An Online Dermatology Teaching Module for Undergraduate Medical Students amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Experience and Suggestions for the Future.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted clinical teaching in medical schools. Direct patient interaction, especially in groups, in out-patient departments or wards, was also made difficult. Institutes have adapted to the changed circumstances by increasing the use of online learning. We share our experience with a module of online Dermatology for undergraduate students. METHODS: An online module, aligned with the existing course objectives was designed and applied for two cohorts (year 4 and year 5). The module included student manuals, Powerpoint- presentations, videos, and quizzes uploaded on dedicated online management systems. There were live interactive sessions in small groups also. The small group session included student-led case presentations and faculty-led simulated case discussions. Feedback was taken from both the students and the faculty regarding the module using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 45 students and 4 faculty responded to the respective questionnaires. A majority of the students felt that the module covered the planned content adequately. The faculty and the majority of the students were also satisfied with the technical aspects of the module. Student and faculty concerns were mainly in the area of assessment and practical skills. While faculty were concerned about the validity of the assessment, students were concerned mainly about difficulty and the need for more orientation regarding the assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The students and faculty were satisfied with the online Dermatology module in our study. However, the validity of assessment and the training of practical skills are major limitations.

Specialty preferences of 1(st) year medical students in a Saudi Medical School - Factors affecting these choices and the influence of gender.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of career preference in medicine as it affects student learning and academic performance. Various factors influence the specialty choices of medical students. Some specialties tend to attract students more than others. One possible consequence of this would be a mismatch between health needs and specialist numbers in the region. This study investigated the career preferences of 1(st) year medical students in a Saudi medical school and to assess factors affecting these choices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out on the 1(st) year undergraduate students in the college of medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. A total of 109 students (57 female and 52 males) responded to the questionnaire which was initially administered to all the students of the 1(st) year - A total of 120 students (response rate was 90.8%). A mixed method approach was used and qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed based on thematic analysis. RESULTS: The top choices were general surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Among female students; the top specialty choices were: General surgery (23%), pediatrics (18%), and dermatology (15%). Among the male students; the top choices were: General surgery (54%) and internal medicine (23%). Of the total, 57% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that primary aptitude was the main factor affecting the choice. Only 31% felt that there was a significant influence of role model, 48% felt that the advice of others - peers and family, would be a factor influencing their choices, and 53% agreed that specialty choice would influence their future learning patterns. Males were more likely to choose a specialty based on actual aptitude for the specialty, financial rewards, and scope for research; and this gender difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Surgery was the top-choice in both genders. Other popular choices included internal medicine, pediatrics, and dermatology. Important factors affecting these choices included - primary aptitude, advice of peers, reputation, financial rewards, and the challenge involved.

Hyperhomocysteinia is a risk factor for retinal venous occlusion: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the role of hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in Indian patients. TYPE OF STUDY: Matched case control type of longitudinal study was conducted in 2006-2007. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two medical retina specialists examined the eyes having an event of RVO in the last 15 days. A similar number of eyes without RVO were also examined. The serum and urine homocysteine levels of these persons were tested. Matched pair analysis was carried out to determine the risk of RVO among those with hyperhomocysteinemia. RESULTS: We included 20 cases of RVO and 20 age- and sex-matched persons without RVO. The risk of RVO was significantly higher in persons with hyperhomocysteinemia [difference of mean 31.62 µmol/L (95% Confidence Interval 16.60-47 . 86), P = 2.1 × 10-13 ]. The mean urine homocysteine level among cases and controls was not statistically significant. There were 12 persons with hypertension in both cases and control groups. CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for RVO. Any list of investigations for a case of RVO should include total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels.

Magnitude and Causes of Low Vision Disability (Moderate and Severe Visual Impairment) among Students of Al-Noor Institute for the Blind in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia: A case series.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the magnitude and causes of low vision disability (severe visual impairment [SVI] and moderate visual impairment [MVI]) among students at Al-Noor Institute for the Blind (NIB) in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia in 2006. METHODS: An optometrist conducted refraction of 122 eyes of the 61 students (27 boys and 34 girls) with MVI (vision <6/18 to 6/60) and SVI (vision <6/60 to 3/60). Ophthalmologists examined the anterior and posterior segments, and analysed the outcomes of additional investigations to finalise the diagnosis. The results were categorised as 'preventable', 'treatable' and 'not amenable to treatment'. The low vision care was also reviewed. RESULTS: In 12 (9.8%) eyes, visual acuity was ≥6/18 and in 28 (23%) eyes, it was <3/60. MVI and SVI were found in 82 eyes (67.2%). Hereditary retinal disorders were found in 68 (55.7%) eyes. Although refractive errors were found in 112 (91.8%) eyes, isolated refractive error was found in only 9 students. Congenital glaucoma and cataract were responsible for visual impairment in 16 (13.1%) and 9 (7.4%) eyes. These students were prescribed optical and non-optical low vision aids. CONCLUSION: Retinal disease was the main cause of SVI and MVI in our series. Some students at Al-Noor Institute for the Blind have curable low vision conditions. Rehabilitation of low vision disability should be different from that offered to the absolutely blind.

Infected epithelial inclusion cyst mimicking subconjunctival abscess after strabismus surgery.

Presumed subconjunctival abscess has been reported as a rare postoperative complication of strabismus surgery.(1-2) We report the case of a child who initially was diagnosed with subconjuctival abscess after strabismus surgery for whom histopathology demonstrated an infected epithelial inclusion cyst. We suggest that previous reports of presumed subconjunctival abscess after strabismus surgery also may have been caused by a similar mechanism.