ABSTRACT
Establishment of a medical school is predominantly a political decision. Its basic aim is to further the cause of medical education. Inbuilt within this objective is looking after sick people, bringing improvement in their health, and indirectly improving their understanding of health. Delhi, being the capital city of the country, is governed by the state as well central authorities, thereby enjoying dual benefits. Currently, it has some 10 medical schools/institutes with the objectives of providing quality medical education, research and health to its people. Notably, each one has its own historical legacy and distinctive character, as evident in their respective names, logo, motto and mission statement. This article briefly discusses the historical, socioeconomic, geopolitical, and distinctive characters of each of these institutions
ABSTRACT
Background. There are more than 44 000 seats in over 350 medical colleges in India for pursuing the MBBS course. This is not enough as we have only 1 doctor for as many as 1953 persons in India. Yet, medicine is not among the top vocations in most career advisories and the best school students do not aspire to be doctors. Methods. This cross-sectional study was done at a tertiary care, teaching hospital in March 2010. Medical students in their second semester were asked to fill an indigenously designed, structured questionnaire, looking at their reasons for joining the course, interpersonal relationships, satisfaction with the curriculum and future prospects following graduation. Results. The mean (SD) age of the students was 19.2 (0.85) years. Of the 100 students of second semester, 41 had been influenced by a family member in choosing their career. Twelve felt that medicine would give them a chance to serve the society. Forty-six students felt that the expectations they had from the course before joining were not being fulfilled. Nearly one-third of the students (31) stated that they would not choose medicine as a career if given another chance. Further, 19 said that they would still choose a different profession after completing their graduation. Non-fulfilment of expectations from the course was associated with the belief that they would not opt for this course if given a second chance (likelihood ratio 7.12, p=0.008). Students felt that teaching should lay stress on problem-based learning including workshops on stress and time management. Conclusion. We find that several students do not have a defined career plan and opt for a career in medicine because they are influenced by family members. Some students were dissatisfied with the curriculum and expressed that they would not like to pursue the course if given a second chance.
Subject(s)
Adult , Career Choice , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Humans , India , Students, MedicalABSTRACT
Use of tobacco is singularly responsible for most cases of cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD). Efforts to stop tobacco-use need to be guided by social circumstances. It is believed that family milieu may play a role in tobacco addiction. We studied the prevalence and pattern of tobacco-use in families of 50 consecutive tobacco-user patients who presented to a tobacco-cessation clinic and compared with age- and gendermatched controls (non-users of tobacco). The tobacco-use rates were significantly higher in the family of patients with tobacco-use compared to the control group. We conclude that problems of tobacco-use are not related to individual phenomenon, and efforts for control of tobacco addiction must be focused on entire family.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: There is a general misconception that smokeless tobacco particularly sweetened and flavoured paan masala and gutkas are safe to use. The present study was undertaken with the objective of highlighting the deceptive and aggressive marketing techniques adopted by the manufacturers of smokeless tobacco preparations exploiting cultural, social and religious values. Another object was to highlight the lack of transparency in terms of content, weight, quality control and warning. Methods: All empty pouches of the used paan masalas, gutka, khaini or surti in and around a tertiary care hospital at east Delhi were collected. Their constituents were studied as per written declaration by the manufacturers on each packet. Information on net weight, cost, presence and type of warning, and quality assurance on each brand provided on side of the packets was noted. Results: A total of 1136 pouches of 33 brands/varieties were collected. Most of the gutka preparations contained tobacco, betel nut, unknown flavouring agents, undeclared spices and heavy metals. Warning regarding the harmful effect of tobacco was written in 90.9 per cent of brands with 81.8 per cent in English language only in minute font. Contents of the products were mentioned in 84.8 per cent of brands and only 27.3 per cent of those mentioned the net weight of the ingredients. Interpretation & conclusions: Seemingly ‘innocuous’ tobacco preparations in the form of paan masalas, gutka, khaini, surti or mouth fresheners contain various harmful substance like tobacco, betel nut, sugar coated fennel, saccharine, heavy metals like silver, unknown flavouring agents and undeclared spices in unknown quantities. Lack of transparency in terms of content, weight, quality control and warning is duping unsuspecting consumers.