Medical Education Commons^™

Augmented Reality In Clinical Dental Training And Education, Zainab Haji, Aysha Arif, Shizrah Jamal, Rabia Ghafoor

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Dentistry is a profession that requires coordinated motor skills in addition to acquired knowledge for ideal execution of any treatment plan for patients. Learning experiences have been modified over a period of time for students as well as for the healthcare providers. Conventional pre-clinical training employed the use of cadavers, but financial, ethical and supervisory constraints have become a major shortcoming. With the adaptation of technology in dentistry, pre-clinical training has now employed simulation. It provides the opportunity for students to develop psychomotor skills for procedures by practising pre-clinical, standardised learning competencies before they engage in patient-management. Simulation involves computer-aided …

Development And Validation Of Scale For Self Evaluation Of Soft Skills In Postgraduate Dental Students, Muhammad Haseeb, Muhammad Waheed Azfar, Myra Ahmed, Amina Tariq, Muhammad Sohaib Nawaz, Ali Sadiq

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Objective: To develop and validate a soft skills questionnaire, and to use it for self-evaluation by postgraduate dentistry students.
Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at University College of Dentistry, , University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan, from February 2020 to April 2020 and comprised of residents from first to final year of training for either Masters in Dental Surgery or Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan programmes. A soft skills questionnaire was generated and was validated through exploratory factor analysis of the elements and items of the questionnaire using SPSS 23.
Results: Of the 60 subjects, …

Stress And Coping Among Surgery Residents In A Developing Country, Qamar Riaz, Syeda Kausar Ali, Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Abdul Rehman Alvi

Department for Educational Development

Objective: Stress during residency training in surgical disciplines not only hampers professional development but can also compromise patient care and personal health. The purpose of this study was to measure the stress level among the surgical residents, identify factors within the learning and work environment that cause stress, and identify different strategies that the residents use habitually to cope with these stresses.
Methodology: This mix method study was conducted in the department of Surgery at Aga Khan University, Pakistan. Residents' stress level was measured using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); focus group discussions (FGDs) with faculty and residents explored stressors during …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of 'Mcq Development Workshop Using Cognitive Model Framework: A Pre-Post Study, Rahila Ali, Amber Shahmim Sultan, Nida Zahid

Department for Educational Development

A workshop on MCQ development using cognitive model framework was conducted for health educators from Aga Khan University (AKU) and other academic institutions. The aim was to develop the skill of preparing MCQs for assessing higher cognitive levels. A pre-post study was conducted, participant satisfaction was evaluated and pre-post test scores were used to assess learning capability of the workshop participants. Out of the 19 who attended the workshop, 16 participated in the pre- and post-tests and were included in the study through convenience sampling. The total duration of the study was six months. There was a significant difference in …

Online Medical Education And Examinations During Covid-19: Perspectives Of A Teaching Associate, Syed Mujtaba Baqir, Fatima Mustansir

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not only challenged global health systems but also social, economic, and educational systems. In this short communication, our focus is on its impact on medical education in Pakistan. We discuss the structure of undergraduate medical education in Pakistan; and how it has evolved in the wake of COVID-19. We describe our role as teaching associates (TAs) at the Aga Khan University (AKU); and how it has enabled us to be a part of the transition to online medical education, with a specific focus on online examinations in medical schools.

Peer-Taught Virtual Research Workshops For Surgical Residents: Protocol For A Novel And Sustainable Solution To Improving Surgical Research In Pakistan, Russell S. Martins, Ronika Devi Ukrani, Mohummad Hassan Raza Raja, Maria Khan, Haissan Iftikhar, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Saulat Fatimi

Medical College Documents

Objective: To generate a protocol describing the methodology for a study assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive series of peer-taught online research workshops for surgical residents across Pakistan in terms of improving research-related knowledge and skills, and long-term research involvement and output.
Methods: The quasi-experimental study will consist of a series of six online research workshops conducted over Zoom for surgical residents across Pakistan. An online sign-up form will be circulated on social media to current surgical residents throughout Pakistan. Curricular content covered in the workshops will be developed in collaboration with experienced research faculty at the Departments of Surgery …

Student-Led Surgical Research Network: Enhancing Medical Student Research Opportunities, Ronika Devi Ukrani, Muhammad Musaab Munir, Areesh Bhatti, Shahryar Noordin

Medical College Documents

The current paper was planned to describe a student-led surgical research network established by the Research Division of the Surgery Interest Group at the Aga Khan University, Karachi. The project involved the creation of a collaborative network to provide opportunities to medical students to work with faculty on research projects. Over 25 students were directly connected with faculty and research mentors to work on research projects in the surgical specialty of their choice. The initiative of establishing a student-led surgical research network was successfully implemented and provided medical students with novel research opportunities by helping bridge the gap between the …

Harassment And Mental Health In Surgical Training: A Pilot Survey Of Surgical Trainees In Pakistan, Russell S. Martins, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Hina Inam, Mahin Janjua, Mahim Malik

Medical College Documents

Objective: To assess harassment among surgical trainees and its effects on mental health, and to explore its association with gender.
Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional pilot study was conducted by the Association of Women Surgeons of Pakistan from July to September 2019, and included surgical trainees of either gender working in both public and private hospitals. Data was collected using an anonymous online survey form to assess harassment and self-perceived burnout and depression. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 147 respondents, 49(33.3%) were males; 98(66.6%) were females; and 118(80.3%) were residents. Workplace harassment was reported by 80(54.4%) trainees. …

Surgical Education And Training During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Strategies And Solutions For Pakistan, Edward Anthony Joseph, Russell S. Martins, Javeria Tariq, Namrah Aziz, Hina Inam, Mahim Malik

Medical College Documents

The coronovirus disease-2019 pandemic has severely impacted surgical education and training in Pakistan and worldwide, causing problems, such as risk of infection, limited hands-on training, examination delays, and trainee redeployment to non-surgical specialties. The current review was planned to describe innovative strategies adopted by surgical training programmes worldwide in order to suggest comprehensive recommendations at the level of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and individual institutions to counter the challenges presented by the pandemic in Pakistan. The innovative use of technology, including open-access online educational portals, virtual educational activities and simulation-based learning, can help reform education delivery during …

The Role Of Simulators In Improving Vitreoretinal Surgery Training - A Systematic Review, Taha Muneer Ahmed, Rehman Siddiqui

Medical College Documents

Objective: To conduct an appraisal of current evidence regarding the effectiveness of EyeSi®-based training of vitreoretinal surgery.
Methods: The systematic review was conducted in July 2020, and comprised literature search on Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase for articles regarding simulation training in vitreoretinal surgery. The shortlisted articles were subjected to qualitative analysis. Existing evidence was assessed, and predictions on how outcomes may be applied to improve vitreoretinal surgery training were made. The risk of bias of each study was calculated in line with the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook.
Results: Of the 124 articles identified, 7(5.6%) were shortlisted; 5(71.4%) established …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Against The Growing Threat Of Covid-19 Among Medical Students Of Pakistan, Khola Noreen, Zil-E Rubab, Muhammad Umar, Rehana Rehman, Mukhtiar Baig, Fizzah Baig

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: On account of the COVID-19 pandemic, many changes have been implicated in university medical students. We are cognizant that pandemic can be controlled with dedicated contributions from all involved in the healthcare profession. Therefore, it is important to know the pandemic and application of knowledge by the medical students to formulate a further line of management in Pakistan.
Objective: We aimed toinvestigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 and its impact on medical students of Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020 by a validated self-administered questionnaire. The survey instrument was tailored from a …

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Towards Covid-19 Among Pakistani Residents: Information Access And Low Literacy Vulnerabilities, Zafar Fatmi, Shafaq Mahmood, Waqas Hameed, Ibtisam Qazi, Muhammad Siddiqui, Anny Dhanwani, Sameen Siddiqi

Community Health Sciences

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has accentuated the need for speedy access to information. Digital divide and socio-demographic disparity create an information hiatus and therefore unhealthy practices with regard to dealing with COVID-19, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Aims: We assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices and their determinants regarding COVID-19 in Pakistan during March-April 2020.
Methods: 905 adults ≥18 years (males and females) participated: 403 from a web-based survey; 365 from an urban survey; and 137 from a rural survey. Frequency of adequate knowledge, attitudes and practices for the three populations was determined based on available global guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression …

Nursing Education Amidst Covid-19: Obstacles And Way Forward, Farida Bibi Mughal, Nasreen Rafiq, Bibi Hajira Irshad Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Overview Of Antiretropulsion Devices For Prevention Of Inadvertent Stone Migration During Pneumatic Lithotripsy For Ureteric Stone, Ali Akbar Zehri, Miten Patel, Philip Adebayo, Authar Ali

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

The purpose of the present chapter is to provide an update about the use of preventive devices used to stop retrograde stone migration during pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric stone management. The aim to reduce the cost, ancillary procedure, reduce the operative time and improve the stone free rate. The hunt for ideal cadget to stop retrograde stone migration is still continue in 21 century.

Peer-Assisted Learning (Pal): An Innovation Aimed At Engaged Learning For Undergraduate Medical Students, Hasan Salman Siddiqi, Rehana Rehman, Farzeen Fatma Syed, Russell S. Martins, Muhammad Talal Ibrahim, Faiza Alam

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Peer Assisted Learning in teaching at undergraduate level and to assess its effects on Peer Leaders and Peer Learners.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, from May to October 2017, and comprised Peer Learners who were trained by faculty members in workshops and pre-run of experiments. Students were divided into two groups; Group A had Peer Learners taught by Peer Leaders, and Group B had those taught by trained lab technologists. Knowledge of the groups was assessed by a quiz using Kahoot. Post-session feedback questionnaires were also filled …

Fostering Teaching-Learning Through Workplace Based Assessment In Postgraduate Chemical Pathology Residency Program Using Virtual Learning Environment, Lena Jafri, Imran Siddiqui, Aysha Habib Khan, Muhammed Tariq, Muhammad Umer Naeem Effendi, Azra Naseem, Sibtain Ahmed, Farooq Ghani, Shahnila Alidina, Nadir Shah, Hafsa Majid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The principle of workplace based assessment (WBA) is to assess trainees at work with feedback integrated into the program simultaneously. A student driven WBA model was introduced and perception evaluation of this teaching method was done subsequently by taking feedback from the faculty as well as the postgraduate trainees (PGs) of a residency program.
Methods: Descriptive multimethod study was conducted. A WBA program was designed for PGs in Chemical Pathology on Moodle and forms utilized were case-based discussion (CBD), direct observation of practical skills (DOPS) and evaluation of clinical events (ECE). Consented assessors and PGs were trained on WBA …

Applicants' Interview Experience Of Family Medicine Residency Match: Reflections From A Quality Improvement Initiative At A Community Hospital, Abdul Waheed, Masooma S. Rana, Muhammad A. Rauf, Landen Green, Salma Green, Erum Azhar

Medical College Documents

Background and objective: Both family medicine applicants and programs dedicate significant resources to the interview process, a time for both parties to make an impression on the other in an attempt to find their best match. Despite the importance of this process, little research has been completed to ensure the process efficiently addresses applicant preferences on interview day and the surrounding process. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the family medicine applicant preferences regarding the pre-interview, interview, and post-interview ranking process.
Methods: The study method was a cross-sectional electronic survey utilizing anonymous questionnaires that assessed demographics, pre-interview, interview, …

Ratings Of Performance In Multisource Feedback: Comparing Performance Theories Of Residents And Nurses, Muhammed Tariq, Marjan Govaerts, Azam Afzal, Syed Ahsan Ali, Tabassum Zehra

Department for Educational Development

Background: Multisource feedback (MSF) is increasingly being used to assess trainee performance, with different assessor groups fulfilling a crucial role in utility of assessment data. However, in health professions education, research on assessor behaviors in MSF is limited. When assessing trainee performance in work settings, assessors use multidimensional conceptualizations of what constitutes effective performance, also called personal performance theories, to distinguish between various behaviors and sub competencies., This may not only explain assessor variability in Multi Source Feedback, but also result in differing acceptance (and use) of assessment data for developmental purposes. The purpose of this study was to explore …

Low Use Of Vacuum Extraction: Health Care Professionals’ Perspective In A University Hospital, Dar Es Salaam, Henrik Makokha-Sandell, Andrew Mgaya, Johanna Belachew, Helena Litorp, Hussein Kidanto, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Use of vacuum extraction (VE) has been declining in low and middle income countries. At the highest referral hospital Tanzania, 54% of deliveries are performed by caesarean section (CS) and only 0.8% by VE. Use of VE has the potential to reduce CS rates and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes but causes for its low use is not fully explored.

Method During November and December of 2017 participatory observations, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 29) and focus group discussions (n = 2) were held with midwives, residents and specialists working at the highest referral hospital in Tanzania. Thematic analysis …

Developing Role Models In Clinical Settings: A Qualitative Study Of Medical Students, Residents And Clinical Teachers, Sonia Ijaz Haider, Roger Christopher Gill, Qamar Riaz

Department for Educational Development

Objective: To explore how positive role modelling attributes can be developed in students, residents and clinical teachers.
Methods: The qualitative study using focus group discussions was held at Aga Khan University, Karachi from March to May 2018, and comprised medical students, residents and clinical teachers. Overall 11 focus group discussions were conducted till data saturation was achieved. Content analysis was used to analyse the data which was transcribed verbatim.
Results: Of the 116 subjects, 60(51.7%) were medical students, 35(30.2%) were residents and 21(18%) were clinical teachers. Of the 11 focus group discussions, 4(36.5%) each were held with the students and …

Impact Of Humanities And Social Sciences Curriculum In An Undergraduate Medical Education Programme, Kulsoom Ghias, Kausar S. Khan, Rukhsana Ali, Shireen Azfar, Rashida Ahmed

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To evaluate the impact of humanities and social sciences curriculum in an undergraduate medical education programme.
Methods: The qualitative study was conducted from May 2016 to May 2017 at a private medical college in Karachi where humanities and social sciences subject is an art of the undergraduate curriculum as a 6-week module at the start of Year 1 of the five-year programme. Focus group discussions were held with students from all the five years as well as with faculty related to humanities and social sciences, basic sciences and their clinical counterparts. The views of alumni of the undergraduate programme …

Development And Validation Of An Instrument For Assessment Of Professional Behaviour During Laboratory Sessions, Fatima Zehra, Sonia Ijaz Haider

Department for Educational Development

Objective: To develop an instrument to assess professional behaviour among medical students, and to determine its validity, reliability, feasibility and acceptability.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from July to September 2017, and comprised of medical students in years 1 and 2 of their academic programme. The instrument was developed for the Physiology laboratory sessions using nominal group technique and was tested for validity, reliability, feasibility and acceptability by two assessors through validity and reliability statistics. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
Results: Of the 250 students enrolled, 232(92.8%) had their assessment …

Gender Discrimination Against Female Surgeons: A Cross-Sectional Study In A Lower-Middle-Income Country, Mahin Janjua, Hina Inam, Russell S. Martins, Nida Zahid, Abida K. Sattar, Shaista Khan, Sadaf Khan, Aneela Darbar, Nuzhat Faruqui, Sharmeen Akram, Ather Enam, Adil H. Haider, Mahim Malik

Department of Surgery Docs

Introduction: Although gender discrimination and bias (GD/bias) experienced by female surgeons in the developed world has received much attention, GD/bias in lower-middle-income countries like Pakistan remains unexplored. Thus, our study explores how GD/bias is perceived and reported by surgeons in Pakistan.
Method: A single-center cross-sectional anonymous online survey was sent to all surgeons practicing/training at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. The survey explored the frequency, source and impact of GD/bias among surgeons.
Results: 98/194 surgeons (52.4%) responded to the survey, of which 68.4% were males and 66.3% were trainees. Only 19.4% of women surgeons reported 'significant' frequency of GD/bias …

Negative Appendectomy Rate In Urban Referral Hospitals In Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Associated Factors, Nyamuryekung’E Klint Masawa, Authar Ali, Miten Ramesh Patel, Aidan Njau, Omar Sherman, Ahmed Jusabani, Ali Akbar Zehri

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background:

Acute appendicitis (AA) has a lifetime risk of 8.3% with a consequent 23% lifetime risk of emergency appendectomy. In atypical presentation, making a clinical diagnosis is difficult, leading to a high perforation rate (PR) or misdiagnoses and high negative appendectomy rates (NAR). This study aimed to establish NAR and explore the associated factors and possible attainable solutions to reduce it in urban referral hospitals in Tanzania.

Methods:

This was a crosssectional study with 91 consecutive patients, aged 10 years and older undergoing appendectomy for suspected AA with histological evaluation of specimens. The study was powered to detect the NAR …

Effects Of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic On Orthopedic Residency Program In The Seventh Largest City Of The World: Recommendations From A Resource-Constrained Setting, Marij Zahid, Syed Arif Ali, Naveed Baloch, Shahryar Noordin

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has hit the entire world hard. Since its inception from Wuhan China the whole world is affected now. Health care facilities and workers are overwhelmed and the situation is changing on daily basis. With the changes in the dynamics of the hospitals, residency and fellowships training programs have also suffered undoubtedly. Due to decreased elective cases and outpatient clinics surgical training gets compromised, however on the other side this physical distancing and isolation have proven to be effective measures in controlling the disease. In this article we share our experience of effect of COVID-19 pandemic on …

Manuscript Writing And Publication Workshop: An Invoking Pilot Study On Enhancing Cognitive Research Capabilities In Health Sciences Institutes Of Pakistan, Mehwish Hussain, Rehana Rehman, Mukhtiar Baig

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: With an upsurge in research in developing countries, researchers from allied sciences need to augment their skills for disseminating research work worldwide. Training workshop is one of the quick interventions which can enhance writing skills and ease research publication.
Objective: We designed this research to explore the perception of the faculty of different higher education institutes (HEIs) regarding manuscript writing and to assess the impact of these workshops in the improvement of cognitive capabilities of preliminary researchers in Pakistan.
Methodology: We conducted workshops in HEIs of Sindh, Pakistan. Contents of the workshop covered algorithm of writing manuscript and related …

Effectiveness Of High-Fidelity Simulation In Training Emergency Medicine Physicians In Point Of Care Ultrasonography In Pakistan: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Kiran Azizi, Madiha Ismail, Umaira Aftab, Badar Afzal Khan, Asad Mian

Department of Emergency Medicine

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) is frequently utilized in emergency medicine (EM), with an extended-focused assessment with sonography in trauma (e-FAST) being the most widely used PoCUS modality. This modality is not only time- and cost-efficient, but it is highly accurate in the diagnosis and management of surgical patients in the emergency department, as well as being highly predictive of patient outcomes. Targeted training is essential to ensure a learner's confidence in image acquisition, interpretation, and translation of knowledge to making clinical decisions. High-fidelity simulation offers a uniquely safe and "mistake-forgiving" environment to teach and train medical professionals. The present study …

Reliability And Validity Of Watch: Warwick Assessment Instrument For Clinical Teaching, Sonia Ijaz Haider, Khalid Masood Gondol, Muhammed Tariq, Muhammad Furqan Bari, Iqbal Azam Syed

Department for Educational Development

Objective: To determine the reliability, validity, feasibility, acceptability and perceived educational impact of WATCH: Warwick Assessment insTrument for Clinical teacHing among doctors in Pakistan.
Study design: Cross-sectional research study.
Place and duration of study: The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, from September 2018 to August 2019.
Methodology: Postgraduate trainees were asked to rate the clinical teaching sessions, using WATCH, which consists of 15 items. Percentage was used to calculate gender and participation from different specialties. Inter-item correlations of 15 items with individual mean scores, standard deviations and Cronbach's Alpha were reported, including Friedman test, in order to observe the …

Clinical Audit A Valuable Tool For Quality Improvement Of Care: Radiation Oncologists' Perspective, Sehrish Abrar, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi, Maria Tariq

Department of Radiation Oncology

No abstract provided.

New Trends In Radiology Education, Time To Adapt Locally, Faheem Ullah Khan, Noman Khan, Muhammad Arif Saeed

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.