Author-level metrics: Its impact on scholarly output evaluation among various publication metrics

Publication metrics indicate the visibility and reach of a research publication. The metrics can be at article-level, author-level, and journal-level to measure the scholarly output and its impact.1 Bibliometrics is the use of statistical methods to analyze various publications mostly used in the field of library and information science; whereas, scientometrics is the sub-field concerned with the science of metrics for the measurement and analysis of scholarly publications.2,3 Readers are not always well informed about the various publication metrics, and use them without knowing how to interpret them, their strength and limitations.4,5   The Internet has revolutionized the dissemination, visibility, and impact of documented evidence available on the Web. The author-level metrics (ALmetrics) provides a measure for the research output of an individual author.6 It summarizes and aggregates the impact of an author's publications by using metrics like h-index (Hirsch-index7, calculated from the number of articles N by an author that have each received at least N citations), i10-index (measures the number of publications with at least 10 citations, Google Scholar), g-index (an improvement of h-index by giving more weight to highly-cited articles), e-index (differentiates between scientists with similar h-indices but different citation patterns) and others.8   The h-index (proposed by J.E. Hirsch in 2005) is a well-accepted metric to assess the scientific impact of an individual author and/or institution due to its simplicity for cumulative research output to indicate a number of papers (h) with at least h citations, e.g. h-index 9 means that among all publications by an author, 9 publications have at least 9 citations each.9,10 Various other new additions are proposed to complement the h-index to minimize its shortcomings in calculations of the index due to co-authors, self/collaborative citation, publication age, publication count, etc.11 The h-core is a contextualized evaluation considered more useful.12 Combination of newer variants help complement and eliminate some of the limitations of h-index, for example, R-index (to measure citation intensity of h-score) and AR-index (to include the age of publications).13 14 The w-index is another simple and useful improvement to the h-index to assess the integrated impact of a researcher's work.15 The rh-index (robust h-index) adds value for the self- and collaborative citation.1

Endoscopic findings of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a tertiary care hospital

Introductions: Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is common emergency. Prompt endoscopic diagnosis has an important role in overall management of patients. This study analyses the findings of endoscopic findings of UGI bleeding in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of patients with haematemesis, melaena or both who had UGI endoscopy at Patan hospital during Nov 2009 to Jan 2010. Patient demographics, site and nature of lesions and risk factors for bleeding were analysed. Results: There were 301 patients, male 203 (67%) female 98 (33%), age 15 to 92 years. Esophageal lesions were seen in 136 (45%), gastric 102 (34%), duodenal 46 (15%) and unidentified in 17 (7%). The lesions detected were esophageal varices in 120 (40%), duodenal ulcer in 32 (11%), mallory-weiss tear in 26 (9%), gastric ulcer in 18 (6%), gastric carcinoma in 17 (6%) and congestive pangastropathy in 16 (5%). History of drugs intake like aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin and bisphosphonates was present in 32 (11%) patients. Conclusions: Endoscopy was diagnostic in majority (94% of 301) UGI bleeding patients. Esophageal variceal bleeding was the common cause followed by peptic ulcer. Keywords: endoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, upper gastrointestinal, UGI bleedingÂ

Nursing Posting for Medical Students

Nursing perspective is different from doctors. It is a known fact that doctorsand nurses must work together for the better patient care. It is veryimportant for doctors to know how nursing services are provided. Moreovera good communication and team work is an essence of present medicalservice. So, this attitude should be embedded in the medical education todecrease professional distance and increase mutual respect in future. PAHShas provided this opportunity as a nursing posting with a vision of holisticteaching of medical students and shaping a positive attitude towards allhealth care providers.Keywords: medical education, medical student, nursin

Peritraumatic distress and perceived mental healthcare needs among residents of a community housing during COVID-19

Introduction: The consequences of lockdown, quarantine, and uncertainties of COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused physical sufferings but affected the mental health of the people around the globe. Peritraumatic distress is a strong predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder that may further lead to depression and suicidal risk. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess peritraumatic distress and perceived mental healthcare needs among the residents of a gated community in Kathmandu Valley. Method: This was a quantitative online cross-sectional study conducted during June 2020 among adult residents of a gated community in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index and perceived mental healthcare questionnaire were used to find out peritraumatic distress and mental healthcare needs of the residents. Ethical approval was obtained. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS. Results: A total of 45 residents returned the completed forms. Male were 62.2%, 53.3% belonged to 36 to 55 years and 46.7% had at least one comorbidity. Mild to moderate peritraumatic distress was found among 17.82%. Fisher’s exact test showed no association between age, gender, presence of comorbidity and peritraumatic distress (p > 0.05). Perceived mental healthcare needs were felt by more than 91% of the participants. Conclusion: One sixth of the participants had mild to moderate level of peritraumatic distress. Almost all the participants felt they have mental healthcare needs. Study highlights the need for counseling for distress and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

Clinico-pathological characteristics of colorectal carcinoma at university teaching hospital, Nepal

Introductions: Colorectal cancer is a major health problem in developingcountries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinico-pathologicalcharacteristics of colorectal carcinoma at Patan hospital, Nepal.Methods: A retrospective chart review was done for patients operatedfor colorectal carcinoma at Patan Hospital from May 2004 to April 2012.Demographic information, chief complains, site of primary cancer, andhistological types were analyzed.Results: There were 73 patients (37 males and 36 females) with colorectalcarcinoma. The mean age was 52 years. There were 21 (28.77%) patients below 40 years of age. Patients with rectal carcinoma presented with bleeding per rectum in 69.70% and 60% of patients with colon cancer presented with pain abdomen. Rectum was involved in 31 (42.47%) and right colon in 30 (41.10%). Adenocarcinoma was seen in 72 (98.63%).Conclusions: The colorectal carcinoma is not only the disease of old age. Wehad 29% of our patients below 40 year. Rectum and right colon were equallyaffected.Keywords: bleeding, colorectal carcinoma, pain abdome

Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy

Introductions: With the advent of newer technology, the era of open surgery for gall bladder diseases has been preferably taken over by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, certain cases still require conversion to open surgery. In this review we aim to analyze the reason for conversion.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Patan Hospital, Patan Acdemy of Health Sciences, Nepal. All patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from February 2009 to July 2012 were included in the study. File numbers of all the patients were obtained from operation room register. The patient files were analyzed for age, sex, duration of symptoms, liver function tests, ultrasound findings and the description in operation note for reason for conversion.Results: The age ranged from 12 to 81 years with mean age of patients 32.76 years and male to female ratio 1:2.9. The mean operating time was 65 minutes and average post operative hospital stay was 1.61 days. Out of 305 patients, 34 (11.14%) required open conversion. Factors esponsible for open conversion were dense fibrosis at Calots in 11 (3.6%), adhesions due to previous abdominal surgery in 6 (1.9%), uncontrollable bleeding in 5 (1.6%), bile duct injury in 4 (1.3%) cholecystoenteric fistula in 3 (0.9%), Mirizzi’s syndrome 2(0.6%).Conclusions: Adhesions at the calot’s triangle was the common reason for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.Keywords: adhesions, conversion, gallstone, laparoscopic cholecystectom

Elective surgery patients walk to operating room instead of wheeled in on trolley: patient centered care

Introductions: Habits and beliefs of earlier practitioners influence medicine. We continue to wheel in the elective surgery patients to operating room (OR) which makes them feel not in self-control and increases anxiety. With few exceptions of heavily sedated, in severe pain or frail patients, most prefer to walk to the OR accompanied by nurse and family, if given the opportunity, in line with patient centered care. We aim to assess feasibility to allow elective surgery patients walk to OR accompanied by nurse and family member. Methods:This was a cross-sectional observation of 100 consecutive elective surgery patients admitted at surgery department, Patan Hospital, Nepal. Adult patients of 15 years or above were allowed to walk to OR accompanied by a nurse and family members. Demographic profile, patient satisfaction, anxiety on arriving to OR, patient feeling of autonomy were recorded to assess patient centered care. Microsoft Excel was used to descriptively analyze the data. Ethical approval was obtained. Results:Of 100 consecutive patients, 62 were female and 38 male, average age 52 years (range 15 to 72), and abdomen surgery 62 (62%). Two patients did not want to walk. The 98 patients who walked to the OR, all were satisfied and 89 were not anxious. Conclusions: Elective surgery patients (98 out of 100) accompanied by nurse and family members walked to operating room satisfied and were not anxious.  Keywords: elective surgery, patient autonomy, patient-centered care, patient satisfaction, walking to operating roo