Assessment of current undergraduate anesthesia course in a Saudi university

The assessment of the anesthesia course in our university comprises Objective Structured Clinical Examinations [OSCEs], in conjunction with portfolio and multiple-choice questions [MCQ]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of different forms of anesthesia course assessment among 5[th] year medical students in our university, as well as study the influence of gender on student performance in anesthesia. We examined the performance of 154, 5[th] year medical students through OSCE, portfolios, and MCQ. The score ranges in the portfolio, OSCE, and MCQs were 16-24, 4.2-28.9, and 15.5-44.5, respectively. There was highly significant difference in scores in relation to gender in all assessments other than the written one [P=0.000 for Portfolio, OSCE, and Total exam, whereas P=0.164 for written exam]. In the generated linear regression model, OSCE alone could predict 86.4% of the total mark if used alone. In addition, if the score of the written examination is added, OSCE will drop to 57.2% and the written exam will be 56.8% of the total mark. This study demonstrates that different clinical methods used to assess medical students during their anesthesia course were consistent and integrated. The performance of female was superior to male in OSCE and portfolio. This information is the basis for improving educational and assessment standards in anesthesiology and for introducing a platform for developing modern learning media in countries with dearth of anesthesia personnel

Does haloperidol prophylaxis reduce ketamine-induced emergence delirium in children?

Ketamine is a non-barbiturate agent with rapid action onset that induces profound sedation; however, some emergency physicians tend not to use ketamine because of the risk of emergence delirium [ED]. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of haloperidol prophylaxis in postoperative ketamine delirium in children. Prospective data relating to any emergence dreams, delirium, hallucinations, agitation, crying, altered perceptions, and necessary interventions were recorded in consecutive cases of ketamine delirium in patients attending Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt, from June 2010 to May 2011. A total of 537 records were available for analysis. Of those, 267 received prophylactic haloperidol [49.7%]. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding post-anaesthetic care unit behaviour. The ketamine-haloperidol groups included more patients who were sleepy, calm [P

Assessment methods of an undergraduate psychiatry course at a Saudi University

In Arab countries there are few studies on assessment methods in the field of psychiatry. The objective of this study was to assess the outcome of different forms of psychiatric course assessment among fifth year medical students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. We examined the performance of 110 fifth-year medical students through objective structured clinical examinations [OSCE], traditional oral clinical examinations [TOCE], portfolios, multiple choice questions [MCQ], and a written examination. The score ranges in TOCE, OSCE, portfolio, and MCQ were 32-50, 7-15, 5-10 and 22-45, respectively. In regression analysis, there was a significant correlation between OSCE and all forms of psychiatry examinations, except for the MCQ marks. OSCE accounted for 65.1% of the variance in total clinical marks and 31.5% of the final marks [P = 0.001], while TOCE alone accounted for 74.5% of the variance in the clinical scores. This study demonstrates a consistency among the students' assessment methods used in the psychiatry course, particularly the clinical component, in an integrated manner. This information would be useful for future developments in undergraduate teaching

Self-reported depression and anxiety by students at an Egyptian medical school

To explore the anxiety and depression experienced by medical students in Mansoura medical school and to identify its associated risk factors. Cross- sectional study. The study was conducted at Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt in 2009 and 2010. a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic characteristics and five instruments determining level of anxiety and depressive symptoms, perceived stress, physical wellbeing factors, and some personality traits were given to students who were selected by stratified cluster sampling. A total of 311 students were enrolled in the study. Prevalence of depression and anxiety were 28.3% and 21.2%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of depression were sex, level of perceived stress, level of satisfaction with early relation with mother. On the hand, the independent predictors of anxiety were level of perceived stress, level of satisfaction with early relation with mother. On the hand, the independent predictors of anxiety were level of perceived stress, neuroticism and residence. The mean depression and anxiety scores were 8.1 +/- 3.3 and 9.9 +/- 3.1, respectively. Linear regression revealed that anxiety score, number stressors, chronic health problem score, and score of early relation with mother are independently correlated with depression score. Whereas, perceived stress, early relationship with mother and neuroticism scores were independently correlated with anxiety score

Perceived stress among male medical students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia: a cross-culture comparison

In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of stresses among medical students as this may affect their learning and academic performance. However, such studies are scarce in Arab countries, to determine if there is a difference in the perceived stress levels of male medical students in Mansoura University, Egypt and King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 304 and 284 male medical students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Study tool is a self-reported questionnaire covering sociodemographics and four categories, including 15 items, of sources of stress [stressors]. Perceived stress scale [PSS] and Hospital anxiety and depression [HAD] scale were used to measure stress, anxiety and depression there is no significant difference between the two groups regarding number of stressors. However, Egyptian students were more likely to cite relationship, academic and environmental problems than Saudis. Prevalence of high stress level was nearly equal in both groups. However, anxiety and depression are significantly higher among Egyptian than Saudi students. Logistic regression analysis of independent predictors of severe degree of stress among both groups combined revealed that satisfactory family income and highly educated father are independent protective factors. The independent risky predictors are anxiety and number of stressors. stress, anxiety and depression are frequent among medical students, especially the Egyptian. Counseling and preventive mental health services should be an integral part of the routine clinical services caring for medical students

Perceived stress among male medical students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia: effect of sociodemographic factors

In Arab countries, epidemiological data about psychological morbidity among medical undergraduate students are scarce. This study sought to determine whether there was a difference in perceived stress levels of male medical students at Mansoura University, Egypt, compared with male medical students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 304 male medical students in Egypt and 284 male medical students in Saudi Arabia. The self-reported questionnaire covered four categories, including 15 items, on sources of stress [stressors]. The perceived stress scale and hospital anxiety and depression scale were used to measure stress, anxiety and depression. There was no significant difference between the two groups in number of stressors. However, Egyptian students were more likely to cite relationship, academic and environmental problems than Saudis. The prevalence of high stress was nearly equal in both groups. However, anxiety and depression were significantly higher among Egyptian than Saudi students. A logistic regression analysis of independent predictors of severe stress among both groups combined revealed that a satisfactory family income and university-graduated father were independent protective factors. The independent risk predictors were anxiety and number of stressors. Stress, anxiety and depression are frequent among medical students. Counseling and preventive mental health services should be an integral part of the routine clinical facilities caring for medical students

study of stress in medical students at Mansoura University

This is a cross sectional study on 311 medical students selected from students of Mansoura Medical College to highlight the prevalence of different stressors and factors associated with perceived stress. Data was collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering the socio-demographic data, stressors, perceived stress scale, assessment of physical wellbeing, hospital anxiety and depression scale as well as neuroticism and extraversion subscales of Eysenck personality questionnaire. Only 5.5% of students reported no stressors. On average each student reported a mean of 3.4 stressors. The most common stressor is relationship problems with teachers. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of high stress level were presence of more than five stressors, anxiety, depression as well as global sickness index and extroversion and neuroticism sub-scales. Decreasing stressors and ameliorating their stressful effect will minimize the prevalence of perceived stress among medical students. This study calls for the necessity for planning and introduction of psychiatric and social facilities into health services of Mansoura University

Psychiatric consultation to medical and surgical inpatients in regional university hospital

Consultation-liaison [C-L] psychiatry is a relatively young subspecialty that is associated with all the diagnostics, therapeutic, research and teaching services that psychiatrist's perform in the general hospital. The present study was planned to determine the nature of referrals to a psychiatric consultation service, the type of intervention provided and to understand the difficulties of Consultation- Liaison [C-L] Psychiatry in Mansoura University Hospital [MUH]. The study was conducted on 203 consecutive referrals seen over one year and the basic demographic data, DSM-IV TR diagnosis and recommended interventions were noted. The rate of referrals to C-L psychiatry service was 0.49% of all hospital admission. Males constitute 56.16% of the studied sample, those belonged to productive age group of 25 years to 44 years were 42.86%. 86.7% of the patients were referred from medical departments. The most frequent reasons for referrals were for assessment of cognitive impairment [18.22%] and unexplained physical symptoms [17.73%]. The commonest psychiatric diagnosis was depressive disorders [19.21 %], followed by delirium [18.23%], adjustment/anxiety disorders [15.27%] and psychotic disorders [14.29%]. More interaction between psychiatric team and referring physician is recommended and there is urgent need for teaching medical doctors, nursing and paramedical staff the implications of consultation liaison service