Perceptions regarding an ‘effective medical teacher’ among undergraduate students of a medical college in Puducherry

Background: To find the characteristics of an effective medical teacher, as perceived by the under graduate medical students who are at different stages of the MBBS course.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among all the undergraduate medical students studying in a medical college and hospital in Puducherry. The undergraduate students were visited in batches and students were explained regarding objectives and those who consented for the study were administered with a validated and pretested questionnaire in line with the objective of the study. The results are expressed in the form of proportions and percentages and the chi-square-test was used to test the significance of difference observed between different batches of studentResults: The most important qualities perceived by the students for being an effective medical teacher are creating interest in the subject, having good communication skills, providing good resource material, inspiring and motivating students, being easily approachable, respecting students/ patients / other staff, being enthusiastic, energetic and good listener. There is a significant difference in the perceived importance among different batch of students in the domain of teaching skills of a medical teacherConclusions: This study identified qualities of medical teachers related to their teaching skills, usage of teaching learning methods, approach towards students and their personal qualities that are perceived to be more important by medical students

Common morbidities and felt needs of salt pan workers in a coastal area of Tamil Nadu, India

Background: The occupational hazards faced by salt pan workers during their occupation are myriad, a fact compounded by the lack of basic amenities at their workplace and lack of awareness regarding usage of personal protection equipment.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among fifty-six salt pan workers in Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu to assess their common health problems and a qualitative component was added to assess their felt needs in work place and daily living. Data was collected using pre-designed data collection sheet for assessing the common morbidities. For the qualitative aspect of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted among twenty workers based on convenient sampling, using open ended questions. Data was collected after obtaining informed consent and steps were taken to ensure confidentiality at all stages.Results: The most common health problem of the workers in present study area included dental caries (41.7%), skin conditions (38.1%) musculoskeletal problems (36.7%) and anemia (35.1%) being other significant health problems. The qualitative aspect of the study revealed that the felt needs were improvement of their working conditions and more social support from the Government and the employers. There was very little awareness among the workers regarding use of PPE and none of them used any form of PPE.Conclusions: Salt pan workers had dental problems, dermatological problems and musculoskeletal problems as most common morbidities among them. Harsh working conditions, financial insecurity etc. are some of their work-related problems. Provision of housing facility and financial assistance during off- season by the government, basic amenities at the work place, paid leave in case of injuries, and insurance schemes for them by employer are their main felt needs. They also had no awareness regarding usage of personal protective equipment at the work place

Role of active and passive surveillance in early case detection and prevention of disease spread in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience

Background: Strong surveillance systems which include both active and passive surveillance are the important steps to halt a disease outbreak by early case detection and management, which helps in breaking the chain of transmission. The main aim of this article is to share our experience regarding the active and passive surveillance done during COVID 19 spread in the year 2021.Methods: The early case detection of COVID 19 cases through active and passive surveillance was slightly different from the usual methods that are carried out for regular known communicable diseases. Active surveillance was done round the clock by screening of all vehicles entering the union-territory of Puducherry and by house-to-house survey. Passive surveillance was carried out by screening of various symptomatic patients attending to hospitals which needed motivation of health personnel as well as awareness among the general public.Results: Out of 12 Govt. PHCs (3,30,000population) where active and passive surveillance was conducted, the total number of individuals referred to designated COVID centre by active and passive surveillance is 30 and 110 respectively for COVID testing and further management.Conclusions: Active and Passive surveillance plays a major role in early case detection and prevention of disease spread in COVID-19 pandemic

Expanding the role of Medical Colleges in RNTCP towards End TB strategy: Scope and Challenges

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health problem and it has been the leading cause of death due to an infectious agent in the past five years. During the last decade, the global and national efforts have been focused on achieving the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Stop TB Strategy to reduce the burden of tuberculosis disease. In 2016, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework of goals, targets and indicators were adopted and in line with it End TB Strategy was unanimously endorsed by all WHO member states for the period of 2016 – 2035 (1). Based on these global efforts, India which accounts for about one quarter of world TB cases has formulated the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB elimination 2017-2025 to guide the activities of all stakeholders whose work is relevant to TB elimination in India