ABSTRACT
The extent, purpose, and model of performance assessment should be guided by our understanding of clinical competence. We have come a long way from believing that competence is generic, fixed, and transferable across contents; to viewing competence as dynamic, incremental, contextual, and non-transferable. However, our pattern of assessment largely remains what it was many years ago. Contemporary educationists view competency assessment as different from traditional format. They place more emphasis on the role of expert subjective judgment, especially for performance and domain-independent competencies. Such assessments have conclusively shown their validity, reliability, and utility. They; however, require trained assessors, trust between the teachers and the taught, and above all, a political and administrative will for implementation.
ABSTRACT
Justification: Data generated after the first wave has revealed that some children with coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) can become seriously ill. Multi-inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and long COVID cause significant morbidity in children. Prolonged school closures and quarantine have played havoc with the psychosocial health of children. Many countries in the world have issued emergency use authorisation (EUA) of selected COVID-19 vaccines for use in children. In India, a Subject Expert Committee (SEC) has recommended the use of Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) for children from the ages of 2-18 years. The recommendation has been given to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for final approval. Objective: To provide an evidence-based document to guide the pediatricians on the recommendation to administer COVID vaccines to children, as and when they are available for use. Process: Formulation of key questions was done by the committee, followed by review of literature on epidemiology and burden of COVID-19 in children, review of the studies on COVID vaccines in children, and the IAP stand on COVID-19 vaccination in children. The available data was discussed in the ACVIP focused WhatsApp group followed by an online meeting on 24 October, 2021, wherein the document was discussed in detail and finalized. Recommendations: The IAP supports the Government of India’s decision to extend the COVID-19 vaccination program to children between 2-18 years of age. Children with high-risk conditions may be immunized on a priority basis. The IAP and its members should be a partner with the Government of India, in the implementation of this program and the surveillance that is necessary following the roll-out.
ABSTRACT
Background: Faulty or lack of intranatal care can lead to a number of morbidities in the neonatal period. Newborn care in any community is influenced by cultural practices prevalent in that area apart from medical and economic causes. In India, morbidity and mortality of mother and child directly or indirectly is governed by the customs prevalent in their society. Infant feeding and rearing practices vary across communities, depending on social customs. This study was planned to give us an insight about the neonatal rearing and feeding practices among mothers and the factors influencing their practices in Punjab. Methods: This facility based one point cross sectional descriptive study was done in Pediatrics wards and postnatal wards of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot. The newborn rearing practices were interviewed from the families accompanying the babies with age less than four weeks using structured questionnaire. Results: 965 babies were enrolled for the study. The mean age of the mother was 28.3 ± 3.5 years and 51% of the mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding. High proportion of neonates (70%) was given prelacteals feeding, honey being most common. Oil massage to the baby was practiced by 99% of the mothers. Bath after 24 hours of delivery was given to 74% newborns. 89% of the babies were vaccinated after birth. Conclusions: People like to follow their rituals and customs eliminating potentially harmful practices should be tried keeping those in mind. The strengthening of the information, education and the communication to improve the existing neonatal rearing practices is the need of the day.