Foundation University Medical Journal

Escape Rooms in Medical Education and Training

Prof Muhammad Suhail Amin — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

Simulation-based education is gaining increasing recognition as an effective teaching method in medical education; placing learners at the center of innovative and learner-centered models.¹

One of such methods is Escape rooms, which have emerged as a valuable simulation-based tool in medical education, offering a unique approach to learning.² Healthcare simulation escape rooms engage students in an interactive way incorporating clues and puzzles to solve tasks related to healthcare themes.

Incorporating game elements into non-game contexts (gamification) is an immersive experience grounded in educational theory. It caters to the needs of modern learners like millennial students which makes it popular.

Escape rooms motivate learners, increase engagement, and encourage social interaction, making them an ideal fit for medical education. They align with Kolb's experiential learning theory, offering concrete experiences that promote reflective observation and active experimentation.³ They provide opportunities for team building, skills development, knowledge acquisition, and educational research.

The medical training benefits of escape rooms can be explored by case studies and theoretical perspectives. ...

Examination of perceived barriers related to exercise among undergraduate females

Sumaira Bibi — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Physical activity is crucial for the well-being of young females, especially undergraduates, in the prevention and management of non-communicable illnesses.

Objective: To determine perceived exercise barriers among undergraduate females and their associations with sub-scales.

Design: A cross-sectional survey

Place and duration: University of Lahore and the University of Gujrat from April 27 to August 25, 2023

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 361 female undergraduates at the University of Lahore and the University of Gujrat using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS). Population proportion was estimated at 95% confidence interval.

Results: The study revealed that a majority of participants (63.4%) fell within the age range of 20-25 years, while 36.3% were below 20 years old. Various obstacles were identified, such as challenges related to the exercise environment, time availability, physical exertion, and lack of family support. Notably, factors like embarrassment, time constraints, physical effort, and family discouragement exhibited significant correlations with specific aspects of the study, all with a highly significant level of <0.05. On the other hand, perceived advantages demonstrated a robust and notably strong significance in the findings.

Conclusion: Perceived exercise barriers are consistent among undergraduate females, with embarrassment, time constraints, physical exertion, and family discouragement being the key obstacles. Understanding these sub-scale associations can guide targeted interventions to promote physical activity. Tailored interventions addressing specific sub-scales can effectively address exercise barriers, enhancing physical activity among undergraduate females.

Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and its related factors among general population of Islamabad, Pakistan

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the proportion of individuals hesitant to COVID-19 vaccination amongst general population in Pakistan.

Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study.

Place and duration: Islamabad from September 2021 to September 2022.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 97 participants recruited by convenient sampling. Data were collected from market and malls of Islamabad while excluding health care professionals and auxiliaries through interviews using self-developed questionnaires.

Results: The data were compiled by using SPSS Version 23.0. The study revealed certain peculiar trends, where out of 97 respondents, individuals aged more than 28 years in undergraduate or postgraduate education programs proved more hesitant to vaccination. Most common reason was fear of side effects (61.7%). However, a decrease in hesitancy rate from initial hesitant 54.6% to still hesitant 22.68% was observed among certain individuals. Most and least common vaccines received were Sinovac 33% and AstraZeneca 2.1% respectively.

Conclusion: It is inferred that there is a decline in hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination from initial days till date. But still remarkable number of participants are reluctant to get vaccination mostly due to fear of its side effects. With awareness program and focused strategy this can be further reduced; leading to eradication of misconceptions and enhanced vaccine compliance.

Correlation of Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio with High Resolution Computed Tomography in Covid-19 patients

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

ABSTRACT

Objective: To correlate the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) with Computed Tomography Severity Score (CT-SS) in COVID-19 patients.

Study design: Cross sectional analytical study.

Place of study: Collaborative study between departments of Physiology, Pathology and Radiology at HITEC-IMS.
Duration of study: From June 2020 to December 2021.

Patients and methods: A total of 83 (N=83) COVID-19 patients were included in the study through Non-Probability Purposive sampling. They were grouped into mild disease(n=44) and severe disease (n= 39) based on their HRCT severity scores. Their blood samples were obtained and NLR and PLR were correlated with CT-SS using the Spearman's correlation.

Results: Data were analyzed by SPSS version 25. Both NLR and PLR showed strong positive correlation with the HRCT severity score (r = 0.471, p < 0.05 for NLR and r = 0.347, p < 0.05 for PLR). Mann Whitney test scores showed that NLR & PLR were significantly different in both the mild and severe disease groups based on HRCT severity scores (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: NLR and PLR values could serve as prognostic markers in patients with COVID-19 in place of HRCT.

Unlocking Hepatitis B and C insights: exploration of risk awareness among university students in the capital twin cities of Pakistan

Seneen Noor, Elyeen Noor, Rizwan Uppal, Zahra Zahid Piracha — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

ABSTRACT

Background: Pakistan, a developing nation, grapples with a growing burden of Hepatitis B and C, exerting a substantial strain on the country's economy. Mitigating this challenge necessitates a robust strategy emphasizing prevention of infection by hepatitis B and C viruses.

Objective: This study aimed to assess awareness among university students in the capital twin cities of Pakistan regarding Hepatitis B/C, encompassing knowledge about risk factors, vaccination, and treatment options.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2023 to June 2023 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, this research involved interviewing 1008 students from eight diverse universities. The main emphasis was on identifying areas that required intervention to mitigate the future impact of Hepatitis B and C in Pakistan.

Results: Out of 1008 students, 57.5% were identified having Hepatitis B/C as viral diseases, and 74% recognized their impact on the liver. However, only 28% were aware that these viruses could be transmitted through dental instruments and ear/nose piercing. Additionally, 38% believed transmission could occur through blood/blood products and the reuse of razors. While 56% had encountered hepatitis-related advertisements, a mere 11.6% of social science students had received the HBV vaccine.

Conclusion: While a majority of participants possessed a fundamental understanding of Hepatitis B/C as viral diseases affecting the liver, awareness regarding key risk factors for viral transmission was notably lacking. Urgent, extensive awareness programs are imperative to educate the populace on these risk factors. Moreover, local production of the HBV vaccine is essential to mitigate costs. A fundamental change in the mindset of both patients and doctors is essential to reduce the unnecessary use of injections.

Treatment of female patients with inherited bleeding disorders in reproductive age: a single centre study from northern Pakistan

Lubna Zafar, Tahira Zafar, Maryam Ahmed, Bilquis Sohail, Amna Waheed — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Inherited bleedings disorders (IBD) in women are mismanaged in Pakistan due to lack of standardized treatment options. The most common is Von Willibrand Disease (VWD) followed by rare bleeding disorders (RBD). Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) are the main clinical manifestations causing lot of morbidity and mortality.

Objective: To document current treatment practices in female patients in reproductive age with IBD.
Study Design: A retrospective study with analysis of patients' records from Hemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) Rawalpindi.

Duration: June 2017 – June 2022

Place: HTC, Haemophilia Patient Welfare Society, Rawalpindi.

Patients and Methods: Female patients with IBD aged between 11-45 years were included in study. VWD, RBD like deficiencies of factors (I, II, V, VII, X, XI, XIII) and Platelet Function Disorders e.g. Glanzman Thrombesthenia (GTT) and Bernard Soulier Syndrome (BSS) as well as Hemophilia carriers. HMB and PPH were documented along with treatment given.

Results: Total 67 patients were included. Age of Menarche was between 11 to 15 years. 89.4% patients with VWD, 60% with RBD and 100% with platelet function defects had HMB. Antifibrinolytic agent was the most common treatment followed by FFP infusion (70 – 86%). Factor replacement was done in 57.5% and OCPs were used in 50% patients. Eleven patients conceived, 10 had full term deliveries and 5 had PPH. They received antifibrinolytics, FFP and factor concentrates.

Conclusion: In our centre, antifibrinolytics were the most common treatment followed by FFPs, OCPs, hormones and factor concentrates.