The Relation Between Theoretical and Practical Exams for Health Sciences Students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences- Jeddah.

Introduction: A comprehensive approach to assessment is essential to ensure that all students' learning competencies are measured accurately. Therefore, multiple methods of assessment have been developed to address this matter. This Study aims to assess the correlation between health sciences students' performance on theoretical and practical exams. Methods: A correlational study design was conducted. The academic performance of 352 students across theoretical/practical courses was tested. SPSS version 29.0 was used for analysis. Spearman's rho correlation (Rs), Wilcoxon, and Mann Whitney were computed at p<0.05. Results: The theoretical performance was strongly correlated with the practical performance of all programs pooled together (Rs (352) = 0.67, p<0.001). Also, there was a strong correlation between theoretical and practical performance for male students (Rs (181) = 0.72, p<0.001), while a moderate correlation for female students (Rs (171) = 0.53, p<0.001). Mann-Whitney test revealed significant mean performance difference by gender both at theoretical (U = 9284, p<0.0001) and practical (U = 11,373, p < 0.0001) levels. Conclusion: There were significant correlations between theoretical knowledge and practical skills across the selected four programs.; The mean student's performance was better in the practical skills than in the theoretical knowledge assessment, and female students surpassed male students in both practical and theoretical assessments in the four programs offered to both genders.

Health Care Clinical Preceptors' Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Education in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: IPE fosters a dynamic learning environment that may promote students' knowledge, abilities, and collaborative approach towards addressing challenging clinical circumstances. While much has been reported in the literature regarding these diverse IPE learning environments, limited information exists regarding clinical preceptors' attitude and perceptions of IPE, especially in Saudi Arabia. Given the impact clinical preceptors have on the formation of healthcare students exploring their perceptions, which may impact their actions is imperative. Methodology: The study focused on understanding the attitudes and perceptions of clinical preceptors towards IPE in a healthcare setting in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via Email letter of solicitation (LOS) which included a link to the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) survey. The LOS was sent to all the health care programs in Saudi Arabia. Results: The study surveyed 182 clinical preceptors. The findings revealed consistent favorable opinions towards "Teamwork and Collaboration". The majority of preceptors concurred that learning alongside other students would increase students' efficiency on healthcare teams and deepen their comprehension of clinical issues. The "Roles and Responsibilities" category, however, obtained lower ranks in general from the preceptors. Not surprising, differences in rankings were greatest between preceptors who had and did not have IPE exposure, there were significant variations in views toward "Teamwork and Collaboration", "Negative Professional Identity", and "Roles and Responsibilities". Preceptors exposed to IPE showed lower median ratings for "Negative Professional Identity" and "Roles and Responsibilities" and better median scores for "Teamwork and Collaboration". Conclusion: The attitudes and perceptions of preceptors who had experienced IPE were more favorable toward IPE and thus may foster it more effectively in the students they work with. Therefore, ensuring that all preceptors are aware of and have experience with IPE is important as we seek to promote person-centered care.

The barriers, motives, perceptions, and attitudes toward research among radiology practitioners and interns in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Research and the use of evidence-based practices are imperative to the advancement of diagnostic imaging modalities. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions and attitudes of radiology practitioners (i.e., Technicians, Technologists or Specialists, and Senior Specialists) and interns in King Abdulaziz Medical Cities (KAMCs), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, toward research, and to explore the various barriers and obstacles that hinder their research efforts. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive investigation was carried out from December 2022 to March 2023 among 112-KAMCs' radiology practitioners and interns, using previously developed and validated questionnaire comprised of five distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose, and with a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were generated for participants' demographics, and chi-square and fisher's exact tests were used to examine the association between participants' demographics and their involvement in research. Results: Among the 137 KAMCs' radiology practitioners and interns who were invited to participate, 112 responded and completed the questionnaire, resulting in an overall response rate of 81.75%. Radiology practitioners and interns from various medical imaging subspecialties were found to be involved in research to the extent of 83%, with nearly half (40.9%) of them have had publications, and 53.3% of these publications being either cross-sectional studies or retrospective clinical studies. A lack of time (66.1%), a lack of a professional supervisor support program (50.9%), and deficiency in research skills (45.5%) were common obstacles that may impede the participants' ability to conduct research. The most common motives for participants to conduct research were the desire to improve their resumes (69.6%), get accepted into postgraduate radiology programs (58%), and improve their research skills (52.7%). Conclusion: KAMCs' radiology practitioners and interns have a positive attitude toward performing research. Despite the high percentage (83%) of those involved in research, the number of publications remains low. A crucial step to advancing the profession's evidence base is engaging radiology practitioners and interns in research and encouraging radiology practitioner-led research. The study findings can serve as a valuable basis for designing developmental programs aimed at overcoming research obstacles among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Transition to remote/hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic among Saudi students of the College of Applied Medical Sciences: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unparalleled and unique stressors and challenges to the field of applied health sciences education. This study explored how the College of Applied Medical Sciences (COAMS) Saudi students perceive the transition to remote/ hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory investigation was carried out during the months of February and March in the year 2023 among 196- COAMS Saudi students, using the 48-item previously developed and validated questionnaire, and with a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were generated for participants' demographics, and for each questionnaire item and statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test. Results: Out of the 283 undergraduates who have enrolled in COAMS, a total of 196 students have agreed to participate in the study with an overall response rate of 69.3%. Over 70% of COAMS students were satisfied and engaged in their on-site coursework. Nevertheless, questionnaire data indicates that their satisfaction and level of engagement diminished following the shift to remote learning. More than 62% of COAMS students were satisfied with their instructors' instructional and assessment strategies during on-site coursework, but such perceptions have decreased with remote instruction. Hybrid learning can be beneficial and effective in improving the performance and learning experience of COAMS students. As compared to female students, COAMS male students were more satisfied with remote learning because it met their needs (p = 0.017). Conclusion: Remote classrooms have lower attendance and interest than on-site classes. Despite lower satisfaction levels in online courses, hybrid learning was viewed favourably by COAMS students. Higher educational institutions should develop plans to increase student involvement, improve academic integrity, and assess the effect of the pandemic on undergraduate education on a regular basis. By incorporating these measures, educational institutions can enhance and support the remote learning experience for their students.

Assessment of the Knowledge and Opinions of Undergraduate Health Care Students Concerning Influenza Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Influenza remains a significant global public health challenge, causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of influenza vaccines, challenges related to vaccine hesitancy and healthcare professionals' attitudes persist. Furthermore, there is a need to understand the knowledge and opinions of undergraduate healthcare students regarding influenza vaccinations. Therefore, we aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and opinions of undergraduate healthcare students about influenza vaccinations, addressing the existing knowledge gap in this area. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study design to assess the opinions and knowledge of undergraduate healthcare students in Saudi Arabia regarding influenza vaccination. A total of 137 healthcare programs were invited to participate via filled-out the survey online. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics for the demographic profile and Chi-Square and independent t-tests for examining associations and differences in opinions and knowledge, respectively. Results: A total of 429 undergraduate students completed the survey and were included. Significant associations were found between the students' major and their beliefs regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing influenza (p=0.017) and the inclusion of influenza vaccines in medical practice (p=0.016). The majority of students agreed with seven out of nine knowledge statements, with agreement percentages ranging from 42.9% to 44.8%. When comparing knowledge scores, students majoring in medicine had a significantly higher mean knowledge score (3.91) compared to students studying other medical sciences (3.72) (p=0.019). Conclusion and Recommendations: Our study suggests that a comprehensive approach involving education, awareness initiatives, and policy changes is needed to enhance knowledge about influenza vaccination among Saudi Arabian undergraduate students in Medical School allied medical sciences and medical degree programs. By implementing these strategies, we can promote a positive attitude towards flu vaccination and ultimately increase its uptake.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Radiological Science Students and Interns at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences: Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on many parts of our lives cannot be overstated. This study aimed to identify the psychological, physical activity, and educational effects of COVID-19 on radiological sciences students and interns at the three campuses of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Jeddah, and Alahsa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2021 among Saudi-108 radiological sciences students and interns using non-probability convenient sampling at King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Jeddah, and Alahsa using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using Excel and JMP statistical software. Results: 102 out of 108 completed the questionnaire resulting in a 94.44% response rate. The percentage of the overall negative psychological impact was 62%. For the physical activity effects of COVID-19 among students and interns, 96% reported a decline in their physical activities. 77% of participants reported a fair impression that the students were able to achieve some of their academic goals and acquired new skills during the pandemic, and 20% reported a good impression. They achieved all their goals and developed new skills, whereas 3% reported bad impressions and needed to achieve their goals or improve their skills. Conclusion: COVID-19 had a negative psychological and physical activity impact on RADs students and interns at the three KSAU-HS campuses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite technical difficulties, students and interns reported positive academic outcomes from COVID-19.

Assistive technology services for adults with disabilities in state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs.

PURPOSE: Prior research indicates that the provision of assistive technology (AT) services positively predicts successful employment outcomes in vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. While AT services can be promising, they are underutilized overall, and there are apparent disparities in AT service utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic factors which may act as barriers to receiving AT services in VR programs. Recognizing potential disparities is the first step in improving equity in access to beneficial services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of national data collected by the Rehabilitation Service Administration's Case Service Report from fiscal years 2017-2019. The sample included 788,173 cases that reported having a disability, were aged ≥18 years old, was deemed eligible for VR services, and had a complete set of data. RESULTS: Less than 9% of VR clients received AT services. We ran a multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the independent effects of various sociodemographic variables on the likelihood of receiving AT services through VR programs. The following client characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving AT services: men, unemployed, minority, low income, significant disability, non-enrolled in post-secondary education, mental or cognitive disability, less education, and younger age (all p < .001). CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the need for more research to identify underlying mechanisms and potential solutions to these apparent disparities in access to AT services for adults with disabilities. Future research and implications are provided.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIncreasing assistive technology (AT) training in counsellor education and offering more AT training for in-service rehabilitation counsellors to increase their competence to serve individuals with diverse disabilities, particularly those with cognitive and mental disabilities.Counsellors should be encouraged to use a team approach to ensure the most effective AT solutions are provided, and improve access to age-appropriate AT for younger individuals.Counsellors should identify alternative funding sources and refine eligibility criteria for low-income individuals, and develop effective means for educating less-informed individuals about the benefits of AT, and recognise the limited access of minority groups to receive services within vocational rehabilitation programs.

The role of teleradiology during COVID-19 outbreak: Saudi radiologists' perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of teleradiology during the COVID-19 pandemic from Saudi radiologists' perspectives to improve the radiology quality service. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia among radiologists working at local hospitals from October to November 2021. It contains 21 questions involved demographic information; general information on teleradiology services; and the impact of teleradiology during COVID-19. One-way ANOVA was used to compare demographic groups. Chi-square test was used to compare demographic groups regarding their distribution of responses. All tests were carried out <0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: A total of 102 radiologists participated in this study (56% males, 44% females), 58.8% of them were sub-specialized in chest radiology. Regarding the general status of teleradiology, 69.6% of participants believed that teleradiology is a helpful tool for imaging interpretation. However, 44% of them were uncertain on the impact of teleradiology on patients' confidentiality. Approximately 87% of participants agreed that there is a positive contribution of teleradiology during COVID-19, which enables decreasing risk of infection and workload. There was a significant difference between professional degrees and overall participant responses (p<0.05). Academicians agreed that it enhances radiology departments' work (mean=17.78, SD=1.86). CONCLUSION: Concerns raised on complicated cases that require physical presence of patients, cannot be performed by teleradiology. Additionally, it might provide insufficient communication with other professionals to discuss images.

Impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on children's oral health and caregiver's attitude towards Teledentistry: A Kuwait-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children's oral health and caregiver's attitude towards teledentistry. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to 583 caregivers of children aged between 3 and 10 years through electronic messages, which consisted of nine multiple choice questions divided into three parts. The first part included demographic data (age, gender, and educational level); the second part addressed the assessment of oral health of children by their caregivers during the lockdown, the reason and influence of the pandemic on the oral health of children; and the third part was related to caregiver's attitude towards healthcare system and teledentistry. Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test were used for analysis using SPSS (version 21.0). RESULT: Around 93.5% of caregivers were not satisfied with their child's oral health. Approximately 91.5% of caregivers agree that the coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected their child's oral health. Most of them think that alteration in sleep patterns is the main reason. Ninety-three percent of caregivers have been reported to utilize teledentistry during the pandemic period, but 53.2% did not know whether teledentistry could solve their child's oral healthcare problems. About 7% disagree that teledentistry can be helpful for the oral healthcare needs of children. CONCLUSION: Coronavirus disease has a negative impact on children's oral health. There is a need to increase awareness about teledentistry among caregivers in Kuwait.

A qualitative study to explore opinions of Saudi Arabian radiologists concerning AI-based applications and their impact on the future of the radiology.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore opinions and views towards radiology AI among Saudi Arabian radiologists including both consultants and trainees. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted, with radiologists working in radiology departments in the Western region of Saudi Arabia invited to participate in this interview-based study. Semi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted with consultant radiologists and trainees. A qualitative data analysis framework was used based on Miles and Huberman's philosophical underpinnings. Results: Several factors, such as lack of training and support, were attributed to the non-use of AI-based applications in clinical practice and the absence of radiologists' involvement in AI development. Despite the expected benefits and positive impacts of AI on radiology, a reluctance to use AI-based applications might exist due to a lack of knowledge, fear of error and concerns about losing jobs and/or power. Medical students' radiology education and training appeared to be influenced by the absence of a governing body and training programmes. Conclusion: The results of this study support the establishment of a governing body or national association to work in parallel with universities in monitoring training and integrating AI into the medical education curriculum and residency programmes. Advances in knowledge: An extensive debate about AI-based applications and their potential effects was noted, and considerable exceptions of transformative impact may occur when AI is fully integrated into clinical practice. Therefore, future education and training programmes on how to work with AI-based applications in clinical practice may be recommended.

The Motivational Factors of Choosing Diagnostic Radiology as a Profession Among Saudi Radiography Students.

Purpose: To identify factors influencing Saudi students to choose radiography as their academic major and future career field. Material and Method: This study involved quantitative (online questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interview) approaches. An online questionnaire was distributed among (n = 308) students. The questionnaire contained 30 questions covering the following three domains: economy, vocational and personal. A total of 25 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposive sampling of radiography students in seven universities (public and private) across the western region of Saudi Arabia. Interview responses were coded, and main themes were extracted based on Miles and Huberman's framework. Results: The findings demonstrated that radiography was the first option as profession for 44% of the study participants. Several factors that study participants considered important were in the realm of patient care, helping patients, radiographer-patient relations, science-based profession, and the desire to work in the healthcare system. A few participants (14%) reported that they are planning to change their profession to another medical speciality. Four themes were identified from the interviews: 1) Profession decision-making, 2) changing career", 3) difficulties and challenges, and 4) recommended radiography as a profession. Conclusion: The results of the study support the need to bridge the gap between high school, universities, and employment through a collaborative network to assist students in exploring their career path by providing sufficient information and experience.

Burnout Among Saudi Radiological Sciences Undergraduate Students During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented new stressors and challenges to the applied health sciences' education. This study explored the prevalence of burnout among Saudi radiological sciences students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2020 among 176-Saudi radiological sciences students, using the 16-item questionnaire of Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Students and through non-probability convenient sampling technique. The 16 items of the questionnaire were scored on a 7-point frequency rating scale ranging from 0 (never) to 6 (every day) and consisted of three distinct burnout dimensions/subscales: a) emotional exhaustion (5-items), cynicism (5-items), and professional efficacy (6-items). The means of individual items that make up each scale of burnout were calculated, and statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results/Observations/Findings: From the 176-radiological sciences students approached, 96 (54.5%) completed the questionnaire. The percentage of students who were at moderate to high risk of burnout was 70.8% for emotional exhaustion, 75% for cynicism, and 74% for professional efficacy subscales. Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher among fourth-year students (P = 0.042), than third-year students. Cynicism was significantly higher among fourth-year female students (P = 0.035), than third-year female students. The professional efficacy was significantly lower among fourth-year female students (P = 0.007) than males. Conclusion: Our study shows 73.3% moderate to high burnout rates among Saudi radiological sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout increases as students advance to the fourth year. A block/modular curriculum structure for fourth-year courses may be necessary to reduce burnout among fourth-year students. Academic counseling can ease students' emotional stress and reduce burnout risk.

Solid State NMR a Powerful Technique for Investigating Sustainable/Renewable Cellulose-Based Materials.

Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) is a powerful and attractive characterization method for obtaining insights into the chemical structure and dynamics of a wide range of materials. Current interest in cellulose-based materials, as sustainable and renewable natural polymer products, requires deep investigation and analysis of the chemical structure, molecular packing, end chain motion, functional modification, and solvent-matrix interactions, which strongly dictate the final product properties and tailor their end applications. In comparison to other spectroscopic techniques, on an atomic level, ssNMR is considered more advanced, especially in the structural analysis of cellulose-based materials; however, due to a dearth in the availability of a broad range of pulse sequences, and time consuming experiments, its capabilities are underestimated. This critical review article presents the comprehensive and up-to-date work done using ssNMR, including the most advanced NMR strategies used to overcome and resolve the structural difficulties present in different types of cellulose-based materials.

Assessment of the Response to Abdominal and Pelvic Computed Tomography Report Recommendations: A Single-Center, Retrospective, Chart Review Study.

Objectives The radiology report is the primary form of communication between the radiologists and referring clinicians. It is a structured document containing several key components pertaining to the interpretation of radiological examinations and may require the addition of follow-up imaging recommendations to optimize patient outcomes. This study aims to determine whether follow-up imaging recommendations are being acknowledged and acted upon by referrers. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital. Prerecorded BESTCare data of patients who underwent abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans between October 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, and received recommendations for further evaluation were collected after obtaining ethical approval from the local authority. Data of patients younger than 14 years old, patients who did not receive a recommendation, and patients who had CT scans that were uploaded to the BESTCare system but were performed outside the institution were excluded. The collected data were recorded in a password-protected Microsoft Excel file for further analysis. Results A total of 523 report recommendations from 422 abdominal and pelvic CT reports were analyzed. The most common organs indicated for CT scan evaluation were the breast (N = 54, 10.33%), kidney (N = 46, 8.80%), lymph node (N = 36, 6.88%), and colon (N = 33, 6.31%). The most common type of further evaluation recommended was further imaging (N = 410, 78.39%). A total of 278 (53.15%) recommendations were not performed, with 199 (71.58%) not having a documented rationale for noncompliance. Conclusion The majority of the follow-up imaging recommendations to ordering physicians were not carried out. This study highlights the need for notification and audit systems to monitor compliance with follow-up recommendations. Improving the communication between radiologists and referring physicians is key to optimizing patient healthcare.

Saudi Radiology Personnel's Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Implementation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology has been a subject of heated debate. The external perception is that algorithms and machines cannot offer better diagnosis than radiologists. Reluctance to implement AI maybe due to the opacity in how AI applications work and the challenging and lengthy validation process. In this study, Saudi radiology personnel's familiarity with AI applications and its usefulness in clinical practice were investigated. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia among radiology personnel from March to April 2021. Radiology personnel nationwide were surveyed electronically using Google form. The questionnaire included 12-questions related to AI usefulness in clinical practice and participants' knowledge about AI and their acceptance level to learn and implement this technology into clinical practice. Participants' trust level was also measured; Kruskal-Wallis test was used to examine differences between groups. RESULTS: A total of 224 respondents from various radiology-related occupations participated in the survey. The lowest trust level in AI applications was shown by radiologists (p = 0.033). Eighty-two percent of participants (n = 184) had never used AI in their departments. Most respondents (n = 160, 71.4%) reported lack of formal education regarding AI-based applications. Most participants (n = 214, 95.5%) showed strong interest in AI education and are willing to incorporate it into the clinical practice of radiology. Almost half of radiography students (22/46, 47.8%) believe that their job might be at risk due to AI application (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Radiology personnel's knowledge of AI has a significant impact on their willingness to learn, use and adapt this technology in clinical practice. Participants demonstrated a positive attitude towards AI, showed a reasonable understanding and are highly motivated to learn and incorporate it into clinical practice. Some participants felt that their jobs were threatened by AI adaptation, but this belief might change with good training and education programmes.

The Sensitivity and Specificity of White Blood Cells and Nitrite in Dipstick Urinalysis in Association With Urine Culture in Detecting Infection in Adults From October 2016 to October 2019 at King Abdulaziz Medical City.

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common clinical presentations that exhaust the patients and confuse physicians. Some of the risk factors that contribute to UTIs are age, female gender, and diabetes. Urinalysis is used to detect abnormalities in the urine, such as the presence of leukocytes, blood, and nitrite. However, urinalysis accuracy depends on the patient and the analyzer. On the other hand, urine culture is considered gold standard for diagnosing UTI. For that, the aim of this study is to determine the sensitivity of white blood cells (WBC) and nitrite in dipstick urinalysis in detecting UTI. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City on adult patients aged 19-65 years who underwent dipstick urinalysis and culture at the same visit from October 2016 to October 2019. The data were collected from the medical records from all the departments by using a data collection sheet through Best Care system. The sample was selected conveniently, and it was determined to be 359 patients with a confidence interval of 95%. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between the outcome and the results of the dipstick urinalysis and urine culture. P-value lower than 0.05 was considered significant. Results Three hundred and fifty-nine patients were included into the study with a majority of females (81.1%) with a mean age of 47.5 years. Two hundred and fifty-two patients were culture positive, WBC sensitivity and specificity were 62.7% and 100%, and nitrite sensitivity and specificity were 20.6% and 93.5%, respectively. Ninety-nine diabetic patients were culture positive; for diabetic patients, WBC sensitivity and specificity were 65.7% and 100% and nitrite sensitivity and specificity were 18.2% and 97.6%, respectively, while for non-diabetic patients, WBC sensitivity and specificity were 60.85% and 100% and nitrite sensitivity and specificity were 22.2% and 90.8%, respectively. Conclusion Our study showed that results of WBC are more sensitive and specific than those of nitrite in comparison to the gold standard (urine culture). Diabetics and non-diabetics have slightly different results. According to our results it is difficult to depend on the dipstick urinalysis without culture. More studies are recommended in this field.

Incidental Gonadal Vein Thrombosis Diagnosed Using Computed Tomography Imaging: A Single-Center, Retrospective, Cohort Study.

Objectives Gonadal vein thrombosis is an uncommon but serious condition that can be fatal if it goes unnoticed. Up to 80% of cases occur in patients after delivery, hysterectomy, or lymphadenectomy for gynecological neoplasms. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of gonadal vein thrombosis using computed tomography (CT) imaging at our center and to describe associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected for all patients diagnosed with incidental gonadal-vein-thrombosis using contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging of the abdomen and pelvis between January 2005 and December 2017. We included all patients with incidental findings of gonadal vein thrombosis and excluded those with incomplete data. Results In total, 58/68,268 (0.08%) patients were included. Fifty-seven patients were females, and only one was male. The mean age (years) of the patients was 50.0±15.0 (range 4-87). Thirty-four patients (59%) had right gonadal vein thrombosis, 20 (34%) had thrombosis on the left side, and four (7%) had bilateral thrombosis. Nineteen patients (33%) had undergone pelvic surgery previously. Forty-four patients (76%) had a malignancy at the time of diagnosis. Forty-two patients (72%) were treated with anticoagulants after the diagnosis. Conclusion Gonadal vein thrombosis is a rare clinical entity with vague clinical presentation. The incidence in the oncology population is similar to the reported incidence in the obstetric population. Initiation of anticoagulation therapy is important to treat this condition and limit complications.

Patient-Based Dose Audit for Common Radiographic Examinations With Digital Radiology Systems: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to audit radiation doses of adult patients who underwent common diagnostic X-ray examinations and compare dose area product (DAP) values with the established International Diagnostic Reference Level (IDRLs). Retrospective cross-sectional records of 339-patients who underwent 699-radiographic examinations between October 2018 and March 2019 were obtained. Patient-related factors, exposure, and DAP data were recorded for the six most common examinations. The mean and 75th percentile of DAPs were recorded and compared to IDRLs values. The 75th percentiles of the locally measured DAPs were below IDRLs for all examinations except for lateral lumbar, AP, and lateral thoracic spine, in which DAP-75th-percentile exceeded all IDRLs by up to 40.7%, 2.8%, 365.5%, respectively. Considering the type of detector used, the mean of the locally measured DAPs significantly exceeded the UK DRLs for the lateral thoracic spine and lateral lumbar spine. Locally measured DAP values were below the IDRLs except for thoracic and lumbar spine projections, which significantly exceeded.

Unusual Male Breast Lesions.

Most of male breast masses are benign with gynecomastia being the most common entity encountered. Primary male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of the total number of breast cancer. Male breast can be affected by a variety of conditions affecting the female breast with less frequency due to the lack of hormonal influence and consequent glandular sub-development. Imaging features of male breast masses are quite similar to the female breast. Therefore, using the knowledge of the female breast and applying it may help in the diagnosis and management of male breast abnormalities. In this article, we aim to review a variety of unusual male breast masses. We discuss the demographics of male breast tumors, describe the diagnostic algorithm for evaluating male breast masses, and review the imaging features of rare breast masses and mimickers of male breast cancer.

Assessment of Radiological Sciences Students' and Interns' Long-Term Retention of Theoretical and Practical Knowledge: A Longitudinal Panel Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined the long-term retention of radiological sciences' theoretical and practical knowledge among two cohorts of Saudi male and female students and interns at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)-Jeddah campus. METHODS: A longitudinal panel study was conducted among fourth-year radiological sciences undergraduate students and interns at KSAU-HS, KSA-Jeddah campus. The students were invited to voluntarily retake three onsite 40-multiple-choice-questions midterm exams after one-year interval from their initial midterm exams, whereas the interns retook the same three exams after two years interval. One of the three exams was for a practical course, while the other two were for theoretical courses (ie, one incorporated a blending learning instructional strategy and the second employed a passive learning strategy). The initial exams' scores were retrieved. Paired samples t-test was used to compare paired test scores, and one-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences in the retention percentages between the three courses. RESULTS: Out of all 42 fourth-year students and interns, 35 (83.3%) participated. The one-year and two-year retake exams' mean scores were significantly lower than the initial exams' mean scores for the three courses and among students and interns (P < 0.05). The one-to-two years retention of practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge via a blended learning instructional approach was 61.5-78.6%, more than the retention of theoretical knowledge via a passive learning approach (47.6-64.1%). The one-year retention of practical and theoretical information was significantly higher among male students (64.1-78.6%) than females (47.6-62.9%). CONCLUSION: Students and interns showed higher long-term retention of practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge using a blended-learning instructional approach than passive learning approach, with male students showing higher long-term knowledge retention than females. It is essential to incorporate innovative teaching strategies that promote long-term knowledge retention, such as active and blended learning.