USEFULNESS OF CONVENTIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (SHORT CASE) VERSUS OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (OSCE) IN ACQUIRING CLINICAL COMPETENCE IN FINAL YEAR MBBS STUDENTS

Introduction: The way medical students learn is largely determined by the way they are assessed. There is a need to rationalize the examination system by giving due emphasis on internal assessment, and supplementing the traditional short case examination with more valid and reliable instruments for the assessment of clinical skills. To compare the Aims And Objectives: marks/score pattern between short case and OSCE and to study the students and faculty feedback about short case method of assessment versus OSCE. This study was conducted on 60 nal year MBBS students at the end of thei Methodology: r clinical posting in skin department of IRT Perundurai Medical College Hospital, Erode. Clinical assessment was rst done on short case and then by administering OSCE. The results were analyzed using ANOVA. Two scenarios were chosen namely Hansen's disease and psoriasis. Marks obtained by the students were only Results: marginally higher in OSCE than short case assessment. Students performed better in OSCE leprosy. 26 out of 60 students scored 70% or above by short case method whereas 32 out of 60 scored 70% or above by OSCE method. The student's feedback regarding both in general was positive. Students preferred short case assessment in terms of method and time. Logistical difculties were noted in OSCE. The practical Conclusion: clinical examinations are of key importance in the assessment of clinical competence of medical students. Students perform better in OSCE because it is objective, fair, unbiased, without examiners marking variability, without fear of examiner and anxiety. Students and faculty sensitization regarding nuances of OSCE is the need of the hour.

The multidisciplinary team severe asthma day case assessment and its impact on patient care

People with severe and difficult to control asthma can be a complex and heterogenous group of patients often with multiple comorbidities. Living with this disease imposes a huge physical and psychological burden upon the patient which requires a comprehensive, systematic and patient-focused assessment, using a wide range of clinical expertise from within the multidisciplinary team. This article describes a severe asthma systematic and multidimensional day case assessment, and the positive benefits that the authors perceive it offers for patient care. These benefits include a confirmed diagnosis, consideration of alternative diagnosis, enhanced adherence, medication optimisation, access to and gatekeeping of high-cost specialist medications, improved patient self-management skills and signposting to appropriate therapies. As a consequence, they believe that this facilitates better patient outcomes through a reduction in corticosteroid exposure, exacerbations and hospitalisation. This severe asthma multidisciplinary team day case approach offers more than just physical benefits when compared with the traditional medical model. Patient feedback reports an excellent patient experience, feeling listened to, understood, empowered and hopeful for the future.

The twin-block appliance for correction of class II division 1 malocclusion

The twin-block appliance is a widely used functional appliance for the correction of Class II division 1 malocclusion in growing children and adolescents. This article outlines the indications and case assessment, the steps in clinical management and appliance design. Evidence regarding the mode of action, effects and prediction of treatment outcome of the twin-block appliance for Class II division 1 malocclusion are also presented. CPD/Clinical Relevance: The twin-block appliance is a widely used functional appliance in the UK for the correction of Class II division 1 malocclusion in growing children and adolescents.

QUALITY OF LIFE AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES OF PRETERM INFANTS AT EARLY CHILDHOOD

The developmental and behavioral disabilities remain high in children and in adults who were born preterm. In this case assessment of quality of life and development of preterm infants can be very informative and interesting. This is a prospective longitudinal (at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) study of preterm birth and term control infants selected from pediatric polyclinics of Yerevan. The quality of life (QL) measures were done with QUALIN questionnaire and the developmental measures with Battelle Developmental Inventory. A total of 71 preterm and 105 term control infants underwent study. Among 71 preterm birth infants, who selected on the study at 3 months, 40 infant's score on the BDI was <–1 SD and 1 infants' score on the BDI was <–2 SD. However, at the age of 12 months 32 of these same children showed a BDI score >85. Parents and pediatricians reported worse QL for of preterm infants compared with control group. At same time parents of preterm infants reported better QL for their children compared with pediatricians. The lowest QL and developmental scores among preterm children were detected at 3 months. Improvement of QL and developmental score was observed in the next age groups.

Adherence of Healthcare Workers to Saudi Management Guidelines of Heat-Related Illnesses during Hajj Pilgrimage

Heat-related illnesses (HRIs), such as heatstroke (HS) and heat exhaustion (HE), are common complications during Hajj pilgrims. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) developed guidelines on the management of HRIs to ensure the safety of all pilgrims. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers’ (HCWs) adherence to the updated national guidelines regarding pre-hospital and in-hospital management of HRIs. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire based on the updated HRI management interim guidelines for the Hajj season. Overall, compliance with HE guidelines scored 5.5 out of 10 for basic management and 4.7 out of 10 for advanced management. Medical staff showed an average to above average adherence to pre-hospital HS management, including pre-hospital considerations (7.2), recognition of HS (8.1), case assessment (7.7), stabilizing airway, breathing, and circulation (8.7), and cooling (5). The overall compliance to in-hospital guidelines for HS management were all above average, except for special conditions (4.3). In conclusion, this survey may facilitate the evaluation of the adherence to Saudi HRIs guidelines by comparing annual levels of compliance. These survey results may serve as a tool for the Saudi MoH to develop further recommendations and actions.

Intensifying Caribbean market share within China: a CARICOM Case Assessment

This study researches the possibilities of improving export receipts through China and its expressed dedication to the region’s development. Using the gravity approach, the study revealed that the Caribbean has yet to exploit available export opportunities with China, thereby warranting a more aggressive and sustained export strategy. A large portion of the region’s exports into China offers significant expansion possibilities. Despite largely unexplored opportunities, the Caribbean is also confronted by various inherent and external challenges. With significant declines in export feasibility, the Caribbean needs to develop an aggressive export-led strategy for a united Caribbean into China. However, caution is warranted when advancing international trade policies. At present, the Caribbean is unable to engender long-standing trade relations to strengthen the dealings with a newer, though growing, partner.