The Lurking Threats Of Communicable Diseases – Where Do We Stand

As professionals in the healthcare industry, there is a duty deeply ingrained within us to be better today than what we were yesterday. This means that each day we have the opportunity to rise up to bigger challenges, whether it is to pass an Endotracheal tube into an unconscious patient with severe neck edema, or to increase the vaccine coverage to more rural areas. Understandably it is the decisions made at a national level which have the potential to be more impactful

Assessing Knowledge of Zika Virus and a need for Continuous Medical Education (CME) in Post-Graduate Doctors of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Single Center Experience

Background: The 2015-2016 Zika Virus Outbreak caused global concern. A study was done to assess knowledge about viral hemorrhagic fevers amongst healthcare professionals, which found only 57% doctors knew clinical features of hemorrhagic viral fever. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge of physicians as well as the need for continuous medical education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on doctors working or undergoing postgraduate training in a private tertiary care hospital. A sample size of n=91 was reached after including most of the doctors working in these hospitals in the department of medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. Convenience sampling technique was employed. Informed oral consent was taken before administration of questionnaire. Analysis was done on SPSS version 20. Results: The doctors included in the study were from the departments of internal medicine, which were 46.2% (42), pediatrics, which were 19.8% (18), and gynecology and obstetrics. Only 17.6% (n=16) participants knew that the Zika virus can affect pregnant women in any trimester. If pregnant woman is infected only 65.9% (n=60) of all doctors were aware of the fact that it can cause microcephaly in the infants. Thus, 44% (n=40) of the participants demonstrated correct knowledge that Zika virus is associated with the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Conclusion: Our study determined that although many doctors demonstrated good knowledge regarding the clinical features of Zika virus, they had poor knowledge regarding the prevention of spread of disease

CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS: A CASE REPORT

Background: Craniosynostosis has a prevalence of 1 in 2000 to 2500 live births. We report on a case of craniosynostosis managed surgically. Method: A 2-year old male, case of craniosynostosis which presented to Ziauddin Hospital North Nazimabad OPD. This child had a history of multiple falls since the past 4 months for which sutures were required twice. His head circumference was above 95 percentile for his age. He was diagnosed as a case of trigonocephaly based on the findings of the 3D CT scan. He underwent surgical remodelling Result: Patient was discharged after an unremarkable post-operative period

Impact Of Multidisciplinary Team Approach To The Management Of Otalgia Patients

Background: Otalgia, one of the most common complain reported in OPD of otorhinolaryngologist, is agonizing and affects all age groups. The objective of the study was to highlight the use of Multidisciplinary team approach to the management of otalgia patients for speedy recovery. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on patients having ear pain. These patients presented to the out-patient department (OPD) of otolaryngology of a tertiary care hospital. Data was collected through questionnaire prepared in advance. Informed oral consent was taken from participants before administration of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 216 patients were included in the study. Out of these only 33(15.2%) were less than 18 years of age. Majority [139(64.35%)] of subjects belonged to a low socioeconomic class. Out of these patients 119(55.1%) had ear infections who has to be seen by otolaryngologists. 63(29.2%) of patients had temporomandibular joint pain, referred to the Maxillofacial Surgeons and 34(15.7%) of patients suffering from neck pain, referred to Orthopaedic Surgeon. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary team approach was found effective in treating otalgia patients visiting the otorhinolaryngology clinics for the symptom, should be closely examined and referred to concerned departments if required for complete recovery