Knowledge and Perception Toward Neuromodulation Devices Among Medical Students at Umm Al-Qura University.

Introduction Neurologic and psychiatric disorders affect many people worldwide and are crucial to medical care. It is crucial to note that primary care doctors initially evaluate patients who will eventually require neuromodulation (NM) therapy. There is a growing concern about the extent of medical students' knowledge regarding NM therapy. Insufficient education and limited exposure of future doctors to different treatment approaches can limit their ability to refer patients promptly and appropriately, thereby impeding access to necessary treatment. Methods The study employed a non-probability stratified snowball sampling technique to recruit participants. The population consisted of undergraduate medical students (excluding interns) at Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was conducted through an online questionnaire. Results The sample comprised 301 medical students, with an average age of 21.62±1.54 years (ranging from 18 to 25). The majority were female (65.1%), and in the clinical years (57.8%), a considerable portion of respondents (57.5%) lacked awareness that NM devices are approved by the FDA for treatment. Both pre-clinical and clinical-year students exhibited insufficient knowledge (91.3% and 91.4%, respectively). Females showed a higher proportion (95.9%) of poor attitudes toward NM compared to males (83.8%). Notably, preclinical students showed a higher level of knowledge (11.0%) compared to clinical students (6.3%). Conclusions The study revealed a significant lack of knowledge among medical students regarding NM devices. This is concerning given the growing prevalence of NM devices in clinical practice. To ensure optimal patient care, it is crucial to provide comprehensive education on NM devices to medical students.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Eye Management Among Diabetics in Saudi Arabia.

Background Globally, one of the leading causes of blindness is diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, many patients do not participate in DR screening because of a lack of awareness. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level regarding DR screening and eye management among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients aged 18 years or older in Saudi Arabia between October 2022 and February 2023. A validated online KAP-36 questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic data, diabetes profile, diabetes-related complications, and KAP regarding DR screening and management. Results Of the 1,391 diabetic patients, 736 (52.9%) had good knowledge about DR screening and care, while 655 (47.1%) had poor knowledge. A positive attitude toward eye examination for the early detection of DR was noticed among 1,124 (80.8%) participants. Regarding the participants' practice of regular fundus examination, 1,000 (71.9%) participants had good practice. Significant relationships were found between education level (p = 0.017), diabetes mellitus (DM) type and duration (p= 0.01, 0.02), type of treatment (p = 0.001), and a high degree of knowledge. Significant determinants of patients' favorable attitudes included their type of diabetes (p = 0.003), region of residence (p = 0.038), and work or education outside the medical field (p = 0.001). Age (p = 0.001), location of residence (p = 0.015), educational attainment (p= 0.041), and type of diabetes (p = 0.045) were the factors that determined good practice. Conclusions Many diabetic patients supported DR screening and engaged in it regularly. Unfortunately, only around half of the participants had a good understanding of DR. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a longer history of DM, and being highly educated were factors associated with a diabetic patient's higher level of knowledge. Positive attitudes were significantly higher among those living in the central Saudi region, employed outside of the medical field, and those with T2DM. Finally, regarding the practice of eye screening and management among diabetic patients, elderly patients living in the southern Saudi region and those with T2DM were adherent to their regular eye examinations. Consequently, the key to ensuring adequate adherence to DR screening may be intervention techniques and focused education to increase patients' knowledge of DR.

Dermoid Cyst in the Posterior Fossa Associated With Dermal Sinus and Abscess Formation: A Case Report.

Posterior fossa dermoid cysts are rare intracranial tumors. Most are congenital and develop during early pregnancy but manifest later in life. We report a case of a congenital posterior fossa dermoid cyst in a 22-year-old patient presenting with fever and multiple neurological complaints. Imaging studies revealed a bony defect in the occipital bone suggestive of sinus formation, heterogeneous hypointensity on T1-weighted image (T1WI), and post-contrast peripheral enhancement suggestive of an infectious process and abscess formation. The histopathological examination was typical for a dermoid cyst containing adnexal structures. This report reviews the case with its unique location and unusual radiological features. Further, the clinical presentation, diagnosis modalities, and treatment outcomes are discussed.