Private Medical University Research Articles

Prevalence of Anxiety and Associated Factors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Mental health difficulties can impact students’ motivation, focus, and ability to communicate with others. Students attending medical universities are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mood changes for the first time. However, no study has examined their prevalence among Japanese rehabilitation students. This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety among Japanese rehabilitation students and aimed to identify its predictors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 148 first-year physical and occupational therapy students at a private medical university in Japan in June 2022. Data on sociodemographic and personal characteristics, such as gender, age, subject major, regular exercise, place of residence, and sleeping hours, were recorded using an original questionnaire. Instruments included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, COVID-19 questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition (BDI-II). The results indicated that 83 (56%) and 77 (52%) students exhibited state anxiety and trait anxiety symptoms, respectively. Thirty-four (23%) students experienced mild depressive symptoms. Associations were further determined between gender, subject major, handling of stress, loneliness, satisfaction with life, satisfaction with social connections, anxiety about the future, satisfaction with school life, fulfillment of friendships, and depression. Several variables demonstrated a statistically significant association: handling stress (<i>p</i> < 0.05; 95% CI 0.409–2.472), satisfaction with life (<i>p</i> < 0.01; 95% CI 0.500–0.897), anxiety about the future (<i>p</i> < 0.01; 95% CI 1.397–4.087), and depression (total score of BDI-II, <i>p</i> < 0.01; 95% CI 1.555–100.742). Our results emphasize that universities must establish a system for early identification and support of anxiety and depression in students.

Covid-19 Online Learning and its Impact on the Level of Understanding among Undergraduate Nursing and Physiotherapy First-Year Students

Background: COVID-19 brought drastic changes and impacts on students around the world. Most of the students moved from face-to-face studies into online learning and that’s badly impacts their level of learning, regarding using online learning as a model and tool for learning. To know the level of understanding of students in online learning, to explore hinder factors in online learning, and to know the student's attitude towards online learning methods, we did this study. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in two of the private medical universities in Karachi. Data was collected through a well-defined structured questionnaire from 225 respondents after taking consent and data was analyzed through by statistical package for social sciences SPSS. T-test was used for analysis. The duration of the study was 4 weeks. Results: 89.3% of the student’s studies were affected due to online learning during COVID-19. The level of learning and understanding of 52% of the students were average, 18.7 % of the student’s level of learning and understanding was poor and 29.3% of student's level of understanding was good. The hinder factors during online learning were, 80.4% of the students were internet issues, 76.4% of students were voice/listening issues, and 74.2% of the students were facing an electric shutdown issue. Student's attitudes toward online learning was in that way that 52.4% of students said that online learning is not effective and 47.6% of students did not agree. 34.7% of the student's overall online learning experience were average, 25.8% of the students were below average, 6.7 % students were poor, and 32.9% of students were a good experience. 56.9% of students said that they will not recommend online learning. Conclusion: Online teaching has a negative impact on the level of learning and understanding of students. Internet issues, voice/listening, and electric shutdown are the hinder factors for online learning. Student's attitudes toward online learning was also negative and students were not preferred online Learning.

Implementation Plan and Solutions to the Challenges Faced by Medical Faculty During COVID-19 Pandemic: Transition to the New Normal

Objective: To assess faculty perception regarding the transition from traditional to online classrooms and highlight the problems and devise possible solutions for these problems.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Two Public and five Private Sector Medical Institutes in the month of September 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: An online questionnaire comprising three sections, including consent, personal information and questions related to the experience regarding online teaching, was designed. The questionnaire was posted online, and medical faculty of public and private sector medical universities in Karachi were invited to participate in the study. As a result, the MBBS, BDS, and DPT teaching faculty of two public sectors and three private sector medical colleges/universities who took the online classes participated in the study.&#x0D; Result: 41.2% response rate was recorded. 42 (61.8%) participants felt training given by their institutes was satisfactory. 67 (98.5%) of participants felt that a user-friendly system was employed for online teaching. 61 (89.7%) participants changed teaching strategy, although 49 (72.1%) were unprepared. 67 (98.5%) participants felt student feedback was essential, and 86.8% felt the interaction was vital. 66 (97.1%) participants said clinical teaching was compromised. Student behavioural issues were identified by 22 (32.3%) of faculty members. Problems with technology was faced by 33 (48.5%) participants.&#x0D; Conclusion: Online teaching and learning is expected to continue in the new normal post-COVID-19 era. The transition was difficult, but faculty training programs promise improvement to continue this strategy in future.

Evaluation of Cognitive Domain in Objective Exam of Physiotherapy Teaching Program by Using Bloom's Taxonomy

Abstract Objective For the development and growth in conceptual understanding of education, evaluation is one of the key factors of it. Improving a student's cognitive level is highly dependent upon the questions being asked in exams. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the cognitive level of physiotherapy exam papers using Bloom's taxonomy. Material and Methods The study was performed in a Private Medical University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in all 5 years of mid-term examination of 2019. One thousand and eighty multiple-choice questions were evaluated on revised Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive domain. Results It was found that most lower order cognitive questions were asked from first- and second-year students, whereas third- to fifth-year students were asked higher order cognitive questions ranging from 27.5 to 38%. Conclusion The examination analyzed the efficacy of education being provided. It helped in finding the subject content that needs greater emphasis and clarification. The faculty should give consideration on higher order cognitive level questions to encourage critical thinking among students and the medical colleges should develop the policy on construction of question papers according to the goal of each study year.

How Impostor Syndrome Affects Academic Performance and Leadership Virtues among Undergraduate Clinical Year Medical Students

Impostor syndrome is described as a series of experiences in which an individual is uncertain about their true capability, skills, or achievements. Impostor syndrome may have a negative impact on medical students’ life, especially in the context of their academic performance and leadership virtues. Therefore, we aimed to study the prevalence, factors associated with impostor syndrome, and the association of impostor syndrome and academic performance, as well as leadership virtues. A cross-sectional study among the undergraduate clinical year medical students was carried out in a private medical university in Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used to enrol students for this study, the data were collected by the distribution of an online questionnaire and a total of 90 participants responded. We calculated the independent t-test using Epi info software. Among the students, 47.8% of students were suffering from impostor syndrome. Factors such as gender, ethnicity, nationality, intention to pursue fellowship, and parents’ occupation had an insignificant association with impostor syndrome. There is a significant association between impostor syndrome and subjective academic achievement and the students who did not have the syndrome perceived they performed well academically. The students without impostor syndrome had better leadership skills than the students who had impostor syndrome, however, it was not significant. In summary, impostor syndrome is quite common among students who are pursuing the medical course, thus more attention should be given to this issue. We recommend the education institution to introduce more motivational programmes to increase the confidence level of the students.

Perception, Patterns and Facts: A Study Based on Hand Hygiene among Pharmacy Clerkship Students during COVID-19 Epidemic in Karachi

Aims: The objective of the study is to explore the knowledge and attitude towards hand hygiene practices among 4th year and 5th year clerkship pharmacy students in a private medical university in Karachi, Pakistan.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross- sectional study was conducted for the period of 2 months (November 2020- December, 2020). A well-structured questionnaire was developed to determine the current habit of students’ hand hygiene. The statistical data assimilation recorded through SPSS version 20 to integrate numerical significance.&#x0D; Results: Questionnaire was distributed to 193 students out of which, one hundred Eighty (n=180/193) students participated in this study (response rate 93.26%. Although the majority of students had a fair knowledge of hand hygiene practices, a number of them had few misconceptions. The hand sanitizing practices while encountering patient or prior to patient’s contact showed the 88.3% correct answers. In our study the 75% of participants correctly answered that “traditional hand washing (apply enough soap to cover and rub hands and clean in between the fingers using water) can help stop picking up infections and spreading them to others.” The current study showed that 82.2 percent Healthcare providers are educating patients and their families about hand hygiene and its importance, the 23.3% negative response was collected in context to inspected the particular World Health Organization (WHO) and center of disease control (CDC)rules for hand cleanliness.&#x0D; Conclusion: The current study showed that students had adequate knowledge regarding the importance of hand hygiene. However, there were few students who had inadequate knowledge related to WHO and CDC rules for hand cleanliness which can improve by providing appropriate education and guidance.

Assessing medical students’ perception of cross-cultural competence at a private University in Karachi

BackgroundCross-cultural competence is widely regarded to play an important role in being able to deliver appropriate and effective health care to patients with different backgrounds, race, gender orientation and cultural beliefs. This study aims to assess how medical students feel about their comfort, knowledge, and skill level in handling a diverse patient population using a validated questionnaire.MethodsThis study was carried out over a period of three weeks from July 5th to July 26th of 2021, in the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All medical students who fulfilled the eligibility criteria and gave informed consent were included in the study. A modified version of the Harvard cross-cultural care survey was used to assess the medical students’ comfort, knowledge and skill level in a variety of circumstances related to patients with different backgrounds and cultures. Descriptive statistical analysis of the questionnaire items was carried out. We reported frequencies and percentages for gender and year of study. For the questionnaire items, we reported mean, assuming that our Likert scale had equivariant intervals. Furthermore, multivariate analysis between demographics and themes was carried out. A p-value of < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.ResultsIt was found that students of year 5 considered themselves more knowledgeable, comfortable and skilled in dealing with patients of different backgrounds, religions and beliefs compared to students of year 1 and had a higher average score in all of these categories which was statistically significant. Additionally, students who believed it is extremely important to practice medicine with a diverse patient population also had the highest averages in perceived knowledge, comfort and skills in dealing with patients of different sociocultural backgrounds compared to students who believed it wasn’t important at all.ConclusionThis is a first of its kind study in a private medical university in Pakistan and highlights the students’ self-assessment of their competence when caring for patients from different backgrounds. This study can be used as a reference study in the region to carry out further studies and to assess and improve the gaps in medical training being provided.

Academic Performance Improves with Emotional Intelligence Awareness and Physical Exercise among Medical Students

Background and objective: The importance of exercise and knowledge of emotional intelligence (EI) is gaining pace in academia, which is a positive development. Only a few single-blind research studies on the benefits of exercise and Emotional intelligence have indicated their effects on educational attainment among primary school children, but there are very few reports from young adult students. This longitudinal study aims to develop an intervention protocol to investigate the differential association between induced moderate physical exercise combined with emotional intelligence awareness on academic performance among 18-24-year-old private medical university students. Methods: Students are voluntarily enrolled in two groups: TEST (n = 180) and CONTROL (n = 180) based on inclusion criteria along with applicable consent’s and ethical clearance. The groups' baseline data mapping was completed in three phases. For the TEST group, baseline data was obtained in three stages during Phase-1; -, which is the pre-intervention phase: Anthropometric data, haemoglobin concentration, and cardiorespiratory measurements were all measured in Stage 1. (Lab-based data). Stage 2: two questionnaires were used, one to measure EI awareness and the other to assess learning styles (VARK). Stage 3 entailed the simultaneous recording of pre-intervention academic grades, of a said end block examination for both TEST and CONTROL groups. Phase 2: This is the intervention phase, which included only two components for the TEST group: the first was a moderate exercise regime (BRISK WALKING) of 2-3 sessions per week for about 30 minutes per session, and the second was addressing EI awareness. Which refers to knowing the current status of EI level, and fostering EI knowledge through various teaching-learning methods. Following the end of Phase -1 baseline data mapping, the two intervention components for the TEST group run concurrently for about 6months/24weeks, for the TEST group. Phase-3: is the post-intervention phase which included repeating of Phase-1; Stages 1, 2, and 3 for the TEST group, as well as a concurrent record and analysis of post-intervention academic grades, of the final professional examination for both TEST and CONTROL groups was done after Phase-2. The outcomes of Phase-1 and Phase-3 differential association compared. Results: The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 21.0 software was used to analyse all data from phases 1 and 3. A statistically significant correlation was found between the TEST group (p = 0.0001) and the CONTROL group (p = 0.406) when the pre-intervention period of multifactorial components subjected to intervention was compared to the post-intervention period. Conclusion: Intervention protocol with combined effect of emotional intelligence awareness and induced moderate physical exercise (BRISK WALKING) has shown significant improvement in academic grades.

Personality Traits and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with the Use of E-Cigarettes, Waterpipe and Conventional Cigarettes among Medical University Students.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of smokers in a private medical university in Malaysia and to examine whether there is an association between personality traits and various smoking types. There were 468 participants in this study and the mean age was 20.97 years (±2.743). The prevalence of conventical cigarette users, e-cigarette users, and water pipe users was 4.7%, 6.4%, and 4.0%, respectively. Parents’ annual income (p = 0.001) and ethnicity (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the current smoker group. Binary logistic regression modelling revealed that study participants with either Malay (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.73, 10.34) or Chinese (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.98, 8.73) ethnicity were approximately four times more likely to use tobacco products compared with study participants with Indian and Other ethnicities. Lower parents’ annual income was almost four times more likely to be associated with smoking behaviour (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.58, 9.27). Significant differences in mean personality traits score of Openness (p = 0.018) and Extraversion (p = 0.004) were observed between never-smoker and current smoker study participants. In addition, cigarette users scored higher in Conscientiousness personality traits compared with non-cigarette whereas e-cigarette users and waterpipe users scored lower in Extraversion (p = 0.02). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the never-smoker group scored higher in Extraversion compared with the dual tobacco user group (p = 0.03). In addition, the single tobacco user group scored higher in Agreeableness personality trait compared with the never-smoker group (p = 0.01). Deeper understanding of the different cognitive dimensions, ethnicities, and educational backgrounds can potentially impact smoking prevention and cessation programs.

Why do we fail to fail Undergraduate Medical Students? A Perception of Ophthalmology Faculty

Objective of study: To evaluate the ophthalmology faculty perspective on why they fail to fail undergraduate medical students. Place and duration: Medical colleges and universities of both public and private sectors, duration was three (3) months Study design: It was a cross sectional survey. Non-probability conventional non interventional sample was used. The data was analyzed by SPSS-25. Methods: Total 134 university examiners for undergraduate medical students from ophthalmology faculty were identified from the websites of both private and public sector medical universities and colleges of the Punjab, Pakistan. The ophthalmology faculty members with more than five years of experience as a faculty were included in the study. An online survey questionnaire was sent out through Google forms. The faculty members were given reminder twice. The responses are analyzed with SPSS-25. Results: Out of 134 ophthalmology examiners, 98 (73.13%) examiners responded to the questionnaire. Among the respondents, only 80 faculty members, 58 (72.5%) males and 22 (27.5%) females, with teaching experience of more than five years, are included in the data analysis. Fifty-four (55.10%) participants declared teaching experience of more than ten years while 26 (26.53%) had experience between five to ten years. Twenty-seven (33.75%) respondents had additional qualification in the field of medical education like certification, diploma, or master’s degree (CHPE or MHPE). Fifty-five respondents (68.75%) opted that a few unmerited students passed fourth professional medical university exam. Further, 47 (58.75%) respondents also agreed that they were failed to fail a few ineligible and inefficient undergraduate 4th year medical student while marking a viva voce interactive session, a mandatory section in practical examination, as an internal or external examiner, whereas 33 (41.25%) respondents disagreed with this statement. The top five reasons behind failure to fail, as identified by the respondents were poor assessment methods (50%), lenient examiners (37.5%), commendation by colleagues or administration (22.5%), irrelevant syllabus (12.5%) and pressure from college administration (10%). Mixed opinion regarding the standards of medical education in Pakistan was emerged, according to 45% participants “it is improving”, while 55% had opinion “it is deteriorating”. The top four suggestions opted by the participants regarding improvement in medical students’ assessment to avoid fail to fail phenomena, were “teachers should be more experienced” (60%), “strictly following the criteria of 75% mandatory attendance set by university while sending students admission for university exam” (50%), “revision of admission criteria while selecting first year medical students” (25%) and “adoption of honest policy by administration while selecting students for admission in medical college” (10%). About 60 (75%) examiners felt the need to revise ophthalmology syllabus for under graduates. Conclusion: Being a medical teacher and an examiner is considered as an honour as well as a great responsibility because their students are going to be the future serving doctors, dealing with human life. An unsafe physician or surgeons is neither desirable for doctors’ community nor for the society. Examiners should be more trained, more experienced, and able to assess the failing student if he or she is inadequate, deficient, or not meeting the required standard without any bias. The formative assessment should be dependable, reliable, and rigid as compared to summative assessment and failing a student should be considered as providing them a second chance for their improvement rather than producing an inadequate or incompetent doctor. The standardized admission criteria and merit policies need to be followed. The ophthalmology syllabus should be revised as it needs to be more community oriented and precise. Key Word: Medical student, medical teacher, ophthalmology, examiner, fail.

Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Tests and Positive Results on Clinical Students Screened during the Second wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Destabilization of all educational activities, mixed impact on academic research and professional development, severe effect on the educational assessment system, and reduced employment opportunities, were some of the impacts recorded in the educational sector following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial impact of COVD-19 and COVID-19 test and results on returning clinical students in a Private Medical University in Port Harcourt in the first quarter of year 2021.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among returning clinical students in a private medical university. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from clinical students. Data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.&#x0D; Results: A total of seventy-six (76) respondents who were medical students were involved in the study, with a 98.0% response rate. The impact of the pandemic was felt at home and in school. Study found that 49 students (64.5%) were dissatisfied with school work and twenty-two respondents (28.9%) were observed to be highly stressed while 9 students (11.8%) were observed to have no stress. The female respondents were more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than their male colleagues.&#x0D; Conclusion: Assessment of the impact of COVID-19 disease and testing revealed that undergraduate clinical students were affected psychosocially in the pandemic. Respondents were observed to be highly stressed, and a few indicated incapacitating psychological distress. Therefore, psychosocial support of students should be built into response measures for future screening services.

PROFESSOR IGOR MARKOV – TO 80 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

Congratulatory article dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Doctor of Medical Sciences, Consultant of the Research Laboratory of Problems of the Morphology, Advisor of the Rector of the Private Medical University REAVIZ, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Russian national anatomical scientific journal «Morfologicheskie Vedomosti - Morphological Newsletter», Professor Igor I. Markov.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards the Disposal of Unused and Expired Medications among Students of Private Medical Universities in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: The disposal of unused and expired medications has been a concern in many countries in that, the pharmaceutical waste enters the ecosystem and eventually causes a negative impact on human health and environment. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by students in the private medical universities in Lusaka of Zambia. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted over a period of 8 weeks among 391 respondents from three private universities in Lusaka. Respondents were polled using semi structured questions that focused on their knowledge, attitudes, and disposal practices for unused and expired drugs. In order to analyze data, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was utilized. Results: The mean age of the participants was 23 years (SD: ±3). Out of the 391 participants, 320 (81.8%) knew about medicine waste and 391 (100.0%) responded that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicine poses a threat to human health and can harm the environment. The drug-take-back system was unknown to a vast percentage of the respondent 371 (94.9%). The majority 274 (70.1%) of respondents had unused medicine stored at home, with antibiotics 215 (56.0%) and analgesia 111 (28.4%) being the most prevalent types of drugs kept in the households. The most commonly used disposal practice for unused 126 (32.2%) and expired medicines 274 (70.1%) was throwing them in household garbage. Only 27 (6.9%) and 30 (7.7%) reported returning unused and expired medicines to the nearest pharmacy respectively. The majority of respondents believed the risk stemmed from the presence of an undesired drug in the home, the potential for harm to children, a lack of proper information on safe disposal practices, and the necessity for a take-back program. Conclusions: The majority of the study participants used unsafe methods to dispose of unused and expired medicine. However, most of the participants acknowledged that unsafe disposal of unused and expired medicines is a public health problem and proposed the need to introduce drug take-back programs in the communities.

Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Medical University Lecturers in Malaysia during COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and various restrictions has had a great impact on university lecturers in Malaysia. Objectives: The study sought to evaluate this impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the sociopsychological well-being of medical university lecturers. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a local private medical university. Convenient sampling was used to recruit faculty members. Microsoft Form containing sociodemographic factors, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) was sent to the participants through university e-mail, Microsoft Teams, or WhatsApp. Subsequently, a randomized controlled trial method was used to select the participants. Pearson Chi-square was used to study the association between the three instruments (DASS-21, SWLS, and BRS) and participants’ sociodemographic factors. The outcome was considered significant given the P values were &lt;0.05. Result: A total of 70 faculty members had participated in this study. Of these, 32.9% had mild-to-very severe depression, 42.9% had mild-to-very severe stress, 42.8% had mild-to-very severe anxiety, 45.7% were satisfied with their life, and 81.4% had normal resilience. There was a statistically significant association between gender, age, and relationship status with BRS (P = 0.037, P = 0.032, and P = 0.002, respectively), whereas age was statistically significant with SWLS (P = 0.03). Conclusion: This study recommends the university administration in developing successful measures for assisting faculty members in managing depression, stress, and anxiety as well as increasing their mental resilience.

Medical Students' Awareness and Interest towards Family Medicine at a Private Medical College in Karachi

Background: Family physicians constitute the fundamental core of the health system in many parts of the world. However, medical students' diminishing interest in Family Medicine remains a challenge worldwide. Objective: To assess medical students' awareness of the Family Medicine specialty and their interest towards selecting Family Medicine as a career. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of a private medical university in Karachi from January 2021 to June 2021. A total of 333 students from all 5 years of Medicine were given a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing their awareness of Family Medicine, and their interest in it as a future career choice. Results: 91% of students had heard of Family Medicine, 80.8% knew it as a recognized specialty, 91.6% knew family physicians treat individuals of all ages and gender, 88.9% knew family physicians provide comprehensive coordinated care, 82.9% agreed Family Medicine should be taught in the undergraduate curriculum, 95.5% think family physicians can change the healthcare system of Pakistan, and 54.1% have interest in Family Medicine as a future career choice. Among the top three specialty choices, General Surgery ranked first, Emergency Medicine ranked second and Family Medicine ranked third. Conclusion: To attract students to choose a career in Family Medicine, it needs to be an essential part of undergraduate medical education. Career counselling, mentorship and role modelling can help foster interest among students in this field.

Strategies for improving faculty retention: A mixed-methods study in a private medical university in Karachi, Pakistan.

To determine the strategies that improve faculty retention at a medical university. The mixed-method study was conducted at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from August to September 2020, and comprised faculty members of either gender associated either with the university or with Pakistan Navy Station Shifa Hospital. Qualitative component comprised of semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was collected using the 35-item Faculty Retention Strategies Questionnaire (FRSQ). Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was done to extract the common factors influencing faculty retention. Of the 182 faculty members approached, 101(56%) responded. Of them, 66(65.3%) subjects were females, 35(34.7%) were males, 46(45.5%) were aged <36 years, and 65(65.3%) were working at the university for <5 years. The factors affecting faculty retention were direct communication of departmental head with faculty, timely promotions, feedback on teaching performance to junior faculty, clear employment policies, protected research time, teaching expertise-based promotions, implementing innovative faculty ideas, scholarships for postgraduate faculty, faculty administrative positions, equal junior faculty workloads, transport provision, competitive pay-scale and faculty development workshops. Item mean was 4.143±0.380, Cronbach's alpha was 0.894 and inter-item correlation was 0.223. EFA revealed a 4-factor solution: 'institutional work support', 'faculty development', 'faculty communication' and 'faculty leadership initiative'. Implementing these strategies could possibly lead to long-term faculty retention.

A University-based Survey of Career Choices and Perspectives on Higher Education among Dental Students in United Arab Emirates.

Background:Over the past decade, higher education has made significant progress in the Gulf Corporation Council Region (GCC) due to the promotion and investments made by the local governments. Medical and dental higher education has undergone massive transformation across all the universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the implementation of innovative educational policies.Objectives:The objective of the survey was to determine the career choices and assess the perspectives on higher education among dental students of a medical university in the UAE.Methodology:Structured closed-ended survey questionnaire was provided to 377 respondents at a dental school of a private medical university in UAE.Results:The results of the survey revealed that 51% of the respondents wanted to pursue specialization in dentistry. Orthodontics (33%), endodontics (28%) and oral surgery (16%) were the most preferred branches for specialization. UAE was the most preferred destination for pursuing specialization. Quality of education and proximity to the family were the most common reasons for selecting UAE as the destination for specialization. 36% of the survey respondents wanted more dental post-graduate seats to be available in the UAE. 57% of the survey respondents felt that the cost of post-graduation is comparable to other countries. 64% of the survey respondents felt that Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) program should be offered by medical universities in the UAE.Conclusion:To conclude it can be stated that dental undergraduate students in the UAE prefer to pursue specialization in clinical branches like orthodontics, endodontics and oral surgery. Majority of the respondents prefer to pursue their specialization in the UAE due to the quality of education. Survey respondents felt that there was a need to offer more dental post-graduation and dental PhD programs by UAE universities.

Evaluation of immediate impact of Faculty Development Programme using a pretest\u2013post-test study design format

BackgroundWorkshops are the most common models to enhance knowledge and skills in a specific subject area with an intent to explore, solve a problem and/or innovate new things. The most important aspect of a workshop is the transfer of knowledge in a safe learning environment as a faculty development activity (FDA). At International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia’s first private medical university which was established in 1992, Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) are run throughout the year in order to enhance the knowledge and skills in teaching and assessment. In order to sustain this faculty development, IMU has a dedicated medical education unit called the IMU Centre of Education (ICE) with dedicated staff and respected faculty developers who are academic role models to the faculty of the institution. However, FDA are collaboratively run by ICE and IMU Centre for lifelong learning (ICL).ObjectivesTo determine the immediate impact of faculty development workshops for health professionals in teaching schools of IMU to enhance the teaching and assessment abilities of the faculty.MethodologyA retrospective quantitative research design was developed to collect data from multiple standard setting workshops using a 3-point Likert scale. A 20 items questionnaire as a pretest from the participants with and without the prior reading of online posted reading materials. An interventional hands-on workshop and a post-test score, using the same 20 items questionnaire, followed the workshop intervention. A collated quantitative data were gathered from a sample of 139 participants attending the standard setting workshops. Data were analysed using paired t test, one-way ANOVA and ANCOVA with effect size in SPSS version 24.ResultsA mean difference between pretest and post-test score was significant at t (138) = 92.24, p < 0.01. A barely significant difference of mean scores between pre-read, partially read and not-read participants was found at F (1, 136) = 9.402, p = < 0.05 and η2 = 0.121 by one-way ANOVA. A post-test difference of the mean scores across those read, partially read and not-read for reading materials on a controlled pretest score determined by one-way ANCOVA remained non-significant at F (1, 136) = 0.240, p = 0.787 associated with a practical effect size = 0.4% only.ConclusionA significant difference of the mean pretest and post-test score within the group was also significant between the groups. A post-test score, controlling on pretest score, was found not significant and is suggestive of an effectively delivered workshop for all participants. As a practical guide, a 7-step plan is recommended to ensure immediate impact of FDP. Majority of the participants rated the workshop as good in terms of content, organisation, delivery and usefulness. A high percentage of survey respondents reported that similar workshops to be offered in future.

Social Media Use and Its Association with Sexual Practices among Undergraduate Students in a Private Medical University at Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Introduction: Social networking has become integral to the intellectual and social lives of the young populace. Their often unrestricted access to sexually explicit content and associated adverse sexual health constitute key outcomes in public health research. Objectives: To determine the association between social media use and various sexual practices among undergraduate students in a private medical university at Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Methods: We enrolled 300 undergraduates, using random sampling technique in the present cross sectional study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire and data analysis employed statistical package for social sciences version 22.0. Chi-square test was used to determine association between variables and p value&lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.85+ 2.63 years. Majority of the respondents have heard about social media (n=299, 99.7%) and majority have received information from friends/peers (79%). The commonest reason for non-use of social media for sexually explicit content was lack of interest (54.3%). The mean age at sexual debut was 17.44 + 2.63 years. There was statistically significant association between use of social media for sexually explicit content and being sexually active (p=0.000), type of sexual acts practiced (p=0.003) and number of sexual partners (p=0.000). Conclusion: There is need for improved multi- sectoral measures (formal comprehensive sex education, peer education programs, school mini-media clubs and targeted behavior change intervention), Media and internet literacy education to control viewing of social media for sexually explicit content, while ensuring that young people’s access to sexual health educational content is not compromised.

Validation of Metacognitive Awareness Inventory from a Private Medical University in India.

BACKGROUND:Metacognition is the awareness and the capability to regulate one's own thinking process. Metacognition is critical in medical education for clinical reasoning and management. Hence, the objective of this study is to evaluate the construct validity and reliability of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) among first-year medical and dental students, from a private medical university in India, using confirmatory analysis and internal consistency method.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study using convenient sampling. Fifty-two-item MAI was administered to 933 first-year medical and dental students from a private medical university in India. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), principal component analysis, Cronbach's α, and confirmatory factor analysis with global fit indices were performed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the relationship between the structural path and factors using AMOS version 22.RESULTS:During EFA, 12 items with <0.40 factor loadings were trimmed sequentially. The remaining items with respective factors had a good internal consistency of ≥ 0.9. Comparative fit index (0.78), goodness-of-fit index (0.8), adjusted goodness of fit index (0.77), Tucker–Lewis index (0.7), standardized root mean square residual (0.06), and root mean square error of approximation (0.09) values showed that six-factor model fits to satisfactory. Pearson's correlation coefficient was found to be high between factors (>0.80). SEM for each item (observed) and factor (unobserved) illustrated the hypothesized model.CONCLUSION:The resultant 40-item model based on MAI designed by Schraw is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the metacognitive awareness of Indian students. Employing a valid and reliable tool in assessing the metacognitive awareness will help the academicians in incorporating appropriate curricular interventions.