ABSTRACT
Empathy is a concept native to the field of medicine. However, over the course of medical school, empathy levels are expected to decline. The aim of this study was to assess the empathy levels among medical students in relation to their year of study and specialties of choice in the future. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess empathy levels among students from medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan, using an online survey. The total duration of the study was 2 months. The authors analyzed the data using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 463 undergraduate medical students participated in this survey. The overall mean empathy score was 101.9±16.3 with 104.6±14.1 for females, which was significantly higher than the male participants. The highest empathy levels were demonstrated in fourth-year medical students with a mean empathy score of 104.1±16.3, whereas, the lowest empathy levels were found in second-year medical students with a mean empathy score of 99.8±9.4. Study participants considering emergency medicine, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, and oncology as their specialty of choice demonstrated the highest empathy levels followed by pediatrics and internal medicine. Conclusion: On average, there was a female preponderance in empathy levels among undergraduate medical students. Empathy levels among fourth-year students involved in clinical practice were greater as compared to students in their initial years of study. Further investigations are required to validate the findings of this study.
ABSTRACT
Incarcerated gravid uterus for in ventral hernia is an extremely rare obstetrical and surgical problem which contributes to pregnancy related complications. We searched for literature to identify aetiology, presentation, complications, and management options for incarcerated gravid uterus, and are presenting this case with literature review. This extremely rare case report, first ever from Pakistan, of an incisional hernia containing gravid uterus as its contents and is bulging out of abdominal cavity. She presented at 27 weeks with ulceration of ventral hernia skin. She was offered a conservative treatment keeping in view maternal and foetal monitoring until term. A full-term elective lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) followed by open mesh repair was done. A successful outcome was observed. There are limited treatment options for uterine incarceration into ventral hernia, but definitive diagnosis allows procedures to treat and to reduce severe maternal and foetal complications. There is no consensus over the management of this rare condition. A tailor approach should be opted in each case. If uncomplicated, a conservative approach until term followed by delivery or LSCS and hernioplasty is a good option.
