ABSTRACT
Background: There is a need to increase digital health literacy in paediatric endocrinology due to the rapid emergence of digital technologies. Massive open online courses (MOOC) provide an opportunity to rapidly increase digital health capabilities at scale, as previously demonstrated in diabetes.1 To our knowledge, there are no comparable examples in the field of growth hormone deficiency. Aim(s): This study evaluates the impact of a new MOOC launched in 2021 entitled 'Telemedicine: Tools to Support Growth Disorders in a Post-COVID Era' by comparing pre- and post-course assessment scores as well as comments received from learners. Method(s): Learners' knowledge in the field was assessed with pre- and post- course surveys via the FutureLearn platform. Learners who completed all ten questions for both the pre- and post-course assessment were included in the analysis. Scores were evaluated by t-test to identify significant knowledge changes. All comments posted by learners on the course discussion forum were evaluated. Result(s): By 17 December 2021, 219 learners had enrolled in the MOOC;31 completed both the pre- and post-course assessments. (Table Presented) Of these evaluated learners, 74% showed improved scores in the post-course assessment, resulting in a mean score increase of 21.25%. No learners achieved 100% in the pre-course assessment, while 12 learners (40%) achieved 100% in the post-course assessment. The highest score increase comparing pre- and post-assessments was 40% in 16% of learners. There was a statistically significant improvement in overall scores, rising from 58.1% +/- 18.9% to 72.6 % +/- 22.4% (p<0.0005) in the post-course assessment. Of the 132 comments analysed, 75 described an increase in knowledge, 39 stated that the course content was appropriate and 10 related to a positive impact on future learning and self-care. Some learners commented on the potential applicability of the course content to other therapeutic areas. Conclusion(s): The MOOC multimodal eLearning model offers an innovative and successful channel to train large numbers of healthcare professionals. Digital health competencies gained included the management of growth disorders through e-health, research and evidence-based methods in eHealth, and e-health codesign. Our results indicate the value of MOOC digital learning to improve digital health literacy on a large scale. Reference 1 Wewer Albrechtsen NJ, et al. BMC Med Educ 17, 97 (2017).
ABSTRACT
: The novel coronavirus has infected over 609,848,852 individuals throughout the world with a total death of over 6.5 million since its outbreak in December 2019. Since then many therapeutic options have been approached and tested in clinical trials as well to find a potential cure or preventive therapy for the COVID-19 disease. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic options currently available for the treatment of COVID-19 including lopinavir-ritonavir, Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Ribavirin, dexamethasone, interferon, antibodies, Tocilizumab, Azithromycin, Piperacillin-tazobactam, Moxifloxacin, Ivermectin, Nitazoxanide, Baricitinib, and Arbidol. This study briefly discusses the clinical trials and encompasses the dosage, efficacy, adverse drug reactions, and possible mechanism of action of the potential treatment candidate where applicable. The growing number of reported cases posits an exigent need for a suitable therapy for the prevention and cure of this disease. Therefore, the study aims to provide vital information on each drug to highlight the latest scientific research that could be helpful for better prevention/treatment of COVID-19 disease.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate derangement of liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence of deranged hepatic enzymes with COVID-19 infection, its association with other co-morbidities and any changes in its prognosis were investigated. Methodology: This study was conducted in Mayo hospital from 1st June 2021 till 31st September 2021. A number of 224 patients were included in this study. Both male and female patients of varying age groups were included in the study. Laboratory tests were conducted to collect data related to liver enzyme values of each patient. Liver function test (LFT) was performed twice, first on day 1 and then on day 7 to observe any further changes in liver enzymes values in COVID-19 patients. The LFTs of the patients told us Bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin and D-dimer levels in the body. The data were analyzed by SPSS analysis. The t-test used was for the comparison of standard features in both groups. The P value less than 0.05 was regarded significant. Data about co-morbidities, autoimmune disease and its treatment, and outcome was also collected. Gender, autoimmune disease and COVID-19 PCR data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Prevalence of deranged liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients was analyzed using paired sample test. Association with co-morbidities and prognosis was also analyzed by frequency analysis. Result(s): Sample consists of 224 individuals among them the ratio of male and female was 50:50 with age ranging 17-90 years. There were 220 COVID-19 PCR positive patients, 1 negative and 3 suspected patients with about 89.7 per cent patients having no autoimmune disease. The results showed that bilirubin, ALT and D-dimer show significant derangement in COVID-19 patients while ALP, CRP and Ferritin did not. The patients with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension showed the highest percentage of association with the value being 25 percent. Other co-morbidities like asthma, chronic liver disease and hepatitis C among many other also showed association with corona virus disease. And the results of prognosis showed that 33 percent, of the patients were shifted to the ICU. 18.8 percent of the patients were admitted in the hospital. 20.5 percent of the patients died. 18.8 percent were discharged and 6.3 percent shifted to the HDU. Conclusion(s): As the results show liver enzyme ALT, D-dimer and bilirubin show significant derangement in COVID-19 patients. This concludes that some, but not all, of the liver enzyme derangement is prevalent in COVID-19 patients. The patients with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension showed highest association with COVID-19. The patients being shifted to the ICU was the highest prognosis of disease. Other than that a large number of patients died, some were admitted to the hospital due to worsening condition, some discharged and others shifted to the HDU. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.