Team based learning in pathology: effect on test scores and student satisfaction

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the impact of team based learning [TBL] on student's test scores in comparison with didactic lectures. We also wanted to assess to the level of students satisfaction regarding TBL as a teaching methodology

Study Design: Quasi experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad, from May to July 2013

Material and Methods: Fourth year undergraduate medical students attending Pathology course at University Medical and Dental College [UMDC], Faisalabad in year 2013 involved the portion of Haematology were divided into two halves. The first half [H-1] was covered in two TBL sessions of two hours and 15 minutes duration each

The second half [H-2] was covered in 8 lectures of 45 minutes duration each

After completion of the course, students took test comprising of problem based SEQs regarding Hematology. The test comprised of two segments with questions of equal difficulty, representing the two halves of the topic

Students scores in these two segments were compared by using paired sample t-test

The students were given a validated questionnaire. This data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20

Results: The test scores were highly significant [p=0.000] in TBL as compared to lecture group. In addition to positive significant relationship, majority of students also agreed that TBL motivated them to learn Pathology [71.72%], promoted better understanding of the subject matter [68.92%], helped to gain in depth knowledge of the subject [62.06%] and helped to remove misconceptions about the topic [65.51%]. Sixty two percent students preferred TBL to didactic lectures

Conclusion: Our study proved to have a significant impact of TBL on student test scores as compared to didactic lectures. Majority of the students were satisfied with TBL as a teaching methodology in Pathology and preferred it to didactic lectures

Reproductive health gender roles and relations as predictors of practicing of reproductive health rights among married women and men in Punjab, Pakistan

Practicing reproductive health rights is not an individual attribute but an outcome negotiated between partners. Large differentials can place the less powerful partner at risk by reducing his or her ability to negotiate safer sexual relations. Negotiation between partners is affected by material assistance which is given by men. Hence, the present study was designed to gauge the extent of practicing the reproductive health rights among married men and women and to see the relationship between respondents' characteristics and practicing of reproductive health rights by them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from Punjab province. Well designed interviewing schedules were constructed in the light of research objectives and the conceptual framework of the study to collect data and draw inferences. A representative sample of 700 married women and 600 men were interviewed. The SPSS/PC+ 15.0 Statistical Package for Social Sciences were used for analyzing the data. A strong and positive association between the demographic characteristics of married men and women and their attitude towards the reproductive health behavior and those women who were currently engaged in paid jobs had highly favorable and consistent attitude towards RHR-Practices. It was strongly suggested that encourage women's employment by increasing their education level and creating jobs in every department and encourage women's participation in decision making process

Mutation of p53 in skin papilloma and tubular breast adenoma of albino mice

To determine the mutation of p53 in chemically induced carcinogenesis on albino mice in skin papilloma and tubular adenoma breast by immunohistochemistry. An experimental study. The animal house of Postgraduate Medical Institute and Pathology Department of King Edward Medical College University, Lahore, for the duration of 20 weeks, from 15 February, 2004 to 15 July, 2004. Twentyfive albino mice [male and female] were selected for a study on chemical carcinogenesis. These animals were divided into five groups [A-E], five animals in each. DMBA [Dimethylebenz[a] Anthracene] and TPA [Tetradecanoylphorbal- 13-Acetic Acid] [chemical carcinogens] were given to produce the tumors and mutation of p53 expression was evaluated on the tumors appearing during this period of carcinogenesis. Squamous cell papillomas and tubular adenoma breast were selected for this study. All the papillomas showed faint reactivity for immunomarker p53, while tubular adenomas were nonreactive. The results of this study show that p-53 is a marker for premalignant lesions and helps in selecting patients for constant monitoring, upon the clinical verification of these results