Strides in Development of Medical Education
Volume:21 Issue: 1, Autumn 2024

The rapid growth of information technology has created opportunities for online learning.

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS) and assess the readiness of health care providers in this regard.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 181 health care providers in Kerman, selected through multi-stage sampling. The data collection tool included a questionnaire with demographic information and the Persian version of OLRS, comprising 18 questions across 5 subscales: computer/internet self-efficacy, self-directed learning, learner control, learning motivation, and online communication self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, independent t</em>-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS v. 26, as well as LISREL v. 8.8 software.

Cronbach's alpha coefficient for subscales ranged from 0.74 to 0.93, with factor loadings of items ranging from 0.54 to 0.96. Goodness-of-fit indicators met acceptable standards. The mean scores for all subscales exceeded the average (2.5). Health care providers in rural areas had higher mean scores in the self-directed learning (P=0.04), learning control (P=0.02), and learning motivation (P=0.001) subscales. Men scored higher in the self-directed learning (P=0.01) and learning motivation (P=0.04) subscales.

The Persian version of OLRS demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used to assess the readiness of learners for online learning. When planning such training, it is crucial to consider factors related to learners' readiness, including demographic and occupational characteristics.

Internationalization in medical education (ME) creates new potentials, and links among countries.

The present study aimed to investigate the current outlook on the internationalization of ME in Pakistan.

This case study had an outlook on the internationalization of ME in three top universities in Pakistan. The most significant components, characteristics, and variables related to ME were identified and categorized. The reports regarding the educational, research and health system performance of this country were collected by reviewing the grey literature, and visiting the official websites of these universities.

To improve their competitive capacities Pakistan’s top universities have considered some research parameters, unique strategies (motivational mechanisms for target groups of students, and professors, educational mechanisms and empowering students and professors, mechanisms for communicating with other pioneering universities, and mechanisms for communicating with the industry and exchanging intellectual capital), and short-, medium- and long-term plans for attracting capital, exchanging scientific products, and sharing experience.

Pakistan’s success in internationalization depends on factors, such as concentrating on science and technology, the enhanced role of the local government and the privatization of HE institutes, including modern ideas and making changes in the country’s cultural structure, using English as the primary language in universities, designing web portals based on international criteria, receiving tuition fees from international students, designing programs for international students, hiring foreign faculty members, and sending professors abroad to take part in specialized courses, and making efforts to monitor international initiatives and ensuring quality.

Self-assessment (SA) means assessing or judging efficiency, and identifying strengths and weaknesses to improve learning outcomes.

The present study aims to investigate the knowledge, and attitude of the students of Kerman Dental Faculty regarding practical self-assessment skills.

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study included 220 residents, and general students of Kerman Faculty of Dentistry. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of two parts. In the first part, the demographic information was recorded. The second part questioned students' knowledge and attitude toward practical self-assessment skills. The intra-class coefficient and content validity index of the questionnaire were 0.72 and 0.83, respectively. Data were analyzed using a T-test, analysis of variance, and multivariate regression in SPSS 21 software. P-value<0.05 was considered as the statistical significance level.

The results indicated that the average score of questionnaire was 44.45 ± 6.58 for women and 42.60 ± 5 for men, which was significantly higher in the female students (P-value=0.02). Moreover, the average score of residents was 46.4±6.21, considerably higher than general students (42.99 ± 5.80) (P value = 0.01). Finally, the average score of students at public colleges was equal to 44.48 ± 6.10, higher than that to those studying at private colleges (41.56 ± 5.35) (P-value = 0.01), which shows better self-assessment skills.

The study highlights the critical role of self-assessment skills to improve the dental students learning ability, performance, and independency. Moreover, it is recommended that regular self-assessment skills be considered significantly in dentistry curricula.

Pharmacology is one of the crucial subjects of medical courses because drugs are the basis of disease treatment. A basic drug description is needed to optimize benefits and reduce side effects. Therefore, proper education for medical students is necessary.

This scoping review aims to investigate the methods, ideas, and recommendations for educating undergraduate medical students in pharmacology.

To achieve the purpose of the study, related studies in English and Persian were reviewed within 2010 to 2022. A comprehensive systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases to conduct this review. Two independent reviewers evaluated the retrieved publications and extracted the data using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s standardized tools. Primary study findings were read and reread to identify teaching methods used in the studies for undergraduate medical students. The extracted findings were categorized based on their similarity.

A total of 56 studies were included in this scoping review. More than 70% of articles have been performed in India. The results were presented according to the teaching methods used in educating: team-based learning, computer-assisted learning, the autobiography of medicines, role-play, integrated education, case-based learning, problem-based learning, student-led objective tutorials, e-learning module, museum, pre-lecture, concept mapping, crossword puzzles, game, flipped classroom, and mixed methods.

This review provided a new vision about the methods of pharmacology education that have been used worldwide. The information obtained can be used to revise traditional teaching methods of pharmacology in medical schools.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has prepared a revised graduate medical training program for Indian medical graduates to develop the requisite knowledge, skills, attitude, values, and responsiveness as physicians of the first contact with the community. The attitude, ethics, and communication (AETCOM) module has been prepared as a guide to facilitate implementing a longitudinal program for institutions and faculty members that will help the students acquire the essential competency domains. The present study was an attempt to know the faculty members’ perception regarding the AETCOM module based on analyzing and addressing the suggestive measures.

To know the faculty perception regarding AETCOM module & based on the analysis, suggestive measures are recommended

The present research was a cross-sectional study. The data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Those who submitted the responses were included in the study. The feedback form, along with the AETCOM module curriculum, was e-mailed to those who have undergone one or the other faculty development training program from different colleges of the first professional year faculties. A total of 34 faculty members out of 60 participated in the study.

About 65% of the participants were females, 50% were professors, and 44% belonged to private and deemed university colleges, respectively. The majority (60%) of the participants were told to reduce the duration of modules and avoid the repetitions concerning the communication skill modules.

According to the study findings, we conclude that the implementation of the AETCOM module is a good initiative taken by the NMC. The competencies specified within each module underscore the importance of cultivating attitudes, ethics, and communication skills among Indian medical graduates, reflecting the contemporary demands and standards of the healthcare profession.

The covid-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the medical education in India especially the undergraduate medical course. We follow the curriculum based medical education (CBME) as set up by the national medical council in India. Conducting the practical internal assessment for pathology undergraduate students virtually was challenging and we conducted the same using the “Virtual Image based - objective structured practical examination (OSPE)”.

To analyze the effectiveness and impact of virtual image based OSPE as a method of internal assessment for pathology undergraduate students during the covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 198 students took part in the Virtual image based –OSPE pattern of examination. Each OSPE was well structured and had image based questions for 5 marks each. A clinical history was attached with each case and included images of gross morphology and appropriate microscopic pictures. A feedback was taken from the students regarding the image based-OSPE. The feedback included 10 questions assessed on a 5 point Likert scale.

The online image based OSPE was conducted with ease using the online digital software-“jssu online”, successfully simulating the actual offline experience. Answer scripts were uploaded online and the correction was done using the university digital software. The feedback was given by 177 second year MBBS students. The assessment pattern being new and exciting, was received well by majority of the students.

Virtual image based OSPE’s are a good substitute for conducting the online practical internal assessment for undergraduate pathology students during the covid-19 pandemic. Especially in universities with a good digital platform, these can be used with ease.

The journey of medical students can prove to be extremely challenging and tough owing to academic pressures, parental expectations, peer pressure, and students’ inability to adapt to the environment in a medical school. Academic resilience among medical students refers to their ability to persevere, adjust, and sustain encouraging learning outcomes despite the challenges, obstacles, and varied stressors they encounter during their period of undergraduate training. Self-efficacy can be regarded as one of the key factors in strengthening academic resilience, and accordingly, we must take specific measures to develop and improve the same among them. The learning environment in a medical school significantly impacts and determines the academic resilience levels of medical students. In conclusion, acknowledging the challenges and problems that medical students have to experience during their undergraduate training period, it is quite essential that specific measures be taken to augment the academic resilience among medical students. The need of the hour is to adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses self-efficacy and the learning environment simultaneously and helps them promote their overall well-being and academic success.