A Survey on Over The Counter Drug usage in the Community

Background: The incidence of usage of over the counter (OTC) drugs is drastically increasing day by day. Over the counter drugs are medicines sold directly to consumer without a prescription from health care personnel. In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a regulatory agency to ensure that they are safe and effective when used without physicians care. Objective: The study was designed to carry out a survey on over the counter (OTC) drug usage in the community. Methodology: A prospective and community based study was carried out over 6 months of period. A validated questionnaire was used for the collection of data, given to a total of 774 persons and face to face interviews among the 774, aged 14-84yrs. Results: A total of 750 participants were enrolled in the study. A significant proportion of the participants identified as practicing self-medication in our study were found to be 77.33%.  Majority of participants used OTC drugs for fever (31.551%), headache (30%) and Sore throat /cough/common cold (17.931%). The most commonly used drug as self-medication was Paracetamol (66.103%), Cetirizine (6.55%), and Meftal spas (4.65%). Anti-pyretics/pain relievers (37.41%) were the most commonly used class of drug. The most common reason for self-medication was easy accessibility (21.55%). The most relevant source of information was friends/relatives (27.41%). 52.93% of participants altered dose/frequency of the medication according to their health condition. Out of 580 participants, 108 (18.62%) experienced side effects from OTC drugs in which 21 reported side effects. Conclusion: We concluded that majority of participants practiced self-medication. The most commonly used drug was Paracetamol and the most common indication for self-medication was fever.  Awareness and dangers of misuse of OTC medications among all participants was less. Therefore it is suggested that proper education should be imparted regarding illness where self-administration of OTC drugs to be employed

Assessing the oxidation states and structural stability of the Ce analogue of brannerite

NSERCThe Ce‐containing analogue of brannerite (ie, UTi2O6) was previously considered to be stoichio- metric (ie, CeTi2O6); however, it has recently been determined that the material is O deficient. This oxygen‐deficient material has been suggested to be charged balanced by the presence of a minor concentration of Ce3+ or by the A‐site being cation deficient with the Ce oxidation state being 4+. A variety of Ti‐containing oxides (including brannerite) have been investigated as potential nuclear wasteforms, and it is necessary to understand the electronic structure of a proposed nuclear wasteform material as well as how the structure responds to radiation from incorporated waste elements. The radiation resistance of a material can be simulated by ion implantation. The objective of this study was to confirm the Ce oxidation state in the cation‐ and oxygen‐deficient material (ie, Ce0.94Ti2O6 − δ) and to determine how radiation damage affects this material. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectros- copy were used to study Ce0.94Ti2O6 − δ before and after being implanted with 2 MeV Au− ions. Analysis of the Ce 3d XPS spectra from the as‐synthesized samples by using a previously developed fitting method has unequivocally shown that Ce adopts both 4+ (major) and 3+ (minor) oxidation states, which was confirmed by examination of magnetic susceptibility data. Analysis of XPS and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy spectra from ion‐implanted materials showed that both Ce and Ti were reduced because of radiation damage and that the local coordination environments of the cations are greatly affected by radiation damage

Pre-departure Training for Healthcare Students Going Abroad: Impact on Preparedness

Background: Many medical and nursing schools offer opportunities for students to participate in global health experiences abroad, but little is known about the efficacy of pre-departure training in preparing students for these experiences. Objectives: The primary aim was to identify characteristics of pre-departure training associated with participants’ reporting a high level of preparedness for their global health experiences. Secondary objectives included identifying students’ preferred subjects of study and teaching modalities for pre-departure training. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all medical and nursing students at our institution from 2013 to 2015. Questions addressed prior global health experiences and pre-departure training, preferences for pre-departure training, and demographic information. Findings: Of 517 respondents, 55% reported having a prior global health experience abroad, 77% of whom felt prepared for their experience. Fifty-three percent received pre-departure training. Simply receiving pre-departure training was not associated with perceived preparedness, but pre-departure training in the following learning domains was: travel safety, personal health, clinical skills, cultural awareness, and leadership. Perceiving pre-departure training as useful was also independently associated with self-reported preparedness. Students’ preferred instruction methods included discussion, lecture, and simulation, and their most desired subjects of study were travel safety (81%), cultural skills (87%), and personal health (82%). Conclusions: Incorporating travel safety, personal health, clinical skills, cultural awareness, and/or leadership into pre-departure training may increase students’ preparedness for global health experiences. Student perceptions of the usefulness of pre-departure training is also associated with self-reported preparedness, suggesting a possible “buy-in” effect

Global Health Career Interest among Medical and Nursing Students: Survey and Analysis

BackgroundGlobal health experiences undertaken in international settings (GHEs) are becoming an increasingly prevalent aspect of health professions education and, as such, merit comprehensive analysis of the impact they have on students and host communities.ObjectiveTo assess the associations between demographic/experiential factors and the interest of health professions students in careers involving global health.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered online to a convenience sample of medical and nursing students at Johns Hopkins University. Questions addressed level of interest in a global health career, prior GHEs, and demographic information. Items were either Likert scale or multiple choice. Various regression analyses were performed.FindingsOf 510 respondents, 312 (61.2%) expressed interest in a global health career and 285 (55.9%) had prior GHEs. Multivariate logistic regression found female sex, age ≥27 years, household income ConclusionsSimply participating in a global health experience abroad is not significantly associated with interest in a global health career. However, sex, age, household income, and research-related GHEs are significantly associated with global health career interest. These findings may inform the development of global health programs at medical and nursing schools and can guide efforts to increase the number of health care professionals entering global health careers

Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly crystalline, multifunctional iron oxide nanocomposites for imaging applications

We report a reproducible single-step, microwave-assisted approach for the preparation of multifunctional magnetic nanocomposites comprising superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) cores, a polyelectrolyte stabilizer and an organic dye with no requirement for post-processing. The stabilisers poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSS) and sodium polyphosphate (SPP) have been thoroughly investigated and from analysis using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering measurements, magnetic hysteresis and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, we show that the higher degree of Fe3O4 nanoparticle crystallinity achieved with the PSSS stabiliser leads to enhanced magnetic behaviour and thus better contrast agent relaxivity compared to the less crystalline, poorly defined particles obtained when SPP is employed as a stabiliser. We also demonstrate the potential for obtaining a multifunctional magnetic-fluorescent nanocomposite using our microwave-assisted synthesis. In this manner, we demonstrate the intimate link between synthetic methodology (microwave heating with a polyelectrolyte stabilizer) and the resulting properties (particle size, shape, and magnetism) and how this underpins the functionality of the resulting nanocomposites as agents for biomedical imaging

Teaching the "Family History" Through Group Reflection

Background: Family health history (FH) is a useful tool for assessing health risk and improving communication among family members, but remains underutilized in primary care practice. The goals of this study were to assess the utility of a content-driven group reflection on family history on student learning, and to equip them with tools to improve their skills in FH assessment. Methods: A 90-minute pilot Family History and Communication Reflection module was developed and made available to first and second-year medical students completing a longitudinal ambulatory clerkship; a group reflection model was used. 16 students (13% of the first year class) participated and 8 students completed the evaluation form. Results: The majority of students were satisfied with the module, would recommend the module to another student, and felt prepared or very prepared to incorporate FH assessment tools into their clinical practice. Conclusions: The pilot FH module was well-received by first-year medical students as a strategy for emphasizing the importance of assessing FH in a busy primary care setting and providing practical tools for FH. The reflective learning approach was cited as helpful for using and building upon prior clerkship experience. Family health history (FH) continues to be an important factor for understanding a patient's risk fo

The ethical experiences of trainees on short-term international trips: a systematic qualitative synthesis

Abstract Background Medical student and resident participation in short-term international trips for trainees (STINTTs) has increased in the past few decades. However, there has been no systematic review of trainees’ actual ethical experiences. The authors sought to identify what ethical issues medical trainees encounter during STINTTs, as elicited by and reported in peer-reviewed, quantitative and qualitative research papers. Methods The authors systematically searched five academic databases finding 659 unique titles and abstracts. The authors applied inclusion and exclusion criteria to these titles and abstracts resulting in fourteen papers, which were analyzed using qualitative thematic synthesis. Results The qualitative analysis of the papers generated four themes: (1) Trainees’ Concerns Over Perpetuating Medical Tourism; (2) Struggling to Identify and Balance the Benefits and Harms of STINTTs; (3) The Complicated Trainee Mens (mind); and (4) Ethical Situations Encountered by Trainees. The fourth theme, which was the largest, was further divided into (a) Navigating social and cultural dynamics, (b) Trainees’ experiences related to the learner role, and (c) Ethical situations not qualifying for other catagories. Some of these issues reported in the empirical research papers are well represented in the broader literature on STINTTs, while others were less so—such as mistreatment of trainees. All included papers were published after 2010, and comprised a total of less than 170 medical trainees. Conclusions Medical trainees report experiencing a wide range of ethical challenges during short-term international trips in which they engage in clinical or research activities. The authors call educators’ attention to specific challenges that trainees face. The relevant literature covering US and Canadian STINTTs is relatively young and largely qualitative. The authors briefly sketch a program for expanding the research on this increasingly common educational experience

Investigation of the Structural Stability of Ion-Implanted Gd₂Ti_2–<i>x</i>Sn_<i>x</i>O₇ Pyrochlore-Type Oxides by Glancing Angle X‑ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Rare-earth titanate and stannate pyrochlore-type oxides have been investigated in the past for the sequestration of nuclear waste elements because of their resistance to radiation-induced structural damage. In order to enhance this property, it is necessary to understand the effect of radioactive decay of the incorporated actinide elements on the local chemical environment. In this study, Gd₂Ti_2–<i>x</i>Sn_<i>x</i>O₇ materials have been implanted with Au^– ions to simulate radiation-induced structural damage. Glancing angle X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (GA-XANES), glancing angle X-ray absorption fine structure (GA-EXAFS) analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction have been used to investigate changes in the local coordination environment of the metal atoms in the damaged surface layer. Examination of GA-XANES/EXAFS spectra from the implanted Gd₂Ti_2–<i>x</i>Sn_<i>x</i>O₇ materials collected at various glancing angles allowed for an investigation of how the local coordination environment around the absorbing atoms changed at different depths in the damaged surface layer. This study has shown the usefulness of GA-XANES to the examination of ion-implanted materials and has suggested that Gd₂Ti_2–<i>x</i>Sn_<i>x</i>O₇ becomes more susceptible to ion-beam-induced structural damage with increasing Sn concentration