Health care system [part 5]: the Taiwan experience

The Taiwan economic miracle is known to the world, part of the reason for its success is a sound public health infra-structure which has made this economic miracle possible. Taiwan transformed its health care system in 1995 from a multi-payer free market system to a top national health insurance system with universal cover, easy access to all medical specialties, and no waiting list with sound reform to contain cost. The Taiwan experience demonstrates that it is the prevailing values of a society that defines the distinct features of its health care system: only congruence between an intangible value system and tangible characteristics of a programme can assure success

Evidence based medicine [part two] [the five steps]

Practical EBM requires, in sequence, a clear delineation of the relevant clinical question, a thorough search of the literature relating to the question, a critical appraisal of available evidence and its applicability to the clinical situation and a balanced application of the conclusions to the clinical problem. Balanced application of the evidence involves integrating research data with clinical expertise, judgment and with patient and social values. EBM is not an end in itself, but a principle, a tool that helps clinicians distinguish ignorance of evidence from real scientific uncertainty and distinguish evidence from unsubstantiated opinions and ultimately provides beer patient care. This article expands on the above five steps of EBM

What's wrong with medical education in Libya?

Undergraduate medical education any where determines the skills of future doctors who will offer health care services to the population. It is very important to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of the current functioning system which ultimate goal is promotion of standards of the medical profession and the quality of population's health. In this paper a personal analysis of the current situation of medical education is discussed, in order to outline what is wrong and help in designing a frame for the direction of future reform of medical education in Libya

From traditional teaching to problem-based learning

The pendulum of educational reform is swinging away from traditional approaches for several reasons and towards problem- based learning with such momentum the further emphasis on PBL seems inevitable. The two approaches will eventually merge, traditional curricula is facing pressure to become more integrated and interactive. Advances in educational technology may well lessen the resources demand and make it more attractive to medical universities in Libya. This article describes the history, definition, objectives, advantages and disadvantages of PBL before arrangement for possible implementation

Problem based learning; implementations and suggested module

In order to implement PBL in undergraduate curriculium in Libya, several problems; personal, organizational, cost, feasibility and educational should be addressed and tackled in a proper way taking in to consideration the other's experience. In this article a discussion of the constrains and obstacles are presented with a suggested module for undergraduate curriculum as a proposal for further evaluation and comments

Water supply, O.R.S and the electrolytes contents of drinking water in Tripoli [1993]

The major problem encounter the use of W.H.O "O.R.S" in developing countries including Libya is the quality of water. In Tripoli the water supply to main hospitals [in march 1993] contains high sodium, high osmolality and high total hardness. The electrolyte content of drinking water in march 1993 is different from that of natural water. Rice water prepared using drinking water available contains high sodium, potassium and osmolality. Reconstituting W.H.O "O.R.S" with the drinking water available produce high sodium concentration. We conclude that: it is important to estimate the electrolyte content of drinking water before "O.R.S" can be recommended for use in infants and children with dehydration. Further clinical studies are required to establish the optimum sodium and sugar content of "O.R.S" to be used in diarrhoeal diseases in Libyan infants and children