ABSTRACT
Background Medical faculty development programs (FDPs) often lack hands-on training in teaching skills. Microteaching, a short, focused teaching practice, could be a feasible way to bridge this gap. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of including hands-on microteaching in a medical FDP in India. Methodology This mixed-methods study involved fresh medical faculty members who never attended FDP on the basics of medical education technologies, stakeholders, and students from a recently established autonomous medical institute of national importance in India. Participants completed a pre-test survey on their teaching skills and received a hands-on microteaching session during an FDP. After the session, participants completed a post-test survey and provided feedback on the feasibility and acceptability of hands-on microteaching in the program. Program evaluation was done by application of Kirkpatrick's Model levels one, two, and three. Results According to the Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation level one (Reaction), the participants reported improved teaching skills and greater confidence in their ability to teach after the microteaching session. They also reported that hands-on microteaching was an effective way to learn teaching skills and receive feedback. Stakeholders opined that microteaching is a very effective tool for improving teaching skills and should be a part of FDP. Evaluation at level two (Learning) shows that there was a significant improvement in the mean score of post-tests. As per level three (Behaviour Change) evaluation, the majority of the students informed that there is observable improvement in the effectiveness of teaching of faculties in the past two months, i.e., since the participation of faculty in hands-on microteaching in FDP. Conclusions Hands-on microteaching could be a feasible and effective way to enhance the teaching skills of medical faculty members in India. The study findings suggest that including hands-on microteaching in FDPs could help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare metabolic disease. The global incidence is 1:100,000 to 1:250,000. However, identification of a founder mutation in a gypsy population from India prompted us to study the prevalence of AKU in this population and to do molecular typing in referred cases of AKU from the rest of India. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of AKU in the gypsy population predominantly residing in the seven districts of Tamil Nadu. To determine the molecular characteristic of AKU cases referred to our clinic from various parts of India. METHOD: Urine spot test to detect homogentisic acid followed by quantitative estimation using high-performance liquid chromatography in 499 participants from the gypsy population and confirming the founder mutation in those with high levels by sequencing. Sequence the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD) gene to identify mutations and variants in 29 AKU non-gypsy cases. RESULTS: The founder mutation was detected in homozygous state in 41/499 AKU-affected individuals of the gypsy community giving a high prevalence of 8.4%. Low back pain, knee pain, and eye and ear pigmentation were the most common symptoms and signs respectively. The commonest mutation identified in the non-gypsy AKU cases was p.Ala122Val. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of AKU in the inbred gypsy population at 8.4% was detected confirming the founder effect. Urine screening provided a cost-effective method to detect the disease early. Mutation spectrum is varied in the rest of the Indian population. This study identified maximum number of mutations in exon 6 of the HGD gene. Key Points ⢠High prevalence (8.4%) of alkaptonuria (AKU) in the gypsy population due to founder mutation in the HGD gene. ⢠Inbreeding exemplifies the founder effects of this rare genetic disorder. ⢠Urinary screening is a cost-effective method in this community for early detection of AKU and intervention. ⢠The mutation spectrum causing AKU is diverse in the rest of the Indian population.