Study of the Relationship between Personality Traits and Academic Performance of Health Science Students

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between various personality traits and academic performance of undergraduate health science students. Materials & Methods: A total of 400 medical, dental, physiotherapy and nursing students participated in this study. The instrument was “Big Five Inventory Questionnaire”. The questionnaire was validated. The data was collected and analyzed using STATA software. Results: The findings of the study did not shows any correlation between all the personality traits (Openness, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Neurotism). Conclusion: Personality traits does not influence academic performance.

Basic workshop for medical teachers : Effectiveness and impact.

Background & objectives: MCI recognized three days basic course in MET for medical teachers is a course for faculty development in higher education. In the present study the impact of programme on the teaching performance of faculty members after two years of the completion of the course was evaluated. Method : A Structured questionnaire was given to 41 teachers from the first two batches of three day basic course in MET at NKP SIMS, Nagpur, to seek individual opinion on the impact of the program and possible modifications produced in their teaching activities. The opinions of the faculty about their post course teaching activities were analyzed. Result: 1. 57 % Professors were benefitted substantially from interactive teaching techniques and structured clinical assessment, 57% markedly from adult learning, learning objectives, positive learning atmosphere, using audiovisual tools, preparing essay questions and preparing MCQ`s. 2.Associate Professors found audio visual tools, structured clinical exam, MCQ`s and adult learning useful 3.Lecturers were able to use MCQ`s, positive learning atmosphere, structured clinical assessment. 4. Newer assessment methods were introduced to undergraduate students more by faculty from clinical department ( 90%) 5. Research projects related to medical education were undertaken more by faculties from clinical departments. 6. Members from non clinical dept introduced new teaching methods and have undergone advanced training in Medical education more than clinical dept. 7. 84.21% Associate Professors introduced newer teaching learning methods 8. Research projects are undertaken more by lecturers. Conclusion: 1. Three day basic course helps teachers increase their knowledge regarding medical education and implement newer teaching learning and assessment methods to students. 2. Teachers are now sensitized to changes in medical education ,research and are ready to undergo advanced training and attend conferences.

Students perception of undergraduate educational environment in multiple medical institutes across central India using DREEM inventory.

Students’ Perception of Undergraduate Educational Environment across Multiple Medical Institutes in Central India using DREEM Inventory Background: Students perception of the educational milieu can be a basis for implementing modifications & optimize educational environment. Two major ways in which the four premium medical institutes in Central India differ are their entry level selection process for undergraduates & the management structure. Students’ perception of the educational climate can be swayed by the growing diversity of the students’ population, educational infrastructure & their expectations. It was therefore felt interesting to study students’ perception of undergraduate educational environment in these medical institutes to assess the effectiveness of educational programme. Methodology: DREEM inventory comprising of 50 items based on Likert Scale was administered to 153 /200 final MBBS pass students before joining internship program in all four medical institutes of Central India. SPSS11 analysed data was compared to compare the overall scores and to identify strengths & weaknesses of each institute. Results: All four Medical institutes showed comparable scores according to Practical Guide of Mc Aller & Sue Roff and the educational environment did not vary between the institutes. Total DREEM scores though not excellent were indicative of a more positive than negative educational environment. Teaching was viewed positively as per students’ perception of learning. Teachers were focussed to keep the educational environment positive. Students’ academic self perception was positive. Students found a more positive attitude regarding the perception of atmosphere. Students found the social support of institutes to be good. The highest rated items common for all colleges were knowledgeable teachers, having good friends & confidence about passing. The lowest rated common items were teacher centered teaching; exhaustive course & cheating. Conclusion: Close similarities in the educational environment of all medical institutes may be due to similar traditional system prevailing. Varied entry level selection process & management does not affect educational environment.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is responsible for 60% cases of retinopathy in the population and is one of the common cause of blindness. Oxidative stress as measured by the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and vitamin C was measured in 50 normal controls, 40 diabetics without complications, 22 diabetics with proliferative and 20 with nonproliferative retinopathy respectively. Our finding suggests that lipid peroxidation increases (P < 0.001) with the increase in severity and duration of diabetes. Antioxidants SOD and vitamin C decrease with the progression of the disease, however GPx tends to increase in the later part of the disease.

Status of blood antioxidant enzymes in alcoholic cirrhosis.

Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with increased incidence of variety of illnesses including cirrhosis. Studies have shown that ethanol consumption may result in increased oxidative stress with increased formation of lipid peroxides and free radicals. However, very few reports are available on their involvement in the toxicity of alcoholic cirrhosis. The present study was undertaken in 44 male subjects to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in liver injury with special reference to alcoholic or non alcoholic cirrhosis. It was observed that the parameters of liver function like total bilirubin, Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), gamma Glutamyl transfarase (gammaGT) were increased in cirrhotic (alcoholic or non alcoholic) patients as compared to normal controls. However antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathine peroxidase (GPx) lipid peroxidation marker, Malondialdehyde (MDA) showed significant changes only in alcoholic cirrhosis and not in non alcoholic cirrhosis when compared with normal controls. The possibility of assessment of antioxidant enzymes to differentiate between alcoholic or non alcoholic or non alcoholic cirrhosis is postulated.