Student-Led Seminars as a teaching-learning method- effectiveness of a modified format.

Background and objectives: Student-led seminars (SLS) are being used as a teaching-learning method for undergraduate medical students in the Gulf Medical University, Ajman. Student feedback, however, ranked SLS as a poor teaching-learning method. Objectives were to assess effectiveness of a modified format for student-led seminars in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Methods: SLS was modified into a presentation followed by a quiz, to make it more interactive and student centred. The new format was implemented midway in the academic year. Student perceptions regarding SLS sessions were surveyed using an anonymous questionnaire and scored using a likert-like scale. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was tested using the Wilcoxon signed ranked test using the SPSS19 software. Results: The new format was reported to be significantly more interesting, interactive, fun and made them feel more like a team. High number of students reported ―gained new knowledge‖, ―enjoyed learning through seminars‖, ―learnt new things from my colleagues in the seminar group‖ and ―enjoyed working with my colleagues for my seminar‖. Scores for ―improvement in communication skills‖, ―learnt to make a formal scientific presentation‖ and ―gained self-confidence after presenting the seminar‖ were also high. Conclusions: Since the main use of SLS as a teaching-learning method in Gulf Medical University, Ajman is to inculcate self-learning, peer-learning, teamwork and communication skills, the new format is significantly better at achieving the outcomes.

Students' and faculty's perceptions of early patient contact [EPC] program in a university teaching hospital in United Arab Emirates

The Early Patient Contact [EPC] program was introduced as an elective posting for the first year MBBS students in the University in 2010. The objective of the study was to determine the perceptions of medical students and faculty about EPC program. The study sample included 50 first year MBBS students of GMU, Ajman in the academic year 2010-11 and 2011-12 and who consented for EPC posting and faculty members of GMC Hospital. Faculty and Student's feedback were obtained through separate questionnaire's at the end of EPC posting based on Likert scales [SA, A, U, D, SD]. Analysis of responses showed that students perceived EPC program increased their motivation to pursue medical profession [98%], realize the importance of documentation [94%], helped them understand the practical challenges [96%] and helped realize the importance of professional conduct [94%]. Students opined that EPC program made classroom teaching more relevant [80%]. Majority of students recommended EPC to be a part of regular curriculum [76%]. All the faculty felt that EPC makes classroom teaching of communication skills more relevant and makes student's realize the importance of professional conduct. They emphasized the importance of documentation [86%]. The faculty was satisfied with the conduct of the program. Students and faculty had positive perceptions about EPC program due to its influence on student motivation, professionalism and better communication skills

Effect of early patient contact program on performance in examination on communication skills

Good communication is the most important thing, it takes a long time to develop and it is difficult to master. The objective of the present study is to assess whether early patient contact [EPC] program had an effect on performance in examination on communication skills. Summary of work: The study sample included 123 first MBBS students of GMU, Ajman during academic years' 2010-118and 2011-12. The students who consented for EPC posting as elective during Communication Skills Course constituted group A and rest of the students constituted Group B. Group A had 50 students and Group B had 73 students. A validated, pilot-tested Van Dalen et al. 'paper-and-pencil test' and OSCE stations were used to evaluate all the students' clinical communication skills. The data was analysed using SPSS 19. Summary of The mean scores for Group A who underwent EPC and Group B who did not undergo EPC were 81.13% and 73.19% in OSCE, 63.02% and 61.31% in paper-and-pencil' test and 67.2 1% and 64.28% in total scores obtained respectively. The difference in mean scores was statistically significant in the case of scores obtained in OSCE [p < 0.01]. All other differences observed were not statistically significant. EPC program helps students to acquire better communication skills as seen by scores obtained in communication skills test especially in the OSCE. Take home message EPC program should be introduced in first year of medical school to improve communication skills of students

Foot ulcers among diabetic patients visiting surgery department in a university teaching hospital in Ajman, UAE

Diabetes is a very common lifestyle-related metabolic disease in UAE. UAE has the second highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide. Foot problems are one of the commonest reasons for hospital admission among diabetics. The major risk factors for foot disease are peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, poor vision and foot deformities. Development of foot ulceration is preventable. To assess the frequency of foot ulcers among diabetic patients visiting the surgery department in a university teaching hospital in Ajman, UAE especially in relation to gender, nationality and age. This hospital-based retrospective record analysis was conducted for patients with diabetes mellitus visiting department of surgery for a period of 8 years from 2002 to 2010. Among the diabetic patients recruited for this study, 75% were males and 25% were females. Among these diabetic patients, 76.3% of male patients were diagnosed with foot ulcers as opposed to 23.8% of female patients. It was witnessed that majority of diabetic patients were from Asia [53.1%] and Middle East [33.8%] whereas African [12.3%] and European [0.8%] patients made up a minority. Diabetic foot ulcers were reported more in Asian patients [57%] compared to patients from Middle East [29.1%]. The age of majority of the diabetic patients in this study was the range of 30 to 70 years and diabetic foot ulcers were most prevalent in the age group 50 to 59 years [42.5%] and least prevalent in the age group 20 to 29 years [5%]. Asian middle-aged male diabetics are most likely to have foot complications. It is important to educate all diabetic patients about the importance of self-examination of both feet, and physicians should routinely examine the feet of all diabetic patients, which would go a long way in preventing development of foot ulcers

Knowledge, opinion and practice of hand washing among medical students in Ajman, UAE

Thorough hand washing during patient contact significantly reduces transmission of infections. It is a simple, effective and cheap method of preventing infections. Hand washing practice, an important component of universal work precautions, should be imbibed as a habit and way of life among medical students for them to be safe practitioners of the future. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, opinion and practice about hand washing among medical students during patient contact. Medical students in all five years registered during the academic year 2009/10 participated in this cross sectional study. A structured, open-ended, self-administered, piloted questionnaire was used. Chi-square test was used to assess associations. About 96.4% of students understood the importance of washing hands to prevent infections. 78.5% of students always and 21.1% occasionally washed hands after touching patients; 89.7% always and 1.8% occasionally washed hands after contact with blood and body fluids. Knowledge and attitude about hand washing is satisfactory among medical students; nevertheless hand washing workshops need to be conducted at regular intervals to further improve hand washing compliance among medical students as per universal work precaution protocol