An inexpensive yet realistic model for teaching vasectomy

Purpose Teaching the no-scalpel vasectomy is important, since vasectomy is a safe, simple, and cost-effective method of contraception. This minimally invasive vasectomy technique involves delivering the vas through the skin with specialized tools. This technique is associated with fewer complications than the traditional incisional vasectomy (1). One of the most challenging steps is the delivery of the vas through a small puncture in the scrotal skin, and there is a need for a realistic and inexpensive scrotal model for beginning learners to practice this step. Materials and Methods After careful observation using several scrotal models while teaching residents and senior trainees, we developed a simplified scrotal model that uses only three components–bicycle inner tube, latex tubing, and a Penrose drain. Results This model is remarkably realistic and allows learners to practice a challenging step in the no-scalpel vasectomy. The low cost and simple construction of the model allows wide dissemination of training in this important technique. Conclusions We propose a simple, inexpensive model that will enable learners to master the hand movements involved in delivering the vas through the skin while mitigating the risks of learning on patients. .

Desigualdades de oportunidades educacionais dos adolescentes no Brasil e no México / Desigualdad en las oportunidades educacionales de los adolescentes en Brasil y México / Inequalities in educational opportunities of adolescents in Brazil and Mexico

O objetivo desse artigo é examinar tendências recentes da estratificação educacional para adolescentes do Brasil e México em três períodos distintos: a década de 1980, de severa recessão; os anos 1990, um período de ajustes estruturais; e os anos 2000, década de crescimento. Além de matrículas escolares e probabilidades de transições educacionais, é examinada também a matrícula em escolas particulares, um aspecto importante da desigualdade educacional pouco abordado em estudos sobre o tema. Foram utilizados dados das PNADs para o Brasil e ENIGH para o México. Os resultados confirmam importantes benefícios trazidos pelas condições favoráveis recentes e pela universalização do ensino fundamental, mas também identificam crescentes desvantagens associadas ao acesso à escola particular, o que sugere a importância da perspectiva EMI (Effectively Maintained Inequality). O estudo enfatiza a importância de analisar a qualidade além da quantidade de ensino formal para uma compreensão mais profunda da estratificação educacional.

El objetivo de este artículo es examinar tendencias recientes de estratificación educacional en adolescentes de Brasil y México durante tres períodos distintos: la década de 1980, de severa recesión; los años de la década de 1990, un período de ajustes estructurales; y los años de la década del 2000, la denominada de crecimiento. Además de matrículas escolares, y probabilidades de transiciones educacionales, se examina también la matrícula en escuelas privadas, un aspecto importante de la desigualdad educacional poco abordado en estudios sobre el tema. Se utilizaron datos de las PNADs sobre Brasil y ENIGH sobre México. Los resultados confirman importantes beneficios, atraídos por las condiciones recientes favorables y por la universalización de la enseñanza fundamental, a la par que también identifican crecientes desventajas, asociadas al acceso a la escuela privada, lo que sugiere la importancia de la perspectiva EMI (EffectivelyMaintained Inequality). El estudio enfatiza la importancia de analizar la calidad, además de la cantidad, de enseñanza formal para conseguir una comprensión más profunda de la estratificación educacional.

The aim of this paper is to examine recent trends in educational stratification for adolescents in Brazil and in Mexico in three distinct periods: the 1980s, years of severe recession, the 1990s, a period of structural adjustment, and the 2000s, a decade of growth. In addition to school enrollment and educational transitions, we also examined enrollment in private schools, an important aspect of educational inequality rarely addressed in studies on this topic. We used nationally representative data from the PNAD for Brazil and ENIGH for Mexico. Our findings confirm the significant benefits brought by recent improved conditions of universal primary education, but also identify increasing disadvantages associated with access to private schools, suggesting the importance of the EMI perspective (Effectively Maintained Inequality). The study emphasizes the importance of examining the quality in addition to the quantity of formal education for a deeper understanding of educational stratification in both Brazil and Mexico.

The teacher and the taught: Medical education in India at the crossroads.

In a good medical teacher we would like to see a good doctor, a good teacher, a good orator and, overall, a good human being. Many teachers of yesteryears may not have had all these qualities but they had the ability to instil in the student’s mind a sense of respect and a desire to learn. We now have more of the science and less of the art of teaching. We have failed to live by example. Modern-day consumerism and a single-minded approach to money, coaching classes, destruction of proper medical training by effectively removing internship and housemanship have made students apathetic with no desire to learn. We suggest that there are several ways by which the situation can be remedied including a system of mentoring, incentives and feedback.