Physical assessment simulations: a new teaching learning experience for pharm. d curriculum

The use of simulation for teaching physical assessment was introduced for the first time in pharmacy curriculum at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman UAE. Previous reports have stated that preclinical training with patient simulation sessions may be used to enhance/ facilitate pharmaceutical care and training. To evaluate the teaching and learning outcomes of various simulation techniques used to teach physical assessment skills to Pharm. D students. A total of 42 students belonging to 3 batches of Pharm. D 8[th]semester registered for physical assessment course between 2012 1nd 2014 were provided training using various techniques for a period of 15 week. Simulation sessions like Intravenous cannulation, subcutaneous injection, and intranasal intubation, and other procedural skills were conducted using part task trainer. Full body mannequin was used to teach Basic Life Support [BLS], First aid and airway management. The training on systemic examination skills was provided using subject volunteers. The students were evaluated at regular intervals to assess their learning abilities and skills attained. Student feedback on simulation based teaching was also obtained using a structured questionnaire. Majority of students [92%] strongly agreed that quality of training provided was excellent and students were very confident in practicing physical assessment skills on a simulation based training using mannequin. The high scores obtained during feedback response indicate that mannequin models offer higher quality of training in acquiring the physical assessment skills. As an advantage of this module, instructors were able to repeat experiments and adjust teaching environment suitably at different levels of understanding of the students. This study indicates that training sessions with mannequin can serve as a better tool as compared to standardized patients to provide physical assessment training skills

Frequency of hypertension among urban bus drivers

To determine the frequency of hypertension among urban bus drivers. To study the association of risk factors with hypertension among urban bus drivers. It was a descriptive cross sectional study. It was conducted at different bus halts of Karachi in the area of North Nazimabad, Safora Goth, Buffer Zone during the period of June 2011 to August 2011. A sample of 169 bus drivers were selected randomly and the data was collected by filling a questionnaire after taking a verbal consent. From our study, we found out that out of 169 drivers, 26[15.4%] were hypertensive

Antibiotic susceptibility of pathogens isolated from patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections in Pakistan-the active study

Respiratory tract infections [RTIs] are amongst the most wide spread and serious infections, accounting for over 50 million deaths globally each year. In developing countries, infants under 4 years of age are at greatest risk of lower RTIs, whereas in developed countries the severity of infection and rate of mortality are greater in elderly. The objective of the survey was to determine the in vitro susceptibility of antibiotics commonly prescribed RTIs against Streptococcus pneumoniae [SP], Haemophilus influenzae [HI] and Streptococcus pyogenes, isolated from patients with communityacquired RTIs globally. This survey involved 9 countries. In this study we present the results from Pakistan where SP and HI only were tested. A total of 200 isolates were included in the study. Both SP and HI were in equal number. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and E test for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration. For non-US products the Committee of the Antibiogram of the French Society of Microbiology Breakpoints was used. All SP were found susceptible to amoxicillin, coamoxiclave and cefixime, 72% isolates were found sensitive to macrolide and 97% to levofloxacin. All HI were found sensitive to co-amoxiclave and to cefixime, 97% to ampicillin, 98% to clarithromycin and 99% to levofloxacin. In isolates collected from Pakistan, SP resistance rate was elevated for macrolide. SP and HI remain susceptible to beta-lactams as well as to levofloxacin

Pattern of dyslipoproteinemia in selected population of Karachi

Pattern of dyslipoproteinemia was studied, over a period of 3-1/2 years in 487 [394 males, 93 females] cases aged 4 to above 70 years. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia was most prevalent [36%] followed by type V [15%]