Attitudes and perceptions of medical students toward neurosurgery as a career, riyadh, saudi arabia

Introduction: Medical students usually show a preference toward a specific specialty. They could have the preference before entering the medical school but their preference could change. There has been a decline in surgical specialty as a career choice by medical students more recently. The objective of the study is to evaluate the attitude and perception of medical students toward neurosurgery

Methods and Materials: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for health sciences in RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA on 218 medical students from the fifth and sixth year, using a validated questionnaire comprising of 15 questions with a scoring based on Linkert ranking scale [1, disagree; 2, agree somewhat; 3, agree moderately; 4, agree Strongly]

Results: The distribution response was 85%, only 186 [102 males vs. 84 females] medical students completed the questionnaire. The data shows that the majority of students think that their neurosurgery teaching is inadequate, neurosurgical history is difficult to obtain, neurosurgical signs are difficult to elicit and that most of them 86% aren't considering neurosurgery as a future career because it can impede family life

Conclusion: This study point out some areas that can be targeted and improved to enhance the student's perception of neurosurgery as a specialty and to facilitate learning of neurosurgery knowledge during medical school. Also, a study on a larger sample might be required to generalize the results

Faculty members' role in establishing direct communication with students to improve interactive learning at undergraduate level: medical students' perceptions

The importance of communication by faculty member while teaching undergraduates cannot be overemphasized however its impact upon students in not well known. This study aims to assess medical students' perception regarding teacher's contribution in direct communication if interactive learning is to be improved; and to compare responses of phase II [preclinical] and phase III [clinical] medical students

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to February 2017. Ethical permission was taken from the institutional research board. Investigators developed a questionnaire after a detailed literature review. Pilot study was conducted to increase the clarity of items. Responses were obtained and were analyzed statistically to get the overall medical students' perception

Results: Overall response rate was 82% [197 of 238]. The role of teachers in direct verbal communication to improve learning was largely appreciated by the students. High mean score was found in the area of establishing effective channels of communication with all concerned [X=3.81] that reflect the positive role of teacher in the area of effective communication. Similarly students appreciated the good listening skills [X=3.51], and believe in providing fair chance of participation [X= 3.55]. In comparison with Phase II and Phase III students, no significant difference among two groups was reported [t= -2.88, p = > 0.05]

Conclusions: Majority of the students rated the role of faculty members as positive. Their mean perception score was above the average range. As result showed the positive responses of the students on the role of teachers in communication and learning, more emphasis on communication in interactive learning in medicine should be exercised

controlled study on personality traits of adults with and without epilepsy

The present study aimed to explore the personality traits in patients with epilepsy. In addition, the association of personality traits with different types of seizures in patients with epilepsy was also investigated. This case-controlled study comprised of 50 patients with epilepsy and a control group of 50 controls from general population who attended outpatient clinics of a community center in Saudi Arabia. The mean age calculated was 32.2 years [+/-SD=6.6, 6.3 respectively] for both groups. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, and Jacobs, 1983] and Personality Research Form [PRF; Jakson, 1984] were used. The t-test and One Way Analysis of Variance were employed to examine the differences. Patients with epilepsy scored higher on personality traits of trait anxiety and aggression whereas scored lower on achievement than the control group. Further, significant differences were observed between epileptic patients with different types of seizures on personality traits of trait anxiety and dominance only. The patients with generalized tonic-clonic scored high on trait anxiety whereas patients with absence seizures scored high on trait of dominance. The implications and avenues for future research are discussed

Pattern of snake bite cases visiting at rural health centre of Sindh, Pakistan

This study was carried out to determine the pattern of snake bite in a rural area of Sindh Pakistan over a 07-year period. A Descriptive Study Place and Duration of Study: A total record of 5737 snake bite cases attending rural health centre Ranipur District Khairpur between 2000 and 2007 were analysed retrospectively. Patients and Method: A retrospective review of record of snake bite patients was carried out who had attended the health care centre first time for further management. Patients with history of previous visit for treatment were excluded from the study. Out of 5737 victims 44.18% were children less than 15 years and 22% were more than 35 years. Most of the patients [87.22%] were hospitalized after 24 hours of the snake bite. Majority of them [91.99%] came with the history of single bite. Of the 5337 envenomed by poisonous snakes, 56.99% were bitten by Cobra, and 35% by Krait and Viper. Lower extremities were the most common sites of the snake bite [69.99%]. Snake bite is one of a significant problem in the study area. We observed the delayed consultation of the victims to the hospital. Further research on successful management of these victims was recommended

Family structure as a risk factor of child abuse

During the past several decades progressive shifts from the classic family unit of two biological parents and their children to a variety of parental living arrangements have occurred that assumed to be associated with a greater likelihood of child abuse. The purpose of present research was to see the prevalence of child abuse in different family structures of Pakistan. A directional hypothesis was put forward to study the above mentioned problem. Family structure would be directly associated with the incidence of child abuse. The research sample was comprised of two groups; 42 children from broken families and 38 children from intact families. The groups were matched on the child's age, family structure, school and socioeconomic background. Two interviews were conducted with parent and the child after getting their consent. The entire sample was collected from different English medium primary schools of Karachi. Frequencies and percentages of different variables were calculated

Psychological problems and family functioning as risk factors in addiction

Family provides a rich mixture of stimuli to the offspring that often affects both physical and psychological development. Instilling in children the beliefs, values, and suitable behavior of their society remains a fundamental function of the family. The manner in which the family interaction goes about this process contributes to a range of developmental outcomes. The purpose of the present research was to determine the role of family functioning and psychological problems of drug addicts and non addicts by assessing the difference between the two groups. A cluster sampling method was used. Sample of present research consisted of 240 adolescents divided into two groups of 120 addicts and 120 non addicts each from different socioeconomic status. Cohort study. General scale of Family Assessment Measure, Version III [FAM-III] was administered in order to measure the level of communication, value and norms whereas dyadic Relationship Scale was used to measure affective expression and control among the family members of addicts and non addicts. Renold Adolescent Adjustment Screening Inventory was administered in order to assess anger control problems, emotional distress and positive self in addicts and non addicts. Student's t-test was calculated in order to determine the difference in the level of communication, value and norms, affective expression and control among families of addicts and non addicts. Difference in anger control problems, emotional distress and positive self between the addicts and non addicts was also determined by calculating t-test. Results showed significant differences in the variables among the family members and there is also a significant difference between addicts and non addicts. The family occupies an important place among other groups that socially influence addicts. The problem of relation between the family and addicts should be taken into consideration while designing effective programs for the prevention of addiction. Psychological problems in young persons are playing an equal role in the development of addiction

Heroin ddicts: a comparative study of perceived social support in treatment between recovery and relapse cases

The objective of the present study is to compare the level of social support in treatment between recovery and relapse heroin addicts. It was hypothesized that "the perceived family and social support of recovery drug addicts would be more positive than the relapse heroin addicts". The sample comprised of 25 recovery drug addicts and 30 relapse patients of the drug treatment. In order to asses' family and social support, the demographic data sheet was filled and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List [ISEL] was followed. Results indicated marked difference in the mean perceived social support scores of two groups. It may be interpreted that higher perception of family and social support is associated with the recovery addicts, than the relapse group, who perceive their families and society as less supportive. Hence, lesser family and social support hampers the treatment of addicts and results in relapse