Barriers to feedback in undergraduate medical education: male students' perspective in central Saudi Arabia

To explore the views of undergraduate medical students regarding the presence and sources of barriers to effective feedback in their setting. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April to June 2010. A self-administered questionnaire was used to explore the objectives of the study. One hundred and eighty-six male undergraduate medical students participated in this study. Approximately 45% indicated presence of barriers to effective feedback. These include: absence of a clear system of feedback; inadequate skills of teachers for provision-effective feedback; and to a lesser extent, students' fear of insult due to feedback. Most participants showed their interest and readiness to receive more professional feedback in the future. This study has showed the presence of barriers as perceived by medical students, which could significantly minimize utilization of feedback in medical education. The reported barriers should be addressed to utilize the vital role of feedback in the learning process of undergraduate medical students.

Medical students' evaluation of their exposure to the teaching of ethics

The subject of Biomedical Ethics has become recognized as an essential integral component in the undergraduate curriculum of medical students. [1] To review the current Biomedical Ethics Course offered at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences [KSAU-HS]. [2] To explore the perception of medical students on the different components of the course. The medical students were requested to participate in the study at the end of the course by filling in a pre-designed questionnaire. A qualitative approach was used also to examine their perceptions about certain components of the course. Forty-one medical students participated in this study. All students expressed their strong agreement on the importance of their learning biomedical ethics. Their views about the role of Biomedical Ethics were also considered. These include professional development, assessment of ethical competencies, and the timing of the teaching of ethics. The students provided valuable comments that were supported by the literature reviews. Medical Students' views of the teaching of the various components of biomedical ethics are important and should be sought in the planning of a curriculum

Knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco smoking by medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Tobacco consumption is associated with considerable negative impact on health. Health professionals, including future doctors, should have a leading role in combating smoking in the community. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence of smoking among medical students of newly established medical colleges in Riyadh city, the capital of Saudi Arabia, as well as to assess students' attitude, practice and their knowledge on the risk factors of tobacco consumption. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study of students from two medical colleges in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was carried out. The questionnaire used was anonymous, self-administered and developed mainly from Global Adult Tobacco Survey [GATS]. A total of 215 students participated in this study. Forty students [19%] indicated that they smoke tobacco at the time of the study. All of them were males, which raise the prevalence among male students to 24%. Tobacco smoking was practiced by males more than females [P value<0.0001] and by senior more than junior students [<0.0001]. About 94% of the study sample indicated that smoking could cause serious illnesses. About 90% of the students indicated that they would advice their patients to quit smoking in the future and 88% thought that smoking should be banned in public areas. Forty-four students [20%] thought that smoking has some beneficial effects, mainly as a coping strategy for stress alleviation. Despite good knowledge about the hazards of tobacco consumption, about 25% of the medical students in this study continue to smoke. The main reported reasons should be addressed urgently by policy-makers. Special efforts should be taken to educate medical students on the effective strategies in managing stress during their study as they thought that tobacco smoking could be used as a coping strategy to face such a stress

Appointment system in primary care: opinion of consumers and providers

The appointment system in primary care is widely used in developed countries, but there seems to be a problem with its use in Saudi Arabia, [1] To explore opinions and satisfaction of consumers and providers of care in Primary Health Care regarding walk-in and the introduction of the appointment system, [2] To examine factors which may affect commitment to an appointment system in PHC. Two hundred sixty [260] consumers above the age of 15 years as well as seventy [70] members of staff were randomly selected from 10 Primary Health Care Clinics in the National Guard Housing Area, Riyadh and asked to complete a structured questionnaire designed to meet the study's objectives. The majority of consumers and providers of care were in favour of introducing appointments despite their satisfaction with the existing walk-in sysem. Respondents saw many advantages In the appointment system in PHC such as nnie saving, reduction of crowds in the dimes and guarantee of a time slot. The main perceived disadvantage was the limitation of accessibility to patients especially with acute conditions. The main organizational advantages and disadvantages perceived by providers were related to follow-ups of chronic patients, no shows and late arrivals. The majority of the patients preferred appointments in the afternoon and the possibility of obtaining an appointment over the telephone, In this study, both consumers and providers supported the idea of introducing the appointment mixed syst'em in primary care, hut fiirther study is required