Knowledge and Perceptions of Medical Students After Using Kahoot! Towards General Pharmacology Practical Sessions at King Abdulaziz University

Background College students often do not study effectively or devote enough time to study and may experience a lot of stress which negatively affects their learning. Game-based Electronic learning (GbEl) has been shown to greatly motivate students, encourage learning and improve academic performance. Kahoot! is one such electronic tool, but its effectiveness in the medical education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never been evaluated. MethodsThis study aimed to determine the effect of the interactive software, Kahoot!, on the participation and academic performance of 274 medical students in their general pharmacology practical sessions at the faculty of medicine at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). The pharmacology sessions were divided into two groups: control and Kahoot! and after each session, students took ‘pre’ and ‘post-tests’ to assess the effect on learning. On the final day of the course, students were given a questionnaire to determine their attitudes and perceptions toward the learning process using Kahoot!. ResultsThe results showed that Kahoot! was an effective, enjoyable, and interactive formative tool that increased student engagement, motivation, and improved academic achievement. Teachers involved in the study agreed on the advantages of using Kahoot! largely out-weighed disadvantages.

Nonclinical pharmacology of daridorexant: a new dual orexin receptor antagonist for the treatment of insomnia

Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) represent a novel type of sleep medication that provide an alternative to the traditionally used positive allosteric gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor modulators. Daridorexant is a new DORA that exhibited in phase 3 trials in insomnia not only a beneficial effect on sleep variables, measured objectively and assessed subjectively, but also an improvement in daytime functioning. Daridorexant was discovered through a tailored research program aimed at identifying an optimized sleep-promoting molecule with pharmacokinetic properties appropriate for covering the whole night while avoiding next-morning residual activity at efficacious doses. By specific binding to both orexin receptors, daridorexant inhibits the actions of the wake-promoting orexin (also called hypocretin) neuropeptides. This mechanism avoids a more widespread inhibition of neuronal pathways and associated side effects that are intrinsic to positive allosteric GABA-A receptor modulators. Here, we review the general pharmacology of daridorexant, based on nonclinical pharmacology studies of daridorexant, unpublished or already described, or based on work with other DORAs. Some unique features of daridorexant will be highlighted, such as the promotion of natural and surmountable sleep, the preservation of memory and cognition, the absence of tolerance development or risk of physical dependence, and how it can benefit daytime functioning.

Principles of drug therapy

Key principles of clinical pharmacology inform prescribing in palliative care. Concepts discussed in this chapter include issues surrounding patient compliance, the importance of medicines reconciliation, the use of guidelines and formularies, and the role of unlicensed medications. Differences between efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness; the nature of a benefit-to-risk analysis; and the meaning of pharmacokinetic variation and pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships are then explored. Drug interactions, including adverse drug reactions, are discussed and finally, the topic of pharmacogenomics is covered. More extensive information about general pharmacology is available in comprehensive pharmacology textbooks.

Cannabidiol and Other Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids for Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Useful Nutraceuticals?

Cannabis sativa is an aromatic annual flowering plant with several botanical varieties, used for different purposes, like the production of fibers, the production of oil from the seeds, and especially for recreational or medical purposes. Phytocannabinoids (terpenophenolic compounds derived from the plant), include the well-known psychoactive cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and many non-psychoactive cannabinoids, like cannabidiol. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises of endocannabinoid ligands, enzymes for synthesis and degradation of such ligands, and receptors. This system is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract, where phytocannabinoids exert potent effects, particularly under pathological (i.e., inflammatory) conditions. Herein, we will first look at the hemp plant as a possible source of new functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals that might be eventually useful to treat or even prevent gastrointestinal conditions. Subsequently, we will briefly describe the ECS and the general pharmacology of phytocannabinoids. Finally, we will revise the available data showing that non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol, may be useful to treat different disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. With the increasing interest in the development of functional foods for a healthy life, the non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids are hoped to find a place as nutraceuticals and food ingredients also for a healthy gastrointestinal tract function.

A comparative evaluation of structured and unstructured forms of viva voce for internal assessment of undergraduate students in Pharmacology

Background: The study was designed to identify value of structured viva (SV) as an assessment tool, to ascertain its correlation with unstructured viva (UV) and to find relationship between viva and theory examination results.Methods: This prospective and observational study was conducted on a total of 135 students of the 2nd professional MBBS. All students faced two viva sessions (SV and UV), each of 10 marks on same topics in general pharmacology and autonomic nervous system. Time limit per student was 10 minutes. SV was conducted on pre-validated, standardized cards (n=40) with 5 questions in each card and 0.5 marks of each question. By draw of lots to be performed by students themselves, each student was given 4 cards. One week prior to the viva, the theory examination of 40 marks on same topics was conducted.Results: The mean marks of all students in SV (3.46±1.44) were significantly lower (P <0.0001) than those of UV (4.61±2.02). There was significant less deviation of mean marks in all groups of SV (P <0.05). The mean percentage marks of SV (34.63±14.37%) had similarities with results of theory examination (34.67±10.49%) (P=0.9720), while the difference between mean percentage marks of UV (46.15±20.19%) and theory was statistically highly significant (P <0.0001).Conclusions: SV increases objectivity and reduces subjectivity as compared to UV because of similar pattern of questions, difficulty levels and standardised scoring system. SV provides an opportunity to measure how well students can apply knowledge. Thus, SV can be used for formative and summative assessment.