ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to ascertain the effectiveness of using the e-learning method for a module in pediatric clerkship at the [redacted name] University Hospital, Karachi. The fourth-year undergraduate medical students, who rotates for eight weeks in Pediatric clerkship, participated in this study. It was a sequential (Quantitative-Qualitative) mixed-method study, which was conducted from May-August 2020. Students were divided according to their status of in-person rotation (Novice, Semi-expert, Expert). The quantitative component of the study consisted of pre and post-tests and pre-validated post-session feedback., while focused-group discussions were done to explore students' experiences. SPSS version 20.0 was used for quantitative data while qualitative data underwent content analysis. Fifty-nine participants (68.8%) were female. The intervention batch comprised of 102 students (41 Novice (40.2%), 21 Semi-expert (19.6%), and 40 Expert (39.2%)). Using paired t-test analysis between pre and post-test scores of each session, it was discerned that there was indeed a positive effect on knowledge acquisition during each session, depicted by the improvement in test scores. The Semi-expert and Expert groups were merged for analysis. The Novice group was found to be statistically significant for only the common newborn problem session. The qualitative component explored students' views, and three main themes emerged, i.e., the effectiveness of online learning, barriers and challenges to online learning, and future goals to enhance online learning. In conclusion, E-learning is an effective way of continuing the process of delivering medical education, especially in unprecedented times. Technological enhancements will help carry the impact forward as a blended-learning pedagogical approach in undergraduate medical education. © The Author(s) 2023.
ABSTRACT
The world faces a rapidly spreading of COVID19 globally, for several countries around the world mitigating the consequences and spread of the pandemic remains a top priority. Researchers work to find a smart and rational solution to limit the spread of this epidemic and its repercussions. The goal of this research is to produce an early and accurate COVID-19 prediction, as well as a comparative analysis of the performance of several machine learning (ML) models based on patient vital signs, dataset balancing, and feature selection. The cases dataset was provided by King Fahad Hospital University in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The current study used the WEKA 3.8.5 and Python programming language (SKLEARN) to decide which method generated the highest level of accuracy while using fewer features. Random forest with grid search (RF with grid search), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), J48, XGB Classifier, and XGB Classifier with grid search were the techniques that were compared. The highest level of accuracy obtained with seven features was 84% achieved with the RF using grid search technique, while ANN, SVM, RF, J48, XGB Classifier, and XGB Classifier with grid search obtained 82.85%, 79%, 82.93%, 82.5%,82.21%, and 83.4% accuracy, respectively. © 2022 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, all patients undergoing endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's Oesophagus (BE) in the UK were indefinitely postponed. As well as the potential for missed progression to dysplasia, the negative impact on patients' quality of life is immeasurable. The Cytosponge® is a minimally invasive cell sampling device which has been researched in screening for BE. We describe the first worldwide use of the Cytosponge® outside of a clinical trial to support the triage of BE patients unable to undergo endoscopic surveillance due to COVID-19. Aims and Methods: Consecutive patients with non-dysplastic BE (NDBE) or those deemed to be low risk after previous treatment for BErelated dysplasia, DBE (more than 18 months after completion of therapy with no visible BE and no intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia at last endoscopy) with no prior history of stenosis who were overdue endoscopy (OGD) were invited to have the Cytosponge®. The sample was analysed for TFF3 (a marker of intestinal metaplasia), cellular atypia and p53. Fisher's test was used to examine the association between the overall cytosponge result and its individual components with follow-up OGD outcomes. Results: To date, 153 patients (mean age 66 years, 126 male) have undergone the Cytosponge® procedure. The median maximal length of BE was 3cm (1-15cm). Three patients were unable to swallow the device and 19 (12%) needed a repeat procedure as no columnar cells were present suggesting that the sponge had not entered the stomach. 87 patients (80%) with NDBE had a either a low-risk result (TFF3 positive only – 62) or required a repeat Cytosponge® routinely (TFF3/atypia/ p53 negative – 25). The remaining 21 patients (20%) needed an OGD within 3 months, 17 of which have since had an OGD. Of these 17 patients, 4 had a new diagnosis of dysplasia (indefinite - 2, low grade dysplasia – 1, intramucosal cancer - 1) and 2 a new diagnosis of cancer. 18/87 patients in the low-risk NDBE cohort have undergone follow-up OGD (NDBE 17/18, high grade dysplasia 1/18). Of the 23 patients in the post-treatment BE cohort, 1 patient had a high-risk result and subsequent OGD confirmed HGD (Table 1). A high-risk cytosponge result and the presence of both p53 and typia were all associated with a positive OGD result. Over-expression of p53 appeared to be the most sensitive marker (Table 2). In treatment naive patients, a low-risk cytosponge result was closely associated with no dysplasia detected at follow-up OGD with a negative predictive value of 94%. Conclusions: Cytosponge® has proved to be a useful non-endoscopic tool for patients with BE under surveillance where OGD is not possible. Preliminary data are promising to help triage patients and may in turn offer a less invasive approach to monitoring patients compared to endoscopy, particuarly for low risk patients. (Table Presented) (Table Presented)
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Fear of COVID-19 is one of the pivotal components that have generated higher levels of stress, obsessions and anxiety among the adult population, thus creating numerous mental health issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychological well-being based on COVID-19-related fear, obsessions and anxiety during the pandemic situation. Design/methodology/approach: The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety, stress and well-being among adult populations. Additionally, the aim was to see the impact of COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety and stress on well-being. This was a cross-sectional study based on nonclinical sample of (n = 250) adults;data was obtained via online questionnaire survey method and analysis was performed by using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-22). Findings: The authors’ findings based on descriptive statistics showed that COVID-19-related fear and obsessions were positively associated with COVID anxiety and stress and negatively associated with well-being. COVID anxiety was positively associated with stress and negatively associated with well-being. Moreover, perceived stress is negatively associated with well-being. The results additionally provide the outcome/conclusion that COVID-related anxiety significantly negatively predicted the psychological well-being. Overall the model explained 24% of the variance in psychological well-being. Females scored significantly high in COVID-19-related anxiety and obsessions as compared to males. Research limitations/implications: A distinctive feature of this study is the understanding of COVID-19-related fear, obsessions, anxiety, stress and well-being among adult populations, and the findings are highlighting the need for psychological and social interventions for this specific population;therefore, immediate attention is needed by the clinical health professionals dealing with mental health issues. Originality/value: There is a vital need to explore and develop psychological interventions aiming at the negative consequences being faced by the adult populations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending second wave that will expose individuals to various mental health issues evolving because of the health crisis. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.