Determining the future direction of Curriculum reform process at a Public-Sector University in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Educational institutions have recognised the importance of evaluating academic curricula to keep up with dynamic changes in the field of medical education. The college of medicine at King Khalid University has acknowledged this trend and embarked on reviewing its curriculum. Objectives: To evaluate the undergraduate medical curriculum using SPICES model of curriculum evaluation as a tool with the view to plan and shape future curriculum reforms at the college of medicine, King Khalid University. Methodology: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted eliciting the responses of faculty members and the departmental chairmen regarding the practice of student centred, integrated and non-traditional teaching methods as well as a separate questionnaire for the quality of problem-based learning in practice. The compiled responses from all the respective departments were statistically analysed subsequently. Results: An average of 43.5% of student-centred learning (SCL), 41% of Integrated teaching (IT) and 19% of Non-traditional teaching (NTT) is being employed in different departments of the college of medicine. Conclusion: The results suggest that the college of medicine is currently carrying out traditional teacher centred, discipline based and information-oriented teaching along with small chunks of student centred, integrated and problem-based teaching methods. Although the problem-based learning is proportionately very small in practice but in general, its quality is better in the clinical departments as compared to the basic sciences departments.   Key words: Curriculum evaluation, curriculum review, medical education, educational strategie

Assessment of significant variables to improve admission and teaching learning processes in a medical school.

Introduction: Current selection methods in medical schools emphasize academic competence only, somewhat to the detriment of other essential competencies. Academic grades are frequently considered as the predictors of good academic performance in medical schools and therefore many medical schools still select applicants predominantly on this basis. Objective: To assess this long-standing trend in order to point out the lacunae associated with it and to explore this effect with a view to improve teaching and learning process. Methodology: During this retrospective longitudinal study, we studied the students (n=539) admitted to the college of medicine, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, between 2006 and 2011. During these years study conditions (i.e. admission procedure, study program and assessment) remained unchanged. The scores of higher school certificate (HSC) were correlated with study duration (number of semesters) and grade point average (GPA). Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis were carried out using effect model. Results: The results of this study do not demonstrate a correlation between HSC scores and study duration (r = -.018). The relationship bet ween HSC scores and cumulative GPA was moderate positive (r = .476). The HSC scores were found to be poor predictors of the subsequent academic performance (R2 = .273). Conclusions: The HSC score is a poor predictor of the subsequent academic performance. Our intuition, and perhaps our experience, suggests that study time should be positively associated with grades. However, it is not always the case as study duration-grade association may not be true.   Keywords: School admission criteria, Medical education, Students, Undergraduate

History matters in making Lahore sustainable

Lahore, the second-largest city of Pakistan, is facing sharp population growth and economic development coupled with increased motorisation and a deteriorating urban environment. This is due to a long history of investment into roads and low-density suburban housing development in Lahore which increases motorisation. This paper provides a historical overview of urban planning in Lahore by shedding light on the Mughal and the British period of development followed by the post-independence planning paradigm in the city. This paper examines the contradictions and uncertainties that have characterised urban planning in Lahore in the pre and post-independence period by using a sustainable city and sustainable transport literature. The analysis shows that Lahore traditionally attracted investment in the high-quality roads infrastructure (flyovers, underpasses and a ring road) and recently in the country first ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system (2013) and Metro Train project (2018) in the city. The paper argues that the Lahore BRT and Metro train projects can provide a window of opportunity to redefine transport and land use issues and offer a transit-oriented development (TOD) solutions in Lahore

Comparison of Conventional and Newer Iron Preparations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children

Introduction: Commonly used iron salt, ferrous sulphate for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, has several gastrointestinal side effects. Nowadays new iron salts such as ferrous bisglycinate are marketed with claims of raising hemoglobin faster with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Objective: To compare the efficacy of ferrous sulphate with ferrous bisglycinate for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at Children Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad from July 2015 to June 2016. A total of 136 children were selected through systematic sampling and randomized into 2 groups using a computer-generated table of random numbers; ferrous sulphate as group 1 and ferrous bisglycinate as group 2. Clinical outcome was assessed on the basis of a mean increase in hemoglobin after 12 weeks of therapy in both groups. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.   Results: The baseline characteristics i.e. mean age, mean hemoglobin levels were similar in both study groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean increase in hemoglobin was 1.8  ±1.59 g/dl in ferrous sulphate group as compare to 2.5  ±1.31g/dl in ferrous bisglycinate group showing the higher level of rising with ferrous bisglycinate than ferrous sulphate, P =0.0033. Conclusion: Newer iron preparation, ferrous bisglycinate is a better treatment option than conventional preparation of ferrous sulphate for increasing hemoglobin in iron deficiency anemia in children

Impact of Continuing Medical Education on Health Care Provider Performance in a Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: Basic life support (BLS), is the chain of survival and decreases the rate of cardiac arrest; health care professionals should know at least how to perform BLS individually as they may encounter such emergency very often. In the developed world, sudden cardiac death represents the single largest cause of natural death accounting for 12–18% of total mortality and 50% of cardiac mortality. Objectives: To determine the level of awareness regarding Basic Life Support and knowledge of involved skills and its practice among medical and non-medical personnel. Methodology: A retrospective study conducted by using valid questionnaire regarding Basic Life Support by 323 personnel. The results were analyzed with SPSS version 16. Results: Twenty-five questions were used to assess the level of knowledge/awareness and skills after BLS training. The percentage of correct answer varied from 33.1% to 95.7% for knowledge related items; and for skills items, it was varied from 35.3% to 68.4%. Conclusion: We recommend that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support should be a basic skill across all medical and non-medical personnel. Key words: Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, Basic Life Support, KAP

Survey of Hypocalcaemia Frequency in District Lahore, Pakistan

Calcium is important for regulation of various physiological functions like bones, teeth, different types of muscular movements, blood pressure, body growth and maintenance. But continuous calcium deficiency may cause hypocalcaemia in which major cause is insufficient intake of calcium along with other pathological states, financial constraints and lack of general public awareness about the significance and physiological role of calcium. Statistical analysis on the basis of current survey indicates that females remain malnourished and suffer from hypocalcaemia more than males. That’s why; there is urgent need of organized efforts for general public awareness from government and private platforms. Moreover, future researchers should introduce better diagnosis techniques and economical dietary sources and treatments to reduce frequency of hypocalcaemia