Students\u27 perceptions of usefulness of Anatomy demonstrations in traditional and hybrid undergraduate medical education curricula

A cross-sectional study was carried out to study students\u27 perceptions on the usefulness of Anatomy demonstrations (AD) in the undergraduate medical education by comparing the Conventional Medical College (CMC) and problem-based learning as hybrid curriculum (HMC). Purposive sampling technique was used and all students were included. The completed questionnaire responses were returned by 92 CMC and 87 HMC students. CMC cohort understood the structural relationship more than HMC (p=0.03). AD helped 50 students (54%) of CMC to get through the theory examination, however 73 (84%) students of HMC found them useful in preparation for theory examinations (p\u3c0.001). The importance of AD as a major content delivery strategy cannot be overemphasized in the anatomy curriculum and useful teaching strategies from various undergraduate medical curricula, such as the use of the plastic and plastinated models and the session handouts

Comparative Evaluation of Lamina Cribrosa Anatomical Parameters with Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Defects In Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Cases And Controls

OBJECTIVES To assess the lamina cribrosa (LC) anterior lamina cribrosa depth (ALCD), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases and age-matched controls and to compare these anatomical variables among POAG cases and age-matched controls. METHODOLOGY The case-control study was researched at Al-Ain Eye Institute, Karachi, in four month’s duration (November 2018 till February 2019). Expert eye specialist recruited 57 POAG cases and 46 age-matched healthy controls. Observation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and open angle was done using Goldmann tonometry and Slit-lamp biomicroscopy with stereoscopic ophthalmoscopy respectively. Visual field parameters of mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) measured using Humphrey Field Analyzer. Highly sensitive spectral domain ocular coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging (EDI-OCT) was used to determine ALCD, LCT and RNFLT. RESULTS Statistically significant results were produced by RNFLT defects when it is compared in groups of mild with moderate cases of POAG (P-value 0.037). ALCD and LCT did display an association with RNFLT defects but did not produced statistically significant results. CONCLUSION Assessments of ALCD and LCT can provide important prognostic evidence about RNFLT and can assist in future planning of mild and moderate cases suffering from POAG

Anatomical aberration of palmaris longus agenesis muscle through clinical examination in relation to gender and hand dominance

Objective: To determine the frequency of agenesis of palmaris longus muscle and its association with gender and hand dominance. Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from March 2021 to November 2021, and comprised medical students of either gender from 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of studies. Clinical examination of palmaris longus was done by using the classic Schaeffer’s test, and it was confirmed using the Thompson’s test. The agenesis of palmaris longus muscle and its association with gender and hand dominance was also tested. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: Of the 200 participants, 114(57%) were female and 86(43%) were male. The overall age range was 18-23 years. Of the total, 195(97.5%) subjects were right hand dominant and 5(2.5%) were left hand dominant. Agenesis was found in 67(33.5%) subjects with no significant difference in terms of gender or hand dominance (p>0.05). Statistically significant difference (p=0.01) was found related to bilateral agenesis. Conclusion: Bilateral agenesis was found significantly more in females compared to the males, while palmaris longus agenesis and hand dominance had no significant association. Key Words: Anatomical, Aberration, Palmaris longus, Agenesis, Clinical examination, Gender, Hand dominance

Is anxiety related to oral examination scores of anatomy and physiology? A study of pre-clinical MBBS and BDS students

Objective: To assess anxiety levels among 1st and 2nd year MBBS and 1st year BDS students in oral examinations of anatomy and physiology and to compare the anxiety scores among students of 1st and 2nd year MBBS and 1st year BDS.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 231 undergraduate (MBBS and BDS) students of University from Karachi durning December 2022 to May 2023. Westside anxiety scale was used to assess anxiety levels in students and the scores were compared with oral examination scores using One-way analysis of variance.Results: Extremely high levels of anxiety was noted in relation to oral examination of Anatomy with a mean score of 25±3.801 while a mean of 30.00±5.170 was noted in Physiology in BDS students. However, significant results were observed on comparing Anatomy and Physiology oral examination scores among 1st and 2nd year students.Conclusion: In summary higher levels of test anxiety, especially for oral examinations was observed in MBBS students as compared to BDS students. It was also observed that anxiety levels were much higher for Anatomy oral examinations as compared to those for Physiology

Faculty application and perceived effectiveness of cognitive psychology principles in medical education. A mixed method study

Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the extent to which faculty members in undergraduate medical education apply cognitive psychology principles in their teaching practices, and to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of these principles in enhancing student learning.Methods: This mixed method study was conducted on faculty members of public and private sector universities. Focused group discussions were conducted, and the responses of the participants were measured on a 5-point- Likert Scale. The instrument was tested for validity and reliability by measuring Cronbach\u27s alpha and performing exploratory factor analysis. Mann-Whitney U test was applied on the attributes scores to compare 13 attributes by institutions, designations and domains.Results: One theme, 7 sub-themes and 19 categories were identified from the focused group discussion. as Kaiser- Meyer-Olkin index was 0.88 and Bartlett\u27s test of sphericity was significant. Reliability was established at 0.95. The faculty self-perceived practicing psychology principles mostly scored in the middle level, where they think they apply less strategies. While highly significant results were noted for using Meyer\u27s multimedia principles.Conclusion: Faculty members followed the principles of cognitive psychology to some extent. However, they all felt that using these principles can transform the teaching and learning of medical education

An Ounce of Discretion Is Worth a Pound of Wit — Ergonomics Is a Healthy Choice

<div><p>Objective</p><p>The objective of the study was to identify the occurrence and outcome of low back ache amongst computer users and their relation to age, gender, occupation and duration of computer use.</p><p>Materials and Methods</p><p>A self reported questionnaire tailored from Occupational Health and Safety Act of the Ministry of Labor, Ontario, Canada was used.</p><p>Results</p><p>416 participants 55.5% males and 45% females using computers for a minimum of five years with age range 22 to 59 years belonged to different occupational groups. Consecutive hours of computer work was found to be associated with work related backache or discomfort in 27.4% (n = 114) participants (16.1% male, 11.3% female). Frequent short breaks improved backache (p value <0.001) in 93 (22.4%) participants (13.2% male, 9.2% female). No significant relation was observed with the duration of computer usage or usage per day; between the two genders or occupational groups. Backache had no significance within age groups.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Our study identifies the occurrence of low back pain among those who are using computer for consecutive hours without breaks and the results suggest the need to create health awareness especially use of short breaks to minimize the risk and occurrence of low back pain. The result of this study can also be used to improve ergonomic design and standards.</p></div

Computer usage in different age groups.

<p>Computer usage in different age groups.</p

Computer usage in different occupational groups.

<p>IT^* = Information technology, M^** = Marketing, B^*** = Bankers, D^© = Doctors, T^¥ = Teachers and S^∞ = Students.</p

Backache in various occupational groups.

<p>IT^* = Information technology, M^** = Marketing, B^*** = Bankers, D^© = Doctors, T^¥ = Teachers and S^∞ = Students.</p

Age profile of participants in various occupational groups.

<p>Age profile of participants in various occupational groups.</p