Integrated undergraduate dental curriculum.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a blueprint for producing an integrated undergraduate curriculum for dental schools in the region. METHODS: The study framework was designed at Islamic International Dental College- Riphah International University, Islamabad during May 2016-January 2017. Integrated curriculum was developed by using themes described as modules, such as organs, science of oral diagnosis, aesthetics and dental rehabilitation. Contents or topics from different disciplines having similar focussed learning outcomes were united in one particular module. Horizontal and vertical homogenisations of various modules were achieved by displaying them in a specific way on Bloom's ladder . RESULTS: All modules were free of boundaries of traditional subjects. For example, dental emergency was a theme (module) which carried assorted contents associated with dental emergency from endodontic, oral surgery, prosthetic disciplines etc. CONCLUSIONS: The framework provided an outline and pattern to develop integrated undergraduate curriculum for dental schools.

Introducing regular formative assessment to enhance learning among dental students at Islamic International Dental College.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Formative Assessment in enhancing learning among dental students, and to interpret the assessment from students' perspective in this regard. METHODS: The experimental non-randomised controlled study was conducted from January to June 2013 at Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, and comprised first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery students attending regular physiology lectures and tutorials. Summative assessments conducted at the end of each unit were included as pre-intervention tests. After one month's planning, central nervous system unit was delivered in a month's trial with four formative assessment and feedback sessions (one per week). Likert scale-based student feedback questionnaire was administered. Post-intervention summative assessment was done by Multiple Choice and Short Essay Questions. Data was analysed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: Out of 68 students, 64(94.1%) agreed that a conducive environment was maintained and 62(90%) agreed that such sessions should be continued throughout the year; 59(87%) reflected that the feedback provided by the teacher was timely and positive and ensured equitable participation; 56(82%)agreed that it enhanced their interest in the subject; 56(68%) agreed that they were now more focussed; and43(63%)were of the opinion that they have progressed in the subject through these sessions. There was highly significant improvement in the monthly post-intervention test scores compared to pre-intervention test (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Formative assessment sessions enhanced motivation and learning in first year dental students. Organised regular sessions with students' feedback may contribute to the development of pedagogic practice.

Antibiotic Disk Elution Method to Determine the Colistin Susceptibility against Enterobacterales and Non-fermenter Bacteria.

Colistin minimum inhibitory concentration among Enterobacterales and Non-fermenters was determined using the new susceptibility method, Colistin Broth Disk Elution Method (CBDE), and its sensitivity and specificity. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi from October 2020 to August 2021. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated and identified using Gram Stain and standard biochemical profile. Colistin Susceptibility was determined using CBDE and reference methods and then sensitivity and specificity of CBDE with standard reference methods. Essential and Categorical agreements were calculated. A total of 140 Gram-negative isolates were recovered from different specimens. The sensitivity and specificity of CBDE among Enterobacterales were 90.90% and 92.07% and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa 100% and 83.3% and for Acinetobacter baumannii 30% and 50% respectively. CBDE is simple, reliable, and cost effective to determine the colistin susceptibility among Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while for Acinetobacter baumannii, this procedure is not useful. Key Words: Colistin susceptibility testing, CBDE, Enterobacterales, Non-fermenters.

Menstrual irregularities with excessive blood loss: a clinico-pathological correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various histo-pathological features in endometrial curettings of patients complaining of menstrual irregularities with excessive blood loss and correlating them with clinical presentations. METHODS: A total of 260 endometrial curettings were obtained by Dilatation and Curettage done at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi. All the preserved specimens were processed under standard conditions at the Pathology Department, Islamic International Medical College (IIMC). The sections were studied after staining with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. RESULTS: The patients presented with menorrhagia in 51.9%, metrorrhagia in 35.4%, polymenorrhoea in 9.2% and polymenorrhagia in 3.5% cases. History of hormonal intake was observed in 0.66% patients. Menstrual disorders were most common in 41-50 years age group accounting for 48% cases. Pathology was diagnosed in 40% of endometrial biopsies. The endometrial lesions included endometrial hyperplasia (24.7%), chronic nonspecific endometritis (13%), endometrial polyp (1.2%), pill pattern endometrium (2.3%) atrophic endometrium (0.8%) menopausal pattern endometrium, squamous metaplasia, squamous cell carcinoma and chorioncarcinoma (0.4% each). CONCLUSION: The dilatation and curettage was found to be an appropriate approach with a good diagnostic yield. Fortunately frequency of endometrial malignancy appeared to be very low. Endometrial hyperplasia was the leading causes of excessive menstrual bleeding.