Qualified Doctor Research Articles

A study of knowledge, attitude and behavior of patients towards their illness and their relation to sociodemographic factors

Background: This study was conducted to assess basic knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients to their illness and find its correlation with various socio-demographic factors. Method: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based analytical study. All patients over 18 years of age who attended the OPD or were admitted to the medical ward and who agreed to participate in the study were included. A questionnaire regarding the demographic characteristics of the study participants as well as the patient’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding their disease was administered regularly by experienced physicians dealing with OPD and IPD both type of patients. Results: Out of total 100, only 38% patients came for regular follow up and only 57% brought old records. 36% were not taking medications regularly for various reasons (trying alternative medicine (22.2%), advice from others (11.1%), found medicines ineffective and stopped without reconsulting (8.3%), fear of adverse effects (8.3%), couldn’t afford (8.3%), worsening of symptoms (5.6%) etc. 19.4% had no reasons. 67% patients got medicines prescribed from a qualified clinician while other sources were pharmacist (9%), relatives/friends (5%) and self-medication (6%). Significantly more females, educated and employed were aware about their medical condition and medications. Significantly more educated and employed brought old records and came for regular follow up (p-0.0187), Significantly more educated seeked qualified doctor’s advice as compared to uneducated. (p=0.0002). Conclusion: There is a need to educate patients about the importance of medication awareness, adherence, regular follow up, disadvantages of unscientific and unreliable information to improve compliance to treatment.

Knowledge and Awareness about Anesthesia and Perception about Anesthesiologists and their Role during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Patients at a Zonal Hospital: A Cross-sectional Survey

Abstract Background: Anesthesia forms the cornerstone of the practice of modern medicine as we know it today. The field of anesthesia has evolved beautifully since its conception in the 1800s and today the reach of the anesthesiologist goes far beyond his role in the OT. The most critical patients are managed by this fraternity, witnessed by the world during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even today, in the 21st century, anesthesia functions in relative obscurity, succinctly labelled as a ‘behind the screen’ specialty by the medical fraternity itself. Aims and Objectives: Conducted in the aftermath of the pandemic, the research was aimed to assess the general knowledge among patients regarding the branch of Anesthesia and understanding the public perception regarding Anesthesiologists, including their role inside and outside the OT, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the sources of patient information and significant association with age, gender, literacy level and employment status were explored by our study. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted at a secondary-care government hospital and a total of 307 participants were enrolled in the study. After a detailed structured interview with participants, the data was tabulated in Excel form and statistical analysis was done for association with demographic variables. Results: The results, viewed against a background of previous similar national and international studies, revealed significant ignorance regarding this specialty and poor improvement as compared to previous data, despite having been in the limelight owing to the recent pandemic. Only 58% participants had heard the term ‘Anesthesia’ and 38% were aware of what it achieves in a patient. About three-fourths of them knew the anesthesiologist as a qualified doctor but only 50% considered his job equivalent to that of the surgeon. The main source of knowledge was by word of mouth followed by prior exposure to anesthesia. Furthermore, the study revealed that the level of the patient’s education controlled with the patient’s age and employment factors was the significant predictor of their knowledge, awareness and perception regarding anesthesia and role of anesthesiologists (p<0.05). The patients with secondary and above level education, the younger age groups and those who were currently employed were significantly better informed. Conclusion: The results of the research, compared with previous data of Indian and International studies since the last two decades, demonstrated a clear lack of improvement in public knowledge levels. This was unexpected considering how the recent pandemic brought the entire medical community into the limelight, some of which should have been shed on Anesthesiologists as well. Additionally, there is a stark difference between the populations of developed and developing countries seen in several post pandemic studies. The ignorance continues to pervade all aspects of the anesthesiologist’s job including his purview beyond the OT. A fresh perspective was obtained through the demographic factors brought out by the study, elucidating that the anesthesia fraternity needs to focus on improving communication with certain subsets of their patients (like the elderly, the unemployed and illiterate). Several conjoint endeavors are required between the government the professional community to increase the public cognizance and appreciation that all current and future anesthesiologists, deserve.

A “Maverick Salafi Political Jihadist” in a Turbulent Period: A Biographical Study of Dr Fauzi

<p>A biographical study through the lens of Mills’ sociological imagination and Erikson’s identity crisis provides a unique understanding of Dr Fauzi AR, a dedicated Islamist. Fauzi grew up in a devout Muslim family in Kauman, Yogyakarta, the heartland of the modernist Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah. He was educated in Muhammadiyah schools and eventually became a qualified medical doctor. He was politically active in the Islamic United Development Party and joined Laskar Jihad, a Salafi-Wahabi paramilitary group, during the inter-religious conflict in Maluku in 2000. This article argues that the political turbulence during the democratic transition in 1998–1999 led Fauzi to have an identity crisis, which spurred his desire to participate in jihad (holy war). Afterwards, Fauzi became a reformed “maverick post-jihadist,” in that he was unpredictable yet competent. He was unorthodox in his methods, remaining active in mainstream political Islam through the United Development Party while also engaging in physical jihad, which is contradictory because participation in partisan politics is forbidden by the Salafi doctrine. He also remained a heavy smoker although smoking is forbidden by Salafi religious decree. He further defied Salafism by supporting his wife in an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the national parliament as a member of the secular-nationalist party Gerindra in the 2009 election. This case study of Fauzi AR reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of political Islam and Islamic movements in the post-Soeharto era, including those who resorted to extremism and violence to achieve greater Islamisation of society.</p>

“A Distinctly Busy Man” – Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Frederick Holles Brennan, First Officer Commanding of the 1st South African Irish Regiment, 1861–1927

Abstract Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Holles Brennan, formerly the commanding officer of the 1st South African Irish Regiment, medical officer of the Transvaal Volunteers, surgeon to the Hawarden Castle hospital ship and recipient of the Volunteer Officer’s Decoration and Long Service Medal during active service, is a forgotten name in South African military history today. Canadian-born Brennan, a qualified medical doctor, emigrated to South Africa during the 1890s. After settling in Johannesburg, he established a successful medical practice and became an integral part of the Irish-Canadian diasporic community on the Witwatersrand. This was complemented by active involvement in a range of charitable causes, in addition to participating in both the Anglo-Boer War (on the side of the British) and the First World War. From 1894–1927, Brennan made a fundamental contribution to the development of the South African military and sports history, without compromising his Irish-Canadian identity.

Team and leadership training in medical students

The effectiveness of health care depends on core knowledge and competencies such as professional approach, team building, and leadership skills. A qualified doctor has to be a member of the health-care team and a leader of the health-care team at times. The ability to adapt as a team member and lead the team are two different roles to which medical students should be exposed at the beginning of the course. Medical students are subjected to a foundation course in their 1st year, which includes various topics such as ethics, professionalism, and team and leadership skills. However, these students are young adults directly entering medical college from school, and specific topics can be sensitized in a gamified/activity-oriented mode to improve learning. This review focuses on these gamified/activity-oriented methods to teach team and leadership skills to students straight from school.

Awareness and healthcare-seeking behavior regarding acute respiratory infections among mothers of under-five children in rural Tamil Nadu: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and eventually mortality in under-five children across the globe. Awareness regarding ARI among mothers of these children is very essential to detect danger signs early, prevent the delay in health-seeking and thereby limiting its progression to severe illness. The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness of mothers regarding ARI in their under-five children and their healthcare-seeking behavior for the same. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 mothers of under-five children attending the outpatient department of a rural health center in Tamil Nadu. A predesigned questionnaire was used to assess their sociodemographic characteristics, awareness about ARIs, and healthcare-seeking behavior regarding ARIs in under-five children. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis. Results: The mean awareness score (±standard deviation) of mothers regarding ARI in their under-five children was 8.34 ± 1.49, and overall, 94.50% of mothers had fair awareness regarding ARI. The association between occupation and awareness level of mothers regarding ARI was found to be statistically significant, while that of other variables was not statistically significant. Most of the mothers (88.0%) preferred to consult a qualified allopathic doctor for their child’s ARI. Those who do not seek health-care services for their child’s illness believe that the disease is self-limiting, while others try traditional medicines at home before seeking health-care services. Conclusion: Majority of mothers had fair awareness regarding childhood ARI in this study. It is necessary to put more effort into educating these mothers about the importance of early detection and seeking appropriate health care for ARI in their children.

IN MEMORY OF PROFESSOR YAREMA TOMASHEVSKYI – SCIENTIST, DOCTOR AND TEACHER

We are deeply saddened to inform that on August 12, Yarema Illich Tomashevskyi, a distinguished professor of the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, passed away at the age of 94.
 Professor Tomashevskyi was born on December 3, 1929, in the village of Stetseva in Pokuttia area. In 1953, he graduated with honors from Lviv Medical Institute and then studied in the clinical residency program for internal medicine from 1953 to 1955. In the following three years, he chaired the therapeutic departments of Kamianka-Buzka District Hospital and the 4th Hospital in Lviv. In 1958, he commenced employment as an assistant at Lviv Medical Institute and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor of therapeutic departments. He started and chaired the Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Pharmacology, where he worked for 44 years, from 1978 to 2022. Yarema Illich created and developed the Lviv endocrinological school, the regional endocrinological dispensary, and headed the regional association of endocrinologists. He was a member of the Ukrainian Scientific Society of Endocrinologists.
 Professor Tomashevskyi’s scientific and research endeavors are centered around the issues of cardiology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, balneotherapy, clinical vitaminology, and endocrinology. He deemed the prevention of diseases to be of paramount significance. He founded the Academy of Preventive Medicine at the Shevchenko Scientific Society. He has worked on programs aimed at preventing iodine deficiency disorders and early diagnosis of diabetes, which he diligently implemented in practice. Professor Tomashevskyi is the author and co-author of over 350 publications, including seven monographs and textbooks and many methodological recommendations. Under his leadership, two doctoral and 15 candidate theses were successfully defended.
 The professor’s professional activities included membership in the Ukrainian Medical Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and editorial boards of the journals “Endocrinology” and “International Endocrinology Journal.” He also contributed to the compilation of scientific works “The Phenomenon of Human. Healthy lifestyle,” “Medical Collection of The Shevchenko Scientific Society.” He was a full member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society and headed the Medical Commission of the SSS for several years. He was respected and known in the medical scientific community of Ukraine. In 1985, Yarema Illich was awarded the badge “Excellence in Healthcare.”
 Professor Yarema Tomashevskyi was an excellent teacher and lecturer, a highly qualified doctor who was loved and respected by students, colleagues, and patients. He was a respected citizen. The professor led a respectable life full of tireless work and care. His favorite sayings from the ancient sacraments, which he steadfastly adhered to, were: “Rush to do good, as human life is fleeting; do everything in moderation; and never express anger.” He was always cheerful, smiling, and friendly.
 Eternal and bright be his memory!
 
 Chairman of the Medical Commission
 of Shevchenko Scientific Society,
 Doctor of Medicine, Professor Valentyna Chopyak

Determinants of Healthcare Services for Aged Women in Rural Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest nations, a significant share of the deprived inhabitants are elderly women who live in rural regions with little access to healthcare. The primary goal of this investigation was to analyse the determinant of healthcare services for aged women in rural Bangladesh. This study was conducted using survey research method through interview schedule. It was carried out in four villages in the Satkhira district. It was followed by purposive sampling and a sample size of 260 was selected. The study revealed that 53.1 percent of the respondent took medical help promptly during the time of illness. Besides this 73.1 percent of the respondent took medical care from a qualified doctor and only 42.2 percent of the respondent get the old allowance. However, nature of the treatment was influenced by the distance to get health facility (p<.001) and response in seeking health care (p<.001). The results indicate that the head of the household's year of schooling (p=.001) and monthly household income (p. =001) had a significant link with the response to seeking health care.

Assessment of Factors That Students Perceive to Affect Their Virtual Learning of Clinical Skills for OSCE.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a vital examination that must be passed to graduate as a qualified doctor. The delivery of OSCE teaching was changed to an online format to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, this study evaluates factors that students perceive to affect their virtual learning of clinical skills for OSCE. In this cross-sectional study, all medical students from across the world who attended "The Respiratory Station" session delivered by OSCEazy (a medical student organization providing free online medical education) in the academic year 2020-2021 received an online questionnaire about their perceptions of this learning opportunity. The survey was created on Google™ forms and consisted of 5-point Likert scales as well as free-text boxes. A total of 556 responses were received (mean age: 24, female: 76.6%). Most students agreed that online OSCE teaching offers more flexibility and convenience (median: 5, IQR: 4-5) but their likeliness to ask questions in either format was similar (median: 4, IQR: 3-5 vs median: 4, IQR: 3-4, p value: 0.94). The use of visual aids (median: 5, IQR: 4-5) and breakout rooms (median: 3, IQR: 2-4) were thought to enhance the quality of virtual OSCE teaching. The biggest concern about online teaching was access to a stable internet connection (69.1%). The flexibility and convenience of virtual OSCE teaching enables the sharing of knowledge and skills to a wider audience and thus may be a very useful adjunct to face-to-face OSCE teaching in the future.

METHOD AND SOFTWARE COMPONENT MODEL FOR SKIN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

Context. The problem of skin disease diagnosis was investigated in the paper. Its actuality is caused by the necessity of automation of at least advisory medical decision making. Such decisions are made in telemedicine, for instance, when skin disease diagnostics is performed under specific conditions. These conditions are specified by situations when data for analysis are collected but a qualified doctor has no possibility to process the data and to make a diagnosis decision based on it. The object of the study is a process of skin disease diagnosis.
 Objective. The objective of the study is to develop a skin disease diagnosis method to automate making of advisory medical diagnosis decisions and to increase efficiency of such decisions.
 Method. The skin disease diagnosis method was proposed in the work. This method applies the modified ResNet50 model. It was proposed to add layers to the ResNet50 model and to train it using transfer learning and fine-tuning techniques. The method also defines image processing in particular through the change of its resolution and uses oversampling technique to prepare a dataset for model training.
 Results. Experimental investigation of the proposed method was performed using the HAM10000 dataset which contains images of skin diseases. The images were collected using dermatoscopy method. The dataset contains observations for 7 different skin diseases. The proposed method is characterized by the accuracy of 96.31% on this dataset. It is improved accuracy in comparison with the existing neural network models. Software component model was created to give a possibility to integrate the proposed method into a medical diagnosis system.
 Conclusions. The obtained results of the investigation suggest application of the proposed skin disease method in medical diagnostic system to make advisory decisions by the system and to support making final decisions by a doctor.

Bronchitis in children under one year of age and methods of its treatment

In this article, treatment of Bronchitis is a long and difficult process. In any case, the recommendations of a qualified doctor are necessary, because different forms of the disease require the use of specific treatment methods. Treatment procedures are different: etiotropic - elimination of the causative factor (virus or bacteria), symptomatic treatment - elimination of life-threatening symptoms, in case of obstructive bronchitis and bronchiolitis, hospital treatment is recommended.

Geographic and Specialty-Specific Disparities in Physicians' Legal Compliance: A National-Scale Assessment of Romanian Medical Practice.

Physicians must respect their patients' rights to informed consent, privacy, access to medical records, non-discrimination, treatment by a qualified doctor, and a second medical opinion. Compliance with patients' rights is mandatory, and legal breaches are considered medical malpractice under Romanian law. This is the first study to assess physicians' practices nationally and create a geographical map of legal compliance. We examined survey responses of 2978 physicians, including 1587 general practitioners and 1391 attending physicians from high-risk specialties. According to the findings, 46.67% of physicians' practices adhered to the law. Physicians' practices were homogenous across the country's regions. General practitioners were significantly more legally compliant than attending physicians were. Additionally, 94.02% of the physicians acknowledged malpractice anxiety, whereas only 17.67% had been accused of malpractice. Our findings emphasize the need for further research and to voice issues about Romanian physicians' low level of legal compliance. This study provides a starting point for future studies to evaluate the benefits of interventional strategies in this field. Healthcare facilities should provide physicians with easily available resources when they are unsure about their legal obligations, and establish an observer organization that can detect unlawful conduct. Interventions should concentrate on education programs and expert guidance.

Multi-Sectoral Involvement in the National Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

Background To combat anti-microbial resistance in Bangladesh, a national action plan is designed with the involvement of multiple sectors. Methods Sixteen participants were interviewed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaires were used for data collection using the Key-Informant Interview (KII) technique. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out of relevant information. Results Bangladesh has no specific monitoring body for antibiotic prescription, and professionals do not follow national guidelines. Most healthcare settings don't have any protocol for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and monitoring facilities. The main factor of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) is the availability and accessibility of antibiotics and the dealers who supply antibiotics. Patients consume antibiotics without consulting any qualified doctor. The COVID-19 pandemic and the occurrence of AMR have escalated the use of antibiotics. Abuse of antibiotics in the animal industry is a worrying trend. The Bangladesh National Action Plan 2017 on AMR (BNAP), however, persuaded the top court to issue a ruling restricting the sale of antibiotics without a prescription and to establish an antibiotic surveillance system across the nation. The BNAP on AMR policy has been more effectively implemented thanks to multi-sectoral cooperation. Conclusion To monitor current facilities and spot trends in antibiotic resistance, a multi-sectoral regulatory organization specifically focused on AMR is desperately needed.

Reproductive Health Knowledge and Care Seeking Behavior of Bangladeshi School Going Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Study in A Demajani Village Area of Bogura District

The cultural context in Bangladesh generally discourages adolescent from giving opinions, speaking up or questioning adults. So their needs and vulnerabilities are often unaddressed and adolescent friendly services still unfamiliar concepts. In such cultural context, adolescent girls’ reproductive knowledge and healthcare seeking behaviour is important. Improper and delay in seeking care may also result in increased risk in the community. Understanding the pattern of healthcare-seeking behaviour could help public health practitioners and policy makers to improve the healthcare system and health promotion strategies. The objectives of the study were to unveil the adolescents’ girl knowledge on reproductive health. To elicit the types of care adolescent girl sought when they get ill and to identify determinates of the adolescent girl for seeking care. Focused group discussion and in-depth interview was conducted with adolescent unmarried school going girls at Demajani village under Bogura District on January 2023. The study followed by the health belief model. Respondents were going through the mental and physical changes as they were in adolescent stage. They leant about the reproductive health from their female family members. They share their physical problems with the peer group and tried to solve it by home remedies and then to the qualified doctor. Choice of treatment was dependent on their perceived susceptibility and severity. Respondents were depended on parent as they unmarried. Their family was motivated by the communities. Therefore their treatment seeking actives sometimes ignored the availability, affordability and accessibility of the health services.

Protocol for the examination and selection of potential living donors of bone tissue for the production of allografts

The responsible stage of choosing the source of bone allografts is the process of examination and selection of the donor, which includes moral and ethical, legal and medical aspects. The selection of potential donors should be carried out with the participation of a qualified doctor, with a thorough collection of anamnesis, social conditions and a general medical examination. Up to 48 % of all potential donors are rejected to collect bone in the pre-operative period; up to 22 % of the received tissues are not suitable for transplantation according to the results of further examinations. Purpose – to develop a protocol for the examination of potential living donors of bone tissue based on anamnestic, clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations to ensure the selection of high-quality bone material for the production of bone grafts. Materials and methods. From 01.01.2016 to 01.12.2021, 640 patients for hip replacement were involved in the selection of bone tissue donors. The following selection steps were applied: obtaining informed consent, filling in a questionnaire about the possibility of donation, express-tests for infections and X-ray morphometric examination based on the results of radiography of the hip joints in direct projection. Results. Based on the results of the examination of potential donors, it was established that the number of patients who were excluded from further research due to refusal to donate was 3 %, due to contraindications according to the results of filling out the questionnaire – 15 %, according to X-ray morphometric criteria – 51 %, according to the results of laboratory examination – 2 %. Conclusions. A protocol of examination of bone tissue donors for the production of scaffolds has been developed. It was established that about 30 % of all examined potential donors are suitable for donation.

Patients’ Perception of Anaesthesia, the Anaesthetist and Experience of Anaesthesia Care

Background: The anaesthetist is a health care professional, but misconceptions about her identity and roles influence patient satisfaction, a unique clinical endpoint. Objective: To determine patients’ perception of the anaesthetist and their satisfaction with perioperative anaesthesia care. Methods: This prospective study recruited adult patients scheduled for elective surgeries in a Nigerian tertiary health facility. A structured questionnaire was administered during the pre-anaesthetic visit, before the administration of anaesthesia and 24 hours post-operative to elicit information on socio-demographics, type of surgery, patient's perception of anaesthetist as a specialist, previous and index anaesthesia experience, and patient's satisfaction from the perioperative anaesthesia care. Results: One hundred (23 males and 77 females) adult patients with a mean age of 42.17±12.87 years were recruited for elective surgeries in various surgical specialities. Seventy-eight per cent were familiar with the roles of anaesthetists, but those with previous exposure to anaesthesia and a higher educational status showed better knowledge. Most participants (89%) realised that the anaesthetist was a qualified doctor. Still, when probed further, it was discovered that only 42% could anticipate that the anaesthetist was in charge of the operating theatre. A majority (73%) were unaware that the anaesthetist works outside the operating theatre. The participants were very satisfied (68%) or satisfied (32%) with the post-operative assessment of perioperative anaesthesia care. Conclusion: Most patients scheduled for elective surgeries were familiar with anaesthetist roles and identity but were unaware of her role outside the operating theatre.

THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES OF CHILDHOOD PNEUMONIA OF PARENTS IN SLUM AREA OF PAKISTAN

TYPE: Abstract TOPIC: Pediatrics PURPOSE: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices for childhood-pneumonia of parents in slum area of Pakistan. METHODS: A cross sectional study was done including parents from a slum area coming to the OPD. There, a well-trained person asked them the questions from the well-developed, pretested questionnaire and filled and analyzed on Google forms himself. RESULTS: Almost 84.1% had heard about childhood-pneumonia. The source of information for mostly (55.4%) was someone known while TV/Internet, health-care worker & newspaper/pamphlet also contributed to 32.1%, 30.4% & 16.1% respectively. They mentioned fungus (45%), insects (35%) and virus/bacteria (10%) each as the cause of childhood-pneumonia. Some (26.3%) said their child has got pneumonia. An infected child from pneumonia can have symptoms of fever (77.8%), Fast/difficult breathing (72.2%), chest-pain (70.4%), cough (63%), stuffy-nose (57.4%) and vomiting/nausea (25.9%). Some (47.4%) think if their child get pneumonia, they can get the idea just by symptoms. Mostly (81.8%) said if a child gets pneumonia, parents should first go to qualified doctor while 14.5% said parents should first treat at home. Majority said causes of childhood pneumonia are cold weather (98.1%) and having cold water & eatables (96.3%). Majority (92.7%) thought pneumonia is preventable. Only 48.1% said pneumonia can spread from infected child to someone else. Majority (78.9%) told there isn’t any vaccine for childhood-pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the parents have heard and know about the childhood-pneumonia but they still lack basic knowledge/ causes/ symptoms and practices. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There should be proper awareness surveys and seminars for parents about knowledge and prevention of childhood pneumonia. DISCLOSURE: Nothing to declare. KEYWORD: community

Assessment of the Attitude and Knowledge About Abortion and Its Consequences in Women Attending Obstetrics Unit at A Public Hospital: A Prospective, Descriptive Survey-Based Study

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the attitude and knowledge about abortion and its consequences in women attending obstetrics units at a public hospital. Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive survey-based study with a purposive sampling technique involving women above 18 years attending obstetrics and gynecology unit at a public hospital. Results: A total of 209 females were approached, finally 127 respondents agreed to participate in the study. About 85.04% (n=108) of them knew about abortion. 61.42% (n=78) of respondents indicated that they did not know the methods of abortion, and among them, 63.75% (n=49) were aware of unsafe abortion practices; very few of the respondents preferred the traditional practice for abortion. 56.69% (n=72) of the respondents were not aware of the possible dangers of abortion; and 85.83% (n=109) of the respondents would seek advice on abortion (if necessary) from a qualified doctor. Conclusion: The study participants demonstrated good knowledge and attitudes towards abortion and its consequences. The study also showed the maximum number of respondents who had heard about abortion but had less knowledge of the consequences of unsafe practices. The study revealed that respondents' age, number of children, religion, and educational level had no significant influence on their knowledge and attitude. Keywords: health surveys, complications, knowledge, spontaneous abortion

Are tomorrow’s doctors prepared to prevent dementia? A cross-sectional study of Tasmanian medical students’ knowledge of dementia risk factors

Tomorrow’s doctors are unprepared to prevent dementia. This cross-sectional study invited medical students enrolled in the University of Tasmania 5-year medical degree (MBBS) to participate in an online questionnaire during 2019. This study measured students’ recall of risk factors, prompted and unprompted, for dementia and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) score. Data were collected via an online survey comprising the DKAS, and risk factor questions adapted from the Alzheimer’s Research UK National Monitor Survey, with questions on CVD risk factors added for comparison. Medical students (n = 82) proffered fewer unprompted risk factors for dementia than for CVD and were less proficient at recognizing dementia risk factors from a prompted list. Knowledge of vascular risk factors for dementia was particularly limited. Their broader dementia knowledge was generally adequate and DKAS scores were at the level of a qualified doctor by final year. Whilst medical students’ general knowledge of dementia was satisfactory, their knowledge of modifiable risk factors of dementia was limited. If replicated elsewhere, this raises concerns about whether the future medical workforce is equipped to take a necessary lead role in managing dementia risk reduction. As dementia incidence rises worldwide, and 40% cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors, educational programs may need to urgently address these deficiencies.

PECULIARITIES OF INDEPENDENT WORK IN THE STUDY OF "CLINICAL PRACTICE" DISCIPLINE BY MEDICAL STUDENTS OF COURSE V AT OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY DEPARTMENT NAMED AFTER I.D.LANOVYY

The article highlights the features of independent work in the study of "Clinical Practice" by 5th-year medical students at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The article shows that well-organized independent work creates favorable conditions for the development of cognitive abilities of students and intensification of their work in obstetrics and gynecology. Practical self-training of medical students is a mandatory component of the educational and professional program to obtain a qualification level and aims to acquire their professional skills and abilities.
 Independent work is one of the most important components of the educational process, which involves the integration of different types of individual and collective learning activities, which is carried out both in classroom, extracurricular activities, without the participation of the teacher and under his direct supervision. Introduction of independent educational and cognitive activities and innovative approaches to its organization in the educational process is a qualitative step of the entire system of higher education because this process contributes to the advancement of students from education and the acquisition of knowledge to the skills and abilities of self-education. Clinical practice in obstetrics and gynecology is a process of consolidating theoretical knowledge, practical skills and abilities acquired in the process of student learning. The discipline includes practical classes and independent work of the student. Clinical practice occupies an important place in the training of physicians and the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge, skills and abilities and expand professional competence. The knowledge that students receive during clinical practice will allow them to conduct optimal treatment, to detect early clinical signs of the disease. Prospective physicians in senior courses study clinical disciplines to obtain high qualifications. Clinical practice for students is an important element of the process of training a highly qualified doctor and improves the effectiveness of training. An important role in the system of preparing students for acquisition practical professional skills and abilities of a doctor are assigned to clinical practice, which provides a combination of theoretical and practical components of training and is aimed at forming the ability of future doctors to practice medicine. Consolidate and deepen the ability to rational choice of therapy taking into account the mechanism of action, diagnosis, etiology, pathogenesis of the disease. Clinical practice includes practical classes and independent work of students.
 The normative discipline "Clinical Practice" is aimed at the development, first of all, of the professional competencies of the future doctor, is professionally oriented in the field of health care, which in turn contributes to the effective preparation of students. The discipline "Clinical Practice", which is mastered by 5th year medical students is formed as a set of closely related content modules, which are logical complete parts of theoretical and practical educational material corresponding to a particular object.