Ayurveda awaits a new dawn

Ayurveda is a valuable legacy bequeathed to us by ancient Indian sage-physicians. The present paper discusses the epistemology of this ancient science and the misconceptions surrounding it. Diligent research, both theoretical and experimental, in the twentieth century could have ensured the graduation of this proto-science into a full-fledged science. Instead, epistemological misconceptions and intellectual sloth have thwarted its refinement and progress. The paper appeals for an epistemological break that would facilitate an evidence-based appraisal of Ayurveda's theories and practices. Such an appraisal would help realise Ayurveda's full potential in serving India's healthcare needs, especially at the level of primary care.

Prevalent Beliefs and Attitude toward Vitiligo among Public in Al Baha Province, Southern Saudi Arabia

ntroduction: Vitiligo is an apparent skin condition that has a psychological impact on the affected individuals and their families. Its prevalence is estimated to be about (0.5-2%) globally. Misunderstandings, and negative attitudes toward vitiligo patients are the most important factors affecting the quality of life of vitiligo patients. Objective:The objective of this study was to identify the common misconceptions and attitudes about the nature, causes and prognosis of vitiligoin Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Methods:A cross sectional study collected data from the general population in the public malls in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. We used a questionnaire which was developed by the authors, the questionnaire included questions regarding vitiligo cause, nature, prognosis and the attitude toward vitiligo Results:A total of (453) responses were analysed, of which (53%) were females, and (90.9%) were Saudis. Theparticipants’ ages ranged from (16 -64) with a mean of (28.3). The majority of our sample had a high level of education; university (65.1%), High school (26%) and less than high school (6%). Our population believed that gecko and its saliva were the commonest cause (38.1%). Most of the respondents (44.4%) thought that the condition is exaggerated by stress and anxiety. Regarding attitude; (31.5%) are unwilling to marry a vitiligo patient. Conclusion:The results of the present study show that the misconceptions and attitudes toward vitiligo are prevalent. Health awareness campaigns should be implanted to educate the people and improve the quality of life of the affected individuals

An Exploration Of Misconceptions & Beliefs Related To Oral Health In India

To know the prevalence of misconceptions and cultural beliefs related to oral health among the patients visiting the out-patient department (OPD) at Era Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow. In this crosssectional study 500 volunteering subjects, who belonged to the age group of 18 yrs and above, were selected randomly. They were provided with a self administered structured questionnaire which included twenty two dichotomous questions which were already pretested through a pilot study. The study reveals that there is still actual presence of various myths and misconceptions among our population. Such beliefs and practices were seen more common in people with poor educational background and low socioeconomic status. The data collected in our study also reveals that various misconceptions has been successfully eradicated through education and various health awareness programmes, thus emphasizes the role of our health providers in spreading awareness and knowledge among the local population. Overall the study reveals the presence of various false beliefs and myths in our population, but along with this the study also highlights the importance and success of various health awareness programmes and educational modules in eradicating these misconceptions.

A Study Of Comparison On Knowledge And Misconceptions About Hiv/Aids Among Students In A Private University In Malaysia

@#This descriptive cross-sectional study is aimed at studying the comparison on knowledge and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS among the Malaysian undergraduate students at SEGi University, Kota Damansara, Malaysia. Data was collected from a stratified random sample of 180 students using a validated questionnaire survey which included a socio-demographics section and four sub-sections of 36 questions which assessed the general knowledge, general public perceptions, the respondent’s views on the measures to prevent the disease and misconceptions related to the disease. The data were analysed by using the SPSS software, and Chi-square test was used to find the p-value for each of the questions. The average mean score assessing the knowledge of the Malaysian students in SEGi was 81.48%, where the Health Science students scored 44.31% with a standard deviation of 0.015 and the Non-Health Science students scored 37.17% with a standard deviation of 0.036. When comparing each question using the Chi-square test, most of the answers of the Health Science students and Non-Health Science students showed a significant difference where the p-value was <0.05. From the results of this study it is clear that the Health Science students had better knowledge and fewer misconceptions about HIV/AIDS than the Non-Health Science students. Thus, more emphasis should be directed toward raising awareness and eliminating misconceptions among the Non-Health Science students.

Quality Reassessment of Pharmacist' s Prescription Checking / 医药导报

Objective To improve the accuracy of prescription checking and provide reference for rational drug administration. Methods Intervention mistakes exsisting in prescription checking in 2016 were retrospectively studied to analyze pharmacist' s misunderstanding during prescription checking. Results The error rate of prescription intervention was higher in department of cardiology, department of general internal medicine and department of neurology, accounting for 0.6％, 0.24％ and 0.23％, respectively.Inaccurate prescriptions for intervention, inaccurate medication and inaccurate repeat injections ranked the top 3 of erroneous prescriptions, with the proportions of 25.11％, 22.98％ and 17.45％, respectively. Conclusion Pharmacists should regularly summarize the misconceptions existed in the prescription audit, take individualized medication thoughts as guidance, strengthen the multi-disciplinary knowledge learning.

Falacias sobre el valor p compartidas por profesores y estudiantes universitarios / Fallacies about p-Value Shared by Professors and University Students

Resumen La "Práctica Basada en la Evidencia" requiere a los profesionales valorar de forma crítica los resultados de las investigaciones psicológicas. Sin embargo, las interpretaciones incorrectas de los valores p de probabilidad son abundantes y repetitivas. Estas interpretaciones incorrectas pueden afectar las decisiones profesionales y poner en riesgo la calidad de las intervenciones y la acumulación de un conocimiento científico válido. Por lo tanto, identificar el tipo de falacia que subyace a las decisiones estadísticas es fundamental para abordar y planificar estrategias de educación estadística dirigidas a intervenir sobre las interpretaciones incorrectas. En consecuencia, el objetivo de este estudio es analizar la interpretación del valor p en estudiantes y profesores universitarios de psicología. La muestra estuvo formada por 161 participantes (43 profesores y 118 estudiantes). La antigüedad media como profesor fue de 16.7 años (DE = 10.07). La edad media de los estudiantes fue de 21.59 (DE = 1.3). Los hallazgos sugieren que los estudiantes y profesores universitarios no conocen la interpretación correcta del valor p. La falacia de la probabilidad inversa presentó mayores problemas de comprensión. Además, se confundieron la significación estadística y la significación práctica o clínica. Estos resultados destacan la necesidad de la educación estadística y reeducación estadística.

Abstract The "Evidence Based Practice" requires professionals to critically assess the results of psychological research. However, incorrect interpretations of p values of probability are abundant and repetitive. These misconceptions may affect professional decisions and compromise the quality of interventions and the accumulation of a valid scientific knowledge. Therefore, identifying the types of fallacies that underlying statistical decisions is fundamental for approaching and planning statistical education strategies designed to intervene in incorrect interpretations. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyze the interpretation of p value among university students of psychology and academic psychologists. The sample was composed of 161 participants (43 academics and 118 students). The mean number of years as academic was 16.7 (SD = 10.07). The mean age of university students was 21.59 years (SD = 1.3). The findings suggest that college students and academics do not know the correct interpretation of p values. The inverse probability fallacy presented major problems of comprehension. In addition, the participants confused statistical significance and practical significance or clinical or the findings. There is a need for statistical education and statistical re-education.

Therapeutic Misconception in Psychiatry Research: A Systematic Review

Therapeutic misconception (TM) denotes the phenomenon in which research subjects conflate research purpose, protocols and procedures with clinical treatment. We examined the prevalence, contributory factors, clinical associations, impact, and collated solutions on TM within psychiatric research, and made suggestions going ahead. Literature search for relevant empirical research papers was conducted until February 2015. Eighty-eight reports were extracted, of which 31 were selected, summarised into different headings for discussion of implications and collated solutions of TM. We found variable and high rates of TM (ranging from 12.5% to 86%) in some psychiatry research populations. Contributory factors to TM included perceived medical roles of researchers, media, research setting and subject factors. Greater TM in affective, neurodevelopmental and psychotic spectrum conditions were associated with demographic variables (such as lower education, increased age), clinical factors (such as poor insight, cognitive deficits, increased symptoms, poorer self-rated quality of health), and social functioning (such as decreased independence). Inattention to TM may lead to frustration, negative impression and abandonment of participation in psychiatry research. Strategies such as the employment of a neutral educator during the informed consent process and education modules may be effective in addressing TM. Further research is warranted to examine the different TM facets, specific clinical correlates and more effective management strategies.

Fé e razão / Faith and reazon

O confronto da Fé e da Razão passou por etapas de crise e conflito em razão de posições parciais ou de definições inexatas dos temas, o que dividia os antagonistas. A análise histórica das fontes religiosas e das doutrinas filosóficas leva à atitude serena e objetiva de compreensão das diferenças. Entre as correntes culturais, cujo progresso concorreu para o melhor conhecimento da fé e da razão, destacam-se a filosofia existencial, a fenomenologia, e os nomes de Martin Heidegger e Emmanuel Lévinas. A conjunção desses fatores favoráveis faz com que hoje predominem na cultura a busca objetiva da verdade e mais estima da liberdade. Superam-se as antigas crises e as antinomias e afirma-se a visão compreensiva das diferenças entre Fé e Razão, Religião e Secularidade.

The clash of Faith and Reason went through stages of crisis and conflict due to partial positioning or inaccurate definitions of issues, which divided the antagonists. A historical analysis of the religious sources and philosophical doctrines leads to serene attitudes and to an objective understanding of the differences. Among the cultural currents which progress contributed to a better understanding of Faith and Reason, it can be highlighted the existential philosophy, phenomenology, as well as the names of Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Lévinas. The combination of these favorable factors helps nowadays to predominate in culture the pursuit of objective truth and the cherish freedom. Crises and the old antinomies are overcomed as are affirmed the comprehensive view of the differences between Faith and Reason, Religion and Secularism.

La falacia terapéutica / A falácia terapêutica / The therapeutic misconception

La falacia terapéutica tiene servido para negar la legítima esperanza de pacientes ?sujetos de investigación? que se incorporan a estudios clínicos Fase III para obtener beneficios clínicos directos. Esta ?falacia? busca ratificar los esfuerzos de investigadores en negar la diferencia entre estudios terapéuticos que benefician directamente los afectados e estudios no terapéuticos, que incorporan sujetos a investigaciones totalmente aisladas de sus necesidades. En países con populaciones pobres, precaria educación y acceso a servicios médicos, se intentan reclutar participantes ofreciendo terapias no disponibles localmente; obvio abuso das legítimas esperanzas de estos pacientes de acceder a estas indispensables terapias que les son prometidas al interior de las investigaciones. Así, la falacia terapéutica torna-se un modo de justificar a negativa de ofrecer beneficios médicos a los reclutados constituyendo sesgo de trasgresión ética, especialmente nos países en los cuales el participante no tienen expectativa de tratamiento. Esta justificada expectativa de los reclutados que ingresan en estudios clínicos aleatorios es argumento adicional contra el uso de placebo.

A falácia terapêutica tem servido para negar a legítima esperança de pacientes ?sujeitos da pesquisa? que se incorporam a estudos clínicos Fase III para obter benefícios clínicos diretos. Esta ?falácia? busca ratificar os esforços de pesquisadores em negar a diferença entre estudos terapêuticos que beneficiam diretamente os afetados e estudos não terapêuticos, que incorporam sujeitos a pesquisas totalmente distanciadas de suas necessidades. Em países com populações pobres, precária educação e acesso a serviços médicos, se tentam recrutar participantes oferecendo terapias não disponíveis localmente; óbvio abuso das legítimas esperanças destes pacientes terem acesso às indispensáveis terapias, prometidas pelas pesquisas. Assim, a falácia terapêutica torna-se um modo de justificar a negativa de oferecer benefícios médicos aos recrutados constituindo viés de transgressão ética, especialmente nos países nos quais o participante não tem expectativa de tratamento. Esta justificada expectativa daqueles que ingressam em estudos clínicos randomizados constitui argumento adicional contra o uso de placebo.

The therapeutic misconception has been described as the ?research subjects? unwarranted expectations of obtaining medical benefits by participating in clinical trials. Thus, researchers have found a new conceptual instrument to deny that research ought to be of benefit to subjects involved, once again disregarding the difference between therapeutic and non therapeutic clinical trials. This paper argues that patients involved in research are justified and in fact entitled to expect therapeutic benefits from their participation in research protocols, because the sick should only be recruited for such therapeutic trials as designed to improve their medical condition, and ought never to be involved in non therapeutic research and the risks involved. Insisting that therapeutic expectations research subjects constitute a misguided and erroneous attitude, is an unethical bias when applied to countries with precarious medical services. Subjects with unmet medical needs will willingly participate in research that might be the only way of obtaining badly required medication, an expectation that is obviously understandable and in no way fallacious. These justified expectations will be thwarted in those who randomly fall into the control group, thus delivering an additional argument against the use of placebos.

Misconception and Knowledge about Diabetes in Elderly Diabetics

BACKGROUND: Diabetes was common problem in older adults. However, there were widespread misconceptions about possible consequences of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. So we studied the frequency of misconceptions and their relationship with knowledge about diabetes. glycemic control, and clinical characteristics of elderly diabetic patients. METHODS: Among 127 medical records of elderly diabetic patients. we investigated age. sex, duration of diabetes. onset age of diabetes, body mass index. We interviewed about history of admission due to diabetes information source of diabetes, level of education, experience of education for diabetes and self care status such as self monitoring of blood glucose and urine glucose. daily foot care and measurement of body weight. For evaluation of misconception and knowledge. we used structured interviews based on validated scales. RESULTS: There was no relationship between frequency of misconception and age, sex, duration of diabetes, information source of diabetes level of education, experience of education for diabetes and self care status such as self monitoring of blood glucose.and urine glucose, daily foot care and measurement of body weight. But the score of knowledge was related with good glycemic control state (Hb Alc < 7.0%) and good self-care status (self monitoring of blood glucose, and measurement of body weight) And linear relationship between the frequency of misconception and score of knowledge was found ( p<0.001) CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the glycemic control was related with the score of knowledge, but not with frequency of misconception. But further study about other misconceptions will be needed for improving patients quality of life and reducing long-term complication.

Investigation for General Miaconception on Eye Problem-III: False Descriptions on Eye Problem in Health-related literatures

To investigate general misconception on the eye problems, we have reported the misconception of students of middle school, high school and college for the first report and the false descriptions on the eye problems in the textbooks of primary school, middle school and high school. As the third report, we have investigated the errors on the ophthalmic problems which were found on the health related books sold on the bookstore. We found the errors in 27 books among about 50 books. The errors about the myopia were the most prevalent(in 10 books) among them.