Innovative learning approaches in an established medical school: the experience at JUST in Jordan

The Faculty of Medicine at Jordan University of Science and Technology was established in 1986. Innovative changes were introduced to the traditional subject-based, hospital-oriented curriculum in 1999, the objectives of which were to integrate student learning, emphasize student-centred learning, develop training in a community setting, and introduce elective learning packages. To evaluate the integrated learning in the new curriculum, we assessed the validity and reliability of students' scores. The scores for the integrated 'modules' were compared with those in general subjects studied in the traditional way. Our study showed that results of tests taken on the new 'modules' are both valid and reliable measures of students' performance

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO prescribing indicators

Patterns of prescribing and use of pharmaceuticals by physicians and patients in Jordan have not previously been studied. We retrospectively evaluated pharmaceutical drug prescribing practices in 21 primary health care facilities in Irbid governorate, northern Jordan using World Health Organization-recommended core indicators.The mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.3 overall, ranging from 1.9 to 3.0. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was very low, as was the percentage of prescriptions involving injections. The percentages of prescriptions involving antibiotics and drugs from the essential drugs list averaged 60.9% and 93% respectively. We conclude that the prescribing and use of drugs in Jordan requires rationalization, particularly the over-prescribing of antibiotics and the under-prescribing of generic drugs

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO patient care and health facility indicators

We prospectively studied current drug use in Jordan in 21 primary health care facilities in northern Jordan over a three-month period, using World Health Organization-recommended indicators. Both the mean time spent on physician-patient consultations [3.9 +/- 3.5 minutes] and mean pharmacy dispensing time [28.8 +/- 23.7 seconds] were short, resulting in a mean patient knowledge of prescribed drug dose of 77.7%. No centre had an essential drugs list and/or formulary available. An average of 80% of key drugs were available at centres. Baseline data gathered by this study can be used by researchers and policymakers to monitor and improve pharmaceutical prescribing and consumption practices in Jordan