Exploring the Dynamics of Medical Students' Exam Performance in Relation to Study Habits, Growth Mindset, Confidence Levels, and Demographics.

Due to unique demands on students in medical education, this study examined the relationship between educational and demographic factors with undergraduate medical students' exam performance in a semester-long medical neuroscience course. Engaging with a mixed-enrollment cohort of medical students, the study used self-reported survey data and exam scores to specifically examine the relationships with growth mindset, use of study strategies, confidence, attendance, and demographic characteristics. Chi-square, ANOVA, and correlational tests revealed interesting and complex relationships among the study variables, which, in some cases, support and other cases challenge existing findings in the academic discourse. The paper concludes by discussing implications from the study that may potentially improve academic outcomes as well as identifying potential areas for future research and academic interventions.

An extraoral parapharyngeal space approach via vertical ramus osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Numerous approaches to access the parapharyngeal space have been described, each with associated morbidities. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We describe the use of vertical ramus osteotomy to increase exposure of the parapharyngeal space. RESULTS: We have been using this approach over the past 5 years and have found it to be the preferred approach to the parapharyngeal space. CONCLUSION: This approach provides excellent exposure with low risk to the facial nerve while allowing for adequate tumor resection. It also avoids facial scarring and oral contamination of the cervical wound.

Snoring and its management.

There are numerous strategies, devices and procedures available to treat snoring. The surgical procedures have an overall success rate of 60-70%, but this probably decreases over time, especially if there is weight gain. There are no long-term rigorously-designed studies comparing the various procedures for decreasing snoring.

Blood--but not bleeding--at a tracheotomy site: a case of Munchausen's syndrome.

Munchausen's syndrome is a factitious illness in which patients fabricate medical problems in order to receive medical attention. Their "symptoms" are typical of actual medical conditions and their history is dramatic yet plausible, but no pathology can be found on imaging and other investigations. We report the case of a young woman whose Munchausen's syndrome manifested as purported bleeding from a tracheotomy site. In actuality, she had drawn the blood from an arm vein and spattered it on her neck.