Perceptions of first-year medical students towards learning anatomy using cadaveric specimens through peer teaching.

During the last decade, global interest in the multiple benefits of formal peer teaching has increased. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of first-year medical students towards the use of peer teaching to learn anatomy using cadaveric specimens. A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective survey was carried out. Data were collected using an online questionnaire which was administered to all medical students who were in their second year of their medical school curriculum and who had participated in sessions taught by their peers during their first year. Peer teaching was perceived as an effective method of learning anatomy by more than half of the participants. Analysis of mean responses revealed that the peer teachers created a positive, non-intimidating learning environment. Overall, participants gave positive feedback on their peer teachers. Six categories emerged from the responses given by participants as to why they would or would not recommend peer teaching. Ways of improvement as suggested by the respondents were also reported. Variables found to be significantly associated with the perceived benefits of the peer teaching program included sex differences, educational level and recommendations for peer teaching. This study brings to light the merits and demerits of peer teaching as viewed through the eyes of the peer learners. Peer teaching provides a sound platform for teaching and learning anatomy. Further discussions at higher levels are encouraged in order to explore the feasibility of introducing formal peer teaching in the medical curriculum. Anat Sci Educ 11: 346-357. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.

An update on the genetics of pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a progressive multisystem disorder that is exclusive to human pregnancy and defined as new hypertension presenting after 20 weeks with significant proteinuria. It is a multifactorial condition with a strong genetic component and several genes have been linked with this disorder. The main players implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia include immune maladaptation, hemodynamics, endothelial function, thrombophilic disorders, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. All of these mechanisms encompass genetic factors that might be responsible for the pathogenic changes taking place. Pre-eclampsia has been referred to as a primipaternity disease. A number of studies examined the contribution of paternal genes in pre-eclampsia. Although there is evidence that paternal genes significantly increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, there is still inconclusive evidence whether having the same partner is a protective factor. Gene expression, through imprinting and epistasis, also play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Pre-eclampsia remains a disease of theories. Despite the growing body of research exploring this complex disorder, the etiology of pre-eclampsia remains elusive and the struggle is still ongoing to find an effective predictive test that can detect this disorder at an early stage where intervention can prevent the progression of the disorder. Research is still ongoing. Prevention and early detection of pre-eclampsia remain the ultimate goal.

The effectiveness of psychosocial assessment in the detection and management of postpartum depression: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal mental disorders remain a public health concern. A psychosocial assessment gives a comprehensive understanding of a woman's circumstances by identifying risk factors that affect the overall mental state and function of the woman. The aim was to evaluate the current international evidence regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial assessments in the detection and management of postpartum depression. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Six health related databases were systematically searched from January 2000 to June 2016. Full papers reporting the effectiveness of psychosocial assessment on the detection and management of postpartum depression were included. A data extraction form was designed and piloted on two studies. Data were extracted on study design, population, study context, intervention/s and outcome/s. The methods of all the studies selected were critically appraised using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 692 citations were found. Four randomized control trials (RCTs) met full inclusion criteria and qualified for full paper review and data extraction. Due to the heterogeneity of the data retrieved a narrative synthesis was carried out. Overall, when compared to routine care, psychosocial assessments were found to be sensitive to detect risk factors associated with postnatal depression. Results from two of the included studies reported no statistically significant difference in outcomes amongst those who screened positive and received the intervention compared to those who screened positive and were given standard care. CONCLUSIONS: Presently there is a paucity of published data on the effectiveness of psychosocial assessment in the detection and management of postnatal depression and results show conflicting evidence. Further RCTs are recommended to further elucidate the effectiveness of psychosocial assessments.

The co-existence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the perinatal period: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: to identify and appraise the current international evidence regarding the presence and prevalence of the co-existence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the antenatal and post partum period. METHODS: using a list of keywords, Medline, CINHAL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Web of Science and the Index of Theses and Conference Proceedings (Jan 1960 - Jan 2015) were systematically searched. Experts in the field were contacted to locate papers that were in progress or in press. Reference lists from relevant review articles were searched. Inclusion criteria included full papers published in English reporting concurrent depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms in pregnant and post partum women. A validated data extraction review tool was used. FINDINGS: 3424 citations were identified. Three studies met the full inclusion criteria. All reported findings in the postnatal period. No antenatal studies were identified. The prevalence of triple co-morbidity was relatively low ranging from 2% to 3%. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: triple co-morbidity does occur, although the prevalence appears to be low. Due to the presentation of complex symptoms, women with triple co-morbidity are likely to be difficult to identify, diagnose and treat. Clinical staff should be aware of the potential of complex symptomatology.