ABSTRACT
Background: Pharmacology enables medical students with the art of rational prescriptions of drugs. Reforms in undergraduate teaching are the need of the hour. The purpose of the study was to assess the student抯 attitude, perception, and feedback on teaching-learning methodology. Students� feedback gives an idea to evaluate teaching methods.Methods: A cross-sectional study based on questionnaire. A total of 200 second-year medical students studying at Rangaraya medical college, Kakinada, were asked to fill up a pre-validated, predesigned questionnaire containing 17 questions. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of data, and the results were expressed in percentage (%).Results: Out of 200 students, 188 filled the questionnaire, and results were analyzed. 98.43% wanted case-based learning; 96.34% wanted more of clinical pharmacology in the curriculum. 83.53% wanted group discussion. Difficulty level of understanding is CVS (67%), CNS (65%), ANS (59%). 44% preferred tutorials. Combined use of LCD + Blackboard (86.58) is ideal teaching method. 81.70% of students studied textbooks only. According to students, pharmacology teachers should make subject interesting (37%) and student-friendly (31%). The need for pharmacology orientation during the internship (68.29%).Conclusions: The study related to the perception and attitude of the students in learning pharmacology was positive and constructive. The students wish to learn more of clinical and practical oriented way with useful audio-visual aids, and should also be refreshed during internship. Implementation of the same would be helpful for better outcome of students.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome resulting from a deficiency of thyroid hormones, which in turn results in a generalized slowing down of metabolic processes. Hypothyroidism affects 2% of adult women and 0.1-0.2% of adult men. Thyroid hormones exert direct cellular effects on almost all tissues of the body. It causes multi-organ dysfunction due to deranged metabolism. Objectives: To study Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation of heart in newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients. Methods: This study was a conducted as a prospective study carried out from January 2012 to July 2013 at Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences. The criteria for diagnosis of hypothyroidism was Clinical assessment, Thyroid hormone assay–TSH - >5 μIU/ml, FT4 - < 0.7 ng/dl, FT3 - < 2.4 pg/dl. Investigations like Complete Blood Picture, Complete Urine Examination, Random Blood Sugar, Blood urea, Serum Creatinine, Fasting lipid profile, Chest X Ray, Standard 12 Lead ECG were done. Results: On systemic examination, Cardiomegaly and diminished heart sound was found in 13.3% and 9.99% patients. Normal ECG is found in 36.66% of patients before treatment and 66.66 % after treatment. Bradycardia is most common finding seen in 6 patients counting for 20%, followed by low voltage complexes and ST changes in 16.66% patients respectively before treatment. Echo findings are normal in 43.33% cases before treatment and 66.66% after treatment. Pericardial effusion and Diastolic dysfunction are the common findings seen in 8 cases each accounting to 26.66% cases, which reduced to 13.3% and 9.99% respectively after management. Systolic dysfunction was found in 9.99% of patients after treatment. Conclusion: Hypothyroid state, which has significant impact on cardiac structure/function associated with increased CVS morbidity and mortality is reversible with treatment.