Awareness and Knowledge of the Adverse Effects of Dermal Fillers Among the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Dermal filling for aesthetics and facial rejuvenation is one of the most common aesthetic procedures, with hyaluronic acid (HA) being the most commonly used filler due to its high safety profile. Nevertheless, adverse effects have been reported that people should be aware of before the procedure. This study aims to assess Saudi Arabians' awareness of dermal fillers, their side effects, and information sources. Methods This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire to determine participants' level of knowledge, from January 2, 2022, to February 19, 2023. Statistical analysis and ordinal logistic regression were used to assess the respondents' knowledge of dermal fillers and other parameters. Results Of the 1,208 respondents, 290 reported using fillers, and 44% reported that complications were mentioned to them before the procedure. The results also showed that the primary source of information was social media (44.8%), followed by the Internet, physicians, and books. Respondents to whom physicians explained complications reported bruising, bluish discoloration at the injection site, redness, swelling, and accumulation of body cells under the skin, as discussed with them. Bruising and bluish discoloration were the significantly reported complications in people who received fillers, whereas lumps, epistaxis, ulceration/loss of skin, and swelling/accumulation were reported in those who did not receive fillers. Conclusion Although some adverse effects may occur with HA, its enormous advantages led to its use in facial rejuvenation. With social media as a major source of information, many respondents reported unlikely adverse effects as common ones, suggesting that information sources need to be corrected by physicians to raise awareness of the adverse effects of cosmetic procedures and enhance informed decision-making by patients.

Plagiarism Perceptions and Attitudes Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine attitudes towards and perceptions of plagiarism among medical students in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional, multicentre study was conducted between April and May 2018 and involved medical students enrolled in three medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The previously validated Attitude Towards Plagiarism questionnaire was used to evaluate approval (i.e. a positive attitude) and disapproval of plagiarism (i.e. a negative attitude) among medical students. Furthermore, this study evaluated whether attending medical writing courses or courses in medical ethics influenced medical students' attitudes towards plagiarism. RESULTS: A total of 551 students participated in the study (response rate = 73.5%). A significant association was found between mean negative and positive attitude scores and grade point average (GPA; P = 0.004 and 0.007, respectively). Students attending medical ethics courses had higher mean negative attitude scores compared to students who did not attend such courses (odds ratio = 2.369, 95% confidence interval: 1.540-3.645; P <0.001). Attending medical ethics courses was associated with a significantly more negative attitude towards plagiarism (P <0.001, each). CONCLUSION: The majority of medical students in Saudi Arabia included in this study indicated a highly negative attitude towards plagiarism. A higher GPA, the authoring of a published manuscript and attending courses in medical ethics were associated with negative attitudes towards plagiarism among medical students.

Emotional Intelligence and Burnout in Plastic Surgery Residents: Is There a Relationship?

BACKGROUND: The specific role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the field of plastic surgery has not been investigated. We aim to investigate the relationship between EI and the individual components of burnout among plastic surgery residents in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all plastic surgery residents (n = 37) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were invited to participate in a questionnaire based study in March 2018. The survey contained a validated measure of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey), validated measure of EI (Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form), and evaluated residents' demographics, professional and personal risk factors, and career satisfaction. RESULTS: The overall rate of high burnout was 37.9%, with 72.4% residents reporting high level of emotional exhaustion (EE), 41% reporting high depersonalization (DP) and 41% reporting low sense of personal accomplishment (PA). EI has shown to have a significant negative relationship with EE (95% confidence interval CI, -9.061 to -1.374; P = 0.010), DP (95% CI, -5.747 to -1.974; P < 0.001), and a significant positive correlation with PA (95% CI, 1.398-5.439; P = 0.002). Significant risk factors for burnout included dissatisfaction with plastic surgery as a career choice, dissatisfaction with income, and dissatisfaction with the role in the operating room (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive correlation between higher levels of EI and sense of personal achievement, whereas a negative correlation was observed between higher level of EI and EE and DP among the residents in this study. Plastic surgery residents who are satisfied with their salary have lower EE and DP. Residents who are satisfied with their role in the operating room have a better sense of PA.