Procrastination among basic science undergraduate medical students in a Caribbean medical school

Abstract Purpose: The study was conducted to study procrastination behavior among basic science undergraduate medical students using the previously validated procrastination assessment scale students (PASS). Frequency of and reasons for procrastination were compared among different subgroups of respondents. Methods: The study was conducted during the first two weeks of February 2017 using PASS. Gender, nationality and semester of study of the respondents were noted. PASS explores areas of and frequency of procrastination, reasons for procrastination and interest in changing the behavior. The frequency of procrastination, fear of failure, risk aversiveness, laziness and rebellion against control scores were compared among different subgroups using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 107 students (84.9%) participated in the study. The mean frequency of procrastination score was 32.9 (maximum score 60). The score was significantly correlated with the respondents' gender. With regard to the percentage of students who nearly always or always procrastinated on a task, the percentages with regard to completing assignments, studying for exams, completing reading assignments, academic administrative tasks, attendance tasks and school activities in general were 25.2, 19.7, 25.2, 19.6, 18.7 and 17.7. The mean score for 'fear of failure' and 'aversiveness of task' as described by Solomon and Rothblum was 2.29 and 2.83. The mean scores for fear of failure, risk taking, and laziness were 26.17, 13.76 and 14.32. The median rebellion against control score was 6. Risk taking score was higher among respondents of other nationalities compared to Americans. Conclusions: Procrastination was regarded as a greater problem with regard to studying for exams and completing reading assignments and preparing for problem-based learning sessions. Only 42% of students were interested in attending a program to overcome procrastination. Similar studies among students during the clinical years are required. A study correlating self-reported procrastination with behavior can be carried out. Procrastination can als

Psychological morbidity, sources of stress and coping strategies among undergraduate medical students of Nepal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of quality of life and stresses involved medical training as this may affect their learning and academic performance. However, such studies are lacking in medical schools of Nepal. Therefore, we carried out this study to assess the prevalence of psychological morbidity, sources and severity of stress and coping strategies among medical students in our integrated problem-stimulated undergraduate medical curriculum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was carried out among the undergraduate medical students of Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal during the time period August, 2005 to December, 2006. The psychological morbidity was assessed using General Health Questionnaire. A 24-item questionnaire was used to assess sources of stress and their severity. Coping strategies adopted was assessed using brief COPE inventory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall response rate was 75.8% (407 out of 525 students). The overall prevalence of psychological morbidity was 20.9% and was higher among students of basic sciences, Indian nationality and whose parents were medical doctors. By logistic regression analysis, GHQ-caseness was associated with occurrence of academic and health-related stressors. The most common sources of stress were related to academic and psychosocial concerns. The most important and severe sources of stress were staying in hostel, high parental expectations, vastness of syllabus, tests/exams, lack of time and facilities for entertainment. The students generally used active coping strategies and alcohol/drug was a least used coping strategy. The coping strategies commonly used by students in our institution were positive reframing, planning, acceptance, active coping, self-distraction and emotional support. The coping strategies showed variation by GHQ-caseness, year of study, gender and parents' occupation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The higher level of psychological morbidity warrants need for interventions like social and psychological support to improve the quality of life for these medical students. Student advisors and counselors may train students about stress management. There is also need to bring about academic changes in quality of teaching and evaluation system. A prospective study is necessary to study the association of psychological morbidity with demographic variables, sources of stress and coping strategies.</p

Impact of educational intervention on the pattern and incidence of potential drug-drug interactions in Nepal

Objective: To study the impact of educational intervention on the pattern and incidence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Method: All patients admitted to Internal Medicine wards of Manipal Teaching Hospital during the study period were included. Patient details were collected using a patient profile form and the datum from the filled forms was analyzed using Micromedex electronic database. An intervention was carried out through a presentation during clinical meeting and personal discussion. The target groups for the intervention included doctors and the nurses. Results: Altogether 435 patients during preintervention and 445 during postintervention were studied. The incidence of potential DDIs was 53% (preintervention) and 41% (postintervention) [chi-square =11.27, p=0.001]. The average number of drugs per patient was 8.53 (pre-intervention) and 7.32 (post-intervention) [t=3.493, p=0.001]. Sixtyfour percent of the potential DDIs were of �Moderate� type and 58% had a �Delayed� onset in both the phases. Seventy percent of the potential DDIs during the pre-intervention phase and 61% during post-intervention phase had a �Good� documentation status. Pharmacokinetic mechanism accounted for 45% of the potential DDIs during preintervention and 36% in the post-intervention phase. Cardiovascular drugs accounted for 36% of the potential DDIs during pre-intervention and 33.2% during post-intervention phase. Furosemide was the high risk drug responsible for DDIs in both phases. The most common potential DDIs observed were between amlodipine and atenolol (4.82%) (preintervention) and frusemide and aspirin (5.20%) (postintervention). Conclusion: There was an association between potential DDIs and age, sex, and polypharmacy.Objetivo: Estudiar el impacto de una intervención educativa en el esquema y la incidencia de las interacciones medicamentosas potenciales (DDI). Método: Se incluyó a todos los pacientes que visitaron el servicio de medicina interna del Hospital Universitario de Manipal. Los detalles de los pacientes se recogieron utilizando un formulario de perfil de paciente y los datos fueron analizados utilizando la base de datos electrónica Micromedex. Se realizó una intervención mediante una reunión clínica y discusión personal. El grupo diana eran los médicos y los enfermeros. Resultados: Se estudiaron 435 pacientes durante la pre-intervención y 445 durante la post-intervención. Las incidencia de DDI potenciales fue del 53% (pre-intervención) y 41% (post-intervención) [chi cuadrado=11,27, p=0,001]. La media de medicamentos por paciente fue de 8,53 (preintervención) y 7,32 (post-intervención) [t=3,493, p=0,001]. El 64% de las DDI potenciales eran de tipo �Moderadas� y el 58% tenía una iniciación �Retrasada� en ambas fases. El 70% de las DDI potenciales durante la fase de pre-intervención y el 61% en la post-intervención tenían un estado de documentación �Bueno�. Mecanismos farmacocinéticos contabilizaron el 45% de las DDI potenciales durante la pre-intervención y el 36 en la post-intervención. Los medicamentos cardiovasculares sumaron el 36% de las DDI potenciales durante la pre-intervención y el 33,2% en la post-intervención. La furosemida fue el de mayor riesgo de DDI en las dos fases. La DDI potencial más comúnmente observada en la preintervención fue entre amlodipino y atenolol (4,82%), y en la post-intervención fue entre furosemida y aspirina (5,29%). Conclusión: Existía una asociación entre DDI potencial y edad, sexo y polimedicación