Perceived usefulness of medical teachers towards online learning using technology acceptance model.

Objective: To determine medical teachers' acceptance of and attitude towards online learning, and to gather their recommendations about how it can be incorporated in the educational system. METHODS: The mixed method study was conducted at Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan, from August 2021 to January 2022, and comprised medical teachers involved in online teaching during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Quantitative data was gathered using an online questionnaire based on the technology acceptance model. The qualitative component was explored through 2 focussed group discussions. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 50 teachers, 31(62%) were males and 19(38%) were females. The overall mean age was 42.9±7.9 years, and the mean teaching experience was 10.9±7.9 years. Mean perceived usefulness score was 3.2±0.9 and the mean perceived ease of use score was 3.6±0.6. The mean scores were 3.3±0.9 for intention to use and 3.5±0.7 for attitude towards computer use. There was a strong positive correlation of perceived usefulness with intention to use and attitude towards computer use (p<0.05), while perceived ease of use and intention to use had a strong correlation with attitude towards computer use (p<0.05). There were total 12 participants in focussed group discussions; 2(16.7%) females and 10(83.3%) males with mean age 44.34±5.23 years. A total of 4 major themes were identified. Conclusion: Majority of medical teachers strongly agreed with the acceptance of e-learning, and agreed with its perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use for online learning.

Comparison of effect of machine muteness to reduce noise anxiety vs regular settings on patient compliance during pan-retinal photocoagulation.

This Quasi Experimental study was conducted at Major Eye Clinic, Gujranwala, from January to December 2022, to study the effect of muting the sound of Argon Laser machine on patient compliance and the pain felt during pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP). Eighty patients were included in the study with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), retinal breaks, lattice and myopic fundus degenerations for which PRP was performed. A total of 80 patients were enrolled, who were divided in two groups with 40 patients in each group. Group A patients received muted machine settings, while group B underwent regular PRP. The mean age was 54.6±3.4 years. Sixty-eight (85%) cases were of PDR, 4 (5%) of retinal breaks, 3 (3.75%) of lattice degenerations associated with breaks, and 5 (6.25%) of laser barrage. In group A, 28 (70%) patients had grade 1 and grade 2 pain score, while in group B, 26 (65%) had grade 3 and grade 4 pain score. It was concluded that by eliminating machine sound, noise anxiety can be greatly reduced ensuring better patient cooperation.