Evaluation of a certifying training experience in research methodology and scientific writing at the Faculty of Medicine of Bejaia (Algeria).

INTRODUCTION: A Certificate of Specialization (C2S) in research methodology and scientific communication was established at the Faculty of Medicine of Bejaia (Algeria), for the benefit of university hospital teachers, in 2018. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a clinical certifying-research training program on the acquisition of fundamental knowledge for the conduct of health research projects in its three conceptual, operational and editorial phases. METHODS: This training took place during three face-to-face seminars (a total of 12 teaching days), in the form of lectures and workshops by eight lecturers, with a final exam and a thesis dissertation project. The data were collected through Pre- and post-tests which were distributed before and after each seminar while the questionnaire was administered by the end of the training in order to assess the whole course of this training. The knowledge assessment grids were composed of 20 items for each of the first two seminars and 12 items for the third seminar. According to the categories of the Likert scale, these items were weighted from 1 to 5 points, an overall score for the 52 items of 260 points. RESULTS: A total of 38 candidates (selected from 140 applications) attended this training with an overall presenteeism rate of 93%. The differential scores ("pre-test" and "post-test") of progression of knowledge were successively 60%, 49% and 42% in the three seminars. Out of a total of 260 points, the overall learning score of all three seminars increased from an average of 119 points ± 8.66 to 180 points ± 15.87 (p <10-7), with a differential score of 51.6%. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the C2S clinical research program of the Bejaia Faculty of Medicine documented the significant evolution of knowledge of research methodology and scientific writing tools. The continuity of this training and its generalization to the Maghreb faculties of health sciences are highly recommended, for the improvement of scientific production in Algeria and the Great Maghreb.

Iron prevents demyelination of frog sciatic nerves.

Metal ions are of particular importance in nervous system function, notably iron. However, very little has been done to investigate its physiological role in frog peripheral nervous system. The present research aim to evaluate i) the time-effect of sciatic nerve ligation and/or ii) iron sulphate (1.50mg/kg, in lymphatic sac) on frog myelin sheaths. Histological sections following ligation shows degeneration of some fibres with axonal and myelin breakdown associated to a decrease of Schwann cells number following 2h (45.00±0.30, p<0.0001), 24h (28.00±0.020, p<0.0001). Interestingly, iron administration reduces the degeneration of myelin sheaths classically observed in frog ligated sciatic nerve associated with an increase of Schwann cells number (139.00±0.50, p<0.0001). Thus, iron could prevent degeneration or promote regeneration induced by ligation in frog sciatic nerve.

Telemedicine and e-health in Algeria facing challenges in medical practice

The Algerian health system operates in a demographic, economic, environmental, and societal specific context to meet the challenges of epidemiological transition. Development of information and communication technologies in this atmosphere allow telemedicine and e-health emergence in the vast country of Algeria. Thus, the country may face these challenges by including them in a national telemedicine plan and making a major focus of global action for the prevention and control of prevalent diseases. The interest to adopt this tool in daily practice stems from an improvement in the quality of communication between practitioners and in the doctor­patient relationship with a possibility of quick access to care and more efficient care pathways. Thus, national goals in fight plans against diseases will be achieved. Telemedicine and e-health projects that methodologically well-defined, respecting regulations and using all means and all available resources, including WHO mobile health, are to be designed and implemented in all areas, especially in the national plan against not-communicated diseases, maternal and child health, old aging health, and mental health. This approach will integrate telemedicine in the health care system whose inevitable implementation can be done on solid foundations and will be actively supported by SATeS