Perception of 4[th] year medical students about problem based learning

To describe perception of 4th year medical students about comparison of problem based learning with traditional method of teaching. The study was conducted on March 2006 at college of medicine in Al Ahsa, King Faisal University [KFU]. Students filled a self administered structured questionnaire containing 13 items, on a five point Likert scale where five equaled PBL generally better and one equaled traditional generally better. Fifty two [52] out of 54 students submitted their forms as two students were absent on the day of survey. Majority of the students rated PBL better than traditional method in all 13 aspects. Improvement in team work, ability to communicate, ease of remembering a topic, interest- enthusiasm and self directed life long learning were outcomes with highest perceived benefit of PBL compared to traditional method. PBL was perceived as better learning method, especially in enhancing team work and communication skills

Factors determining outcome of acute renal failure patients

Acute Renal Failure [ARF] is a common medical problem. Delay in diagnosis is associated with increased mortality. Variety of conditions can lead to ARF. Many factors can influence the outcome of ARF. This study was done to find the predictive factors related to outcome of ARF. One hundred adult patients of acute renal failure admitted to Ziauddin Hospital were studied. Certain factors related to outcome of ARF were identified and analyzed. Among such factors oliguria, levels of urea, creatinine and potassium were found significant poor prognostic predictors on univariate analysis as far as outcome of treatment modality is concerned. The multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of oliguria is the only significant independent predictor [P<0.001] for good outcome with dialysis. Oliguria was found to be the major predictor of non recovery of renal function