3 research outputs found
Assessment of Knowledge about Referral Letters among Fresh Graduates and General Dentists of Karachi
No full textAbstract: Background: Medical or dental referrals are a very significant part of a health professionals’ job. It is imperative that they are proficient in developing effective referral letters with relevant information and sequence.
Objective: To find out how much the dentists know about effective referral letter writing. To assess the knowledge of fresh dental graduates and general dentists in Karachi regarding referral letters.
Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A questionnaire was developed consisting of two parts; first part pertaining to demographic data while second part consisted of multiple-choice questions. Convenience sampling technique was adopted and a sample size of n=75 was collected. Our study setting was Jinnah Medical and Dental College for fresh graduates while general dentists were approached from all over Karachi. The fresh graduates who were absent on the day of data collection and anyone who did not give consent was excluded from the study. Participants were approached by one of the investigators to fill out the designated questionnaires. Study duration spanned from October 2022 to January 2023. Data was documented in SPSS version 25 and frequencies calculated. T-test was used for comparison.
Result: Knowledge of n=35 fresh graduates and n=40 general dentists regarding referral letters was assessed. 31.4% of fresh graduates and 25% of general dentists exhibited good knowledge on cut-off scores. No significant comparative difference in the level of knowledge of the two groups was determined regarding the components of a referral letter.
Conclusion: Participants were well informed and knowledgeable about the relevance and importance of a referral letter
Perception of students and teachers regarding the attributes of an effective clinical teacher in dentistry: a cross-sectional analytical study
No full textObjectives: To compare the perception of dental students and faculty members regarding the attributes of effective clinical teachers.
Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from August 2021 to November 2021, and comprised third and final year dental students and associated clinical faculty members from in three dental colleges in the city. Data was collected using the modified version of a pre-validated questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.
Results: Of the 200 students approached, 169(84.5%) responded; 135(79.9%) females and 34(20.1%) males with mean age 21.78±1.099 years (range: 19-26 years). Of the 59 teachers approached, 49(83%) responded; 33(67.3%) females and 16(32.7%) males with mean age 31.59±5.041 years (range: 23-49 years). The students found record-keeping a tiresome task (42%), while teachers regarded it essential for clinical development. Unlike teachers, the students were unable to identify the relevance of clinical objectives and they also did not appreciate teachers’ involvement in clinical procedures. For other domains regarding personal traits, teaching methods and clinical skills, both groups had similar responses.
Conclusion: There was generally a similarity of opinions among students and teachers regarding the essential qualities of effective dental clinical teaching.
Key Words: Dental education, Clinical teaching, Competent clinical teacher
Utility of instant messaging application, whatsapp, as a tool to augment post-graduate radiology education
No full textBackground: Smart phone technology including different instant messaging applications like, WhatsApp, can be used for the development of radiological skills, reporting, and performance. To determine the utility, attitude, and outcome of WhatsApp for augmenting education in FCPS radiology residency program. To assess the opinion of radiology residents regarding WhatsApp as a tool to enhance postgraduate training.Methodology: A mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) was conducted at Dow Institute of Radiology, Karachi, Pakistan. All FCPS Radiology residents were given a radiological case by principal investigator followed by residents\u27 response in 24 h. Key findings were shared by the mentor. Before and after the intervention of WhatsApp, all residents were evaluated with written and radiological imaging reporting exam. For quantitative analysis, a closed ended questionnaire was used containing information about total number of messages, images, webpage links shared, level of contribution (active/non-active), and utility (contribution in education related topic only). A feedback form with Likert scale was also got filled by all residents. For qualitative research, semi structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted.Results: Median number of total images shared were 293 (IQR 1002 images), messages shared 110 (IQR), webpages shared were 54 webpages (61 webpages) and total contents shared by participants was 243 (544 contents). Active contributors showed better performance in utility, competency of contents and attitude towards using social media as a medium for learning. Comparison of written and OSCE results showed better performance after the intervention. Feedback form with Likert scale revealed that students responded positively regarding the shared learning content. Thematic analysis showed 52 codes and 16 themes.Conclusion: In this research we have observed that WhatsApp is highly efficient and productive academic tool which can amplify postgraduate radiology education. Student\u27s narrative reflects that residents have found the missing link which can take them to radiological professional excellence through targeted high-profile learning outside lecture hall in time and place convenient motivational environment. Once it will be blended with existing teaching strategy, it can prove to be a game changer
