ABSTRACT
Background: The main pool of pharmacology practical teaching is formed by the use and demonstration of animal experiments. Animals have been used to demonstrate the effect of various drugs in experimental pharmacology classes, in the lab. The practical sessions in pharmacology training involving animal experiments are still taught by traditional teaching methods. Rapid development of information technology has led to newer trends in teaching and learning using Computer Assisted Learning (CAL). Keeping it in mind we decided to undertake this study to assess the perception of CAL in 2nd year MBBS students over conventional teaching in experimental pharmacology.Methods: This was an observational, questionnaire-based study. A total of hundred undergraduate MBBS (2nd year) students participated. Participants were first demonstrated an animal experiment by conventional teaching method followed by the same animal experiment demonstration on CAL. Students� feedback was recorded on a questionnaire and analyzed.Results: The mean age of the participants was 19.88�28 years. The study overall observed that 62% preferred CAL to conventional (38%). Majority of the participants� thought CAL (63%) helps to understand better over conventional (28%) and that CAL (63%) is time independent over conventional (28%). More than 85% felt that CAL was more explanatory and provided a better learning experience.Conclusions: Students preferred CAL to conventional teaching, in experimental pharmacology. It also provided insight on perception and experience of students towards CAL for experimental pharmacology. However, further studies are warranted to assess the knowledge, cognitive and psychomotor skills of students.
ABSTRACT
Context: Diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes to a major chunk of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare cost on a global level. The prevalence of DM is rising alarmingly, worldwide and India. Comprehensive Diabetes Care (CDC) is a combination of Panchakarma and diet management. Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of CDC on Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), body weight, abdominal girth and dependency on conventional therapy in DM Patients. Setting and Design: This observational study was conducted in July 2017, wherein the data of obese Type II DM patients (HbA1c >6.5%) who attended out-patient departments (OPDs) at Madhavbaug clinics in Maharashtra, India were identified. Materials and Methods: Data of patients who were administered CDC (60-75 minutes) with minimum 6 sittings over 90 days (± 15 days) were considered. Variables were compared between day 1 and day 90 of CDC. Results: Out of 27 patients, 22 were included for analysis, out of which 10 were males while 12 females. CDC showed significant improvement in HbA1c 1.1% (from 8.80 ± 0.93 to 6.98 ± 1.73; p<0.001), BMI by 2.66 (from 33.79 ± 3.80 to 31.13 ± 3.91, p< 0.001), weight by 6.56 kg (from 83.67 ± 11.28 to 77.11 ± 12.27, p<0.001). Abdominal girth (from 104.34 ± 9.74 to 96.97 ± 11.93; p<0.001), also showed significant reduction. Dependency on concomitant medicines was reduced, with the number of patients on no concomitant medicines increasing from 27% to 41%. Conclusion: Comprehensive Diabetes Care Management Program found to be efficacious; by reducing HbA1c, as well as reducing dependency on allopathic medications.
ABSTRACT
Background: Drug therapy is a major component of patient care management in health care settings. Irrational and inappropriate use of drugs in health care system observed globally is being a major concern. In the field of ophthalmology, there have been many drug developments and different classes of drugs with combinational products are available in ophthalmology for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Periodic prescription analysis in the form of drug utilization study can improve the quality of prescription and curb the menace of irrational prescribing. Aim and objectives were to study the prescribing pattern and drug utilization trends in Ophthalmology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over a period of six months in Ophthalmology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Navi-Mumbai. A total of 103 adult patients visiting Ophthalmology OPD for curative symptoms were included and their prescriptions were analyzed with WHO prescribing indicators and additional indices.Results: Analysis showed that the average number of drugs per prescription was 1.9. Percentage of drugs prescribed by brand was 100 % versus generic 0 %. Percentage of drugs prescribed from National Essential drug list (NEDL) was 53%. The percentage of encounters with antibiotics was 30.6%. The commonest prescribed drugs were ocular lubricants followed by antibiotics. Eye drops were the commonest prescribed dosage form.Conclusions: Ocular lubricants and antibiotics dominated the prescribing pattern in this study with restraint on polypharmacy, but showed ample scope for improvement in encouraging the ophthalmologist to prescribe generic and selection of essential drugs.