An insight into the clinical learning environment of dental institutes: a study in the twin cities of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perceptions of dental students regarding their clinical learning environment in an urban setting. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 2020 to May 2021 after approval from the ethics review committee of Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. It comprised of clinical year students, house officers and postgraduate trainees from 6 dental teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Data was collected using a pre-validated instrument assessing the dental clinical learning environment. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 1030 students approached, 561(54.4%) responded. Of them, 448(80%) were girls, 234(41.7%) were 3rd year students, 110(19.6%) were 4th year students, 120(21.4%) were house officers and 97(17.3%) were postgraduate trainees. Female students had a better patient attitude and were more confident in their abilities to keep up with their peers (p<0.05). The students were content with the performance of their clinical teachers, with a mean score of 70.99+/-16.0, while the lowest score of 54.67+/-22.9 was for clinical infrastructure and materials. Students of Islamabad pointed out the lack of clinical materials and maintenance of equipment but noted better research opportunities compared to their Rawalpindi counterparts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical learning environment for Islamabad and Rawalpindi cities individually was good. Overall, students were satisfied with their clinical teachers, learning and training experience. Dental materials, infrastructure and maintenance factors scored the lowest.

Adherence with standard guidelines among doctors involved in aerosol generating procedures to control COVID-19 transmission.

Objectives: To review the strategies for controlling COVID-19 transmission among doctors involved in aerosol generating procedures. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from September to November 2020, using a 21-itemed initially piloted self-administered questionnaire designed on Google forms. It was shared with doctors involved in Aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs) by using social media applications. After the data was collected, it was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 136 doctors participated in the study that included 59 female and 77 male participants. Our 67 (49.3%) participants screened their patients for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before a routine checkup. The most common disinfectant used for reusable medical equipment by 62 (45.6%) respondents was alcohol swab, 57 (41.9%) did not disinfect reusable equipment and 17 (12.5%) used Dettol water spray. Conclusion: Majority of the doctors involved in AGMPS are not following the guidelines provided by international and national bodies. As such adherence to guidelines can help prevent COVID19 transmission in frontline doctors especially those involved in aerosol generating procedures.

Seeking motivation for selecting Medical Profession as a Career Choice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the motivational factors of medical students for selecting medical career as a profession. METHODS: This was a survey based cross-sectional study. Medical students of first and second year from private and public medical colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were recruited via convenient sampling and a self-based questionnaire was distributed to them. Besides demographics, questions were based on factors influencing medical students to pursue medical career. Data was collected and descriptive analysis was done using SPSS 21. RESULTS: A total of 300 medical students participated in the study; 129 (43%) of them were males and 171 (57%) were females with mean age of 19.35 years. Among Humanitarian based questions; Serving Humanity gained highest percentage, followed by sympathies for mankind and health for everyone sequentially. In Societal factors, Prestigious Profession and in Scientific factors based questions Challenging Field ranked first. Amongst all the questions Prestigious Profession takes the lead. CONCLUSION: Major motivation behind selecting medical field was prestigious profession followed by altruism. By understanding medical students' motivational factors for pursuing medical field we would be able to analyze the future trend of professionals.

Correction to: electronic cigarette use behaviors and motivations among smokers and non-smokers.

After publication of the article [1], it has been brought to our attention that there is a funding acknowledgement missing. The authors would also like to include "Dr. Michael Joseph Blaha is funded by the American Heart Association Tobacco Regulatory Center, funding number: 1P50HL120163".

Electronic cigarette use behaviors and motivations among smokers and non-smokers.

BACKGROUND: The use of electronic cigarettes (EC) has risen exponentially over the past decade, including among never smokers, and ECs are now the most popular tobacco product among teenagers in the US. While, EC manufacturers utilize numerous marketing strategies to target both smokers and non-smokers, it is unclear how perceptions and behaviors differ between these two groups. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 320 adults either via online surveys or in Baltimore vape shops to determine demographics, behaviors, perceptions, and motivations underlying use of ECs. RESULTS: Our survey respondents were predominantly young, Caucasian males, 74% of whom identified themselves as former smokers, while 20% identified as current smokers and 6% were never smokers. Former smokers reported a longer history of EC use and higher nicotine concentrations than current smokers. For former and current smokers, the primary motivation for EC use was assistance to quit smoking, and nearly half indicated that they plan to reduce their nicotine concentration and eventually quit using ECs. Among former smokers, self-reports on use and measures of dependence were consistent with nicotine replacement as their primary motivation. The majority of former and current smokers also reported that their respiratory health had improved as a result of EC use, although this effect was stronger for former smokers. Never smokers reported less frequent EC use and dependence compared to former and current smokers. Their motivations for use were more commonly for enjoyment and popularity, and they displayed a reduced desire to eventually quit using ECs. CONCLUSIONS: These responses provide insight into the underlying thoughts and behaviors of smoking and non-smoking EC users and also suggest that never smoking EC users are an emerging demographic with different motivations and perceptions than those of current and former smokers.

Expectation of having consumed caffeine can improve performance and mood.

We explored whether caffeine, and expectation of having consumed caffeine, affects attention, reward responsivity and mood using double-blinded methodology. 88 participants were randomly allocated to 'drink-type' (caffeinated/decaffeinated coffee) and 'expectancy' (told caffeinated/told decaffeinated coffee) manipulations. Both caffeine and expectation of having consumed caffeine improved attention and psychomotor speed. Expectation enhanced self-reported vigour and reward responsivity. Self-reported depression increased at post-drink for all participants, but less in those receiving or expecting caffeine. These results suggest caffeine expectation can affect mood and performance but do not support a synergistic effect.