Teacher's perspective on the modular system of education - a study on government medical college teachers and their views on educational systems

Objective: To assess the level of satisfaction about different systems among medical college teachers. To compare their preference among the modular and annular system and to assess percentage of faculty in favor of reverting back to old system

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, SMC, JSMU, Karachi from January to May 2016

Materials and Methods: A study was conducted on a sample of 122 teachers from 3 government medical colleges [DMC, SMC and DIMC]. Of these, 65 were male and 57 were female. From DMC 52, SMC 43 and DIMC 27 teachers participated in filling the questionnaire. The sample was taken through Non-Probability Purposive sampling from the three medical colleges. An informed verbal consent was taken from the candidates. Pilot study was conducted to assess the authenticity of the questionnaire. A structured questionnaire was then distributed, got filled, data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21, with 95% confidence interval and 0.05 p-value

Results: A total of 122 teachers from 3 government medical colleges [DMC, SMC and DIMC] were asked to fill the questionnaire. From the total teachers 54.7% believed that modular system focused more on theoretical learning while 42.6% said that it focused on practical learning. 72.6% of teachers said that modular system is more stressful compared to 27.04% who disagreed. 51.6% said that the stress affected their teaching and 48.4% said otherwise. 91% teachers said that there was a need that teachers should be trained on how to teach according to the modular system while 9% said there was no need for training the teachers. 62.3% teachers said that the modular system did not allocate enough time to each subject as allotted by PMDC while 37.7% disagreed. 69.3% teachers said that the annual system gives sufficient time to each subject per PMDC guidelines while 30.7% disagreed. 64.8% teachers said that their institute should revert back to annual system of teaching while 35.2% disagreed. 64.8% teachers chose 'annual system' as their preferred system of education while 35.2% opted for the 'modular system'

Conclusion: The study concluded that the teachers of government medical colleges where module system has been implemented would like their institutions to revert back to the 'annual system' of teaching, declaring the latter their preferred system of teaching. They believed that the modular system was more stressful and focuses more on theoretical learning rather than practical learning

Colored text enhances learning power of medical students "a new concept of learning"

To assess colored text motivates, enhances concentration and learning Skills of medical students. To assess colored text helps in memory retention and release stress, anxiety of medical students A Cross Sectional Study This study was carried out among the medical students of Sindh and Dow medical College, Karachi from March to December 2010, A sample 341 student was drawn through systemic random sampling. Every 5[th] student was selected, ischiaria chart was used for color blindness and Students were divided into 2 groups. One group was given paragraph with important points written in bold black, second group with important points written in different colored. Data was collected through structured questionnaire, entered and analyzed on SPSS version 16. Out of 341 students, 83.60% students were motivated by colored text, 80.90% students maintained interest, 74.80% student's maintained concentration, 77.10% students had memory retention and 53.1% student had released their stress and anxiety. Overall 84.80% students preferred colored text over black and white text. The study proved significant difference between the two groups, students with colored text showed good memory retention, motivation, concentration, Stress was also relieved by colored text

Knowledge and practices of basic life support amongst the ambulatory staff in Karachi

To assess the Knowledge and Practice of Basic Life Support in the ambulatory staff services in Karachi. Cross Sectional Study This study was conducted at Sindh Medical University [JSMU] from March 1st to October 30[th], 2011. Sample size of 283 was drawn using non- probability purposive sampling, ambulance staff members belonging to 10 ambulance services in the city, mainly Aman Foundation, Edhi, Chippa, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation were interviewed through structured questionnaire. The data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 17. Out of the 283 ambulatory staff members, 72.5% of the staff had no knowledge of Basic Life Support, 27.4% had knowledge. 14% answered correctly about the position in which a heart attack patient should be placed, 90% answered wrongly about patient whose clavicle had been fractured. 72% of the ambulatory staff actually checked oxygen flow in the tank after they had put the mask on the patient, 65% of the staff had removed the helmet of accident patients.64.8% had no idea about the respiratory rate, pulse count of an adult, 76.2% didn't know about the complications of an Intravenous installation. The study proved major lapses in knowledge and practices in Basic Life Support for ambulatory staff. Implementation of first aid's protocol are fully neglected, yielding an ambulance service that might let the patients suffer undue circumstances and also directly affects major indicators of primary health care

Effects of ibuprofen on gastric mucosa of albino rats and the protective role of L-arginine, a morphological study under light microscope

To observe the effects of Ibuprofen on the gastric mucosa of albino- -rats and the protective role of L-Arginine [if any] under light microscope A prospective experimental study. This study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from 0 1.04.2008 to 31.05.2008. This study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi where 45 albino rats of either sex between 90-120 days were selected and were divided into three groups, 'A', 'B' and 'C', containing 15 animals each and were further sub-divided into three sub-groups containing 5 animals, according to time of sacrifice, i.e. 4, 6, and 8 weeks respectively. Group 'A' served as control. Group 'B' received ibuprofen, 70 mg/kg body weight and group 'C' received ibuprofen, 70mg and L-Arginine 300 mg, per kilogram body weight per day with feed. Animals were sacrificed at their respective time. The abdomen was opened, stomach was removed and opened along the greater curvature, divided into cardiac, body and pyloric parts, which in turn were fixed in Buffered neutral formalin for 24 hours. Tissues were processed in ascending strength of alcohol, cleared in xylene and infiltrated and embedded with paraffin. Five micron thick sections were made on the rotatory microtome and were stained with Haematoxylin and eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff Orange-G and Alcian blue-Periodic Acid Schiff. Group A: No ulceration and erosion was found and no abnormality was noted in gastric mucosa Group B: With regards to ulcers and erosion the results were moderately significant [P<0.001] in B1 and B2 and highly significant [P< 0.0001] in B3 when compared to control. Mucosal thickness was decreased, in B1 results were moderately significant [P<0.001] and in B2, B3 results were highly significant [P<0.0001]. Group C: No difference in results was noted when compared to group A. The damaging effects of Ibuprofen on gastric mucosa are minimized when given with L-Arginine

Malpractices of hand hygiene in nursing staff: a global threat for increasing incidence of infections

This study assessed the knowledge, practice of standard hand hygiene in nursing staff to identify the causes of not adapting hand hygiene techniques during routine patient care. A cross sectional study. This study was carried out in Karachi in various public sector hospitals i.e. Jinnah Postgraduate and Medical Centre, National Institute of Child Health, Civil Hospital Karachi, Sindh Institute of Urology Transplantation, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. The study completed in six months from May to November 2010. A sample of 335 nursing staff was selected, convenient sampling was used, consent was taken. They were asked about their practices of hand hygiene through structured questionnaire at five major public sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. Out of 335 nursing personnel. 71.9% were unaware that washing hands under running water for 30sec to 1min remove most of the germs. 74.62% knows that hand washing is necessary. Regarding practices, 35.5% use sanitizers while 47.2% use antiseptic, normal soap for washing hands. 67.1% practice hand washing before and after coming in contact with patients. 43.7% took some treatment after needle prick while others [56.3%] didn't feel the necessity to take any treatment, regardless of the risk of Hepatitis, IHV. 36.1% adopted sterile techniques after hand washing. Surveillance was below average [46.6%]. Hand hygiene knowledge, practices of nursing staff is part and parcel for minimizing infections. Adequate hand washing facilities, positive attitude towards hand hygiene, adherence to practice, strict surveillance system for hand hygiene is essential to combat increasing incidence of infections

Frequency of low serum magnesium level in diabetic and non-diabetic patients compared with other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases

To assess the frequency of serum magnesium level in heart failure patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted at Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi, in collaboration of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD] Karachi, from April 2003 to December 2003. A sample size of 45 was drawn through convenient sampling, between the age group of 35-65 years. Serum magnesium, glucose levels were estimated, using Kit method, data was analyzed on the SPSS 11 for statistical significance. Out of 45 cases of heart failure, 15 were diabetic with low level of serum magnesium [1.67mg/dl] as compared to 30 non-diabetics with significantly high level of serum magnesium [1.75mg/dl]. This study concluded, in heart failure patient with diabetes mellitus had low serum magnesium level and was at increased risk of complications related to magnesium

Incidence of "stress syndrome" or type A personality in medical students

1. To assess the frequency of type A personality in medical students. 2. To compare different personality types of medical students from 1st to final year. A cross sectional study. This study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, SMC, DUHS, Karachi from 15th, May to 25th, November 2010. A sample size of 140 students was drawn by using systemic random sampling; every 22nd student from each year was selected according to the roll numbers from first year to final year in Sindh, Dow Medical College and Karachi. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Three personalities [Type A, Type AB, Type B] Personality Types: Type B Scores 0-35 Personality Types: Type AB Scores 36-45 Personality Types: Type A Scores 46-80. Out of 140 students, 42 were males, 69 were females. The results showed Type A personality was 82.9%, Type AB 16.4%, TYPE B was 0.7%. Students having type A personality in first year were 92.85%, in second year 100%, in third year 46.4%, in fourth year 85.7%, in final 89.2%. Type A personality in males were found to be 92.30% as compared to females 83.67%. Students who took their tasks very seriously 45%, easily got Irritated 51.4%, Restless during studies 32.1%, dissatisfied with task performed 49.3%, Work conscious 43.6%. On the basis of these results majority of the medical students fall in the category of type A personality, surprisingly 100% students of 2nd year fall in type A category. The study proved major population of medical students had Type A personality which showed they were tensed, impatience, aggressiveness, time conscious, concerned about their studies, highly competitive, ambitious, vulnerable to stress related diseases

Frequency of dominant blood groups in medical students of Karachi

1. To assess the different blood groups, in students of DUHS. 2. To determine the dominant blood group in the students of DUHS. 3. To compare the results of present study with other cities of Pakistan and countries of the world. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out on medical students of Sindh and Dow medical Colleges, [DUHS] Karachi from September 2000-2004. Sample size of 2300 was drawn by using convenient sampling method. Blood samples were collected by finger prick method. Data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 16. Out of 2300 students group B was found to be the commonest [40%], group O [32%], group A [20%], group AB [08%].Rh positive [85%].The dominant being B+ in karachi as well in Pakistan, compared to O blood group in different countries of world. The study showed very little%[08] of blood [AB] groups among the medical students of Karachi; it generated an authentic data, which may serve a useful purpose for high transfusion demand to very emergent situations