ABSTRACT
Introduction: The onset and rise of COVID-19 and its sudden progression to a worldwide pandemic lead medical and dental institutes to change their way of teaching and conducting assessments to distance learning as compared to the previously applied conventional approaches. Teaching and assessment during this era have changed vastly, earlier it was solely traditional/live Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) but due to the current circumstances electronic/online OSCE (E-OSCE) method was introduced. In Pakistan also, Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) conducted online exams so that the scheduled exams do not get delayed. Aim(s): The main objective of this paper is to measure the reliability of an E-OSCE and to compare it with the traditional OSCE. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study which got conducted at the Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. Traditional OSCEs and E-OSCEs were conducted with 71 participants including final year students and house officers. Each OSCEs had 10 stations, including one interactive station in traditional OSCE. Students' scores in both the OSCEs were collected and paired t-test was used to compare the mean scores at p<0.05. Result(s): Total number of house officers were 27 and final year students were 44. The scores of 71 participants were collected. The difference between mean scores of house officers' traditional OSCE and E-OSCE was statistically significant (p=0.000). The difference between final year students traditional OSCE and E-OSCE was also statistically significant (p=0.020). Finally, the overall difference between traditional OSCE and E-OSCE was also statistically significant (p=0.000) Practical implication: The main objective of this study was to assess the reliability of an E-OSCE and to compare whether the electronic method of conducting OSCE is more reliable than the traditional method of conducting OSCE. Conclusion(s): Despite limitations and the biases, the results of E-OSCE proved to be better than traditional OSCE. Further research needs to be conducted on E-OSCE to control the factors causing biases and limitations.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The fear and uncertainty in the face of the unknown, as well as the fear of contagion by the virus, was added to the stress that can cause a mandatory isolation that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which generated changes in mental health and eating behaviors. Objective(s): To characterize the impact of COVID-19 isolation on mental health and food consumption behaviors. Method(s): An exploratory cross-sectional research was conducted, with the application of a previously validated online instrument, consisting of 18 multiple-choice questions related to mental health and eating behaviors during COVID-19 isolation. 1305 surveys that were answered with the prior consent of the participants were collected. The statistical package SPSS version 22 was applied to associate the variables of interest and tests of the chi-squared for nominal scale indicators. Result(s): The confinement situation due to COVID-19 caused sleep disturbances (41.4%), irritability (79.6%), anxiety (71%), fear (87.3%), arguments at home (62.7%), with negative effects on changes in diet (p = .000), generating poor nutrition (48%). The problem was mainly found in women (p = 0.000), young people and young adults (p = 0.000), from urban areas, who live in apartments without access to green areas. Conclusion(s): There are emotional alterations as a result of isolation, which have an impact on eating behaviors. For this reason, it is necessary to work on public health policies that propose strategies for managing stress and associated emotions during a situation of isolation.Copyright © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Background: The Corona virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak has rapidly transitioned into a pandemic affecting every field of life. There is a drastic transition also in field of teaching many challenges are faced by students and faculty, also regarding assessments. The present study was done to evaluate the gender wise perception of various modes of online assignments. Methodology: This study was conducted online on 100 first year medical students at the Army College of Medical Sciences, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi, India. A cross-sectional online survey was done using a pretested, self administered questionnaire. Result(s): Out of the sample group of 100 participants 98(53F,45M) responded. The most preferred mode of assessment was multiple choice questions. A significantly higher percentage of male students disliked seminar discussions and hand written assignments. Conclusion(s): A statistically significant dislike for seminars and handwritten assignments by male students could be attributed to their being from rural area and lesser accessibility. The present study conducted over a larger sample group would help medical educators in a better learning and teaching practice in the present scenario and for the future.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic diverted medical education within dermatology towards technology-enhanced learning (TEL) delivery. Concurrent societal movements also raised awareness of racial inequalities in health outcomes. This has been highlighted as a priority within dermatology research and education (Guckian J, Ingram J, Rajan N, Linos E. Dermatology is finally talking about race. Br J Dermatol 2021;185: 875-6). The British Association of Dermatology acknowledges that 'the education of undergraduate and postgraduates. . .needs to be updated to better include skin of colour' (https://www.bad. org.uk/healthcare-professionals/inclusivity-and-representation). Numerous distance courses in this domain have been piloted, but there is little published evidence regarding efficacy or sustainability. This study evaluated whether TEL methodologies can facilitate effective and sustainable ethnic dermatology education. The study explored the existing competence and confidence of a cohort of dermatology trainees towards managing dermatology conditions affecting skin of colour, specifically central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) and keloid scarring. The short- and long-term impact of TEL interventions upon trainees' confidence and competence of managing these conditions was investigated. A prospective cohort study was designed and included 14 dermatology registrars and regional fellows across Yorkshire. A Zoom teaching session was provided, covering keloid scarring and CCCA, supported by a 'flipped-classroom' approach via pre-reading materials. Survey methodology was used;three questionnaires were circulated: presession (survey 1), postsession (survey 2) and 6 weeks afterwards (survey 3). These featured multiple choice questions gathering data regarding participant knowledge and questioned confidence and competence. Multiple-choice questions were normed by 15 external trainees to ensure suitable difficulty. Presession, 64% participants felt that, on completion of specialty training, they would be competent in treating patients with ethnic skin. Ninety-three per cent believed that formal outcomes related to ethnic dermatology should be included in the curriculum. Postsession, 42% strongly agreed that the teaching course would change their practice. Fifty per cent felt that the teaching content was 'somewhat new'. Average knowledge scores demonstrated an initial rise then fall (survey 1: 5.67/10;survey 2: 7.83/10;survey 3: 6.36/10). Despite an innovative TEL education session, trainee knowledge did not significantly improve and improvement did not prove sustainable 6 weeks after teaching. Trainees were not confident in adopting newly acquired knowledge on skin of colour into their practice. Results show that the benefit of providing TEL education on ethnic dermatology may prove transient, and there is disparity in the perceived and actual benefit of ethnic dermatology education. Systemic solutions may be warranted, combining both education and human factors, including tackling systemic injustices and social inequalities.
ABSTRACT
December 2019 has become one of the most surprising days in the whole world in light of the flare-up of a most infectious sickness brought about by novel Covid or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study is conducted to assess the benefits of the use of home remedies to prevent the cause of Covid-19 and evaluate the assessment of dietary changes and physical activity in the prevention of Covid-19. A questionnaire-based online survey is conducted using Google forms consisting of multiple-choice questions about home remedies, lifestyle and dietary changes made by the people during this pandemic. These home remedies included using different types of herbal preparations, steam inhalation, physical exercise and OTC medications for prophylaxis. Questions likewise included about being infected by Coronavirus-19(during first wave or second) and their recovery period, additionally collected their viewpoint for changes made, for example how much they are useful in the prevention of the attack and whenever encountered any undesirable impacts. Total responses were 210, among which 121(57.6%) responses were from females and 89(42.4%) from males. 65 people tested Covid positive (42 during the first wave and 23 during the second wave). 118(56.2%) of people think these changes are very beneficial. (Rated 4 and 5 out of 5 points). From our survey, we concluded that different herbal preparations of their composition, which they thought are helpful, and steam inhalations have been used. Rating regarding the use and effectiveness was also found to be average. Further studies are needed to prove and provide clear evidence about adverse and side effects associated with the use of herbal products.Copyright © 2022 Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the pattern of alcohol consumption in the Chilean adult population in association with depressive symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 quarantine. Method(s): A correlational and transversal study was conducted. Alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms were measured through an online survey, including the PHQ-9 Chilean version and the item banks for alcohol use of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Mediational analysis models were conducted to assess whether the relationship between depressive symptoms and problematic drinking was mediated by drinking to cope with negative emotions. Result(s): 32% of the sample reported depression, 84% acknowledge having been drunk during the previous 30 days and 18% acknowledge an increase in the amount of alcohol use. The presence of depressive symptomatology positively predicts problematic alcohol consumption during the quarantine;however, when it includes analyzing the reasons for drinking alcohol, this relationship becomes negative and shows a significant mediation effect in the relationship between depressive symptomatology and problematic drinking through increased drinking to control negative emotions. Conclusion(s): The findings suggest that during quarantine, the increase in problematic drinking is related to depressive symptoms associated with an increased urge to drink to cope with negative emotions.Copyright © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The problem caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led teachers to use different tools to measure the learning process of students in a socially distanced context. For this reason, during the 2019-20 academic year, the teachers at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcal, Spain, had to come up against the challenge of establishing a consistent, systematic and rigorous online evaluation system to screen which students had the competences and skills demanded by current regulations. Method(s): A survey was designed using Google forms and addressed, from the Dean's office, to professors and lecturers of the five undergraduate courses, concerning the type of evaluation tools that they were going to use with the students in order to proceed with a sound evaluation, taking into account that data protection regulations had to be respected, rigorously. Result(s): Doubts were raised about integrity and ethics when carrying out the different online evaluation tests. News appeared in the media and social networks about how to know the correct answers in a questionnaire through its source code, by hiring experts who solve the exams, or doing the activities together using the versatility of social networks that allow simultaneous collective interaction, etc. In this survey, in addition to indicating the number of tests to be performed, the teachers informed the authors about the tools available for use: short answer questions, multiple choice tests, essay or interrelated concepts questions with clear evaluation rubrics, reflection on practical cases, open-book exams. Conclusion(s): All teachers learned and adapted quickly to the different assessment tools available on the Blackboard platform according to the characteristics of the course and considered that the pandemic has opened a critical window for innovative technology based-assessment methodologies.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Maternal mortality in the United States (US) is rising and many deaths are preventable. We sought to determine the efficacy of virtual simulation training to optimize management of obstetric emergencies within low and moderate volume delivery hospitals that are disproportionately affected by adverse maternal outcomes. Study Design: The educational platform was designed and deployed within urban non-teaching and rural hospitals, with low and moderate delivery volumes, in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-paced, interactive, online didactics on postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were followed by two, 2-hour live virtual simulation trainings and debriefings. In this innovative simulation modality, participants verbalized actions to their co-participants and the simulation faculty as scenarios evolved with images, vitals and videos displayed on a PowerPoint. Participants completed multiple-choice questionnaires and confidence and attitude surveys prior to, immediately after and 3-months post-training. The multiple-choice questions were evidence-based using information from published guidelines and were validated by local experts. Paired t-tests were performed to asses for changes in knowledge and confidence. Result(s): From December 2021 to March 2022, four hospitals received training (Table 1). Participants (n=22) were comprised of nurses (59%), certified nurse midwives (14%) and attending physicians (23%) in Obstetrics, Family Practice or Anesthesiology. The survey response rate was 59%. The mean difference in knowledge and confidence scores significantly improved immediately post-training compared to baseline (P < 0.05 for all, Table 2). This improvement was maintained 3 months following the training. Participants reported their preferred training format was hybrid (43%), virtual (35.7%) or in-person (21.4%). Conclusion(s): Virtual obstetric simulation is feasible and improves knowledge and confidence, which can be retained over time. This educational modality is sustainable, scalable and an accessible format to enhance education and training. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Copyright © 2022
ABSTRACT
Aim: Our study aims at analysing the undergraduate students' perspective of online ophthalmology classes during the Covid 19 pandemic. Settings and Design: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional observational analysis conducted in the month of June 2021 at Medical College, Karnataka, India. Material(s) and Method(s): An online self-completion questionnaire containing 13 questions was sent through Google forms. 346 medical students of third and final year, who have completed or undergoing online ophthalmology classes were included in the study. Most of the questions were semi open question. Link to the questionnaire was sent through the WhatsApp group and was available to them for a period of two weeks. Result(s): The online survey questionnaire was responded by 237 students.166 students (70%) did not have any online learning experience before the pandemic. Majority of the students preferred problem-based learning 92 (27.62%) over other methods. Benefit of reading the study material at own pace was perceived as the prime advantage of online classes. Poor internet connectivity was opted as the major hurdle (170-35%) of the online classes. Multiple choice questions were the most preferred method of online assessment (150 -41.32%). 105 students (44.3%) felt that the ophthalmological clinical skills were learnt better by attending clinical postings. Majority of the students (166-70%) favoured classroom teaching over online classes for fruitful learning. Conclusion(s): The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced newer teaching methods in ophthalmology. Most students, even in the era of the internet showed a preference to classroom teaching and clinical postings for a better learning experience. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is associated with several stressful factors that can negatively affect peoples' sleep quality and mental health. Objective(s): The aim of the current study was to prospectively identify decreased sleep quality and associated risk factors in general population during COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): We conducted a prospective, observational online study on a Romanian sample of 667 respondents aged >18 years. Sleep quality and quantity was evaluated with Athens Insomnia scale (AIS) and the main concerns associated with the pandemic context were evaluated through a multiple-choice question. Result(s): The data collected identified important evidence regarding the prevalence and intensity of insomnia. The average score for AIS was 6.13 (cut-off point for was set at 8). However, it is worth noting that 179 respondents (26.8%) meet the criteria for insomnia. Of the 8 self-assessment items, daytime sleepiness was the criterion evaluated with the highest average score (1.01), all other items getting subunit values. A low quality of sleep was linearly related with fear of illness/death (p=0.053), fear of illness/death of close people (p=0.032), social isolation (p<0.001), economic impact (p=0.003), losing the job (p<0.001) and social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection (p=0.009). Conclusion(s): More than a qurter of respondes scored above the threshold of 8 at the insomnia scale, while losing the job, social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection and social isolation are the main risk factors for a low quality and quantity of sleep.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: The presence of a code stroke nurse has been demonstrated to reduce door-to-treatment time. Unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic have halted face-to-face training program, resulting in a hybrid training program development. The aim of this project was to explore the users' experience and effectiveness of a new hybrid program for hyperacute stroke nursing training. Method(s): This hybrid workshop was incorporated virtual learning platforms and traditional in-person learning. Pre-post self-assessment knowledge was evaluated using a 20 multiple choice questions (MCQs) and a 5-point Likert scale. A virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was conducted as summative assessment. All faculty and participants completed the course evaluation. Result(s): Six neuroscience Advanced Practice Nurses with no prior experience in stroke activation participated in the training program. There was only a 10% increase in MCQ mean score. Feedback received for MCQs include having plausible distractors and difficult vocabulary. Five participants completed the virtual OSCE with mean score of 80%. Majority would prefer to have more clinical exposure. Overall, there was 39.4% increase of self-assessment on knowledge post workshop. Being able to conduct proper assessment and debrief in safe environment were key positive feedbacks. Conclusion(s): This hybrid workshop enhances nurses' knowledge in code stroke nursing training. Faculty will need to review and improve the MCQ construct. Clinical attachment extension would have created more opportunity to gain clinical knowledge and insight on the stroke activation processes. Overall, hybrid session on hyperacute stroke nursing training is feasible especially in this COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Background: Clinicians need updates on VTE prevention strategies for hospitalized medically ill patients. Aim(s): This study examined whether interactive, case-based, online CME could improve competence and confidence of cardiologists related to prevention of VTE in patients hospitalized with acute infectious disease. Method(s): Educational design included a "test, then teach" approach to elicit cognitive dissonance, with evidence-based feedback provided following each learner response. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated-pair design with pre-/ post-assessment. Three multiple choice questions assessed knowledge/competence, and 1, rated on a Likert-type scale, assessed confidence. A paired samples t-test was conducted on overall average number of correct responses and for confidence rating, and a McNemar's test was conducted at the question level (significance level, p < 0.05). Result(s): 186 cardiologists were included in the analysis. 83% of cardiologists improved their competence related to use of evidence-based antithrombotic strategies for VTE prevention in patients hospitalized with acute infectious disease (p < 0.001), showing a 75% relative change in responses correct from pre-to post. On a question level, further results indicate: 54% improvement 41% reinforcement (p < 0.001) in competence in use of evidence-based antithrombotic strategies for VTE prevention in patients hospitalized with COVID-19;60% improvement and 25% reinforcement (p < 0.001) in competence of the use of evidence-based risk assessment tools to determine need for thromboprophylaxis in patient hospitalized with COVID-19;49% measurable increase in confidence in ability to prevent VTE in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, resulting in 41% who were mostly or very confident after education (p < 0.001). Conclusion(s): This study demonstrates the success of interactive, case-based, online CME at improving competence and confidence of cardiologists related to prevention of VTE in hospitalized patients with acute infectious disease. Case-based education with interactive questions and detailed explanations of best practices should be employed more often to help clinicians apply knowledge and evidence into practice to improve patient management.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The outbreak of covid 19 (corona virus) brought with it so many disruption in several countries around the globe. This disruption caused by the disease forced some adjustment to be made in order for the countries to continue running other crucial parts of the economy with alternatives option. One major sector affected was the education sector as physical learning was barred following the nature of transmission of the disease causing countries to be on lockdown resulting in teachers adopting the online. Material(s) and Method(s): The study aim to measure different variables such as type of online class, experience on online learning before lockdown, number of classes, the interaction of students and teachers, reasons for not attending, advantages and disadvantages of online learning. This is a cross-sectional study curried out employing the most appropriate sampling technique in order to obtain the data from the participants using an online survey obtained from Google platform consisting of 18 questions which are adapted from a previous study. Result(s): Using the multiple choice questions, about 70% of the students are pleased with this method of learning and also prefer this method over the traditional method of teaching. However 59.4% would love for this method to be used together with the traditional method. In order to improve the online learning, majority of the student suggested the lecturer should have a proper technical set up. Conclusion(s): The results shows that the students prefer the distance learning over the traditional and other want it to be incorporated and used together with the traditional method of learning. Copyright © 2022 A. CARBONE Editore. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hands of health care workers act as the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare associated infections. A good practice of hand hygiene reduces the incidence of these nosocomial infections. There is a dearth of precise data about the awareness of hand hygiene practice amongst Ophthalmologists in India. Aim: To assess the knowledge of hand hygiene amongst the Ophthalmologists and trainees in Uttarakhand and surrounding regions of Northern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India amongst Ophthalmologists attending a three days long annual ophthalmology conference in Uttarakhand in October 2019, after taking due approval from the Ethics Committee of the Institute. All the 150 participants which were included in the study filled the World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene questionnaire comprising of 10 multiple-choice questions. The respondents were asked to tick the most appropriate choices and scores were given out of a maximum score of 25. Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis in the study. results: A total of 150 subjects participated in the survey among which 70 were females and 80 were males. Of all, 60% of the participants were practicing surgeons while 60 (40%) were postgraduate students. About 126 (84%) reported having received a formal training on hand hygiene. Hands of the health care workers were reported to be the commonest route of cross transmission of germs between the patients and healthcare facilities. The average total score of the participants in the survey was 16 (64%) and there was no significant difference between the scores of participants based on gender and training. conclusion: The study shows that majority of the Ophthalmologists have formal training and fair knowledge on the basics of hand hygiene, but lacked the in-depth knowledge, which needs to be addressed in order to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to unprecedented changes to medical education as educators adapted to a world necessitating precautions and social distancing. In response to the pandemic, the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA) committees' educational programming in association with the American College of Emergency Physicians 2020 Scientific Assembly (ACEP20), initially scheduled to be held in Dallas, TX, between October 26-29, 2020, transitioned to a fully virtual conference. Escape rooms have become popular recreational activities over the last several years. In-person escape rooms are structured around working in teams to solve a series of puzzles in a fictional scenario that allows participants to "escape" the room upon completion. The teamwork and problem-solving skills utilized in escape rooms lend themselves to use in medical education. The traditional in-person escape room format has previously been applied to toxicology for the purposes of providing engaging toxicology education to emergency medicine (EM) residents. Method(s): The researchers developed and led the first nationwide virtual toxicology escape room during ACEP20 using the Zoom platform. The activities consisted of one web-portal linking to a sequence of four Google Forms multiple-choice question quizzes and four games made on Wordwall.net, a virtual educational activity creator. Six teams of 5 residents and medical students from residency programs across the country registered and participated for a total of 30 participants. Teams were split into Zoom breakout rooms, each moderated by at least one medical toxicologist and/or medical toxicology fellow. A survey was sent to participants to assess their overall experience with the activity. Result(s): Every team completed all eight activities within 45 min. This activity demonstrates the feasibility of a large-scale, realtime competitive virtual escape room to engage participants and deliver toxicology education. The lessons learned from exploring virtual sessions like this one will be valuable tools in the future of medical education. Ten participants completed the survey. 80% of respondents reported that the event increased their interest in toxicology. 90% agreed that the format was easy to navigate, instructions were clear, questions were understandable, and toxicologists were well utilized in the event. Conclusion(s): Toxicology-themed escape rooms have potential as virtual activities to educate EM residents on essential toxicology knowledge. While the small survey response rate limits the generalizability of this data, these initial results are promising and suggest that virtual escape rooms may be a viable option for increasing interest in toxicology among resident physicians.