Effectiveness of buzz session teaching and perception among medical students: an academic interventional study.

This interventional study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of buzz session teaching in large groups and assess undergraduate medical students' perceptions of the buzz session teaching method. The study involved 100 first-year medical students divided into two groups, i.e., group I as "buzz first" and group II as "didactic first" comprising 50 students each. The topic "Physiology of the Cerebellum" was taught to group I through a buzz session and to group II through a didactic lecture. After a week, group I received a didactic lecture on the topic "Anterolateral Pathway in the Spinal Cord," whereas group II was taught the same by a buzz session. The students of both groups underwent a multiple choice question exam related to the taught topic immediately and again after 15 days of the teaching session. All students were provided feedback on a five-point Likert scale for the buzz session. According to students' perceptions, buzz sessions boosted communication skills and confidence levels by 94.8% and 96.3%, respectively. Of the students, 93.7% felt that the buzz session helped them retain more information and 94.1% thought they made the classroom environment more lively. More buzz sessions were desired by 94.8% of the participants. There was no difference in the marks gained for the acquired topics using buzz sessions and didactic lectures as teaching methods (P > 0.05). The students scored more marks in the tests taken after the buzz session than after the didactic lecture at 15 days of instruction (P < 0.05). The study concluded that students enjoyed the buzz session teaching method. The buzz session increased short-term retention.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this current interventional study, we assessed the effectiveness of a buzz session as a novel teaching tool for large-group physiology instruction in first-year undergraduate medical students. Furthermore, we assessed student responses to see how the buzz session was perceived. Experimental evidence indicates that the buzz sessions led to greater retention after 15 days than the didactic lecture approach for physiology teaching in a preclinical context.

Evaluation of Lung Functions, Blood Pressure, and Hearing Deterioration in Tile Setters.

INTRODUCTION: Tile setters in construction industries are exposed to a potent risk of silicosis as they are constantly exposed to crystalline silica dust during concrete finishing, cutting and fixing of the ceramic tiles. The noise produced by instruments used in tile settings may lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Noise above the permissible limit of 85 dB may lead to autonomic changes and alteration in blood pressure. These facts gave us an impetus to evaluate the pulmonary functions, blood pressure and hearing deterioration in tile setters and correlate these parameters for their present functional status with duration of exposure to tile cutting profession. METHODS: The pulmonary functions were evaluated with spirometer, autonomic status by recording the blood pressure and hearing loss by calculating the Hearing Deterioration Index (HDI) for hearing loss. RESULTS: There was significant decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume 1 sec (FEV1) and forced expiratory volume 1% (FEV1%) in tile setters. The decline in FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% was significantly higher in subjects with exposure of more than five years. There was increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in those having more than five years of exposure in the tile setting profession as compared to less than five years. There was a positive correlation between years of service in the tile setting profession as well as sound exposure level with HDI and blood pressure in our subjects. CONCLUSION: Prolonged exposure to the tile setting profession may lead to compromised lung function, hypertension and hearing deterioration in tile setters.

Association of Autonomic Balance With Phone Call Duration in Healthy Individuals.

Background This study aimed to estimate the association of autonomic balance with the duration of phone calls in healthy individuals. Methodology A total of 30 subjects aged between 18 and 30 years without any established systemic disease and using mobile phones for more than five years with minimum daily usage of 30 minutes were included in this analytical study. Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded using a three-channel physiograph (AD Instruments South Asia (India) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India) with the software LabChart PROV8.1.8 with HRV Module version 2.0.3 for 10 minutes. Time domain parameters were recorded in terms of the standard deviation of normal to normal interval (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), R-R intervals greater than 50 ms (pRR50), and mean heart rate (MHR), and frequency domain parameters were total power, low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (LF/HF). HRV was recorded three times in each subject that included baseline HRV, HRV during the use of a mobile phone, and HRV after the use of a mobile phone. Results A total of 30 subjects (14 males and 16 females) participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 31.93 ± 8.59 years (32.07 ± 9.87 years for males, and 31.81 ± 7.64 years for females). There were no findings of significant arrhythmia in any of the participants. There was a significant difference in pRR50 on comparing all three phases (p = 0.036). However, there was no significant variation in other parameters such as very low frequency (VLF, ms2), VLF (%), LF (ms2), LF (%), HF (ms2), HF (%), LF/HF, SDNN (ms), RMSSD (ms), Poincare plot standard deviation perpendicular to the line of identity (ms), Poincare plot standard deviation along the line of identity (ms), systolic blood pressure (mmHg), and diabolic blood pressure (mmHg) during, before, and after exposure to mobile phone calls. There was no significant difference in the value of all parameters between males and females (p < 0.05). Conclusions Mobile phone calls may influence HRV and autonomic balance. This change may be affected by the electromagnetic field and by speaking as well.

Student's perception of utility and application of skills taught during the foundation course at a medical college in central Uttar Pradesh, India.

Context: "Foundation course" is an orientation program for MBBS students at time of entry into medical college. Aims: To study the MBBS student's perception of relevance and level of confidence in application of skills acquired in foundation course and its predictors. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study was done among second year MBBS students at a medical college in central Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods and Material: Data was collected online using a Google form over 1 month. About 97 (out of 200) students participated in the study. Final analysis was done for 94 responses. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi Square test for proportions. Results: Overall 83% students found foundation course to be relevant. Sessions on professional development & ethics (94.6%), biomedical waste management (94.6%), social responsibility of doctors (91.5%), communication skill (93.6%), role and responsibilities of Indian Medical Graduate (93.6%), universal precautions (91.5%), immunisation (91.5%) and assessing E -resource (90.4%) were rated as most relevant. Computer skills and sports/extra-curricular activities were perceived as non-relevant by 29% and 16% students respectively. Overall 61% students were confident about application of knowledge/skills acquired in the foundation course. A significant difference was observed for gender and medium of education with regards to level of confidence in application of certain skills/knowledge. Conclusions: Foundation course was perceived as relevant by most students. However, level of confidence with regards to application of skills/knowledge was found to be variable with significant difference for some variables.

Assessment of peripheral artery disease risk in building construction workers by Ankle-Brachial index measurement with automated oscillometric and hand-held Doppler device.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains underdiagnosed, partly because of the limitations of the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI) with regards to equipment, training, and time constraints. Aims: To compare the accuracy and validity of automated oscillometric ABI measurement in detecting PAD in primary care settings against a gold standard Doppler device. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the physiology department, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (DrRMLIMS), Lucknow. Methods and Material: A total of 200 male building construction workers of all types of age groups between 20 and 40 years were recruited. The ABI measurement was performed using the Watch BP Office and hand-held HI.dop, BT-200 Vascular Doppler device. Statistical Analysis Used: The Bland-Altman plot and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve were determined to analyze the agreement between the two methods. For the reliability of the test, Pearson's correlation with linear regression was done and the intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient was calculated. Results: The mean ABI (Osc) and ABI (Dop) were 1.13 ± 0.09 and 1.06 ± 0.08, respectively. The ABI (Dop) and ABI (Osc) methods were highly correlated Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.96 with 95% confidence interval (CI) ranges between 0.985 and 1.066 (P < 0.001). On linear regression analysis, the ABI (Dop) predicted ABI (Osc) 92.6% correctly. The paired mean difference between the two measuring devices was 0.07 (95% CI = -0.03 to -0.12). At 0.90 cut-off value of diagnosing PAD, the sensitivity is 50%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 97% by an oscillometric automated device. Conclusion: Our finding suggested that ABI measurement by the automated oscillometric device is reliable, free of examiner bias, and less time-consuming.

Impact of Visual Imagery of Coloured Rose Flower on Heart Rate Variability.

Background: Viewing of visual imagery of forest or nature is known for producing physiological and psychological relaxation of mind and body. Nature surroundings are colourful and vary from green of plants, blue of water and red, orange, yellow and violet of flowers. These coloured imageries also known to affect our emotion; may lead to joy, sorrow, happiness grief etc. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indexes through vagal activity the autonomic responses and thereby affects our emotions and behavioural outcome. This study is planned to assess the colour effects of visual imagery of coloured rose flowers on HRV in males and females for red, blue, green, indigo, yellow, orange and violet colours. Methodology: The Heart Rate Variability analysis was conducted on Power Lab AD Instruments, Australia in thirty healthy individuals (15 males and 15 females), aged between 20 to 40 years. Results: We observed variation in autonomic response to different colours in males and females on Heart Rate Variability assessment. There was augmentation of sympathetic drive on viewing of red, orange and violet colour roses in males and that of blue and violet colours in females. The visual imagery of blue-, green-, indigo- and yellow-coloured roses in males and red, green, indigo, yellow and orange coloured in females produced a parasympathetic influence on Heart Rate Variability. Conclusion: Colours affects HRV and thereby can influence our emotional and behavioural responses in our daily life. Adapting to coloured surrounding of choice at workplace and at home may influence our work output and productivity as well produce physical and mental wellbeing.

Mental health indicators in the later phase of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in healthy youth combined elderly people: a web-based cross-sectional survey.

Lockdown was implemented throughout the world in March 2020 to control the spread of covid-19 infection. It affected the mental health of people in various ways. This web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the general population of India with an aim to evaluate the mental health of the healthy individuals in the later stage of the lockdown period. Data on socio-demographic factors, anxiety, depression (HADS scale), perceived stress (PSS scale), insomnia (insomnia severity index), subjective psychological feeling of well-being (WHO-5 well-being Index), and attitude towards covid-19 (7-point Likert scale) was collected. Univariate regression analysis and Karl Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the correlation of mental health abnormalities with socio-demographic factors. 119 subjects of mean age of 36.03 ± 18.04 years took part in the study. Their average number of days of stay at home during the lockdown and the average number of days of the lifestyle changes was 49.07 ± 31.92 and 61.39 ± 20.03 days, respectively. Depression, anxiety, stress, and clinical insomnia due to covid-19 were reported in 13.45%, 10.92%, 14.29%, and 11.76% subjects, respectively. There was a significant correlation of depression, anxiety, stress, and WHO-5 well-being score with age, socio-economic status, and the average number of days of the change in lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.05). Therefore, the study concluded that the abnormalities of mental health were less prevalent in the older age group and lower socioeconomic status in the later phase of lockdown.