical research has also become onerous, with a decrease in the supply of resources and laboratory staff members. This comprehensive literature review encapsulates notable case studies highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM on a global scale. Furthermore, the study presents strategies implemented to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic faced by research and education in healthcare and STEM fields within underdeveloped as well as developed countries. The analysis would help improve the content, delivery, and efficacy of education and research STEM and healthcare

Research and Education in Global Healthcare and STEM During COVID-19: Analysis of Case Studies

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has posed a major threat to global education and research in STEM and healthcare. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from face-to-face operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As schools and higher academic institutions implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic introduced further hurdles and necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These effects are accentuated in less developed/developing nations or underprivileged communities where access to technology and reliable internet connection can be a challenge, making it difficult to attain education virtually. Nevertheless, the pandemic has propelled remarkable innovations in education centering around these subjects. Additionally, COVID-19 has disrupted research and training in STEM and healthcare. With recurrent waves of the viral infection worldwide, fostering projects towards virology research, vaccine development, and healthcare management have become crucial. Continuing both laboratory and clinical research has also become onerous, with a decrease in the supply of resources and laboratory staff members. This comprehensive literature review encapsulates notable case studies highlighting global impacts of COVID-19 on education and research in healthcare and STEM, and presents strategies implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic faced by these sectors in underdeveloped as well as developed countries. The analysis would help improve the content, delivery, and efficacy of research and education in healthcare and STEM