University Teaching Research Articles

Prescription Pattern of Cholelithiasis at Surgery Ward in Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Cholelithiasis is a chronic recurrent disease of the hepatobiliary system. The impaired metabolism of cholesterol, bile acids and bilirubin are characterized by gallstone formation.The number of surgical procedures for cholelithiasis has risen markedly in developed countries since 1950. An estimated 90% of cholecystectomies are now performed by the laparoscopic approach worldwide. Objectives: The aim of the study was to study prescription pattern of Cholelithiasis at surgery ward in B&C medical college teaching hospital and research Centre Pvt. Ltd. Materials and Methods: A Retrospective study was conducted and data of Cholelithiasis cases admitted at Surgery ward from 2077/01/01 BS to 2077/12/31 BS were collected. Coding of data , result and interpretation of data were drawn using SPSS version 16 and MS Excel 2016 . Result: The present study included 137 patients.Among them,80.3% were females and 19.7% were males. The high incidence of cholelithiasis was found in the age group 30-39 years (27%). 98.5% of total hospitalized patient were prescribed with antibiotics followed by Proton Pump inhibitors (93.4%) and NSAIDS(92%) .Among antibiotics, Ceftriaxone (65.7%) were the most prescribed one. During discharge , antibiotics (98.5%) were the most prescribed group of medicine followed by Proton Pump Inhibitors (88.3%) and NSAIDS(67.9%). And among antibiotics, Cefixime (52.6%) were mostly prescribed. While analyzing prescription pattern of discharge medication it was found that percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 13.86% and percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drug list was 43.36%. Conclusion: The present study revealed that there was greater incidence of Cholelithiasis in females (80.3%) than in males and in the age group 30-39 years (27%) .The results obtained from this study showed that most commonly prescribed medicines were antibiotics. Prescription through generic name and essential drug list was low. Therefore, prioritization on prescribing drugs by generic name and from essential drug list needs to be encouraged.

Knowledge on First Aid Management of Epistaxis among Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Epistaxis, a global Otorhinolaryngology emergency, often requires hospital admission, posing health concerns for all ages. Evaluating medical students' knowledge helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring future healthcare providers are well-prepared. Our study aimed to assess knowledge on first add management of epistaxis among medical students of a medical college. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among medical students in Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital after ethical approval was obtained. Data was collected electronically using google form from 109 medical students from 15 January 2024 to 15 March 2024. Results: The mean age of students was 20.71±1.44 years. The mean knowledge score of first aid management of epistaxis was 11.33± 5.24. Out of all students, 68 (62.38%) students had above-average knowledge on first aid management of epistaxis. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the varied knowledge levels among first and second-semester medical students regarding epistaxis. While more than half demonstrated above-average understanding, targeted educational interventions are warranted.

Optimization Strategy for the Reform of Applied Mathematics Teaching in Higher Vocational Colleges

In the face of the impact of economic globalization and cultural diversification, higher vocational colleges must provide more diversified and intelligent multi-dimensional education services for college students to promote the rapid innovation of subject teaching and improve student-centered education and teaching concepts. Based on this background, applied mathematics, as a very important basic course in higher vocational education, must carry out all-around teaching reform to continuously improve the comprehensive quality of mathematics of contemporary college students. Therefore, based on the practical experience of applied mathematics teaching and the collation and summary of relevant references, this study explores how to optimize the reform of applied mathematics from several aspects, to further improve the quality of applied mathematics teaching and the comprehensive quality of contemporary college students in mathematics by creating a new model of applied mathematics classroom teaching in higher vocational colleges.

Research on the Application of Information Technology in English Translation Teaching in Colleges and Universities

Research on the Application of Information Technology in English Translation Teaching in Colleges and Universities

Analysis and Strategy Research on Influencing Factors of Classroom Teaching Quality in Higher Vocational Colleges

In this study, the questionnaire “Influencing Factors of Classroom Quality in Higher Vocational Education” was self-compiled. By using the questionnaire survey method, the research conclusion was drawn that the main factors affecting the classroom teaching quality in higher vocational education were teaching and student factors, teacher factors, and classroom factors based on 2,683 samples. According to the research results, the measures to improve the quality of classroom teaching are put forward, in order to provide guidance for improving the quality of teaching in higher vocational colleges.

Blood Transfusion Burden Of General Surgical Diseases At The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Blood Transfusion Burden Of General Surgical Diseases At The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Semi-automated versus manual compounding of chemotherapy: a pilot study of dosing accuracy and pharmacy technician perceptions at a university teaching hospital

Abstract Introduction The semi-automated compounding of intravenous chemotherapy is an evolving technology with previously identified benefits to patients and operator safety.[1] The introduction of a Gri-fill® 4 semi-automated unit to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in 2022 marked the first use of semi-automated chemotherapy compounding in Ireland. To date, limited research exists regarding implementation of semi-automated units within Irish hospitals. Aim To compare dosing accuracy and preparation time of manually versus semi-automated compounded chemotherapy. To understand perceptions of pharmacy technicians regarding manual versus semi-automated compounding of chemotherapy. Methods Dose accuracy, defined as absolute percentage dose error versus the prescribed dose, was obtained gravimetrically for a total of 90 chemotherapy preparations. Preparations of carboplatin (22 manual, 22 semi-automated) and paclitaxel (23 manual, 23 semi-automated) were included. Dose accuracy via both procedures for each drug was compared statistically using the Mann-Whitney U-test, whereby p<0.05 denotes statistical significance. A dose accuracy cut-off, signalling need for repreparation, was >5%. Time in seconds for compounding via each procedure was recorded. An anonymous online survey consisting of both Likert-scale and free-text questions was disseminated to all ten pharmacy technicians who work in the UHL aseptic compounding unit (ACU). Likert-scale responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative statements were analysed thematically. Results A statistically significant difference in dose accuracy distribution between manual (mean rank = 28.20) versus semi-automated (mean rank = 16.80) groups was found for the carboplatin preparations (p<0.05, U=367.5). Absolute percentage dose error tended to be higher using the manual procedure. No significant difference in dose accuracy distribution was observed between procedures for paclitaxel (p>0.05, U=285.0) (manual mean rank = 22.61, semi-automated mean rank = 24.39). Overall, zero semi-automated and 2 manual preparations exceeded the >5% dose accuracy limit. For both drugs, median preparation times were longer for the semi-automated (200.5, 199 seconds) versus the manual (116.5, 141 seconds) procedure. Nine out of ten pharmacy technicians responded to the survey. Over half (55%) found working with the semi-automated unit demanding. A higher percentage felt preparations compounded manually were safer than preparations from the semi-automated unit (100% versus 66%). Practical issues with the semi-automated unit, including lack of space within the isolator, staff resource allocation and reliance on machine calibration were highlighted. However, its capacity to produce large multiples of one preparation type was recognised. Conclusion This pilot study highlighted comparative (paclitaxel) or significantly improved (carboplatin) dosing accuracy of a semi-automated compounding unit versus a manual procedure. While the number of preparations analysed was limited and necessity for larger confirmatory studies across numerous ACUs is acknowledged, this data highlights capacity for semi-automated units to accurately prepare chemotherapy. The observed decreased repreparation requirements of the semi-automated procedure highlight potential for such units to aid sustainable chemotherapy production. However, to optimise implementation, future research should investigate solutions to concerns identified by pharmacy technicians and verify the accuracy results obtained. Only then can the benefits of such semi-automated units to both patients and staff be achieved. Reference 1. Seger AC, Churchill WW, Keohane CA, Belisle CD, Wong ST, Sylvester KW, Chesnick MA, Burdick E, Wien MF, Cotugno MC, Bates DW. Impact of robotic antineoplastic preparation on safety, workflow, and costs. Journal of Oncology Practice. 2012;8(6):344–9.

Evaluation of a novel clinical pharmacy tool in identifying and categorising drug-related problems in hospitalised patients: The MA2VER2ICK Tool Study

Abstract Introduction Literature searching has revealed a lack of high-quality research outlining the use of tools or checklists in hospitalised patients. Additionally, few tools identified relate directly to clinical pharmacy practice. The tools identified focus on specific disciplines (e.g. critical care) or specific tasks (e.g. handover). The MA2VER2ICK Tool is a novel clinical pharmacy tool which has recently undergone review and adaptation.[1] The tool is unique as it is comprehensive and applicable to all hospitalised patients, regardless of clinical discipline. The intended purpose of the tool is to assist clinical pharmacists in comprehensive pharmaceutical care planning. Aim Demonstrate the utility of the MA2VER2ICK tool in pharmaceutical care planning, by outlining the type and frequency of drug-related problems occurring in hospitalised patients. Methods A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a 560-bed acute university teaching hospital. Clinical pharmacists adopted the tool in their daily practice, in a mixed medical-surgical inpatient population, over four weeks. All drug-related problems identified were recorded and assigned to the applicable category within the tool, by the clinical pharmacist. Additionally, all drug-related problems were retrospectively assigned to applicable categories of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Classification for Drug Related Problems Version 9.1,[2] for comparison, by two independent researchers. Results All identified drug-related problems identified were successfully categorised using the MA2VER2ICK Tool. In total, 753 drug-related problems were identified in 180 patients over four weeks, with 233 patient-pharmacist encounters occurring. The mean age of patients was 68.9±16 years, while 51.7% (93/180) were female and 48.3% (87/180) were male. The mean number of drug-related problems identified per patient was 4.2±3.6. The highest number of drug-related problems experienced by an individual was 20, while 17 patients experienced no drug-related problem. The majority of drug-related problems identified using the tool related to medication reconciliation (52.7%; 397/753), followed by prescription endorsement and administration (17.3%; 130/753) and pharmacotherapy optimisation (9.3%; 70/753). In comparison with the MA2VER2ICK Tool, the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification system has a much larger range of categories for assigning drug-related problems. Despite this, a proportion of identified drug-related problems 1.6% (12/753) could not be categorised using this tool, while there were also several categories within the tool 43.2% (19/44) whereby no drug-related problems were assigned. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the MA2VER2ICK Tool is a robust clinical pharmacy tool, that is effective and practical in assisting clinical pharmacists with the identification of drug-related problems and thus is a useful guide to facilitate pharmaceutical care planning at the patient’s bedside. This is in comparison with the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification system, which has less utility as a clinical pharmacy tool, but is better placed as a research instrument. Despite demonstrating the usefulness of the MA2VER2ICK Tool in identifying drug-related problems, the clinical significance of those identified was not assessed during this study. However, data collection occurred in real time, facilitating the identification of actual and potential problems, thus reducing the likelihood of underestimating the incidence rate.

A prospective re-audit on insulin prescribing and administration practices in a university teaching hospital

Abstract Introduction Insulin is a high-alert medication which can cause significant patient harm if used inappropriately and has been identified as a significant medication safety concern in Galway University Hospitals. The first hospital-wide insulin review[1] was conducted in 2022 to evaluate insulin prescribing/administration practices and identify/develop quality improvements inclusive of: -The appointment of a senior pharmacist with a special interest in diabetes (June 2022), -An updated insulin record (November 2022; previous edition June 2019), -Development/implementation of a bespoke local eLearning module for the safe use of high-alert medications including insulin (March 2023), and -Continuous education on appropriate use for healthcare staff and patients/carers. Aim The aim was to conduct a similar insulin study to assess performance since the previous review, and develop further quality improvements as needed. Methods This study was conducted over one day in June 2023 on 24 wards by 26 interprofessional data collectors. Inclusion criteria comprised inpatients prescribed and/or administered insulin for the previous 72 hours. Exclusion criteria comprised non-admitted patients, short stay wards, critical care, maternity, and psychiatry. The protocol and tool were approved by the local Clinical Audit Committee, piloted with four inpatients, and communicated to all data collectors prior to commencement. Generated data were anonymous and securely stored. Data analysis was carried out using Excel by three independent researchers to confirm reliability of results. Results In total 557 inpatients were reviewed, of which 21% (116/557) had diabetes and 10% (56/557) were prescribed insulin. Nearly three-quarters (73%; 41/56) were prescribed a meal-time supplement, whilst 68% (38/56) were prescribed regular insulin – of which 63% (24/38) comprised prescribing errors, an improvement from 78% (32/41) in 2022. Administration errors comprised 84% (32/38) of records, similar to the 88% (36/41) error rate observed in 2022. Approximately one-fifth (21%; 8/38) of insulin orders were not signed by a prescriber, compared to 12% (5/41) the previous year. More than nine out of ten prescribers clearly documented the correct insulin name, dose, and administration times, and 71% (27/38) documented a medical council registration number, bleep, or name for contact purposes, compared to 59% (24/41) the previous year. Failure to document administration times was noted in 42% (16/38) of instances compared to 46% (19; n=41) the previous year. Insulin was not double-checked by a second independent individual in 21% (8/38) of cases, compared to 29% (12; n=41) in 2022. Conclusion Results have identified an overall practice improvement. Building on recent interventions implemented and incorporating newer strategies will aid in enhanced insulin use. An updated version of the insulin record has been implemented due to the recent discontinuation of the referenced perioperative fluid and the introduction of non-referenced blood ketone monitors. High leverage strategies such as ePrescribing is a current consideration to standardise practices. Conducting a study over a longer period may identify further trends. Strengths include study robustness, interprofessional collaboration, and transferability to other hospitals. Disseminating results and promoting benefits should encourage Irish hospitals to participate in a standardised national annual review to optimise patient care.

Clinico-demographic characteristic and outcome of adult acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning in Teaching Hospital of Madhesh Province, Nepal

Background & Objectives: Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is a major health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to find out the demographic, clinical presentation and outcome of OP poisoning patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of two years duration was conducted on patients presenting to Emergency Department (ER) with clinical features of OP poisoning at Janaki Medical College Teaching Hospital (JMCTH), a tertiary care hospital. Results: A total of 84 cases of acute poisoning were reported in ER-JMCTH. Patient ages ranged from 15 to 60 years. The highest number of poisoning cases was observed in the 15-25 years age group (44 cases 52.4%) male = 33 (39.3%) and female = 51(60.7%), ratio M: F = (1:1.5). Most cases of poisoning were due to suicidal intention (n = 63, 75%), most common toxic substances used for suicidal purposes of OP were chlorpyriphos (n = 56, 66.7%) and dichlorvos (n = 17, 20.2%). Most of the cases belonged to illiterate (n = 26, 31%) and primary education (n=19, 22.6%). About 79.8% of the patient’s symptoms were cholinergic effect (muscarinic), 9.5% nicotinic and 10.7% central nervous system (CNS) effect. Nearly 93% (n = 78) patients survived and 7% resulted in death. Conclusion: The majority of OP poisoning patients were of young age and OP poisoning was more common in women compared to men. Suicidal poisonings were more frequent than accidental ones. The research team's a treating physicians noted miosis as the most common symptom, whereas patients most frequently complained of nausea and vomiting.

Determination of factors influencing the retention in HIV care of adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic in Lusaka Zambia

Background: Adolescents (ages 18-24) living with HIV are prone to disengagement from care, risking health deterioration and viral transmission. Identifying key barriers to adolescent retention is crucial for intervention development. This study aims to explore barriers and facilitators to adolescent HIV care retention. In Zambia, where 32% of 15–17-year-olds and 60% of 18–19-year-olds are sexually active, with low condom use rates, the risk of HIV and STIs is high. Despite Ministry of Health strategies, many HIV-positive adolescents in Zambia struggle with adherence. This study sought to investigate how various factors interact to influence HIV retention among adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia, employing an adapted Andersen framework. Its objectives include understanding factors impacting HIV retention, analysing predisposing factors, and examining health system influences on adolescent HIV care retention in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: The study was conducted at University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Chilenje Hospital, and Chawama, Mtendere, and Kalingalinga) clinics in Lusaka, Zambia. Non-probability sampling, specifically purposive sampling, was employed. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection and the quantitative data was analyzed using STATA 16.0. Findings will be disseminated through healthcare community, policy circles, among stakeholders and shared with UNZA's library. Ethical approval was obtained from The University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (UNZABREC) and permission from the Zambia National Health Research Authority (ZNHRA). Informed consent was obtained from participants, emphasizing voluntariness and the right to withdraw. Anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy was strictly upheld throughout the study. Results: The results highlight the nuanced nature of factors influencing adolescent retention in HIV care, emphasizing the importance of predictors such as education level, alcohol intake, belief in HIV cure through prayers, and perception of HIV as a significant life problem. The findings align with prior studies, warranting further exploration of support networks and experiences of non-engaged adolescents. Conclusion: In summary, this study makes a significant contribution to public health research by delving into the intricate factors impacting adolescent retention in HIV care in Lusaka, Zambia. The findings, aligned with research inquiries and existing literature, shed light on education, substance use, and psychosocial aspects. These insights lay the groundwork for tailored interventions, highlighting the significance of patient-centered strategies. Moreover, the study emphasizes the necessity for continued exploration of support networks, disclosure challenges, and broader societal dynamics affecting healthcare engagement. This insight informs future research endeavors aimed at enhancing the well-being of adolescents living with HIV. Recommendations include improve medication access through mobile services, provide financial aid integrated with counseling, personalize adherence plans, involve social networks, respect religious beliefs, address geographic disparities, monitor long-term health, and pilot targeted interventions. Policies should establish guidelines for medication access and financial assistance.

Nursing Students’ Perception and Compliance with Clinical Nursing Placement at a Selected University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

Aim: To investigate nursing students’ perceptions of their clinical training at a selected university teaching hospital in Nigeria. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional design. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 198 nursing students at Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) and presented in tables and charts. Results: This study reveals that 73.23% of the respondents had high knowledge of clinical nursing training, and 78.8% of the respondents had a good perception of clinical nursing training. Furthermore, respondents often complied with clinical posting (mean = 3.35, STD = 0.768), and the study shows that factors relating to clinical supervision and the support accessible during clinical placement influence nursing students’ compliance with clinical nursing practice (mean = 4.06, STD = 1.031). Conclusion: The findings from the study conclude that the perception of nursing students towards clinical nursing training was positive, though some factors affected compliance with clinical nursing practice. Hence, the study recommends the implementation of preclinical orientation, explicit dissemination, and clarification of clinical learning objectives to enhance compliance rates among students during their clinical placements.

Comparison of trans-vaginal ultrasound cervical length measurement and Bishop score in predicting successful labour induction in term pregnancies at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria

The goal of induction of labour (IOL) is to achieve successful vaginal delivery and reduce caesarean section (CS). The gold standard method for assessing cervical status has been the use of the Bishop score (BS) which is not flawless leading to unnecessary intervention. Trans-vaginal ultrasound cervical length (CL) measurement has been compared with BS in predicting successful IOL. The objective of this study was to compare CL and BS in predicting successful IOL at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. It was a cross sectional comparative study design conducted among pregnant women at 37-42 weeks of gestation slated for IOL between November 2017 to November 2018. Eighty-seven (87) women were recruited as participants. Each participant, had a trans-vaginal ultrasound (TVS) CL measured and each was followed by a digital cervical assessment using BS. Relevant data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 23. The significance level was considered at P< 0.05 IOL was successful in 66.2% (47) of the participants, while 15% (13) had CS. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) demonstrated a better performance of the BS (AUC= 0.556, P= 0.433, CI= 0.426-0.673, PPV=52.8%) in predicting successful IOL than the TVS-CL measurement (AUC= 0.446, P=0.391, CI= 0.317-0.574) PPV=60.2%). Results further showed that the best cut off values for favourability for IOL for TVS-CL and BS were ≤2.5 cm and ≥5 respectively. The most important component of the BS predictive of successful IOL was cervical dilatation (OR= 0.603, P=0.011). TVS-CL did not demonstrate a diagnostic accuracy in predicting successful IOL in term pregnancies compared to BS.

The Significance and Practical Path of Integrating Chinese and Western Culture into Ideological and Political Teaching in Colleges and Universities

This article will explore the comparison of Chinese and Western cultures, especially the significance of exploring the origins of cultural differences in ideological and political education, and propose a teaching path for ideological and political education in universities that integrates the comparison of Chinese and Western cultures, including teaching content design, teaching methods and means, as well as evaluation and feedback mechanisms. Through these measures, the goal of teaching ideological and political courses in universities can be better achieved, and students can be trained to become young people with cultural confidence, institutional confidence, and a global perspective.

Action Research on the Cultivation of Critical Thinking Ability in Cross-cultural English Teaching in Chinese Higher Vocational

In recent years, the English teaching reform in higher vocational colleges in China has gradually integrated heuristic teaching methods. However, a notable issue has emerged: students’ deficiency in critical thinking skills. This study aims to enhance the critical thinking skills of higher vocational students in China through action research. The research includes four cycles of teaching practice to improve students’ critical thinking ability in terms of analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and self-adjustment. Through the task design, the researcher promotes students’ in-depth thinking and critical analysis in cross-cultural English classes. It was found that vocational students made noticeable progress in the 16-week training process, as reflected by the changes in interpretation and analysis abilities and attitudes towards culture. These results provide valuable experience and enlightenment for English teaching in higher vocational colleges and emphasise the importance of cultivating students’ critical thinking ability to promote their development in academic and professional fields.

A population-based estimation of maternal mortality in Lagos State, Nigeria using the indirect sisterhood method

BackgroundPregnancy and delivery deaths represent a risk to women, particularly those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This population-based survey was conducted to provide estimates of the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Lagos Nigeria.MethodsA community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in mapped Wards and Enumeration Areas (EA) of all Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos, among 9,986 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from April to August 2022 using a 2-stage cluster sampling technique. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire adapted from nationally representative surveys was administered using REDCap by trained field assistants for data collection on socio-demographics, reproductive health, fertility, and maternal mortality. Data were analysed using SPSS and MMR was estimated using the indirect sisterhood method. Ethical approval was obtained from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Health Research and Ethics Committee.ResultsMost of the respondents (28.7%) were aged 25–29 years. Out of 546 deceased sisters reported, 120 (22%) died from maternal causes. Sisters of the deceased aged 20–24 reported almost half of the deaths (46.7%) as due to maternal causes, while those aged 45–49 reported the highest number of deceased sisters who died from other causes (90.2%). The total fertility rate (TFR) was calculated as 3.807, the Lifetime Risk (LTR) of maternal death was 0.0196 or 1-in-51, and the MMR was 430 per 100,000 [95% CI: 360–510].ConclusionOur findings show that the maternal mortality rate for Lagos remains unacceptable and has not changed significantly over time in actual terms. There is need to develop and intensify community-based intervention strategies, programs for private hospitals, monitor MMR trends, identify and contextually address barriers at all levels of maternal care.

Using FastTest PlugIn for the design of remote and hybrid learning environments to improve the engineering skills of university students

AbstractResearch on improving engineering skills in students advocates for high‐quality teaching practices as well as the implementation of digitally enhanced management systems, such as e‐Learning. Furthermore, COVID‐19 led to several changes in education, such as switching drastically from face to face to emergency remote and later hybrid teaching. This study has focused on the proposal, the application and the evaluation of a new e‐Learning teaching method. FastTest PlugIn has been used for the creation of large sets of questions, to develop parameterised and individualised exercises in Moodle. The method has been applied since COVID‐19, considering different types of teaching: completely remote, hybrid and face to face. It has been implemented in some courses of the bachelor's and master's degree in engineering at the University of Cadiz (Spain). The academic performance and students' feedback on the method have been obtained. During remote teaching, students presented lower scores than before the pandemic. However, as students became familiar with the method and at least face‐to‐face exams were carried out, the scores and students' perception of the difficulty of the courses improved. The main novelty of this method is the reliability of creating different exercises for a consistent level of difficulty; the ability to avoid dishonest actions of students; and the time saved by instructors, as exercises are automatically corrected. This study provides the advantages and benefits of digitally enhancing university teaching. Furthermore, it is the first to investigate the integration of FastTest PlugIn to enhance teaching quality and engineering skills.

Empirical Research on Curriculum-based Ideological and Political Teaching of Universities

The The investigation and analysis of the implementation effect of "curriculum ideology and politics" in 10 colleges and universities in Shandong Province found that most of the teachers and students in colleges and universities held a positive attitude towards the optimization and development of "curriculum ideology and politics" in colleges and universities, but there were still poor curriculum and teaching content, poor teachers and teaching methods, imperfect curriculum ideology and politics evaluation system, and lack of innovation in curriculum ideology and politics teaching content and methods. In view of the above problems and challenges, it is suggested that colleges and universities should optimize and improve the curriculum design and teaching content, teaching resources and methods, curriculum ideological and political evaluation system and teaching innovation in order to improve the implementation effect of curriculum ideological and political.

Development and evaluation of a "simulator-based" ultrasound training program for university teaching in obstetrics and gynecology-the prospective GynSim study.

This study addresses the challenges of ultrasound education in obstetrics and gynecology, focusing on the potential benefits of simulation techniques in medical training. Aiming to evaluate the impact of a structured simulator-based training program, this prospective, randomized, interventional study examines its effects on educational outcomes for 5th year medical students. A total of 153 medical students were randomized into two groups: one receiving both theoretical instruction and hands-on ultrasound simulator training (study group), and the other receiving only theoretical instruction (control group). The study assessed theoretical knowledge and practical skills at two time points: upon enrollment and at the end of the course. The practical skills were specifically evaluated using a dedicated test on the ultrasound simulator. Out of 153 students, 113 completed the study (study group n=59, control group n=54). The students in the study group demonstrated a greater improvement in theoretical test scores. They also achieved better results at the practical test, with regard to image quality, accuracy, and efficiency. Both groups showed an increase in self-confidence and competency in performing ultrasound examinations independently. Students expressed high satisfaction with the course and a positive attitude toward simulator-based training. Simulator-based training presents a valuable supplement to traditional clinical education methods in obstetrics and gynecology. This approach is particularly effective in overcoming the challenges posed by the sensitive nature of gynecological examinations in medical student training. The study highlights the benefits of integrating simulator-based methods into medical curricula, improving both theoretical and practical ultrasound skills among students.

Super-mini PCNL (SMP) with suction versus standard PCNL for the management of renal calculi of 1.5 cm–3 cm: a randomized controlled study from a university teaching hospital

PurposeTo assess the safety and efficacy of super-mini PCNL (SMP, 14 Fr) when compared to standard PCNL (sPCNL, 24–30 Fr) in the management of renal calculi of size ranging from 1.5 to 3 cm.MethodsFrom February 2021 to January 2022, a total of 100 patients were randomized to either SMP group or sPCNL group in a 1:1 ratio (50 in each group) using computer-generated simple randomization. Demographic data, stone characteristics, operative times, perioperative complications, blood transfusions, postoperative drop in haemoglobin, postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay and stone-free rates were compared between the two groups.ResultsMean stone volume (2.41 cm2 vs 2.61 cm2) and stone-free rates (98% vs 94%, p = 0.14) were similar in both the SMP and sPCNL groups, respectively. The SMP group had significantly longer mean operative times (51.62 ± 10.17 min vs 35.6 ± 6.8 min, p = 0.03). Intraoperative calyceal injury (1/50 vs 7/50, p = 0.42) and mean postoperative drop in haemoglobin (0.8 ± 0.7 g/dl vs 1.2 ± 0.81, p = 0.21) were lower in the SMP group, but not statistically significant. SMP group showed significantly lower mean postoperative pain VAS scores (5.4 ± 0.7 vs 5.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.03) and mean duration of hospital stay (28.38 ± 3.6 h vs 39.84 ± 3.7 h, p = 0.0001). Complications up to Clavien grade 2 were comparable, with grade ≥ 3 complications higher in the standard group, but not statistically significant.ConclusionSuper-mini PCNL is equally effective as standard PCNL in treating renal calculi up to 3 cm, with significantly reduced postoperative pain and duration of hospital stay and lower risk of Clavien grade ≥ 3 complications, although with higher operative times.