Frequency of hyperuricemia in thyroid dysfunction

Objective: To determine the frequency of hyperuricemia in patients with thyroid dysfunction. Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST] Islamabad and Military Hospital [MH] Rawalpindi, from Apr 2013 to Jun 2014

Results: Among the fifty five participants, 16 [29.1%] were male while 39 [70.9%] were females. Mean age of the subjects was 45.49 +/- 16.7 years in this study. Hyperuricemia was observed in seventeen [30.9%] individuals with thyroid dysfunction. Mean serum uric acid level was found to be 418.3 +/- 147 micromol/l in participants

Material and Methods: Fifty five individuals with thyroid dysfunction were included in this study. Detailed history was recorded on a questionnaire, blood samples were collected and serum total tri-iodothyronine [T3], free thyroxine [T4], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and uric acid levels were measured

Conclusion: High frequency of hyperuricemia occurs in patients with thyroid dysfunction. Therefore in patients presenting with thyroid dysfunction, evaluation of underlying hyperuricemia should be considered by the clinicians

Internet use: Disruptive or enhancing towards learning? Views and perceptions of undergraduate medical students

Objective: To describe the perceptions and behaviors of undergraduate medical students regarding the use of internet

Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences [NUMS] Rawalpindi, from January 2014 to June 2014

Methodology: Data had been obtained from volunteer undergraduate medical students who were computer literate and were using the internet facility in their daily routine. Students, who did not have the computer and internet using skills and were not using the internet services, were excluded from this study. A structured questionnaire was used which included following items: duration and frequency of internet use, impact of internet use on academic grades, influence of internet usage on relationships with friends and family, effect of overuse on sleep cycle and having the self-knowledge of being internet addicted

Results: Two hundred and twelve students gave consent to participate in this study. Different perceptions of undergraduate medical students regarding the internet use were observed: 64 [30.2%] students spent about two hours daily in internet surfing and 79 [37.3%] participants in our study utilized internet facility for social networking while 67 [31.6%] used it for educational and learning purposes. A total of 147 [69.3%] participants reported that internet use enhanced their learning and had a positive effect on their academic grades

Conclusion: Our study concludes that internet-using skill is a very powerful tool in today's world with regards to academic learning. With appropriate guidance and support, students can get maximum benefit from this facility and can enhance their learning capabilities. Institutes should play their role by making every student computer literate and also by making on-campus advisory services available to figure out internet abuse related issues of the students

[Structured viva as an assessment tool: Perceptions of undergraduate medical students]

To document the undergraduate medical students' perceptions regarding the structured viva as an assessment tool. Cross sectional. Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST], Islamabad from April 2013 to April 2014. Data was collected from fourth year students of a public sector medical college. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate student's perception regarding relevancy of viva questions to syllabus, level of comfort while being assessed and provision of adequate time to answer, bias or harassment by the mentors, freedom to answer in their own learning styles. One hundred seventy one, fourth year students gave consent to participate in this study. Almost all of the students were satisfid after being assessed in oral structed viva room: the results obtaind were: relevancy of questions to course: 169 [98%]; comfortable environment of viva room: 165 [97%]; appropriate time to answer the questions: 162 [94.7%], structured viva: 132 [94.7%]; welcomed upon arrival for viva: 147 [86%]; encouraged by examiner: 144 [84%]; facilitated to answer in their own learning style: 137 [80%]; covered all the topics: 120 [70% 1; demotivated during viva: 11 [6.4%] and bias during viva: 14 [8.1%] There is substantial need of introducing innovations in the conventional exam strategies being practiced in our medical colleges. Introducing structured viva examination, making the exam environment comfortable and adapting an appreciative inquiry approach while assessing students can greatly help them to overcome exam stress

Premenstrual syndrome: messes with my academic performance

This study aims to determine the ediucational impact of premenstrual syndrome [PMS] on various academic activities of undergraduate female medical students. Cross sectional study. Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST], Islamabad, Pakistan from June 2013 to November 2013. This cross sectional study was conducted at Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST] Islamabad. Data were collected from 224 undergraduate female medical students of all professional years. PMS was diagnosed according to WHO's ICD-10 criteria. Impact of premenstrual syndrome on academic activities of female medical students was assessed using a 22-itemed, structured questionnaire. Two hundred and twenty four female undergraduate medical students gave their written consent to participate in this study. PMS was present among 207 [92.4%] female students. Major PMS symptoms experienced by the female students were: backache [87.5%], fatigue [80.2%], depressed mood [78.2%], anxiety [76.8%], hypersomnia [71%] and poor emotional control [64.3%]. The frequency of various PMS symptoms interfered with their academic activities [76.3%], with large group discussion sessions [79.2%], with small group discussion sessions [72.9%], written assessment [66.6%] and oral assessment [70.0%].The study findings affirm the fact that premenstrual syndrome profoundly affects the academic activities of young female medical students. In the light of these pertinent findings we recommend that health education and counselling services are essential to be provided at medical college campuses for female undergraduates. This will not only help them alleviate the negative effects of PMS but also develop an understanding about their problems, enhancing their academic output and performance in early medical carrier

What went wrong: why did I fail?

To document the perceptions and views of undergraduate medical students on why did they fail in their annual examinations. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST] Islamabad, Pakistan from March 2013 to March 2014. Data had been obtained from undergraduate students who failed at least once during their MBBS course and volunteered to participate in this study. Students who did not come across any academic failure during their MBBS course were excluded. A structured questionnaire was used which included following items: knowledge overload of failed or other subjects, poor time management for their studies, their own ineffective communication and expression skills [oral/ written], poor teaching skills of teachers/facilitators and boarding problems. One hundred and seventy nine students gave consent to participate in this study. Factors leading to their failure and identified by students were: poor time management with regards to their studies: 81.6%, lack of revision time due to co-curricular activities: 73.7%, poor output in written assignments/assessments: 62.6%, knowledge overload of the failed-in subject: 47.5%, poor motivation to make serious efforts to understand and learn the subject: 57%. The reflections of medical students signify a variety of causes. It would be pertinent to organize strategies to rectify and address the basis of these expressed specific causes, especially those that had the highest impact towards the failure of these students. Such measures will help to rescue majority of these medical students and prevent them from failing in their examinations. Remedial steps when in place, shall also equip them with required skills to work on their weaknesses and turn them into strengths for their academic successes