Public Medical College Research Articles

KNOWLEDGE OF BEDSIDE ETHICS AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN A PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Background: Medical ethics have always been considered as fundamentally important and bedside ethics are challenging to teach due to lack of formal teaching sessions. This study aimed to identify the knowledge, attitude and misconceptions among medical students about bedside ethics in hospital and its implementation in their routine practice. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in medical students from 3rd, 4th, and 5th year from public sector medical colleges from June to August 2020. Results: Out of 400 Medical students, 90% had knowledge about bedside ethics and 64% knew the principle of bedside ethics. Sixty-four of medical students believed that they lived in an environment that was inappropriate for an ethical evaluation of the doctor-patient relation. Three-hundred-forty-one (84%) opted to recognize the patient and address them in a sophisticated reserved manner when approaching the patient at bedside. Two-hundred eleven (52%) preferred to inform bad news to patients in front of their attendants. Two-hundred ninety-eight (73%) of medical students believed that ethics were required for moral values. Three-hundred-five (75%) selected the option to tell the patients honestly when they make a mistake while treatment. Moreover, 259 (64%) of students preferred to ask patients to expose the target body part but 131 (32%) of students preferred to do it by themselves. Conclusion: Majority of the undergraduate medical students had knowledge about bedside ethics and its principle. Inculcation of ethics as a subject into the curriculum of MBBS students is suggested. Pak J Physiol 2021;17(4):59–62

Perception of Medical Students towards Teaching and Training at Public and Private Medical Colleges of Peshawar Using Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure

The importance of teaching and training quality has been acknowledged as critical for successful learning and practical skill development. The perceptions of medical students toward teaching and training offer a good basis for altering and refining the quality of medical teaching. The purpose of this study was to analyses students' perceptions of teaching also training at public and private medical colleges of Peshawar, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was given to 240 pupils from various public and private medical schools. The questionnaire has 27 items that were rated on an 0-4 Likert scale (total scores between 0-108). The questionnaire had five subscales that assessed students' perceptions of learning, teaching, environment, academic self-perception, and social self-perception. Data was collected and mean and standard deviation for each subscale was calculated using SPSS. Results: The total mean score of DREEM both public and private was 64/108 (59%). The total mean score for public and private was 65/108 (60%) and 62/108 (57%) respectively. The total score of SPL domain for public and private was 16.81/28 (61%) and 16.09/28 (57%). The total score of SPT was 19.52/32 (61%) for pubic and 19.67/32 (61%), while that of SASP was 5.02/8 (62%) and 4.33/8 (54%). The total score of SPA domain was 19.31/32 (60%) and 17.91/32 (55%) while that of SSSP was 4.9/8 (61%) and 4.49/8 (56%) for public and private medical colleges respectively. For SPA, SSSP, SASP, SPL and SPT domain the score of public medical colleges was ≥60% and for private only SPT was 61% and the remaining were <60%. Conclusions: Total DREEM score was 64.02 which are more positive than negative. However, the individual scores of domains for both public and private medical colleges were showing a positive perception of students except the SASP domain for private medical colleges, which is showing many negative aspects and needs further exploration.

Ocular and Extraocular Symptoms among Medical Undergraduates with Cellphone Addiction, A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To find out the frequency of ocular and extraocular symptoms due to cellphone use among the medical students.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study
 Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in private and public sector medical and dental colleges of Karachi from January 2019 to September 2019. 
 Methodology: Self-designed, self-explanatory questionnaire was used to collect data. The setting for the collection of the data has been classrooms, common rooms, cafeteria and open sports areas of the medical and dental colleges which has been surveyed by the different team members of the group. The data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.
 Results: The mean age of the study participants was 21.2 ±1.82 years, among them majority was female i.e. 60.25%. Participants were having different degrees of blurred vision, eyestrain, dry eyes, eye redness and irritation, difficulty in refocusing the eyes and double vision with frequency of 17.25%, 24.25%, 9.5%, 10.75%, 9% and 5% respectively. Respondents during the survey stated that they were having different physical problems apart from disturbance in eyesight. About 39.75% respondents complained of varying degree of headache and or migraine. 36% were having pain in neck, shoulder or back while 25.25% were having variable degree of fatigue. About 21.5% complained pain in fingers and wrist, 9.5% complained of hand stiffness and their inability to grip or hold any other thing properly.
 Conclusion: It has been concluded that cellphone usage has serious ocular and extraocular hazards so there is a need to limit its usage as it is affecting the physical and mental health of the students.

Effect of Cellphone on Quality of Life among Medical Students; A Cross-sectional Study

Aims: The aim of the current study is to find out the quality of life among the medical undergraduates who are addicted to cellphone use.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study
 Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in private and public sector medical and dental colleges of Karachi from January 2019 to September 2019.
 Methodology: The data had been collected through a set of questionnaire, which was pre-designed. Those students were included who were using smartphones for pleasure, communication or study purpose The data was entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. For numerical variables mean with standard deviation were calculated and for categorical variables frequency and percentages were calculated.
 Results: The mean age of the students surveyed was found to be 21.2 ±1.82 years. Majority of our research candidates were addicted to cell phone use. It was noted that more than 6 hours’ screen time daily was 29.75% while very unfortunate observation of less than 1-hour screen time was found in 6.25% of study participants. About 38.25% of our participants although addicted to screens agreed that this addiction is causing them to ignore their important things like study or family. Cell phone addiction is worsening day by day as 37.5% medical students confessed that they feel stressed when they do not use cell phones. About 76.75% medical students despite of being addicted to screens, confessed that this is causing them different health and social problems which they feel should be removed just by giving lesser time to the applications.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that the medical undergraduates who are addicted to their cellphones, having poor quality of life which is negatively affecting their health as well as their studies. There is a need to accept the problem and find out the best solution for it. Students should be aware of the effects of cellphone addiction on the quality of life.

An Updated Insight into Learning Approach of Government Sector Dental Students in Balochistan

Introduction: Learning approach is impacted by character attributes, domain of study, assignments assigned and requirements of medical/dental program. This helps in acquiring cognition through surface and deep learning that influences the amount and standard of learner’s acquisition of knowledge. 
 Aims & Objectives: The objective of this work was to appraise Learning Approach (Deep or Surface Learning) of dental students at a public sector medical college.
 Place and duration of study: Bolan Medical College, Quetta, June-November 2016.
 Material & Methods: After ethical approval, a descriptive observational Census was conducted using RLS tool on 85 BDS (Bachelors of Dental Surgery) students at Bolan Medical College, Quetta. Data was collected on 14 RLS Likert scale variables and analyzed with SPSS version 20.
 Results: Eighty-five students participated in study; the response rate was 89.4%. Females constituted 72% of the participants with a mean composite RLS score of 64.26 ± 12.46. Highest mean score was noted for variable 6 (aware of learning task 6.07 + 1.46) with 85% reporting a positive attitude, followed by 71% on variable 14 (self-assess 5.36+ 1.95),68% on variable 12 (use capacity to reflect 5.24 + 1.66) and variable 8 (ponder for learning 5.24 + 1.59). Sixtyseven percent students were able to eliminate study related negative feelings. No statistically significant differences were found between genders and four academic years on all 14 items.
 Conclusion: BDS students demonstrated deep learning behavior through mitigating their negative thinking, memorizing learned material, self-assessment of their work and clarifying concepts by making association among themes to better understand the acquired knowledge and impression about subjects.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression in medical students of a public sector medical college in Islamabad and coping mechanisms adopted.

The objectives of this study were to find out the frequency of anxiety and depression in medical students and various coping mechanisms adopted by them to identify the coping trends and to stress the need of equipping these students with positive coping tools to deal with anxiety and depression. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based observational study was conducted on a population of 500 medical students of Federal Medical and Dental College, Islamabad. The duration of the study was three months. By using the WHO sample size calculator, taking the confidence level 95%, anticipated population proportion 70% and absolute precision required 7%, the sample size was calculated at 165. The samples were collected by non-probability consecutive sampling via a questionnaire. In the study, two instruments were used: 1) Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS), and 2) Brief Cope Inventory. Self-administered questionnaires were filled by the students and the data collected from these questionnaires was analysed on SPSS version 19. Out of the sample size of 165 (98 female, 67 male) students, excluding 12 students with previous history of mental and physical illness, the prevalence of depressed students found after calculating their scores according to the Aga Khan Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS score ≥19) was 95 (57.57%). The most used positive coping mechanisms by these students were religion (5.55±1.91), acceptance (5.28±1.56), planning (5.27±1.58) and active coping (4.85±1.45). The most used negative coping mechanisms were self-blame (5.52±1.83), self-distraction (5.29±1.56), and venting (4.67±1.49). The high presence of negative coping mechanisms indicates the urgency of the need for proper counselling and guidance of medical students about dealing correctly with anxiety and depression.

Distribution of imposter syndrome among medical students of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Background: Imposter syndrome (IS), suffering from self-doubt and fear, despite clear accomplishment and competencies, is often detected in medical students and adversely affects the well-being of the student. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of IS among public and private medical students in Bangladesh. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design among medical students in Bangladesh. Data were collected between February to July 2020 through snowball sampling technique across medical colleges in Bangladesh. Relative risk ratios (RRRs) with 95% CI were calculated to investigate the magnitude of association between imposter syndrome exposure and explanatory variables. Results: A total of 500 students participated in this study with approximately 47% and 53% of students studying at public and private medical colleges, respectively. Around 32% of medical students were exposed to IS (47% of public and 53% of private medical college students). Medical students were the most significantly associated with IS for third (RR: 1.487, CI: 1.068-2.071) and fourth-year students (RR: 1.493, CI: 1.043-2.136). Overall, we found that respondents aged 22 to 25 were 3.6% (RR:1.036, CI:0.801-1.339) more likely to be suffering from IS than their younger counterparts. Conclusion: Third and fourth-year medical students, in particular, require more care than others; teachers and authorities should provide them with proper guidance and care, encourage them, and thus grow their self-reliance and confidence.

Conceptions about the Use of Cannabis among Medical Students from Public Universities.

BackgroundSubstance abuse is a public health concern given its high prevalence worldwide. The early onset of such abuse predicts greater severity of addiction, morbidity, and use of multiple drugs. The use of psychoactive substances among Brazilian university students is frequent and cannabis stands out as the most consumed illicit drug. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cannabis use among medical students from public universities in the state of São Paulo, correlating it with socioeconomic data, perceptions, and conceptions about use, triggering factors and possible implications in academic performance.MethodsThe data were collected using an anonymous online survey, which was sent to students attending public medical universities in the state of São Paulo in the year 2020.FindingsThe survey was answered by 225 participants. Among all participants, 147 (65.3%) reported at least one episode of cannabis use during their study in university. 91 (61.9%) reported the first use before entering university, while 56 (38.1%) used it for the first time during the university years. The frequent group included 41 (27.9%) people and the sporadic group included 106 (72.1%) people.ConclusionThe present study indicated that the medical students in public universities in the state of São Paulo have higher cannabis use rates compared to the general Brazilian population and to other medical students worldwide. The users are aware of the possible damages caused by cannabis use, but this does not stop them from smoking.

OSPE (Objective structured practical examination): Perception of the faculty and students at A Public Sector Medical College in Pakistan.

Objective: Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) is a growing way of assessing the students of medical universities particularly. This study is targeted to compare and assess different perceptions of the faculty and the students towards OSPE at a public sector medical college. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey. Setting: Sahiwal Medical College Sahiwal. Period: 1st July 2020 to 15th July 2020. Material & Methods: The questionnaire was sent to all the participants by Whatsapp because of COVID-19 pandemic. All the undergrad students of MBBS (500) and all the faculty members (65) of clinical and basic medical sciences were included in the study. Results: The response rate of faculty members was 78.46% and that of undergraduate students was 70.80%. Out of 51 members who responded, 23 (45.10%) were males while 28 (54.90%) were female. Female students were having majority of participation (71.20%). Most of the faculty and students agreed with the fact that ‘The questions asked in the OSPE stations were appropriate and related to the curriculum’ (60.10% and 45.10% respectively). Response to a question ‘OSPE is more transparent, fair and objective as compared to traditional practical examination’ got a nod from faculty members (49%). Almost 76% of the students (strongly agreed and agreed) thought that OSPE was tiring and stressful for them but their respected faculty members thought the opposite. Conclusion: Our study concludes that there is satisfaction of both students and the faculty regarding their perceptions of OSPE at public sector medical college. In our study while comparing, the majority of both the groups were having almost same opinions.

Assessment of Professionalism Attitudes in Students of Government and Private Medical College Using Learner’s Attitudes to Medical Professionalism Scores (LAMPS)

Objectives: To assess and compare the student’s attitude to professionalism among government and private medical colleges. Research question: Are there any differences in Professionalism attitudes of students studying in government and Private medical colleges of Pakistan? Hypothesis: Professionalism attitudes of Medical students studying in government and Private medical colleges do not differ from each other. Method: A government medical college of Sargodha & a Private medical college of Lahore were chosen for the study. Study was conducted from May to June 2019. 200 Final year MBBS students were given a questionnaire named Pakistani LAMPS validated through a pilot study. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used. We applied statistical test chi square used for analysis in SPSS 21 version. Results: Out of the study participants, there were 76(38%) were male &124(62%) female. The Pakistani LAMPS had an acceptable reliability index with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.71. The items mean scores vary between (1.93+ 1.03 and 3.00+ SD 3.78, scale 1–5). The score was high significantly in Private medical college students (107/140) than Public medical college (95/140) with p value of 0.0001. Conclusion: The null hypothesis was rejected because the professionalism score of private medical college students was higher than that of government medical college students. Keywords: Professionalism, Attitudes, LAMPS Government, Private, Medical Education

Osteoporosis Preventive Behavior Among Female Healthcare Students in Da Nang, Vietnam

Background: Osteoporosis prevention at young ages is crucial to diminish the risk of the disease and its complication in later years of life. Having good osteoporosis knowledge and positive health belief may lead to better preventive behavior which then contributes to build and maintain bone health throughout life.
 Objective: To investigate knowledge, health belief, and behavior of osteoporosis prevention among female healthcare students.
 Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a public medical university in Da Nang of Vietnam. Four hundred participants were selected by applying the multistage sampling technique. Data were collected from May 2020 to June 2020 through the questionnaire that consists of 4 parts including the demographic data form, the osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool, the osteoporosis health belief scale, and the exercise and calcium behaviors scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test.
 Results: Participants had poor osteoporosis knowledge (mean [SD], 37.8 [16.0]; range, 0 - 75) and low preventive behavior (mean [SD], 5.7 [3.5]; range, 0 - 25). Osteoporosis health belief was found at a moderate level with a mean (SD) of 126.7 (12.9) (range, 84 - 187). There were positive significant correlations between knowledge and health belief, knowledge and behavior of osteoporosis prevention (P < .05).
 Conclusions: Osteoporosis preventive behavior of female healthcare students was low. Osteoporosis education programs should be developed for female healthcare students to improve their knowledge and health belief that would then lead to their better preventive behavior.

Experience of Medical Students on Appearing in First Sub Stage of Anatomy

Background: Higher level of stress experienced by medical students has been found to have a negative effect on their cognitive learning. The first year MBBS student have to face the challenge of higher standards of course work and examination as compared to his previous school and college coursework. Moreover, student from rural background and living in hostel has to face additional challenges of coping with homesickness, hostel related and many financial problems. Aim: To determine the experience and feelings amongst First year MBBS students to the first sub stage in anatomy in different public and private medical colleges of Punjab. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. A sample of 275 students of First year MBBS class were selected from both public and private sector of medical colleges in various cities of Punjab through convenience sampling technique. A self-administered structured questionnaire was prepared for data collection and distributed amongst First Year MBBS students. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The result of the study showed that 53.8% of First Year MBBS students were nervous before the first substage. Results of the study also showed that hostelites and females students were more nervous and these findings were statistically significant. Also our study showed that government medical college students were better prepared for their substage as compared to private college students and there is statistically significant difference between them (p < 0.00). Conclusion: Majority of First year MBBS students (58%) are facing increase level of stress during their first substage. Statistically significant higher stress levels are observed among females, hostellites. Keywords: First Year MBBS, Experience, Stress, First substage

Psychiatric symptoms in students of medical colleges in Punjab

Background: In Punjab, after medical college entrance exam, 3405 candidates got seats in 19 medical colleges (public sector) from 80 thousand participants. In Pakistan, after UHS induction, enrollment of 4300 candidates was made in 43 private medical colleges per year. MBBS, In Pakistan, consist of five academic years along with one year of House job. MBBS is regarded as one of toughest studies that not only effect student health physically but also mentally. Aim: To find out the incidence of stress, depression and anxiety, and stress experienced by medical candidates, and its link with different variables. Duration and study design: September 2018 to December 2019, Cross-sectional study Methods: From September 2018 to 2019 December, this case research was carried out in candidates of private as well as public Medical Colleges. The case research consists of sampling of 270 candidates. The data was collected via questionnaire.. The data was analyzed using social sciences .The statistical analysis of different variables and anxiety stress and depression was carried out. Results: It was reported that the incidence of stress depression and anxiety, and between medical candidates were respectively, 41.1%, 60.1% and 62.2%. Female candidates were found to be more relaxed and stress free as compared to male candidates. Male students were found to be more depressed than female students (29.4% vs 52.2%) along with a statistically significant (P<0.001). Gender is free from association with stress and Anxiety. Candidates from urban areas were more stress free (41.4%) as compared to candidates from village sides (59.2%) with a statistically significant (P=0.021). Conclusion: The incidence of stress anxiety and depression was found more significant in case of male candidates as compared to female candidates. Male candidates and candidates from rural sides were more prone to stress and anxiety. Keywords: Medical Education, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Medical students.

An Analysis of Cost of Attending Medical Education in Nepal

The purpose of this paper is to investigate cost of attending medical education (MBBS) in Nepal provided by twenty public and private medical colleges affiliated to Tribhuvan University (TU) and Kathmandu University (KU) along with BP Koirala Institute of Health Science (BPKIHS) and Patan Academy of Health Science (PAHS). The basic objectives of the paper are to analyze the costs of attendance (CoA) and its determinants of MBBS education in public and private colleges of Nepal, Primary cost survey upon twenty medical colleges was utilized to gather the cost related data. Four admission cycles (2015-2018) of MBBS students were used for the study. It further revealed differential cost of attendance within universities and within public and private medical colleges. Cost of attendance varies from NRs. 4.3 to 6.1 million and it grew minimum 2.02 percent to maximum 6.4 percent. MBBS education in private medical colleges in Nepal is more expensive than public colleges. It should be made affordable, accessible and reformed on the basis of basic principle of quality health care and health education.

Perceptions and comparison of bedside teaching among final year students of public and private medical colleges of Peshawar

Abstract
 Introduction: Bedside teaching is an important but declining strategy in medical education. The regulatory authority’s insistence on structure of an institute needs be supplemented with quality of bedside teaching. The objective of this study was to find perceptions and compare bedside teaching among students of public and private medical colleges of Peshawar.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at four medical colleges of Peshawar during the month of February 2020. A Likert scale tool with 30 items and four subscales; physical environment, patient’s comfort and student attitude, teaching session and teaching fellow was filled by 242 students. Mean score for each question and each subscale was calculated for each institute for perceptions. Mean score of two public and two private institutes for each subscale was compared by unpaired t-test.
 Results: Physical environment mean score was highest at Khyber Girls Medical College Peshawar (2.97±0.50). Patients’ comfort and students’ attitude mean score was approximately equal in four institutes. In teaching session, the highest mean score was reported by Khyber Girls Medical College and was lowest by Khyber Medical College. For teaching fellow, mean score was highest at Khyber Girls Medical College (3.70±0.67) and lowest at Kabir Medical College (2.85±0.55). For physical environment (public 2.87±0.48 vs. private 2.59±0.60) and teaching fellow scale (public 2.87±0.48 vs. private2.59±0.60) there was highly significant difference (p=0.0001).
 Conclusion: Mean score in four subscales are comparable in four institutes with some variation but there are significant differences between public and private institutes in physical environment and teaching fellow subscales. There are some consistencies and conflicts with regional and international literature. This needs in-depth qualitative exploration.
 Bedside teaching, Medical education, Perception, Physical environment, Teaching session, Teaching fellow

Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and other Complications among the Type-2 Diabetic Patients in Bangladesh

Dyslipidemia and other complications are very much common among the diabetic patients in Bangladesh. Sedentary lifestyle and uncontrolled dietary behavior play significant roles to cause these complications among the diabetic patients. Thus, this study intends to identify the prevalence of dyslipidemia and other complications among the type2 iabetic patients in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among selected 138 admitted patients with type 2 diabetes in the medicine ward of a public medical college and hospital in Bangladesh. Their serum lipid profile and health checkup were conducted to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and other complications. Among all the respondents, 79.0% (109) had dyslipidemia and 43.0% (59) had different diabetes related complications. A total of 37.0% (51) respondents were having high serum cholesterol, 57.0% (79) respondents were having high serum triglyceride, 59.0% (81) respondents had raised LDL-C and 35.0% (48) respondents had raised HDL-C. Most of the respondents were found with dyslipidemia and nearly half of the respondents had diabetes related complications. Thus, the findings indicate the need of appropriate interventions to address the risk factors so that dyslipidemia and other complications can be managed and controlled timely and effectively

Educational Environment in Public and Private Medical Colleges of Peshawar: Undergraduate Medical Students’ Perception

Objective: The objective of our study was to explore student’s perception of the educational environment in their respective medical colleges
 Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at two medical colleges (one public sector and one private-sector medical college), both affiliated with Khyber Medical University, Peshawar from January 2020 to March 2020. DREEM was used to measure the educational environment of both public sector and private sector medical colleges.
 Results: The overall mean score with standard deviation was 113± 22 SD for private medical college and 109 ± 25 SD for public sector medical college, which means more positive than negative perception. Private sector college overall score was better than public sector college but with no significant difference. Private sector medical college score was better in all DREEM subscales except Students’ Academic Self-Perception in which public college scored 18± 5 and private college scored 16± 5.
 Conclusion: There is a significant margin for improvement for all domains of the educational environment in both public and private sector medical colleges, especially the low scores in the domain of Students’ Social Self Perceptions need attention.

Motivation and Preferences of Human Resources in the Medical Field – Premises for Further Policies in the Medical Sector in Romania

Abstract The health professionals might be driven by different reasons in choosing their future medical specialty like passion, personal interest, balance with the family life, financial expectation, prestige etc. Our study aimed to explore the dominant preferences of the medical students in choosing their medical specialty in relation to their personal profile. We analysed the options of 3424 students from three cohorts the biggest public medical university of Romania. We found that most of the medical student are very career oriented, with low interest in having a family or children during their student life, most are income-dependent by others, and driven by passion/interest in choosing their future specialty, but with low interest for family medicine. Our data could be relevant for the policy makers for tailoring the long-term human resources polices adapted to the students’ values, with the aim to assure an equitable coverage with medical services all over the country.

Advances in medical education; comparing the perceptions of the faculty and the students towards e-learning vs. traditional learning in a public sector medical college in Pakistan.

Objective: E-learning is a growing need of modern day education generally and of medical universities particularly. This study is targeted to compare and assess different perceptions of the faculty and the students towards e-learning at a public sector medical college. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Medical Education, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal. Period: 1st May 2020 to 31st May 2020. Material & Methods: The questionnaire was sent to all the participants by Whatsapp because of COVID-19 pandemic. MBBS students of 4th year and final year MBBS and all the faculty members of clinical and basic medical sciences were included in the study. The participants had to choose among options of ‘agreed, neutral and disagreed‘. Results: The response rate of faculty members was 91.66% and that of undergraduate students was 91%. Among faculty members, 34 (51.50%) were males while 32 (48.50%) were females. Female students were having majority of participation (60.40%). Most of the faculty and students were disagreed with the fact that ‘E-learning is a suitable means of education for students in Pakistan’. Though there was an overwhelming agreement of students (80%) and staff (88%) with agreement on the point that ‘information and communication technologies (ICT) play an effective role in promoting education’. Fifty three percent of students and 67% of the faculty members agreed that ‘E-learning systems can fulfill the challenging needs of present times’. Conclusion: Our study concludes that there are some reservations of both students and the faculty regarding usage of e-learning over traditional learning at public sector medical college. In our study while comparing, the majority of both the groups were having almost same opinions related to implementation of e-learning methodology.

Ragging: A Harmless Tradition or Menace? Perspective of Newly Admitted Medical Students of Karachi, Pakistan

Ragging is a disruptive behavior mostly observed among senior students of many institutes towards their junior sub-ordinates. The following study evaluated the perception of newly admitted students about ragging in one of the public medical college of Karachi, Pakistan i.e., Karachi Medical and Dental College. Out of 140 newly admitted students of first year MBBS, 102 participants were enrolled in this study. The data was collected in two steps, i.e., Questionnaire A was distributed among the students on the orientation day whereas, Questionnaire B was distributed one week after the orientation to the same students who had filled the Questionnaire A. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Majority of participants were aware about ragging. Data of Questionnaire B revealed that about half of participants 52 (50.9%) got ragged on the orientation day, while most of the students faced mild to moderate intensity ragging. Males were found to be more frequent victim of ragging as compared to females. The present study indicates that ragging may have a negative impact on the morale and self-confidence of many students; moreover, the study suggested that serious actions shall be taken against ragging. Formation of an anti-ragging committee can provide great aid to the newly admitted students on their first day, promoting an anti-ragging environment within the institute and ensuring prevalence of such environment in order to prevent negative impacts of ragging.