Medical school origins of award-winning physicians; analysis of a complete national dataset.

BACKGROUND: Educators and medical students share the same objective of achieving success in medical practice. Both groups consider doctors' successes to include optimum patient care outcomes and positive career progressions. Accordingly, identifying common educational features of such high-achieving doctors facilitates the generation of excellence amongst future medical trainees. In this study we use data from the British clinical merit award schemes as outcome measures in order to identify medical school origins of doctors who have achieved national or international prominence. METHODS: Britain has Clinical Excellence Awards/Distinction Awards schemes that financially reward all National Health Service doctors in England, Scotland and Wales who are classified as high achievers. We used these outcome measures in a quantitative observational analysis of the 2019-20 dataset of all 901 national award-winning doctors. Where appropriate, Pearson's Chi-Square test was applied. RESULTS: The top five medical schools (London university medical schools, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge) were responsible for 51.2% of the physician merit award-winners in the 2019-20 round, despite the dataset representing 85 medical schools. 91.4% of the physician merit award-winners were from European medical schools. The lowest national award-winners (tier 3) originated from 61 medical schools representing six continents. International medical graduates comprised 11.4% of all award-winners. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of physicians who were national merit award-winners originated from only five, apparently overrepresented, UK university medical schools. In contrast, there was a greater diversity in medical school origin among the lower grade national merit awards; the largest number of international medical graduates were in these tier 3 awards (13.3%). As well as ranking educationally successful university medical schools, this study assists UK and international students, by providing a roadmap for rational decision making when selecting physician and non-physician medical education pathways that are more likely to fulfil their career ambitions.

Whole body vibration therapy and cognitive functions: a systematic review.

Whole Body Vibration has been found to induce physiological changes in human subjects, improving their neuromuscular, respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Evidence from animal research prove that whole-body vibration appears to induce changes in molecular and cellular levels to alter cognitive functions in mice. There is evolving evidence for a potential value of whole body vibration in improving cognition and preventing the development of age-related cognitive disorders in humans. However, literature on the biological consequences of whole-body vibration on the human brain is scanty. If so, gathering the available evidences would help decide the possibility of designing appropriate whole-body vibration protocols to extend its application to induce neurocognitive enhancement and optimize its effects. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was performed, consulting the ProQuest, MEDLINE and Scopus bibliographic databases, to summarize the available scientific evidence on the effects of whole-body vibration on cognitive functions in adults. Results of the review suggest that whole-body vibration therapy enhances a wide spectrum of cognitive functions in adults although there isn't enough evidence available yet to be able to design a standardized protocol to achieve optimum cognitive enhancement.

Herbal Medicines Use During Pregnancy: A Review from the Middle East.

The prevalence of the herbal medicines use is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. The scenario in the Middle Eastern region was reviewed to explore the prevalence, usage pattern, motivation, and attitude towards use of herbal medicine by pregnant women. Literature published up to December 2012 showed the prevalence of herbal medicine use varied between 22.3-82.3%, implying a rising trend in the utilization of herbal medicine during pregnancy. The most common herbs used were peppermint, ginger, thyme, chamomile, sage, aniseed, fenugreek, and green tea. The most common reasons for use included the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and cold and flu symptoms. The majority of women used these products during their first trimester, and did not reveal this information to their physician. Most women were advised by family and friends to use herbal medicines and believed they were more effective and had fewer side effects than modern medicine especially during pregnancy. In conclusion, the use of herbal medicine is prevalent among pregnant women in the Middle Eastern region and healthcare providers need to seek information pertaining to their use.

Cigarette Alternatives: Are they Safe?

In spite of limited data regarding the safety or effectiveness of electronic cigarette introduced into the market as a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking, its popularity has increased enormously. E-cigarettes have penetrated the market rapidly owing to the elaborate marketing network and attractive marketing strategies. Stated advantages include the claim that they help quit smoking and produce less exposure than conventional smoking. The list of disadvantages is even more elaborate. While the majority of the studies supporting health claims and efficacy for quitting smoking are not scientifically sound, they are also challenged by studies providing contradictory results. Owing to the limited evidence on the potential advantages and disadvantages of e-cigarettes, the debate on their safety continues.

Effect of PUFA on patients with hypertension: a hospital based study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension affects more than a quarter of the global adult population. Studies conducted worldwide suggest an overall small, yet useful, role of omega-3 PUFAs in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. However there is no substantial data in this regard from population based in Middle East and Asia. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of (omega-3) PUFA supplementation on the blood pressure of hypertensive patient. To identify if male and female hypertensive patients respond differently to PUFA. To identify if response of hypertensive patients to PUFA varies with the duration of hypertension and co-existence of diabetes/dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study was conducted among hypertensive patients visiting OPD of the Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, UAE, during the period Jan-Dec 2012. A total of 100 hypertensive patients on treatment with their antihypertensive medications, 50 of whom were taking n-3 PUFA supplementation, were followed up for a period of 3 months. Comparisons were drawn between the BP recordings at the time of enrollment in the study and their follow up values 3 months after enrollment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 3 months of PUFA therapy. The BP lowering effect of PUFA was more in males. A statistically significant reduction in BP was noted in non-diabetic patients and patients with long standing hypertension. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study suggest that omega-3 PUFA dietary supplements augment the benefits of pharmacotherapy in hypertension.

Effects of a yoga intervention on lipid profiles of diabetes patients with dyslipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of yoga in the management of dyslipidemia in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This randomized parallel study was carried out in Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Hundred type 2 diabetics with dyslipidemia were randomized into control and yoga groups. The control group was prescribed oral hypoglycemic drugs. The yoga group practiced yoga daily for 1 h duration along with oral hypoglycemic drugs for 3 months. The lipid profiles of both the groups were compared at the start and at the end of 3 months. RESULTS: After intervention with yoga for a period of 3 months the study group showed a decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL, with an improvement in HDL. CONCLUSION: Yoga, being a lifestyle incorporating exercise and stress management training, targets the elevated lipid levels in patients with diabetes through integrated approaches.