ABSTRACT
Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching has required online-learning modalities to facilitate easily accessible yet high-quality education. However, since the nature of anatomy requires hands-on experience in laboratories with cadavers, teaching anatomy in an online setting has proven especially difficult. This matter may be resolved with the Anatomage Table, an advanced anatomy visualization tool, which several studies have suggested can augment learning experiences for students in anatomy courses. Our objective was to provide accessible online modules, through utilization of the Anatomage Table, for medical students to facilitate their learning and enhance online learning experience. Materials and Methods: Ten modules were designed, consisting of a presentation, a pre- and post-self-assessment, as well as anatomical images and radiographs taken from Anatomage Table. The modules were based on a single organ system, and a clinical case pertaining to that organ system was presented. Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) second-year medical students contributed 102 responses in total throughout the 10 modules. Using a paired t-test, the study compared the students' pre- and post-assessment scores to determine how beneficial the modules were. Results: A significant difference in scores on the pre- and post-assessments was found for all 10 modules using a paired t-test. At the end of the modules, the students completed a feedback survey to assess the quality and convenience. Most of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the modules were beneficial to their online anatomy learning and wanted to see similar anatomical modules in the future. Conclusion: The Anatomage Table is an innovative virtual resource that can significantly contribute to a more engaging and productive experience for medical students.
ABSTRACT
The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in October 2021 and exhibited high transmissibility, immune evasion, and reduced severity when compared to the earlier variants. The lesser vaccine effectiveness against Omicron and its reduced severity created vaccination hesitancy among the public. This review compiled data reporting the relative prevalence of Omicron as compared to the early variants to give an insight into the existing variants, which may shape the decisions regarding the targets of the newly developed vaccines. Complied data revealed more than 90% prevalence within the infected cohorts in some countries. The BA.1 subvariant predominated over the BA.2 during the early stages of the Omicron wave. Moreover, BA.4/BA.5 subvariants were detected in South Africa, USA and Italy between October 2021 and April 2022. It is therefore important to develop vaccines that protect against Omicron as well as the early variants, which are known to cause more severe complications.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2 , Italy/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Despite widespread mass rollout programs, the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant called into question the effectiveness of the existing vaccines against infection, hospitalization, severity, and mortality compared to previous variants. This systematic review summarizes and compares the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, with respect to the above outcomes in adults, children, and adolescents. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken on several databases. Only 51 studies met our inclusion criteria, revealing that the protection from primary vaccination against Omicron infection is inferior to protection against Delta and Alpha infections and wanes faster over time. However, mRNA vaccine boosters were reported to reestablish effectiveness, although to a lower extent against Omicron. Nonetheless, primary vaccination was shown to preserve strong protection against Omicron-associated hospitalization, severity, and death, even months after last dose. However, boosters provide more robust and longer-lasting protection against hospitalizations due to Omicron as compared to only primary series.
