Students’ Perspective of Online Medical Education in India during COVID - 19 Pandemic: The need for Rural - Urban Equity

Background: Sudden shifting of medical education to online mode during COVID presented several challenges for teachers and students. It was complicated by differences in resources between rural and urban India. We assessed perception of medical students for online education and difference in these between students of rural and urban areas . Materials and Methods: A cross - sectional pan India online survey was conducted amongst undergraduate medical students. Responses were collected for one week during May 2021. Results: 1125 students from 52 medical colleges responded. 85% of students already had device for online classes. Non - urban students were more affected by network interruptions. 85% students complained of eye p roblems while 71% complained of postural issues. 77% of students did not have practical training, with problem increasing in higher professional years. Interaction with teachers and classmates was another area of concern highlighted by most of the students . Conclusions: Internet connectivity, health issues and practical training are major concerns of medical students for online education. We need to ensure that non - urban residents are not at a disadvantage due to lack of infrastructure in non - urban areas. M edical institutions also need to innovate for two - way interaction between students and teachers

Concomitant detection of biofilm and metallo-beta-lactamases production in gram-negative bacilli.

Carbapenems are mainstay of treating serious multidrug resistant gram-negative biofi lm-based infections. However, recent emergence of metallo-beta-lactamases (ML) producing gram-negative bacilli in different parts of world may be related to gain of virulence factors associated with biofi lm production. Objectives: To explore the association of ML and biofi lm production in various gramnegative bacilli. Materials and Methods: In this study, 110 non-repetitive ceftazidime resistant gram-negative bacilli were evaluated for biofi lm and ML production. Biofi lm forming ability of isolates obtained from various specimens was tested by the tube method. Disks of ceftazidime (30 g) and ceftazidime with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (30 g + 750 g, prepared in house) for ML detection were used. Chi-square test was used to study the association between biofi lm and ML production. P value <0.05 was considered signifi cant. Results: 88 (80%) bacilli had shown biofi lm producing ability. The association of biofi lm and ML was signifi cant in cases of non-fermenters as compared to enterobacteriaceae members. Conclusion: The particular combination of virulence factors (biofi lm and ML) in bacteria may be a species specifi c effect which needs to be investigated at molecular level in detail. This may help in designing newer therapies based on interference with biofi lm formation and thus countering clinical episodes of antibiotic resistance.