Incorporating Technology Adoption in Medical Education: A Qualitative Study of Medical Students' Perspectives.

Introduction: The integration of technology into medical education has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with tools such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine gaining prominence. These tool in medical education, offering immersive, experiential learning experiences. Methods: We approached medical students currently enrolled in medical education programs and who are familiar with and actively use AI in medical education. Initially, we invited 21 random students to participate in the study; however, only 13 agreed to interviews. Some students cited their busy exam schedules as the reason for not participating. The participants were informed of the objective of the study before the commencement of the recorded interviews. Semi-structured interviews were used to guide the record interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software. Results: Participants exhibited a diverse range of perceptions and levels of awareness regarding VR, AI, and telemedicine technologies. Learning with virtual reality was considered to be fun, memorable, inclusive, and engaging by participants. The use of virtual reality technology is seen as complementing current teaching and learning approaches, helping to build learners' confidence, as well as providing medical students with a safe environment for problem-solving and trial-and-error learning. The students reported that AI was seen as a potential game-changer in the healthcare sector. Participants hoped that telemedicine would provide healthcare services to remote and underserved populations. Conclusion: The study conducted focus group discussions with medical students and residents in Saudi Arabia to explore their views on integrating VR, AI, and telemedicine in medical education and practice. Their insights highlight the need for informed decision-making and strategic development to optimize the benefits and address challenges like initial investments, technical issues, ethics, and regulations. These considerations are crucial for fully realizing the potential benefits of technology in medical education globally.

Reliability and Validity of Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in Arabic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is the most specific and widely used questionnaire for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic heart failure (CHF). This study aimed to examine reliability and validity of the KCCQ in Arabic patients with CHF. Material and Methods: Patients with CHF filled out the Arabic versions of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) and KCCQ questionnaire, and performed a six-minute walk test (6MWT) on their first visit. On the return, the patients filled out the KCCQ along with the global rating of change (GRC) scale. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were examined. Results: A total of 101 Arabic patients with CHF, with a mean (SD) age of 55 (11) years old, completed the study. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.97, and the ICC2,1 = 0.95 (95%CI: 0.92 to 0.97, p < 0.001). The Arabic version of KCCQ was correlated with the MLHF (r = -0.57, p = 0.01) and with the 6MWT (r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Arabic version of KCCQ is a reliable and valid measure of HRQoL, which could be utilized in routine clinical practice for Arabic-speaking patients with CHF.

Investigating the relationship between lifestyle factors, family history, and diabetes mellitus in non-diabetic visitors to primary care centers.

We investigated the risk levels associated with diabetes mellitus. They were assessed based on whether anyone in their family had a history of diabetes. The data collected are measurements of blood pressure, weight, height, and smoking habits, as well as physical activity and educational status. Based on the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) recommendations, the questionnaire included a diabetes risk assessment. The risk of diabetes was 76.3% among participants with a family history of diabetes. There is a 41.1% chance of diabetes among those participants whose fathers had diabetes, and a 39.3% chance of diabetes among those participants whose mothers had diabetes. Additionally, those participants who have siblings with diabetes were 24% at high risk for developing diabetes. The prevalence of the risk of having a family history of diabetes is higher in the women in the family (RR = 3.12; P = 0.0001) as compared to the men in the family (RR = 1.9; P = 0.0001). Risk of diabetes more in the male (1.13 times higher) in the current study based on the ADA scale. There is evidence that various factors, including lifestyle choices, physical attributes, and family history, influence the risk of developing diabetes in the current study. The results of the current study indicate that there is a strong association between patients with T2D and those who have a family history of diabetes. Considering Saudi Arabia's high diabetes risk, evidence-based lifestyle modifications are needed.

Measurement Properties' Evaluation of the Arabic Version of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS-Ar) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) disorder. Materials and Methods: Reliability and validity were examined in patients with multiple sclerosis using a longitudinal cohort study design. One hundred (N = 100) patients with MS were recruited to examine the PSFS-Ar, test-retest reliability (using the interclass correlation coefficient model 2,1 (ICC2,1)), construct validity (using the hypothesis testing method), and floor-ceiling effect. Results: A total of 100 participants completed the PSFS-Ar (34% male, 66% female). The PSFS-Ar showed an excellent test-retest reliability score (ICC2,1 = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.93). The SEM of the PSFS-Ar was 0.80, while the MDC95 was 1.87, indicating an acceptable measurement error. The construct validity of the PSFS-Ar was 100% correlated with the predefined hypotheses. As hypothesized, the correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between the PSFS-Ar and the RAND-36 domains of physical functioning (0.5), role limitations due to physical health problems (0.37), energy/fatigue (0.35), and emotional well-being (0.19). There was no floor or ceiling effect in this study. Conclusions: The study results showed that the PSFS-Ar is a self-reported outcome measure that is useful for detecting specific functional difficulties in patients with multiple sclerosis. Patients are able to express and report a variety of functional limitations easily and effectively, as well as to measure their response to physical therapy. The PSFS-Ar is, therefore, recommended for use in Arabic-speaking countries for clinical practice and research for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Psychometric properties of the Obstacles and Curb tests and their discriminative ability across functional levels in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy.

The Obstacles and Curb tests are timed walking assessments that have emerged from the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Profile and have been modified for children; however, their psychometric properties have not been adequately investigated. The aim of this research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Obstacles and Curb tests for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This cross-sectional study included 68 children aged 6-12 years; there were 34 children with CP and 34 age- and sex-matched typically developing children. Validity was examined by correlation with the 10-m Walk Test (10-MWT), Modified Time Up and Go test (mTUG), and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Differences in the Obstacle and Curb test scores were calculated between children with CP and typically developing children and within different Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. Children with CP completed the tests twice within a 30-min interval in the same session. The tests showed significant strong to very strong correlations with the 10-MWT, mTUG, and PBS. The within-session reliability was excellent, typically developing children were significantly faster than children with CP with high sensitivity and specificity, and the time differed significantly within the GMFCS level. Thus, the Obstacles and Curb tests can be considered valid, reliable, and sensitive walking tests for ambulatory children with CP.

Normative values and factors affecting Pediatric Reach Tests in Saudi children aged 6-11 years in the eastern province: cross-sectional study.

Background: The Pediatric Reach Tests (PRTs) assess balance while standing-the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Lateral Reach Test (LRT)-and in a sitting position-the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and Modified Lateral Reach Test (MLRT). Normative values have not been fully evaluated in Saudi children. The objectives are; to estimate the normative values for PRTs; investigate the correlation between the PRTs and demographic/anthropometric characteristics; and develop predictive equations for the PRTs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 251 children aged 6-11 were recruited. The PRTs were measured and correlated with demographic/anthropometric variables. A stepwise regression was conducted to develop the predictive equations for the PRT scores. Results: The mean and standard deviations (in cm) of the PRT scores were as follows: FRT = 20.02 ± 4.31; LRT = 13.42 ± 3.38; MFRT = 21.49 ± 4.70, and MLRT = 14.64 ± 3.66. Several significant correlations were found. Moderate correlations existed between the PRT scores and age, height, upper extremity length, lower extremity length, and foot length; there was a weak correlation with body mass index. Weight was moderately correlated with FRT and MFRT and weakly correlated with LRT and MLRT. The correlation between the base of support and LRT was moderate and was weak with FRT, MFRT, and MLRT. A weak correlation was found between sex and LRT. Age and height were the most predictive of PRT scores. Conclusion: This study provided PRT normative values that can be used as a clinical reference for evaluating balance in typically developing children.