Medical Colleges In Pakistan Research Articles

Breaking down barriers; unravelling the root causes and effects of brain drain in Pakistan

Respected Editor, The term ‘brain drain’ refers to the migration of highly skilled and educated professionals from one country to another in search of better employment and living conditions. Brain drain has a detrimental impact on developing nations, leaving a counterproductive outcome due to the depletion of skilled human resources. According to the Pakistan Overseas Employment Corporation, around 21,000 professionals have migrated to other countries in the last 15 years.1 Brain drain has a pervasive effect across various domains, with healthcare being primarily one of the greatly affected. The most prevalent reason is the insufficient stipends and substandard workplace settings for professionals. Doctors work tirelessly yet are forced to face the injustice of the system, incidents of violence, and exploitation at the hands of their superiors. Most doctors (83%) agreed that meager salary packages and inequitable overtime duties motivated them to move abroad.2 Political instability in Pakistan has also affected the resettlement of healthcare individuals nationwide. Up to 81% of doctors are compelled to leave the country due to constant political turmoil.3 Blatant misogyny and cultural bounds have deterred women from working, contradicting the high female enrollment in medical colleges of Pakistan. Moreover, because of the brain drain, Pakistan is losing an insurmountable intellectual capital and educational investment, resulting in enormous pressure on the healthcare professionals who stay behind, contributing to the collapse of the already vulnerable system. Usually, the emigrants are of the privileged class which creates disparity because the ones left behind end up facing impecunious conditions and unfair working hours. The migration rate of healthcare professionals in Pakistan is increasing progressively. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are four high-income countries where 56% of international medical graduates (IMGs) emigrate from low-income countries to have a better quality of life, monetary incentives, job opportunities, better education, and training. Furthermore, just three nations India, Pakistan, and the Philippines are home to 45% of IMGs.4,5 Therefore, we suggest that the government adopt strategies that will accommodate doctors, introducing remunerative packages and more employment opportunities to persuade them to serve their nation. The government should ameliorate the workplace environment to international standards, ensuring the safety and security of the professionals. Additionally, educational and training grounds should be provided to individuals to develop their skills. These immediate measures must be taken to minimize the escalating brain drain and aid in revamping the healthcare system of Pakistan.

Prevalence, causes, and treatment of plantar fasciitis in young females of a medical college

BackgroundPlantar fasciitis, a common musculoskeletal disorder, is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia plays a crucial role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock during movement. Factors such as excessive physical activity, improper footwear, and biomechanical abnormalities are recognized contributors to the development of plantar fasciitis. However, the prevalence and underlying causes may vary across different demographic groups, necessitating targeted investigations.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the prevalence, causes and treatment of plantar fasciitis in young female students (18–30) of a medical college in Pakistan and explore potential associations with high-heel footwear.MethodologyIn this study, a cross-sectional survey was carried out, engaging 100 young females from a medical college. Employing a structured questionnaire, we assessed a spectrum of parameters, including heel pain symptoms, footwear habits, and available treatment options. The diagnostic precision of the Windlass test, specific to plantar fasciitis, was incorporated. Rigorous data analysis, utilizing SPSS, centered on discerning associations between the nuances of high-heel wear (considering types and duration) and the reported symptoms. This methodological framework ensures a comprehensive and precise exploration of the prevalence, causes, and treatment of plantar fasciitis in our targeted demographic.ResultsAll the participants were female, and the total number was 100, of which 66% felt pain in the heel when they wore high heels. Out of this 66%, only 6% are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. The rest of the 60% have pain in the heel due to different causes such as heel spurs, stress fractures, etc. 2% of people receive treatment with steroid injections, and 12% are treated with ice.ConclusionWe conclude that the prevalence of plantar fasciitis is high in females wearing high heels. This study reveals that an increase in the total duration of wearing high heels with hard soles increases the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis can be prevented by education and applying ergonomics and could be treated by steroids and the ice method, according to medical practitioners.

Medical Student’s Attitudes towards Implementation of National Licensing Exam (NLE) – A Qualitative Exploratory Study

The introduction of the post-qualification National Licensing Examination (NLE) in Pakistan has been met with resistance from the medical students. They are the main stakeholders of medical colleges. Objective: To explore the opinions of medical students regarding the feasibility of NLE. Methods: An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted at Riphah International University, Islamic international medical college, Rawalpindi and Gomal Medical College, D.I. Khan, KP using in-depth interviews. A sample of 12 medical students from different medical colleges in Pakistan was included. The recorded interviews transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was then conducted using NVivo V2 and coded into nodes and daughter nodes, of which 5 themes and 17 subthemes emerged. Results: A total of five themes and 17 themes were created. NLE was deemed as a good standardization tool for assessing the competence of medical graduates. Students believed that current MBBS assessment lacks in clinical skills assessment and did not prepare to treat patients upon graduation. However, they did not want to take another exam after the professional exams especially when no incentives are offered to graduates upon clearing. They suggested NLE should be used as a means of constructive feedback for institutions and students to allow them to work on weak areas. Conclusions: There were mixed opinions regarding the acceptance of the exam. If medical institutions across the country focus their curricula on developing clinical skills and incentives are provided to the doctors upon clearing, the students would readily accept the exam

Bioethics curriculum for undergraduate medical students: an evaluation study utilizing mixed methods approach

BackgroundThe undergraduate bioethics curriculum introduced in a private medical college in Pakistan in 1988 and revised in 2009 has evolved over time to incorporate globally relevant innovations, including integration of bioethics spirally within an existing problem-based learning curricular framework. The present evaluation study shares the results of this integrated bioethics curriculum delivered for 10 years across the five-year undergraduate medical curriculum. The study assessed the effectiveness of the curriculum in terms of student achievement, appropriateness of course contents and efficiency of instructional methods.MethodsThe study utilized a mixed method sequential explanatory design. The quantitative method was used in the first phase to gather data by utilizing a structured online questionnaire. This was followed by the second phase of qualitative methods to explain the findings of the first phase and enrich the data gathered. This phase was based on focus group discussions and document review.ResultsStudent and faculty responses showed the curriculum contents to be relevant, informative, and appropriate as per learning objectives and student achievement. Multi-modal instructional methods used were stated to be effective and engaging; small group teaching and shorter sessions suggested to be preferable for fostering discussion and maintaining student engagement and attention. Large class formats were stated to be less effective. Students affirmed the contribution of bioethics education to their personal and professional development and ethical positioning. The majority of students agreed that the curriculum contributed to their knowledge acquisition (60.3—71.2%), skill development (59.41—60.30%) and demonstration of ethical/professional behavior (62.54—67.65%). The ranges indicate agreement with related sets of questions.Participants suggested that the curriculum could be further strengthened by better integration in clinical years, role modelling and providing opportunities for application in clinical health care settings. Moreover, topics like ethical issues related to the use of social media, public health ethics and ethics and law were suggested as additions to the existing curriculum. These findings have regional and global relevance for the development and assessment of effective bioethics curricula.ConclusionAn effective bioethics curriculum for undergraduate medical education should run longitudinally across the 5 year curriculum and be integrated in the modules and clerkships. Basic acquisition of knowledge and skills takes place in Years 1 & 2 with reinforcement and application in Years 3–5. Learning embedded in an integrated curriculum can help students recognize, critically analyze and address ethical dilemmas. Involvement and commitment of the clinical faculty is essential for reinforcing the ethical principles and concepts learnt in the earlier years.

Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study

Background: Joining the health care force as a doctor is a dream that flourishes in the minds of majority of youngsters in Pakistan, making the admission process highly competitive. Currently, our admission criteria only caters the knowledge domain of the applicants while research argues that personality of the candidates should also be considered when selecting the cream of the nation for one of the most critical profession of medicine. Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate stakeholders’ perspectives on the incorporation of personality assessment as a component of the admission requirements for medical colleges in Pakistan. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using a multi-center approach, where participants from three different stakeholder groups involved in medical college admissions in Pakistan (Governing body members, experienced academic staff, and medical scholars) were interviewed. The analysis method used was thematic analysis. Results: The stakeholders reached a consensus that the current admission criteria need to be revised, although opinions were varied regarding the inclusion of personality assessment in the admission process. The stakeholders identified conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience as the key personality features to be evaluated for medical college admissions, in descending order of importance. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need to revise and expand the existing admission criteria, while also revealing a diversified feedback to the proposal of introducing personality appraisal as part of the medical college admission standards as they may pose significant obstacles.

Investigating the Satisfaction of Students within Public Sector and Private Sector Medical Colleges: An Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

Medical education is a highly regarded career choice among the majority of students in Pakistan. A significant number of students enroll in medical colleges in Pakistan with the aim of serving humanity, obtaining social and financial advantages, and fulfilling their parents' desire to see them become doctors. In that respect the consideration of student satisfaction is important in relation to effectiveness within their performance as well. Objective: To analyze the satisfaction level for the students within the public and private sector medical colleges in Pakistan. Methods: he semi-structured interviews were selected for the current research. The interviews provided the expressive possibility towards collecting efficient data in from of opinions and experiences from 5 medical students enrolled in the public sector medical colleges and 5 medical students from private sector medical colleges in Pakistan. Results: The research highlighted that on the main consideration there were different types of issues which are influencing the satisfaction of students within different considerations and backgrounds from the medical sector. The teacher perception, way of teaching and the aligned developments in relation to better consideration here were related to the specified orientation for the structure of transformative development in relation to the satisfaction of students. Conclusions: On a concluding note, it can be said that the students in private and public medical colleges in Pakistan has satisfaction issues. However, the teacher support and facility have the possibility to enhance satisfaction

Students' perceptions of and satisfaction with their Orthopaedic posting learning environment by using the Healthcare Education Micro-Learning Environment Measure (HEMLEM) questionnaire.

The learning environment in medical education is crucial for student development, encompassing social, psychological, and physical aspects that significantly affect learning. This study aimed to assess undergraduate medical students' perception of the orthopaedic ward's learning environment and examine the factors influencing their overall satisfaction during clinical rotation. This cross sectional quantitative study was conducted in a private medical college in Pakistan. Data was collected through a pre-validated questionnaire, "The Healthcare Education Micro-Learning Environment Measure (HEMLEM)." Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 software. A total of 205/300 students (response rate 68.33%) [103 (50.2%) males and 102(49.85) females] participated in this survey. Notably, 116 (56.6%) appreciated the ward's welcoming, friendly, and open atmosphere, and 114(55.6%) of the respondents appreciated the ward culture where they felt free to ask questions or comment. Additionally, 111(54.7%) appreciated the faculty's enthusiasm for teaching. A comparison between male and female students showed significantly higher satisfaction among males regarding staff attitudes and behaviours (p < .019). Undergraduate students held a predominantly positive view of the orthopaedic ward's learning environment, with differences observed based on gender and year of study. The study highlights the importance of both staff attitude and teaching quality in shaping the educational experience. It suggests that medical institutions should focus on enhancing teaching skills among clinicians to improve learning experiences and ultimately benefit patient care and the healthcare system.

Determining the Role of Government and Administration in Influencing Student’s Satisfaction: A Perspective of Teachers from Public and Private Sector Colleges

Background: The quality of education in higher institutions is a crucial factor influencing student satisfaction, with the role of government and administration being particularly significant. In Pakistan, the differing impacts of these factors in public and private sector colleges raise important questions regarding their effectiveness in enhancing student satisfaction. Objective: This study aims to analyze the role of government and administration in developing student satisfaction in private and public sector medical colleges in Pakistan, providing insights into the dynamics between government policies, administrative practices, and student satisfaction. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with five teachers from both private (n=3) and public (n=2) sector medical colleges in Pakistan. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, focusing on the relationship between government and administration roles and student satisfaction. Results: The findings reveal a complex relationship between government initiatives, administrative efficiency, and student satisfaction. In public colleges, the lack of efficient administrative follow-up hinders the effective implementation of government policies, adversely affecting student satisfaction. In contrast, private colleges demonstrate a more effective alignment between government policies and administrative execution, leading to enhanced student satisfaction. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for improved administrative practices in public colleges to effectively translate government policies into positive student experiences. It underscores the importance of a synergistic approach where government initiatives and administrative efficiency work hand in hand to enhance student satisfaction in both public and private sector colleges.

Leadership in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Study of Pakistani Medical Students’ Perceptions, Attitudes, and Interest

Background: Despite calls for the much-needed involvement of physicians in leadership, very few medical colleges in Pakistan provide explicit training on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be an effective physician leader. &#x0D; Objective: To explored Pakistani medical students’ perceptions, attitudes, and interests regarding Leadership training in medical education.&#x0D; Methods:&#x0D; Participants were asked about their perceptions and attitudes towards medical leadership on a 5-point Likert scale. Students also self-rated their leadership competencies noted as per Medical Leadership Competency Framework. Survey also assessed the perceived need and topics for a leadership curriculum for physician leaders, the teaching format, and barriers to leadership training in medical schools. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.&#x0D; Results:&#x0D; 60.6% of the total 1204 respondents rated their leadership training in medical college as “very poor” or “poor” and 80.3% of them endorsed their interest and need for it. 77.4% of the participants agreed that clinicians should influence leadership decisions in a clinical setting. Only 25% of respondents were aware of the demands of a leadership rank in medicine. Leadership competencies endorsed for training included problem-solving, leading a team, confronting problematic employees, and communication skills with a multimodal teaching approach, including teaching methods like small group discussions. The main barriers to leadership training were identified as time constraints (66.1%), lack of available curriculum (69.0%), and disinterest by faculty (67.0%).&#x0D; Conclusion:&#x0D; Our study suggests that medical students in Pakistan appreciate the importance of leadership training in undergraduate education. There is a need for dedicated leadership teaching and study data to specify the possible content and delivery methods to serve as goals for an undergraduate leadership curriculum in Pakistan.&#x0D;

Prevalence of Emotional Intelligence in Students at a Medical College in Pakistan

Background: Traditional thinking places high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) as the most important predictor of success but its contribution is only half that of Emotional Intelligence (EI), the ability to manage emotions. EI encompasses several skills, all of which need to be mastered for professional and personal success. &#x0D; Objectives: To determine the emotional intelligence level of medical students at a private medical college in Lahore, Pakistan, and to see its association with gender and years of study.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022. Convenience Sampling was used to select 370 medical students at a private college in Lahore, Pakistan, who filled out a questionnaire to measure their emotional intelligence. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. &#x0D; Results: The majority scored in the middle range of EI, with a mean score of 58.6±7.8 (out of a possible lowest score of 20 and highest of 80). There was a significant association of EI with gender as well as with years of study. Males had higher total EI scores than females (p.002), as well as higher mean EI score of 59.9±8 compared to 56.9±7.3 for females (p.001). Students from higher classes had higher total scores as well as higher mean scores than those from lower classes (p.001) and (p.001) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusions: Half the respondents got mid-range EI scores. While there were very few low scores, only a third scored in the desirable higher ranges indicating a need for counselling.&#x0D;

Correlation between levels for stress with level of empathy in undergraduate medical students.

To determine the correlation between levels of stress with level of empathy in all five years of undergraduate medical students of a private medical college in Pakistan. This descriptive correlation study was conducted at Al Tibri Medical College, Karachi from 15th June to 14th November 2021. Of the 500 students in the medical school, 408 participants filled out the questionnaires through online Google Forms. The student's version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE-S) estimated the self-reported student's empathy levels. At the same time, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was utilized to assess the student's levels of stress. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and correlation between empathy and perceived stress was calculated by Pearson's coefficient. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 408 participants, there were 217(53.2%) males, and 191(46.8%) females. The overall mean JSE-S score was 94.60±11.85, and the mean PSS score was 20.20 ±5.70. Empathy scores improved over the basic sciences years and then significantly decreased in the clinical years of medical college with a significant p-value of .019. The highest stress was present in third year medical students with a p-value of <.001. No statistically significant difference was present between empathy and stress levels (r = 0.04, p = .40). The study showed no statistically significant correlation between empathy and stress. Future research is needed to investigate other main factors for the decline in empathy among medical students.

Impact of social media on the academic performance of second-year medical students at a public sector medical college in Pakistan

Background and aim: The students are using a lot of social media in recent times which was not the case in old times. The excessive use of social media may have an impact on the annual academic performance of the students. We studied the impact of social media on academic performance. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among second-year medical students at a public sector medical college in Pakistan from 5th June 2022 till 5th July 2022. Informed consent was taken, and a validated questionnaire was designed to collect data and was hosted in Google Forms to allow students to fill out the questionnaire. Results: The Mean ± SD of the marks secured by the students in anatomy was 135±14.5, the average cumulative marks of students in physiology were 142±12.3, in biochemistry, the average cumulative marks were 154±13.1 and the mean of the total marks secured by the students in their first Professional examination was 431±33.4. Regarding grade distribution, in anatomy the median of the grades was 2.5±1.0, in physiology, the cumulative grade of students was 3.0±1.0, the cumulative grade of students in Biochemistry was 3.5±0.7. The combined grades of students for all the subjects were 3.0±1.0.

Micronutrients and cardiovascular health

Introduction: Health authorities particularly World Health Organization emphasize upon the role of nutrition (macronutrients and micronutrients) in prevention of CVD (Cardiovascular Diseases). Objectives: The study aimed to assess knowledge on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and diverse role of micronutrients in their prevention amongst undergraduate medical students in Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among students of third, fourth and final year MBBS across various medical colleges in Pakistan. Consecutive non-probability sampling was employed and self-reported questionnaire was used for collection of data. A total of 381 students were recruited and majority (n=213; 55.9%) were females. Largest number of respondents belonged to third year of MBBS (n=160; 42%). Nearly 66% (n=250) medical students had adequate knowledge on cardiovascular diseases’ risk factors. Results: Around 31% (n=117) had adequate while 69% (n=264) had sub-optimal knowledge on benefits of micronutrients in cardiovascular diseases. Chi-square test of association showed statistically significant relationship (P-value &lt;0.05) between demographic variables and knowledge of students. Conclusion: Medical students being the future healthcare professionals can contribute effectively and efficiently to reducing risks of cardiovascular diseases by having an up-to-date knowledge. Future large-scale and in depth studies can further probe the issue.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Well-Being: A Study Conducted on Medical Students and Their Parents in a Private Medical College in Pakistan

COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Well-Being: A Study Conducted on Medical Students and Their Parents in a Private Medical College in Pakistan by Misha Khan * , Mufliha Ibrahim, Muhammad Saad Shabbir , Muhammad Huzaifa Tofique, Muhammad Naheel Khalili, Muhammad Asad, Muhammad Ahmed, Muhammad Haroon, Saima Zainab Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan *

Perceptions of medical students regarding brain drain and its effects on Pakistan's socio-medical conditions: A cross-sectional study.

The term "brain drain" refers to the exodus of educated or professional individuals to another nation, industry, or field, typically in search of a higher salary or living standard. Our objective was to look into the reasons why medical students leave after graduation, how it affects Pakistan's socio-medical situation, and what may be done to address it. After receiving approval from the ethical committee, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 420 undergraduate medical students of both genders at two different medical colleges in Pakistan for the current academic year 2021-2022. The core data was gathered via an organized questionnaire. The non-probability sampling method was employed to collect the sample. The data were analyzed with SPSS software. Out of 420 medical students of both genders, 140 (33.3%) plan to leave Pakistan after graduation, while 280 (66.66%) want to pursue a career in Pakistan. Additionally, when asked about the amenities offered to Pakistani doctors throughout their training, the vast majority of medical students expressed satisfaction with living in Pakistan. However, among medical students who prefer to immigrate, the United States was at the top of their list. Although there are numerous reasons that affect doctors' immigration choices, the majority of students think that poor pay and long working hours are the main ones that lead to poor patient management and inadequate training. This may be prevented by improving the pay and service structure. According to this survey, one in three medical students aspires to move overseas after graduation owing to a lack of resources and ineffective management, which has been adversely affecting Pakistan's socio-medical situation. As a result, it is important for Pakistan's health officials to launch campaigns to address the issues faced by medical students and physicians in order to prevent brain drain.

Introduction of Near-Peer Mentorship Program in an Undergraduate Medical College in Pakistan: A Pilot Study

Objective. Transitioning from college to university life is a whole new exciting experience for the students but it also often develops feelings of unfamiliarity within them. The literature states that near-peer mentoring is a new paradigm that can provide multiple opportunities for the professional growth of the mentees and mentors. This study aims to introduce a formal near-peer mentoring program at Ziauddin Medical College and identifies its effects on the participants of this program. Methods. A quasi-experimental study design was used for a duration of 5 months. In total, 73 students participated in the program, 21 from the 3rd year as near-peer mentors (NPMs) and 52 from the 1st year as mentees. All mentees were randomly distributed among the mentors, broadly in a ratio of 1 : 2. Data were collected using a peer-mentoring evaluation toolkit, having questions based on a Likert scale. Results. The results showed that after participating in this program, 69% of the mentees felt acclimatized into the university environment and 66% of the mentors also developed a sense of belonging. Ninety percent of the mentors agreed that their soft skills improved after mentoring their juniors. Overall, around 70% of the mentors and mentees agreed that participation in this program had positive effects on their learning. Conclusion. This study provides baseline information of NPM program intervention, which had a positive effect on both the participated mentors and mentees. Thus, the formal introduction of such programs will be beneficial for medical institutes to improve the student support process.

Sex-based Disparities Among Surgical Faculty Positions Across Medical Colleges in Pakistan.

Despite women being under-represented in academic surgery, there is no publicly accessible repository describing the distribution of surgeons by sex and specialty in Pakistan. This short report aims to fulfill this gap by describing female representation across surgical faculty positions in medical colleges across Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 across medical universities in Pakistan. A dual mode of data collection was employed, whereby data regarding sex, academic designation, and subspecialty of surgical faculty was retrieved via emails to representative faculty from medical colleges, and from medical colleges' websites. A total of 97/114 (85.1%) medical colleges across Pakistan were included, providing us with data of 2070 surgical faculty. Overall, only 10.3% of surgical faculty were women, with women comprising 14.1% of assistant professors, 9.3% of associate professors, and only 5.7% of professors. Most women surgical faculty were assistant professors (63.1%), with only 17.8% being professors. Sindh (14.3%) and Punjab (9.7%) had the greatest percentage of women across surgical faculty overall, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the lowest (6.5%). Apart from breast surgery (100%), pediatric surgery (29.4%), ophthalmology (15.0%) and general surgery (11.6%), women did not represent more than 10% of surgical faculty for any surgical subspecialty. In Pakistan, there is a blatant lack of female representation across all faculty positions and in most surgical specialties, with imbalances more pronounced in the relatively under-developed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These sex disparities may aggravate the surgical disease burden and adversely impact surgical prospects for women across the country.

Use of the Computer and Internet by Teachers in Medical Education: A Study at Medical Colleges of Pakistan

Background and aim: In recent decades, formal medical education has evolved considerably, especially since computers and the Internet were introduced. A major part of the medical curriculum in most industrialized nations is the study of information technology (IT). During formal classroom teaching at the undergraduate level, the present study examined the methods of teaching, the extent of using computers, and the use of Internet by teachers. Methods: A questionnaire based study was carried out on 126 medical teachers in medical colleges of Pakistan from October 2021 March 2022. Assisting professors, associate professors, and professors are the faculty members involved in the study. Study participants did not include tutors, demonstrators, or residents. Prior to study conduction, ethical approval was taken. Additionally, the questionnaire asked questions regarding the use of computers and the internet in teaching, in addition to the basic information, such as gender, age, designation and department. We pretested it with a randomly selected group of teachers and based on their feedback, we made some minor modifications and deleted some questions. Results: Of the total teachers participating, there were 90 (71.4%) male and 36 (28.6%) females. Participants were distributed based on their age as follows: 78 (61.9%) &lt;35 years, 13 (8.1%) 36-50 years, and 35 (27.8%) &gt;50 years. The incidence of traditional teaching, computerized projections, teaching through slides, and combination of traditional methods with slides were 19 (15.1%), 107 (84.9%), 68 (54%), and 32 (25.4%) respectively. Based on pattern of internet usage for teaching, the occurrence of collection of teaching materials without internet, collection of teaching materials using internet, access from desktop, and access from smartphones were 28 (22.2%), 88 (69.8%), 66 (52.4%), and 16 (12.7%) respectively. A significant statistical correlation exists between computer and Internet use among teachers of younger ages, with more frequent usage among teachers of younger ages. Conclusion: The present study concluded that Medical education has become increasingly computer-based and Internet-based. Furthermore, its use is more common among younger professors. However, the most noteworthy conclusion was that the majority students still choose chalkboard lecturing for better knowledge of the material. Keywords: Medical education, Computer, Internet

Assessment of Level of Stress in Undergraduate Medical Students of a Private Medical College in Pakistan

Background: Extensive and demanding medical curriculum manifests itself as stress in medical students. Different individuals perceive stress differently. Stress greatly affects academic performance and mental health of medical students. Levels of stress vary with gender, year of study and living conditions of students. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate stress levels of undergraduate medical students in Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Duration: Two months from December 2021 to January 2022. Setting: Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan, Pakistan. Methods: First year, second year, third year, fourth year and final year MBBS students from Multan Medical and Dental College (MMDC), Pakistan were selected through census sampling. Students were asked to fill Perceived Stress Scale Questionnaire (PSSQ-10). After quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive studies, all students were divided into three groups: low stress, moderate stress, and high stress bearers. Results: Among 427 students, 54 (12.65%) students had low stress, 311 (72.83%) students had moderate stress and 62 (14.52%) students had high stress. Females were more stressed compared to males. Among high stress group, 18% females were affected compared to 9% males. 73.94% females had moderate stress compared to their male counterparts i.e., 71.08%. Male boarders were less stressed compared to female boarders. Students of first year had lowest perceived stress (M=9, SD=3.82), whereas final year students had highest stress (M=30.5, SD= 2.8), followed by third year, fourth year, second year and first year students. Practical implication: This study is intended to give an insight into level of stress that medical students are encountering. Early intervention by concerned authorities for high levels of stress can enable students to handle stress in a better way in years to come and prevent them from developing any psychiatric disorders. Students with mild and moderate stress levels can be helped to prevent more serious stress conditions. A less stressful environment is congenial for students for academics and mental health. Conclusion: The study highlights the issue of prevalence of perceived stress among medical students, which is affecting their academic performance and health. Keywords: Moderate Stress, Under-Graduate Perceived Stress Scale ,, Discomfort, Academic,

Effect of daily water intake on the level of anxiety among medical students of Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; A high incidence of burnout, depression, and anxiety is found among medical undergraduate and postgraduate students worldwide with the increasing prevalence of stress. The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between water intake and the risk of anxiety among medical undergraduates of a public sector medical college in Pakistan.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Method:&lt;/strong&gt; This cross-sectional study was conducted on 375 medical undergraduates of Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot, Pakistan. To assess the level of anxiety, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment Scale 7 (GAD-7) was used. Points 3-0 were assigned to response categories of &amp;ldquo;nearly every day,&amp;rdquo; &amp;ldquo;more than half the days,&amp;rdquo; &amp;ldquo;several days,&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;not at all,&amp;rdquo; respectively. GAD-7 score was calculated by adding together the scores for seven questions. Scores of 15, 10, and 5 were taken as cut-off points for severe, moderate, and mild anxiety, respectively. Calculation of water consumption was carried out based on the number of water glasses intake per day. It was classified into &amp;lt;4, 4-7, and &amp;gt;7 of water/day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Result:&lt;/strong&gt; Out of 110 male medical students, 58.2% were suffering from normal to mild anxiety and 41.8% from moderate to severe anxiety. A total of 40.0% and 60.0% of female medical students were suffering from normal-mild and moderate-severe anxiety, respectively. The risk of anxiety was more among female than male students. Logistic regression indicated a correlation between decreased anxiety and female gender and water intake of 4-7 or &amp;gt;7 glasses/day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; The findings of the current study showed lesser anxiety levels in male students and an inverse relationship between water intake and level of anxiety. Therefore, increasing the intake of water can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety thus improving the quality of life.&lt;/p&gt;