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AIM: To measure awareness about the benefits of post-bariatric surgery, which is a shortening of the gut in order to lose weight in diabetic patients in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among diabetic patients aged 18-65 from February to July 2023. An online questionnaire via Google Forms was distributed and used to assess the participants' awareness of the benefits of post-bariatric surgery for diabetic patients. RESULTS: Overall, 388 participants (56.40% female, 43.60% male) were surveyed. Most participants (91.5%) showed awareness of gastric sleeve surgery, while a significant proportion (85.8%) recognized obesity as a disease. A majority of participants (80.90%) showed awareness of the association between obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. However, only 46.10% of participants showed awareness of eligibility criteria associated with bariatric surgery. The majority recognized the effectiveness of bariatric surgery for weight loss but did not consider it the first choice, emphasizing a preference for non-surgical weight loss strategies. CONCLUSION: Participants demonstrated good knowledge about obesity and its implications for health. They also demonstrated good knowledge about bariatric surgery as an effective weight reduction method but expressed a preference for non-surgical methods, which reflects their awareness of the complications of bariatric surgery. However, the results showed a lack of awareness of postoperative indications and lifestyle changes, thus highlighting the need for comprehensive patient education and counseling.
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Introduction The integration of technology in pharmacy education has led to significant changes, making it essential to examine its impact on student learning outcomes. With the rise of emerging technologies, such as game-based learning and augmented reality, new pedagogical approaches have been introduced. However, these technologies also bring challenges that necessitate well-thought-out responses from educational institutions, especially considering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning formats. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with pharmacy students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, utilizing stratified random sampling for data collection. The study employed a validated questionnaire to gather information on students' use of technology, their preferences, and their perceived learning outcomes. The analysis was carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 29) (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), ensuring adherence to the ethical standards set by the institutional review board. Results The study, involving 508 pharmacy students from Saudi Arabia, revealed that a significant majority regularly use technology in their education, particularly online learning management systems and virtual labs, indicating a shift toward more accessible and efficient learning methods. A notable portion of the students acknowledged the beneficial impact of technology on their learning, with 86.3% reporting improved knowledge retention, 92% noting enhanced skills, and 87.1% observing better academic performance. However, the study also uncovered challenges, with about half of the students facing issues mainly related to distractions while finding technological complexity less problematic. The support from educational institutions in addressing these issues was found to be moderate. These findings underscore the crucial role of technology in enhancing pharmacy education while highlighting the need for more comprehensive institutional support and strategic planning to address the challenges faced by students. Conclusions Technology plays a vital role in the modernization of pharmacy education, significantly aiding in knowledge retention, skill development, and academic performance. Despite the widespread use of technology, the varied experiences and challenges encountered by students underscore the need for increased institutional support and strategic planning. Education must adapt alongside technological advancements to cater to the diverse needs of learners, highlighting the importance of further research into the long-term effects and optimal strategies for technology integration in pharmacy education.
