cystic fibrosis symptom progression survey [CF-SPS] in arabic: a tool for monitoring patients' symptoms

Our study aimed to develop a survey that could be used by nurses during regular cystic fibrosis [CF] clinic visits, providing clinicians with a standardized means of longitudinally assessing and monitoring symptom progression in their patients. In addition, the use of this survey would provide an opportunity for patient engagement and relationship building, thereby enhancing patient education and improving adherence to treatment. This is the first such survey designed specifically for use in Arab populations. The Cystic Fibrosis Symptom Progression Survey [CF-SPS] was developed using previously published patient reported outcomes relating to pulmonary exacerbations in CF. It contains 10 items that provide a patient-focused account of symptoms. The survey was translated into Arabic and was completed by 12 patients on 139 occasions over 22 months. The psychometric properties of the survey were evaluated, as was the relationship between the survey findings and other known clinical measures of health status in CF. The CF-SPS performs well as a psychometrically valid clinical tool, with good internal consistency as determined by Cronbach's alpha analysis. Our results suggest that the CF-SPS is able to identify significant declines in health status in line with routine clinical patient assessment [chest sounds, body mass index and admissions]. As such it is a useful tool that can support clinical decision making in the care of Arabic speaking CF patients. We recommend the CF-SPSa [Arabic version] as a valid tool for the longitudinal monitoring of symptom progression in CF in Arabic speaking populations

Comparison of student's self-assessment to examiners assessment in a formative observed structured clinical examination: a pilot study

To compare students' self-assessment with assessment by examiners in a formative observed structured clinical examination [OSCE] and comparison between cumulative score and global rating scale for students and faculty evaluation. This cross sectional study was carried out on 6[th] year medical students of Oman Medical College, Family Medicine rotation in a formative OSCE. A self-assessment questionnaire was completed by 15, Year 6 students immediately after the OSCE. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 16.0 for Windows. Regression analysis was used to correlate self reported rating and actual performance in each station. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Correlation between cumulative score and global rating scale for students and faculty evaluation was calculated by Pearson correlation. Students has done appropriate self-assessment on dyspepsia history while the other two stations have shown some discrepancies in self-assessment and examiners assessment. Self-assessment is comparable to examiner evaluation. Examiners assessment has shown consistent and positive correlation between cumulative scores and global rating scores while students had failed to show this consistency

Laparoscopic surgery recording as an adjunct to conventional modalities of teaching gross anatomy

In order to increase their effectiveness, methods of teaching morphological sciences need to be revised to incorporate the recent technological advances made in the field of medicine. Teaching human structure with conventional methods of prosections using dissected cadaveric specimen alone quite often fails to prepare students adequately for their clinical training. A learner-oriented method, incorporating three dimensional spatial anatomy and more closely mirroring the clinical setting, is required. With these challenges in mind, a 30-minute slow-paced video recording of a cholecystectomy performed laproscopically on a 45 year-old lady was adapted to supplement the conventional teaching of anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis. This study was carried out in October 2010. The subjects of this study were 84 students in a first year preclinical MD course in human structure at the private Oman Medical College. Their feedback was obtained via questionnaire and revealed that the video presentation helped the students to realise the significance of the anatomical details learnt during the human structure course. Recordings of laparoscopic surgeries are an effective preclinical anatomy teaching resource in student-centred learning. They also help the students to appreciate the clinical relevance of gross anatomy and enhance their motivation to learn