Peers To Professors: Exploring The Role Of Students And Faculty In Same-Level Reciprocal Peer Assisted Learning In Family Medicine Clerkship

Objective: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is teaching by the learners to the learners, a teaching strategy globally integrated into curricula. One particular variant is same-year reciprocal PAL, in which peer tutors and tutees are from the same academic year and alternate teaching roles. However, few studies have examined this specific form of PAL, and both student and faculty perspectives on its efficacy remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study among fourth-year medical students during their Family Medicine clerkship. Methods: Employing content thematic analysis, we gathered data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving both faculty members and students. Students received training to lead small group discussions, and their perceptions were subsequently collected. Coding of the transcripts was carried out by three researchers independently, with themes agreed upon mutually. COREQ guidelines were followed throughout the planning, implementation, and analysis of this study. Results: The finalized themes included "Enhancement of Teaching Skills," "Conducive Educational Environment," "Operational Issues," and "Recommendations for the Future". Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PAL promotes collaboration among students and enhances knowledge, confidence, time management, teamwork and  reflecting skills besides many other. It serves as a valuable supplement to traditional teaching methods, although it cannot replace them entirely. Thorough planning prior to implementation is essential for achieving beneficial long-term outcomes for both students and faculty. Key words: peer groups, medical students, learning, clinical clerkship, teaching methods, undergraduate medical education

Women Empowerment or Feminism: Facts and Myths about Feminization of Medical Education

 &#x0D; doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.2396&#x0D; How to cite this:Baig LA. Women Empowerment or Feminism: Facts and Myths about Feminization of Medical Education. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(3):303-305. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.3.2396&#x0D; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</jats:p

Does watching violent electronic and social media content lead to increased levels of aggression? A survey among adolescents in an urban slum of metropolitan Karachi

Abstract Objectives Increased levels of aggression and desensitization of adolescents has been witnessed as a result of exposure to violent social/electronic media content. It is imperative for policymakers to study such behavioral outcomes in order to make sound policies regarding media literacy. The objective of the study therefore was to assess relationship between violent electronic/social media exposure and level of aggression. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 9–19 years in peri-urban slum of Karachi. Content-based Media Exposure scale and Buss and Perry questionnaire, internationally validated tools were used to collect data. Level of aggression was the main outcome variable which was analyzed. Results Four hundred and twenty-two adolescents participated in the survey. Usage of television was significantly higher in the younger age group whereas the effect of watching violent content among the adolescents varied. It was observed that 153 (36.3%) respondents felt stressed and 24 (5.7%) felt aggressive after watching violent content on electronic and social media. The contents showing people who fight (39.6 ± 5.6, p-value&lt;0.05), who steal (39.5 ± 7.5, p-value=&lt;0.05) and destroyed someone else’s belongings (40.6 ± 7.6, p-value=&lt;0.05) had a significant effect on the level of aggression. Regression analysis predicted a strong positive association of exposure of violent content with level of aggression (β=0.43). Conclusions The usage of violent content on social and electronic media was popular among adolescents, and produced negative effects on the behavior of adolescents. Measures should be taken to introduce media literacy of the children in Pakistan, especially in the peri-urban slums. </jats:sec

Attitudes of faculty and residents of surgical specialties towards professionalism at a tertiary care hospital of Islamabad

Objectives: To determine the attitudes of faculty and residents of surgical specialties towards professionalism and to test the validity and reliability of a tool developed in USA for Pakistan.&#x0D; Methods: An exploratory validation study was carried out at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from 01-Aug-2016 to 31-Jan-2017. Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM) was used, being a reliable and valid survey tools. Exploratory Factor Analysis of the inter-correlations of responses for 36 items was done using SPPS v 21 to give a factor solution to reflect the perceptions regarding attitudinal elements.&#x0D; Results: There were 209 respondents including 172 residents and 37 faculty members. Response rate was 81.32%. Exploratory Factor Analyses of responses gave a seven factor solution of professionalism: accountability, honour and integrity, excellence, duty, altruism, equity and respect. Six of the factors that emerged reflect the six elements of professionalism reported by American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), except for ‘equity’, which was the new factor that emerged. Cronbach’s alpha (Internal Consistency Reliability) for each element of professionalism was between 0.88-0.98.&#x0D; Conclusion: PSCOM is a valid, reliable, feasible and acceptable tool to assess attitudes of faculty and residents towards professionalism in Pakistan. ‘Equity’ emerged as a new factor which needs to be studied further.&#x0D; How to cite this:Manzoor A, Baig LA, Aly SM. Attitudes of faculty and residents of surgical specialties towards professionalism at a tertiary care hospital of Islamabad. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):371-376. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.387&#x0D; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</jats:p

Prevalence of anxiety and depression in high school students of Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: Anxiety and depression are commonly occurring mental disorders in school-going students and if not considered can result in a worse outcome. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and relationship of anxiety and depression with different variables among high school students of Karachi.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in October - November 2020 in government and private high schools of four districts of Karachi. Two stage cluster sampling was used to select study sites with 400 students inducted. Data was collected by using Aga Khan University Scale of anxiety and depression. Relationship of outcome with predictor variables was examined by applying univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.&#x0D; Results: Overall 53.2% participants reported anxiety and depression out of which 78.8% were females. Participants who were studying in private schools (OR 0.39, CI 0.21-0.69 at 95%, p=0.002) and had mothers who were housewives (OR 0.28, CI 0.09-0.83 at 95%, p=0.022) were less likely to develop anxiety and depression. Participants whose fathers and mothers had a history of anxiety and depression were three times more likely to develop anxiety and depression (OR 3.12, CI 1.52-6.41 at 95%, p=0.002) and (OR 3.02, CI 1.39-6.59 at 95%, p=0.005) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among high school students. Female students of public sector school and those who had a family history of anxiety and depression were more likely to develop it. Early detection and management of anxiety and depression by screening are necessary to overcome this burden.&#x0D; doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5093&#x0D; How to cite this:Ibbad S, Baig LA, Ahmer Z, Shahid F. Prevalence of anxiety and depression in high school students of Karachi, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5093&#x0D; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</jats:p

Whispers of resilience: A phenomenological exploration of maternal journeys with children affected by downs syndrome in Quetta, Baluchistan

Background & objective: Down\u27s syndrome, a chromosomal disorder, with an incidence of approximately one in 800 live births globally affects physical and intellectual development of a child, having greatest impact on mothers. This study explored the challenges faced by the mothers of children with Down\u27s Syndrome related to their upbringing at different stages of life.Methods: Qualitative research was conducted using Phenomenological approach from May 2021- April 2022 in Quetta, Baluchistan. Mothers were selected through purposive sampling from institutional records of Wilderness School, Quetta, the only private school for special children. Five In depth Interviews and two Focus Group Discussions were conducted with 17 mothers using a semi structured interview guide. Data collected in audio files was transcribed verbatim into English language. Analysis was done by two researchers independently.Results: The themes included, Experience of Giving birth to a child with Down\u27s Syndrome, Social support system, Personal Challenges, Experiencing Worrisome thoughts about child\u27s future and Experiencing personality changes. The findings imply that giving birth and bringing up a child with DS is a life-changing process. Social stigmatization, lack of support by family, in-laws, relatives and financial constraints to afford schooling and rehabilitation make it challenging for mothers to provide adequate attention and developmental opportunities to the child. Mothers compromise on their health, career, social life, social status and relationship with other family members.Conclusion: Raising children with Down syndrome is a life changing process and the absence of prenatal diagnosis in regions like Quetta and limited counseling from concerned doctors leaves mothers unprepared. This results in care givers reliance on internet resources for developing understanding about the syndrome and child care