ABSTRACT
Background: The doctor-patient relationship is the core foundation for healing, care, establishment of trust and an essential part of modern-day medical ethics. The last few decades have seen an exponential growth in the scientific component of the medical field which has led to a strain on doctor-patient relationship. With the growing trend of patients wanting more information from their doctor in order to have a more active role in their health-care, active communication from the physician’s end is needed. Present study aims to find out what doctors over various fields expect out of this relationship.Methods: A cross sectional prospective study was conducted among a total of 49 urban and rural doctors of various specialities in an urban area of Maharashtra using a pre-structured questionnaire. The statistical tools used to analyse the data was by using Microsoft excel software.Results: It was also noted that time spent with patients was less by the specialists as compared with other doctors for all aspects of consultation. On evaluating experience with the duration of consultation, we noted that doctors having more than 30 years of experience gave lesser time for all aspects of consultation as compared to those with lesser experience. A close range, between 45%-57% of all physicians, admitted to answering phone calls during consultations.Conclusions:It is imperative to study doctor-patient interactions since a better relationship results in a more satisfied patient with better treatment outcome.
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Background: Domestic solid waste collectors play important role in maintain hygiene of a community, especially in developing countries. Yet not many efforts are done to identify their health needs. The main objective of this study is to identify the morbidity pattern and social problems of solid waste collectors in urban Maharashtra.Methods: It was a cross sectional study. Study population consisted of domestic solid waste collectors who are registered under municipal corporation. Sampling was purposive. All the domestic solid waste collectors who came for specially arranged health check-up were included in the sample. Social and demographic information along with clinical history was collected using a structured questionnaire. General physical exam, eye checkup, skin examination and lab investigations were done in a specially organized camp, after obtaining prior consent of the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19 software.Results: More than 90% of 98 solid waste collectors, who participated in the study had frequent cough, fever and diarrhea. Over 85% had back or/and leg pain. More than half of the study population had dryness of skin and 47% of them complained of itching. 15 solid waste collectors were discriminated in marriages.Conclusions: High prevalence of common frequent symptoms such as fever, cough and diarrhea can be controlled by conducting regular health checkups for this community. The need is to reach them rather than waiting for them to come to health facility. Sensitization of community towards importance of work done by the solid waste collectors is also required.
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Background: Pesticides are extensively used in floriculture where workers are mostly unskilled and may not have appropriate knowledge about safety. Acute accidents during spraying are reported, chronic exposure goes unnoticed. There are not many Indian studies regarding health risks and safety practices among floriculture workers in India. Hence this study to assess pesticide exposure, to find their determinants and suggest appropriate preventive measures.Methods: Study was cross sectional in Floriculture Park, Talegaon (D), Pune, Maharashtra, India using cluster sampling from February 2018 to July 2019. Prevalence of morbidities being 63% sample size was calculated as 111 (allowable error 15%). Socio-demographic, work and health related variables were recorded using a pretested structured questionnaire. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations were done by medical experts.Results: A total of 118 workers participated. Only half (51.2%) were using personal protective devices. None were following reentry guidelines. 13.3% males and 4.1% females had low serum cholinesterase level which is a biomarker of pesticide exposure. Sprayers had significantly high risk of low serum cholinesterase levels (OR=3.31) as compared to others. With exposed subjects which included both sprayers as well as polyhouse workers the association increased with OR=4.27. However association was not significant when working in polyhouse alone was considered as a risk factor (OR=1.256).Conclusions: Presence of exposure was the only factor that had a statistically significant association with low Serum Cholinesterase levels. Safe occupational practices like use of personal protective devices, rotation of exposed workers, monitoring of serum cholinesterase levels and health education of workers should be undertaken.
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Introduction: E‑learning is the use of internet for the purpose of education. E‑learning in medical education is at a nascent stage in our country. The present study was carried out with the purpose of introducing e-learning to third year medical students in the subject of Ophthalmology and taking feedback on their attitude towards the new methodology of teaching and evaluating. Materials and Methods: E‑learning was introduced to the seventh semester students of MBBS in the subject of Ophthalmology. The topics were converted to web friendly format and used for teaching and evaluating. Feedback was taken from the students on completion of the term on their attitudes towards e‑learning and their views on the scope of e‑learning in medical education. Results: All the students agreed on the usefulness of e‑learning in medical education. Eleven students (27.5%) found the medium of e‑learning to be interesting, 15 (37.5%) considered it to be easy and accessible, 10 (25%) found it to be fast and easy, 4 (10%) considered it to be a medium which can give updated information. Twenty‑three (57.5%) students considered that e‑learning should be a medium of instruction in all the subjects, 15 (37.5%) students considered its usefulness in clinical subjects only. Twenty‑eight students (70%) desired that e‑learning should be used to provide important notes, questions, MCQs on all topics. Conclusions: E‑learning is well accepted as a medium of instruction by medical students.
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BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic disease, the course of which is punctuated by exacerbations and remissions. The impact of a chronic, relapsing, and disfiguring disease such as psoriasis on occupational, social, and other areas of functioning is substantial and needs attention. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the level and nature of functional impairment in psoriasis. METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients attending the dermatology clinic of a rural hospital were studied for psychiatric comorbidity and the level of functioning, using a semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Psoriasis affected social functioning of 48% patients, led to decreased work efficiency in 51.1% and to subjective distress at work in 62.8% of patients. Stress in home environment and interpersonal relationships was reported by 69.8%. Social and occupational functioning worsened with increasing severity of psoriasis after 1-year duration of illness. Patients complaining of pruritus frequently had anxiety disorders. Psychiatric comorbidity was detected in 67.4% cases. CONCLUSION: Substantial proportion of patients suffered deterioration of functioning, especially with increasing duration of illness. Thus, timely attention by dermatologists is needed in order to limit the disability caused by psoriasis. To achieve this, liaison with psychiatrist would be crucial along with illness education and emotional support.