Efficacy of case-based learning as an adjunct to traditional teaching learning methods in Physiology.

Introduction: The present study was undertaken with the objective to assess the efficacy of clinical case history based modular teaching learning method on the performance of undergraduate medical students as an adjunct to the traditional teaching methods in physiology. Materials and Methods: The present study was performed on first professional MBBS students of two consecutive batches of Nilratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata. After the first semester examination was taken, a significant deviation in teaching-learning method was employed. No case histories were discussed or introduced to the students of batch 2009-2010, batch 2010-2011 but they had been administered clinical case history based modules. Second semester examination was conducted where 25% of the questions were based on case histories for both batches while the remaining 75% of the questions consisted of non-case based items. Results: There had been no significant difference in performance (p = 0.246) in the first semester examination between the two batches. However, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the performances of the students of these two batches in case based items with batch 2010- 2011 doing better. More importantly, performance of the students between these two batches differed significantly (p < 0.05) in favour of batch 2010-2011, where the marks obtained by them in non-case based items in the second semester examination was considered. Discussion: The authors concluded that clinical case based modules, when used as an adjunct to didactic lectures, not only served to enhance students’ skill in tackling case based items, but also developed their critical thinking and higher ordered learning such that they became more adept at solving non case based items.

Assessment of perception of first professional MBBS students in India about a teaching learning activity in Biochemistry.

Objectives: To obtain feedback from the 1st Professional MBBS students on their perception of the existing method of lecture classes in Biochemistry. Method: A semi-structured questionnaire based study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, under the West Bengal University of Health Sciences. The subjects were the 1st Professional MBBS students in the 1st semester of the academic year 2008 – 2009. Results: Three items with the highest and least Satisfaction Index were segregated and compared against an ‘average satisfaction’ of 66.67%. The summary of the consolidated observation on the most appreciated and least appreciated aspects and suggestions for improvements were taken into consideration and discussed. Further, Interpretation of the feedback reflected that the learners still preferred to be taught in a predominantly individualized care-based environment. Conclusion: Feedback from the students facilitates a change in preconceived notions about teachinglearning principles on the part of the faculty. At the same time, it is evident from the feedback obtained that the students still prefer to be taught in an individualized care-based environment which reflects their lack of or incomplete attitudinal shift towards the more institutionalized care-based environment of a medical education institution.

Retrospective Surveillance for Intussusception in Children Aged Less than Five Years in a South Indian Tertiary-care Hospital.

To facilitate the assessment of the safety profile of rotavirus vaccines effectively, baseline data on intussusception are important for comparison with intussusception rates following the introduction of vaccine. The aim of the study was to describe epidemiological and clinical features of intussusception in children aged less than five years in an Indian medical facility. Hospital data on intussusception for children discharged during 1 January 2001–30 June 2004 from the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India, were reviewed. Relevant information was extracted from medical records to classify cases according to the criteria of the Brighton Collaboration Intussusception Working Group. Complete review of medical records for clinical and demographic information was only performed for those cases fulfilling level 1 diagnostic certainty (definite intussusception) (Study ID 101245). During the surveillance period, 31 infants and children with definite intussusception were identified. The majority (61.2%) of the cases occurred in the first year of life. The male : female ratio was 3.4 : 1. Intussusception cases occurred round the year with no distinct seasonality. No intussusception-associated death was recorded. This study provides baseline data on intussusception in South India. Cases identified in the study were similar in presentation and demographics as those observed in other Asian settings. Prospective surveillance systems, using standardized case definitions will further increase the understanding of the aetiology and epidemiology of intussusception, especially as new rotavirus vaccines are made available.