Design , Implementation & Evaluation of an Educational Program on Improving the Communication Skills with Patient based on WHO in Interns

Introduction: The effective relationship of physicians with patients has a significant role in effective treatment, reduces stress and establishes satisfaction in the patient. It was shown that many doctors fail to communicate with patients effectively. The aim of present research was designing, implementing, and evaluating the effect of training on improving the communication skills with patients in medical interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences based on the WHO pattern . Methods: This interventional research was done on 74 interns of Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2010. Communication skills of the subjects were directly observed and documented through using a checklist prepared according to basic communication skills developed by WHO. Validity and reliability of the checklist were confirmed. Then through role –playing, the subjects learned how to communicate effectively with patients. After training, their communication skills were checked again.. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t test. Results:. The average score on communication skills before training and after it were 2.53±.47 and 3.25± .34 respectively, which showed a significant difference (P=0.00, t=10.3). The average scores on interpersonal communication skills & skill of obtaining information from & giving information to patients before and after education were 2.62± 0.47; 3.29± 0.37,2.74±0.47 & 3.24±0.3, and 2.42±0.39 & 3.24± 0.3 respectively . The average score on presenting information before and after training were 2.24±0.39 and 3.24 ± 0.3 and on educating patients 2.33 ± 0.52 3.15 ± 0.38, which indicated a significant difference between the scores before and after training(, p = 0/00).There was no significant difference between the scores of males and females(, p = 0/00). Conclusion: Interns’ scores were improved by training, significantly. It is recommended the medical curriculum be revised and some theoretical and practical courses relevant to communication skills accompanied by applying effective methods in teaching communication skills be planned for

Ctotoxic and apoptogenic effects of Perovskia abrotanoides flower extract on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines

Objective: Perovskia abrotanoides Karel, belongs to the family Lamiaceae and grows wild alongside the mountainous roads inarid and cold climate of Northern Iran. The anti-tumor activity of P. abrotanoides root extract has been shown previously. This study was designed to examine in vitro anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of flower extract of P. abrotanoides on MCF-7 and Hela cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cells were cultured in DMEM medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 units/ml penicillin and 100 µg/ml streptomycin and incubated with different concentrations of plant extracts. Cell viability was quantified by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). Results: P. abrotanoides extract inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a time and dose-dependent manner and 1000 µg/ml of extract following 48h of incubation was the most cytotoxic dose against Hela cell in comparison with other doses; however, in MCF-7 cells,1000 and 500 µg/ml PA induced toxicity at all time points but with different features.. Analysis of flowcytometry histogram of treated cells compared with control cells indicated that the cytotoxic effect is partly due toapoptosis induction. Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic extract of P. abrotanoides flowers inhibits the growth of MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines, partly via inducing apoptosis. Their inhibitory effect was increased in a time and dose-dependent manner, especially in MCF7 cells. However, further studies are needed to reveal the mechanisms of P. abrotanoides extract-induced cell death

Cytotoxicity evaluation of extracts and fractions of five marine sponges from the Persian Gulf and HPLC fingerprint analysis of cytotoxic extracts

Objective: To screen the cytotoxic effects of some marine sponges extracts on HeLa and PC12 cells. Methods: Five marine sponges including Ircinia echinata (I. echinata), Dysidea avara, Axinella sinoxea, Haliclona tubifera and Haliclona violacea were collected from the Persian Gulf (Hengam Island). The cytotoxic effect of these sponges was evaluated by using MTT assay. The metabolic high performance liquid chromatography fingerprint of I. echinata was also carried out at two wavelengths (254 and 280 nm). Results: Among the sponges tested in this study, the extracts of I. echinata and Dysidea avara possessed the cytotoxic effect on HeLa and PC12 cells. The obtained fractions from high performance liquid chromatography were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against the cell lines. The isolated fractions did not show significant cytotoxic properties. Conclusions: I. echinata could be considered as a potential extract for chemotherapy. Further investigation is needed to determine the accuracy of mechanism