Evaluation of Distance and Face-to-Face Anatomy Education From the Perspective of Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a questionnaire was administered to the students who took anatomy courses through distance education in the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry. Through the questionnaire, the aim was to figure out whether the infrastructure of Firat University was ready and adequate for distance education, how efficient the distance theoretical and practical anatomy classes were, and in what proportions the students would prefer to take face-to-face and distance anatomy classes when the pandemic is over. A questionnaire of 35 questions was applied to 555 students studying at the Medicine and Dentistry Faculties of Firat University. The students widely accepted the opinion that Firat University successfully implemented the distance education system, and distance education offered the opportunity to receive the lessons repeatedly regardless of time and place. In addition, it has been determined as a common opinion that anatomy classes given via distance education were equally beneficial as face-to-face education in terms of duration, content, and efficiency. Despite these advantages, the lack of face-to-face interaction and weak information permanence were reported as the negative aspects of distance education. The students emphasized that applied anatomy classes and especially cadaver studies should be conducted face to face. Anatomy education is quite substantial in the acquisition and development of professional skills. It is considered that distance anatomy education will be inadequate to provide this gain. The high demand for face-to-face practical classes by students also backs this up.Copyright © 2023, Universidad de la Frontera. All rights reserved.

Overview of COVID-19’s relationship with thrombophilia proteins

COVID-19 is the most devastating pandemic situation we have experienced in our age, affecting all systems. Although it affects all systems, it shows its most important effect through thrombophilia. Therefore, the possible cause of sudden death due to COVID-19 may be embolism caused by thrombophilia. D-dimer amounts increase due to COVID-19. The thrombosis is associated with sudden death in COVID-19 disease in populations. Since individuals with thrombophilia will be more prone to death due to COVID-19, it may be appropriate to administer low doses of Clexane (Enoxaparin sodium) or low-weight heparin for prophylactic purposes in order to consider these individuals at high risk and to prevent deaths. Moreover, in order not to risk the lives of healthcare professionals with thrombophilia, it would be appropriate to keep them away from individuals with COVID-19 disease and to employ them in different healthcare services according to their fields of expertise. It should also not be forgotten that different symptoms related to COVID-19 appear day by day, these different symptoms probably show that the virus has undergone mutations in order to survive, but no matter what, its effect on thrombophilia has not been eliminated yet. This compilation aims to present the reasons and causes of death due to COVID-19, possible treatment options, and thrombophilia panel tests and new parameters that may have a place in the meticulous interpretation of these tests and possible etiopathology in the light of current information. Therefore, presenting this information in a rational manner and keeping the parameters of the thrombophilia panel under strict control predict that the deaths due to the virus will be partially reduced.

Acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine and role of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on vaccination willingness among medical students

Objectives: Vaccination to the population is the most effective way to get rid of the COVID-19 pandemic, which currently has no effective treatment. For the high vaccine acceptance rate, it is important to determine the vaccine willingness of individuals and the barriers to vaccination. We aimed to determine the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and the effect of attitudes, perception and beliefs on vaccination willingness among medical students. Methods: In February 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted online among medical student. A total of 734 medical students out of 980 medical students answered the questionnaire forms (response rate: 75.4%). The online questionnaire collected socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes, risk perception and beliefs about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy, rejection and acceptance were determined by self-report of medical students. Results: Total of 739 medical students included study. Students declared that 60.1% (n = 444) of them to be willing to vaccinated, 14.2% (n = 105) refused and 25.7% (n = 190) were not sure. Covid-19 willingness to be vaccinated was higher in female (p = 0.005), clinical students (p < 0.001), those who ever tested for COVID-19 (p = 0.002), those who had covid-19 infection history in the family (p = 0.043), those who had COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine education (p = 0.001). Positive attitudes skor and higher knowledge scores were related with highly willingness to be vaccinated. High beliefs score (positive beliefs) was found to be associated with a higher willingness to be vaccinated (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although the majority of the study population willingness to be vaccinated, one-third of medical students are hesitant about vaccination. Education, positive attitude and beliefs are related to higher willingness to vaccination.The COVID-19 pandemic immunization programs should be designed to remove barriers to negative vaccine beliefs and perception.