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Volume 6, Number 2, July-December 2023
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EDITORIAL

Panav Rustagi, Ritu Sharma, Shaifaly M Rustagi

Bioinformatics and Medicine: Editorial

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:3] [Pages No:43 - 45]

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0137  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Kusum Singla, Manju Chenicherry, Bishamber D Toora, Ritu Sharma

Impact of Early Clinical Exposure on First-year Medical Undergraduates: Student's Perspective

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:3] [Pages No:46 - 48]

Keywords: ECE, Medical students, Undergraduates

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0131  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Introduction: Early clinical exposure (ECE) as a teaching method is a very significant element of competency-based medical education (CBME) introduced by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2019. In the traditional curriculum, teacher-centered classes with a vast syllabus covered in a short period in the first year without any clinical correlation make the subject dry and uninteresting. ECE helped the students recollect their relevant basic science knowledge and establish the bridge between the basic concepts and the clinical knowledge. Also helps in improving learning and recollecting knowledge, which is very important to transform medical students into competent physicians of first contact. ECE sessions improve their academic strength and help improve both communicable and clinical skills that help make the undergraduates more confident. Aim: To evaluate the first-year MBBS students’ perception of the impact of ECE on their overall academic improvement and learning process. Results and discussion: A total of 74.2% of students think that more and more topics should be included in the ECE for better understanding and retention of the topic as 83% find ECE very useful in the first year and an important part of their education. However, 73.9% of students also commented that ECE should be conducted in a hospital setup compared to the classroom or community setup. Conclusion: From the present study, we can conclude that ECE is a better learning tool for learners compared to a traditional curriculum. Students enjoy the ECE part as it makes their basic subjects more interesting and relevant, although further research on the large number of students can be useful.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Priya Arora, Nidhi Budh, Samar R Hossain

First-year Medical Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Family Adoption Program: Challenges and Lessons

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:4] [Pages No:49 - 52]

Keywords: Family adoption challenges, Family adoption program, Medical students

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0132  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Introduction: In 2021, National Medical Commission (NMC) introduced a family adoption program (FAP) as part of the Community Medicine Curriculum to sensitize the upcoming medical professionals to the health needs of the community, learn communication skills, health education, basic health services, and function as a link between the health system and the families, enabling them to become physicians of first contact. Objectives: To know the perceptions of first-year medical students toward the FAP. To assess the challenges encountered by the students during family adoption visits. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study among phase 1 undergraduate medical students using a self-administered questionnaire and analysis of feedback for FAP given by the students. Results: Students reported a positive impact of FAP visits on their communication skills for interacting with families. They, however, feel that it should be included a little later in the curriculum so they have more clinical skills when they go for FAP visits. Conclusion: Family adoption is instrumental in improvement in self-perceived communication skills and ability to help community with their health problems.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Parikshat Gopal, Nikhil Sood, Rupesh Prasad

Assessment of Compliance of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in Patients with Early Osteoarthritis of Knee

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:5] [Pages No:53 - 57]

Keywords: Compliance, Early osteoarthritis of knee, Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0136  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of knee disability. Depending upon the disease's stages, various management modalities are available with varying grades of success. However, being degenerative and gradually progressive disease compliance to the treatment has a significant role in the outcome. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary care orthopedic center to assess the level of compliance to tablet glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate tablets in subjects with early OA. Around 50 consecutive issues visiting the outpatient Department (OPD) of Orthopedics at Base Hospital, Delhi were included in the study after clinical and radiological confirmation of the diagnosis. Patients were advised to tablet glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and followed up for 12 weeks. The Morisky Scale Questionnaire assessed compliance with the prescribed medication. Results: This study confirms poor compliance with the prescribed medication among geriatric subjects with early OA. Various other factors, such as literacy level, family status, functional status, associated medical illnesses, daily medicinal load, and awareness about the disease, significantly impact the patient's compliance.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Deepika G Dumeer, Ritu Agarwal, Bikram K Dutta, Vidushi Agrawal

Prevalence of Autism in Toddlers Born to Coronavirus Disease 2019-positive Mothers

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:3] [Pages No:58 - 60]

Keywords: Autistic spectrum disorder, Coronavirus disease 2019, Modified checklist for autism in toddlers score

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0135  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Autism is a neurobehavioral disorder seen in toddler characterized by speech delay, lack of social interaction, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. There were reports of increase in risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive mothers. This study was being done to find out any relation between COVID-19 infection in mothers and autism in children. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 250 children of age 1–3 years born to COVID-19-positive mothers attending outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital of West Delhi. This study showed a significant rise in risk of autism in children born to mothers in COVID-19-positive mothers.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Sumit Arora, Sharmila Dudani, Charu Mohan, Mamadur MR Shankar, Piyush Chaturvedi, Athul Hema Kumar

Ocular and Neuro-ophthalmic Conditions Causing Visual Impairment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Case Series

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:5] [Pages No:61 - 65]

Keywords: Cryptococcal meningitis, Human immunodeficiency virus, Neuro-ophthalmic, Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Syphilis, Visual loss

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0138  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes a multisystem disease namely acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Visual impairment related to HIV could be caused by opportunistic infections in the eye or neuro-ophthalmic axis, vascular abnormalities, neoplasms, and adverse medication effects. Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of the clinical, radiological, laboratory, immunovirological, therapeutic, and survival data of 1,480 HIV-positive patients from 2016 to 2022 to look for cases presenting with significant visual loss in one or both eyes attributable to HIV infection at our center. We have presented descriptive details of six such patients in tabular form. Results: Out of the 1,480 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) screened 14 presented with a significant visual loss out of which 10 had cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, two patients had cortical blindness secondary to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PMLE) one patient each had cryptococcal meningitis, and ocular syphilis. Conclusion: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis remains the commonest cause of visual loss in PLHA in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era. Neuro-ophthalmic diseases are an important cause of visual loss in HIV infection. Early diagnosis through routine ophthalmologic screening, serological screening for syphilis, and cryptococcal infection of patients with low clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) is essential to prevent visual loss in these subsets of patients.

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Sishir N Choudhury, Mamadur MR Shankar

Upcoming Medicolegal Challenges for a Practicing Surgeon in India

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:3] [Pages No:66 - 68]

Keywords: Bolam test, Doctor–patient relationship, Golden hour, Medicolegal, Medical negligence, Professional obligation, Telemedicine

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0133  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Surgical practice is one of the main pillars of the medical profession. Surgery in India has been flourishing since ancient times, be it the examples of trephination found on skeletal remains at sites of Indus Valley civilization (2nd millennium BCE) to the surgical excellence of Maharshi Sushruta (Sushruta Samhita) in the 1st millennium AD to India becoming a hub for surgical (medical) tourism in the 21st century. However, today in India, there is also a growing anxiety about the rise of medicolegal issues in surgical practice both among doctors as well as society in general, creating a trust deficit in the doctor–patient relationship. Hence, it is of paramount importance that clinicians not only are skilled in their profession but must also be acquainted with the latest medicolegal aspects to have an uneventful practice. The aim of this article is to analyze the evolution of medicolegal foundations in India, predict the likely course of medicolegal issues in the future and democratize this information to clinicians as widely as possible to ensure a healthy doctor-patient relationship in the Indian context.

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CASE REPORT

Archna Rautela, Sharmila Dudani, Shivika Dudani

Unusual Case of Mature Cystic Teratoma Showing Rare Tissues: A Case Report

[Year:2023] [Month:July-December] [Volume:6] [Number:2] [Pages:3] [Pages No:69 - 71]

Keywords: Case report, Mature cystic teratoma, Retinal, Thyroid tissue

   DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11003-0134  |  Open Access |  How to cite  | 

Abstract

Background: Teratomas are known to show a wide variety of tissues in their microscopic analysis; however, the most common types are lined by skin-like structures and are known as dermoid cysts. The immature and monodermal types show immature neuroectodermal tissue and specialized tissue like thyroid respectively. Case description: We describe an unusual case of a 32-year-old female with an ovarian cystic mass, which was diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma, which showed a significant proportion of thyroid tissue and retinal pigmented epithelium. Conclusion: These tissues are mostly associated with specialized (monodermal) and immature teratomas. The fact that they were seen in this case of mature cystic teratoma prompted this case report.

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