Interprofessional Education (IPE) Activity amongst Health Sciences Students at Sultan Qaboos University : The time is now!

Historically, health professionals have been educated in profession-specific institutions which provide limited opportunities for learning interprofessional (IP) skills. Many qualified practitioners are therefore poorly prepared for the challenges of IP practice (IPP). Patients today have complex needs and typically require more than one professional to address their medical issues and effective IP care relies upon health care professionals’ abilities to communicate with one another. Competent communication improves the quality of care, thus enhancing patient outcomes. The objective of IP education (IPE) is to prepare students to deliver IP care in the future. Sultan Qaboos University’s medical and nursing colleges train the future health workforce for Oman. However, students have no opportunities for collaborative learning. It is imperative that opportunities be created where students learn with, about, and from each other with the aim of improving the quality of care they are likely to deliver in the future

Perceptions and Attitudes of First-Year Medical Students on a Modified Team-Based Learning (TBL) Strategy in Anatomy

Objectives: Although team-based learning (TBL) is widely used in medical education, its evaluation from the perspectives of the students exposed to it has been limited. This paper reports on a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of perceptions of first year medical students towards TBL. Methods: Lectures in an anatomy course were transformed into a series of TBL sessions for two cohorts of first-year medical students. Each session consisted of pre-class reading, in-class readiness assurance tests, and problem-solving of clinical cases by student teams. At the end of each course, students were surveyed using qualitative and quantitative instruments to assess their perceptions of the strategy. Internal consistency of questionnaire items was determined by a reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha). Principal component factor analysis and correspondence analysis were conducted on the quantitative data. Open-ended questions were explored by thematic analysis. Results: Students’ evaluations indicated that TBL is a welcome alternative to lecture-based teaching; as implemented in this study, it encouraged clinical problem solving and fruitful in-class discussion. Principal component factor analysis identified five factors (Cronbach’s alpha 0.602–0.875). However, the majority of students disapproved of mixed gender TBL teams. Most students agreed that the strategy facilitated consistency in their study, generated an increased awareness about selfdirected learning, and had a positive impact on their learning attitudes. Conclusion: TBL is a welcome instructional strategy as reported by our first-year medical students. It was perceived to be a better approach compared to content-based lectures. The effect on actual student performance is currently being investigated

Challenges of Establishing a de novo Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service in a Tertiary Hospital: Practical considerations and challenges

Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP), also known as psychosomatic medicine, is a subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on the care of patients with mental health disorders and general medical/surgical conditions. Integrating CLP services facilitates diagnosis and management of patients with complex comorbidities. This article aimed to report the practical considerations and challenges associated with establishing a de novo CLP service in a tertiary hospital in the Gulf region. This includes discussing the rationale and clinical and educational benefits as well as the resources required for establishing a CLP service.Keywords: Psychiatry; Medical Education

Perceptions and Attitudes of Medical Students towards Two Methods of Assessing Practical Anatomy Knowledge

Objectives: Traditionally, summative practical examination in anatomy takes the form of ‘spotters’ consisting of a stream of prosections, radiological images and dissections with pins indicating specific structures. Recently, we have started to administer similar examinations online using the quiz facility in Moodle™ (a free, open-source web application for producing modular internet-based courses) in addition to the traditional format. This paper reports on an investigation into students’ perceptions of each assessment environment. Methods: Over a 3-year period, practical assessment in anatomy was conducted either in traditional format or online via learning management software called Moodle™. All students exposed to the two examination formats at the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, were divided into two categories: junior (Year 3) and senior (Year 4). An evaluation of their perception of both examination formats was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of restricted and free response items. Results: More than half of all students expressed a clear preference for the online environment and believed it was more exam-friendly. This preference was higher amongst senior students. Compared to females, male students preferred the online environment. Senior students were less likely to study on cadavers when the examination was conducted online. Specimen quality, ability to manage time, and seating arrangements were major advantages identified by students who preferred the online format. Conclusion: Computer-based practical examinations in anatomy appeared to be generally popular with our students. The students adopted a different approach to study when the exam was conducted online as compared to the traditional ‘steeplechase’ format

Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity of Globimetulla browni Extracts during Dry Season

Abstract: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Globimetulla browni for its ascribed folkloric medicinal uses as an antidiabetic and to establish it's antibacterial potency (if any) during the dry season (Between the months of October -April). A comparative analysis was however made and season had little or no significant effect on the phytochemical / antibacterial potency of this plant extract. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts significantly affected both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganism during dry season. Globimetulla browni is a specie of African mitletoe and is hemi-parasitic in nature growing on many trees e.g., Eukalyptus and has ascribed medicinal uses. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus spp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gentamycin and Cloxacillin did not exhibit any activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Exploring the effect of cellulose nanowhiskers isolated from oil palm biomass on polylactic acid properties

In this work, polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) were prepared through solution casting technique. The CNW was first isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch microcrystalline cellulose (OPEFB-MCC) by using 64% H2SO4 and was designated as CNW-S. The optical microscopy revealed that the large particle of OPEFB-MCC has been broken down by the hydrolysis treatment. The atomic force microscopy confirmed that the CNW-S obtained is in nanoscale dimension and appeared in individual rod-like character. The produced CNW-S was then incorporated with PLA at 1, 3, and 5 parts per hundred (phr) resins for the PLA-CNW-S nanocomposite production. The synthesized nanocomposites were then characterized by a mean of tensile properties and thermal stability. Interestingly to note that incorporating of 3 phr/CNW-S in PLA improved the tensile strength by 61%. Also, CNW-S loading showed a positive impact on the Young’s modulus of PLA. The elongation at break (Eb) of nanocomposites, however, decreased with the addition of CNW-S. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the CNW-S dispersed well in PLA at lower filler loading before it started to agglomerate at higher CNW-S loading (5 phr). The DSC analysis of the nanocomposites obtained showed that Tg,Tcc and Tm values of PLA were improved with CNW-S loading. The TGA analysis however, revealed that incopreated CNW-S in PLA effect the thermal stability (T10,T50 and Tmax) of nanocomposite, where it decrease linearly with CNW-S loading

Bionanocomposite based on cellulose nanowhisker from oil palm biomass-filled poly(lactic acid)

Cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) extracted from plant fibers exhibit remarkable properties that make them suitable for use in the development of bionanocomposites. CNW have demonstrated the capability to enhance the properties of a polymer matrix at low filler loading. In this study, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) bionanocomposites were prepared using the solution casting technique, by incorporating the PLA with the CNW obtained from an oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no significant changes in the PLA peak positions, which indicates that incorporating the CNW into the PLA did not result in any significant changes in the chemical structure of the PLA. Thermogravimetric analysis, on the other hand, revealed that the bionanocomposites (PLA-CNW) had better thermal stability than the pure PLA. The tensile strength of PLA-CNW increased by 84% with the addition of 3 parts of CNW per hundred resins (phr), and decreased thereafter. Moreover, a linear relationship was observed between the Young's modulus and CNW loading. Elongation at break, however, decreased with the addition of 1-phr CNW, and remained constant with further addition. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that agglomeration of CNW occurred at 5-phr loading, consistent with the tensile strength results. Overall, the CNW obtained from OPEFB can enhance the tensile and the thermal properties of bionanocomposites

Perceptions and Attitudes of First-Year Medical Students on a Modified Team-Based Learning ( TBL ) Strategy in Anatomy

OBJECTIVES: Although team-based learning (TBL) is widely used in medical education, its evaluation from the perspectives of the students exposed to it has been limited. This paper reports on a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of perceptions of first year medical students towards TBL. METHODS: Lectures in an anatomy course were transformed into a series of TBL sessions for two cohorts of first-year medical students. Each session consisted of pre-class reading, in-class readiness assurance tests, and problem-solving of clinical cases by student teams. At the end of each course, students were surveyed using qualitative and quantitative instruments to assess their perceptions of the strategy. Internal consistency of questionnaire items was determined by a reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha). Principal component factor analysis and correspondence analysis were conducted on the quantitative data. Open-ended questions were explored by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Students’ evaluations indicated that TBL is a welcome alternative to lecture-based teaching; as implemented in this study, it encouraged clinical problem solving and fruitful in-class discussion. Principal component factor analysis identified five factors (Cronbach’s alpha 0.602–0.875). However, the majority of students disapproved of mixed gender TBL teams. Most students agreed that the strategy facilitated consistency in their study, generated an increased awareness about self-directed learning, and had a positive impact on their learning attitudes. CONCLUSION: TBL is a welcome instructional strategy as reported by our first-year medical students. It was perceived to be a better approach compared to content-based lectures. The effect on actual student performance is currently being investigated

Full Length Research Article - Volumetric Changes in the Components of Left Ventricle Myocardium of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Following Exercise and ACE Inhibitor Treatment

This study was designed to test the possible effects of a combination of physical and pharmacological therapy intervention on myocardial structure of the left ventricle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Forty 12 weeks old spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into four groups of sedentary, Sed as controls, exercise only , (Exer), lisinopril only 20mg/kg/day, (Lis), and exercise + lisinopril, (LisExer). Exercise training was performed on a treadmill (5m/min.) for 60 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks, all the rats were terminally anaesthetised, the heart was arrested in diastole by intravenous procaine and whole animal perfusion fixation through the abdominal aorta was carried out using Karnovsky's fixative (Ph 7.24). The heart was removed and left ventricle plus the interventricular septum was serially sectioned at a thickness of three millimetres. One piece was randomly chosen, and embedded in JB4 resin. Six sections were obtained from each block, stained with toluidine blue:acid fucin. Measurement of volume fraction Vf, of myocardial components was carried out using Histometrix MIL6 Ver 1.0 stereology software ( Kinetic imaging Ltd.). Mean volume fraction, Vf of capillaries in Sed. group was 0.114 ± 0.01 (SEM). This was significantly increased in LisExer group. The volume fraction of muscle in Sed group was 0.795 ± 0.02 (SEM). This was significantly decreased in Lis but unchanged in Exer group. Capillaries Vf was significantly higher in LisExer as compared to Lis or Exer groups (p<0.05). Muscle Vf was not different between LisExer and Lis groups. The outcome of these changes could well be a better enhancement of cardiac performance in hypertension by combined exercise and ACE inhibitor treatment than either of the interventions alone

Understanding How the Traditional and Information Technology Anti-Corruption Strategies intertwine to Curb Public Sector Corruption: A Systematic Literature Review

The prevalence of public sector corruption has been a major concern for successive governments and citizenry. In order to curb corruption, previous studies have focused on anti-corruption strategies adopted by governments in isolation, but few studies have focused on the interactions between anti-corruption strategies. Usingthe concept-centric approach, we systematically reviewed over 70 studies to explore the trends of government anti-corruption strategies.Three dominant themes of anti-corruption strategies and their associated concepts were identified. Themes include traditional, technological, transparency and accountability anti-corruption strategies.We leveraged the identified themes and their associated concepts to develop a conceptual model that could help explain the trends of anti-corruption strategies for curbing the public sector corruption