Understanding preclerkship medical students' poor performance in prescription writing

Objectives: This study aimed to explore reasons for poor performance in prescription writing stations of the objective structured practical examination [OSPE] and absenteeism in prescription writing sessions among preclerkship medical students at the Arabian Gulf University [AGU] in Manama, Bahrain

Methods: This descriptive study was carried out between September 2014 and June 2015 among 157 preclerkship medical students at AGU. Data were collected using focus group discussions and a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended items

Results: All 157 students participated in the study [response rate: 100.0%]. The most frequently cited reasons for poor performance in OSPE stations were an inability to select the correct drugs [79.6%], treatment duration [69.4%], drug quantity [69.4%] and drug formulation [68.2%]. Additionally, students reported inadequate time for completing the stations [68.8%]. During focus group discussions, students reported other reasons for poor performance, including examination stress and the difficulty of the stations. Absenteeism was attributed to the length of each session [55.4%], lack of interest [50.3%], reliance on peers for information [48.4%] and optional attendance policies [47.1%]. Repetitive material, large group sessions, unmet student expectations and the proximity of the sessions to summative examinations were also indicated to contribute to absenteeism according to open-ended responses or focus group discussions

Conclusion: This study suggests that AGU medical students perform poorly in prescription writing OSPE stations because of inadequate clinical pharmacology knowledge. Participation in prescription writing sessions needs to be enhanced by addressing the concerns identified in this study. Strategies to improve attendance and performance should take into account the learner-teacher relationship

Medical students' perceptions of peer assessment in a problem-based learning curriculum

Peer assessment [PA] is believed to support learning and help students develop both professionally and personally. The aim of this study was to examine medical students' perceptions of intragroup PA in a problem-based learning [PBL] setting. This study was carried out between September and November 2014 and involved six random groups of fourth-year undergraduate medical students [n = 60] enrolled at the Arabian Gulf University in Manama, Bahrain. While working on set tasks within a curriculum unit, each student evaluated a randomly selected peer using an English language adapted assessment tool to measure responsibility and respect, information processing, critical analysis, interaction and collaborative skills. At the end of the unit, students' perceptions of PA were identified using a specifically-designed voluntary and anonymous self-administered questionnaire in English. A total of 55 students participated in the study [response rate: 92%]. The majority of students reported that their learning [60%], attendance [67%], respect towards group members [70%] and participation in group discussions [71%] improved as a result of PA. Regarding problem analysis skills, most participants believed that PA improved their ability to analyse problems [65%], identify learning needs [64%], fulffil tasks related to the analysis of learning needs [72%] and share knowledge within their group [74%]. Lastly, a large proportion of students reported that this form of assessment helped them develop their communication [71%] and self-assessment skills [73%], as well as collaborative abilities [75%]. PA was well accepted by the students in this cohort and led to self-reported improvements in learning, skills, attitudes, engagement and other indicators of personal and professional development. PA was also perceived to have a positive impact on intragroup attitudes

Cord blood stem cells

The discovery that stem cells [SCs] can be obtained from umbilical cord blood instead of the more controversial source of embryonic SC's, has renewed interest on the new, exciting therapeutic potentials of this technology. Several therapeutic targets have been cited as candidates for treatment such as, malignant blood disease, hematological disorders, complex neurological illnesses, genetic and autoimmune diseases, benign and malignant blood diseases, skeletal anomalies, and the ultimate promise of using this technique in delaying the process of human aging. Parallel to this rise in popularity of SC research, SC banking has become a growing commercial enterprise. This review will attempt to present a concise account on the present status of the uses of SC in general, and cord blood [CB] in particular. An evaluation of the debate on the claims, and counter-claims in commercializing CB banking has been summarized

Historical background and review of drugs and methods used for induction of ovulation. Part 1

Infertility is distressing life crises for many couples. Of the 15% of childless couples around the world approximately 15-25% is due to ovulating disturbances. Ovulation induction [01] therefore strives to redress ovulation problems by replicating the natural physiology of the cyclic ovarian function, with the goal of achieving ovulation of single or more mature follicles. Since the first ever successful induction of ovulation using extract of human cadaver pituitary glands in 1958, there have been substantial advances in the management of anovulatory infertility and an improved insight into the physiology of the micro environments of ovulation. Progressively, the need for new and effective methods for ovulation induction became more intense particularly with the introduction of In Vitro Fertilization procedures in clinical practice. During the last five decades, a large inventory of hormonal therapies for 01 and many management protocols have been presented, but more importantly was the new understanding of the varieties of ovarian dysfunctions and the pathophysiology of ovulation failure. The objective of this mini review article is to inform the readers about the current practical approaches in management of ovulation induction addressing the costs, risks, and critical evaluation of their effectiveness

Evaluation of quality of life in kidney transplantation patients in Bahrain

To evaluate the quality of life [QOL] in patients who had undergone kidney transplantation in Bahrain. Forty two subjects living in Bahrain who had received primary kidney transplant for end stage renal disease and 40 healthy controls were studied. Data was collected by personal interview and from medical records using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data and psychometry implementing the General Health Questionnaire and the Psychological General Wellbeing Schedule. Both groups were age- and gender-matched. No significant differences were detected between the groups in the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, although the control group experienced greater morbidity than the transplant group. No significant differences were detected between the transplant and the controls in the mean scores of the General Well-being Schedule or its subscales. The QOL of the renal transplant and the matched healthy controls are almost similar. The effectiveness, acceptability and economic impact of renal transplantation should take into consideration the QOL dimensions of the kidney transplant recipients

Trends in the treatment of HIV infection

During the last decade several advances in understanding and management of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] have resulted in optimism among clinicians and hope for patients. Research into areas of viral pathogenesis has made a direct impact on the clinical management of HIV-infected patients and has led to the development of new and more potent antiviral agents, regimens, and approaches to antiretroviral therapy [ART]. These highly active antiretroviral therapies [HAART] have dramatically altered the natural progression of infection and significantly improved the quality of life for many HIV-infected patients[1]. As a result there has been a substantial decline in reported number of AIDS-related opportunistic infections and deaths[2,3]. Despite these remarkable advances, several concerns should be addressed. Although many will benefit from new and potent regimens, up to 50% of patients show treatment failure[4], and approximately 40% change therapeutic regimens during the first year because of drug-related adverse events[5]. The development of drug resistance, long-term toxicities, patient compliance, the management of HAART failures, and the method to control and prevent the spread of HIV are major challenges. Hope for a cure for HIV infection was dampened by the discovery of a latent form of the virus that persists within the resting CD4 cells[6], perhaps as a result of survival advantage to T- cell from anti HIVgenes[7]

Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first-year medical students

This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first-year medical students of the Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain. This was an anonymous, questionnaire-based, descriptive study. A prevalidated questionnaire, containing open-ended and close-ended questions, was administered to the subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12 and the results expressed as counts and percentages. Out of the 134 respondents, 43 [32.1%] were males and 91 [67.9%] were females; their mean age in years +/- SD was 18.01 +/- 0.78. The respondents' knowledge about appropriate self-medication was poor, but knowledge of the benefits and risks of self-medication was adequate. The respondents found self-medication to be time-saving, economical, convenient and providing quick relief in common illnesses. Important disadvantages of self-medication mentioned were the risk of making a wrong diagnosis, inappropriate drug use and adverse effects. The majority [76.9%] of the respondents had a positive attitude favoring self-medication. Self-medication was practiced by 44.8% of the subjects. The most common indications for self-medication were to relieve the symptoms of headache [70.9%], cough, cold and sore throat [53.7%], stomachache [32.8%] and fever [29.9%]. Analgesics [81.3%] were the most common drugs used for self-medication. The practice of self-medication was appropriate in only 14.2% of cases. Knowledge about appropriate self-medication was poor, attitude towards self-medication was positive, and the practice of self-medication was common and often inappropriate

Profile of psychiatric admissions following police referral in Bahrain

This is a retrospective study of patients admitted via the police to the Psychiatric Hospital in Bahrain during 1989. A high percentage of police admissions were unemployed, single males in their twenties or thirties. They mostly suffered from schizophrenia or substance abuse problems and were arrested because of their abnormal behaviour or being violent. Comparison of these results with corresponding studies in the developed and developing world showed consistency in the demographic data, and causes for the police involvement. The diagnostic categories differed only in their order of frequency form that in the developed countries