Rakesh Mittal

Background: This study aimed to establish the suitability and acceptability of the curricular changes in the subject of anesthesia introduced by competency-based medical education (CBME) for undergraduate medical students. Methods: The sample consisted of 20 subject experts from different teaching institutes who were actively involved in teaching undergraduate medical students ...

Background: Understanding the physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and antimicrobial prescribing behaviour is a crucial step towards designing strategies for optimal use of these agents. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among clinicians across India between “May to July 2022” using a self-administered questionnaire in English comprising of 35 questions pertaining to demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices domains. Results. A total of 544 responses were received from 710 physicians contacted. 60 percent participants were males with mean age of 34.7 years. Mean ± SD scores for knowledge, attitude and practices domains were 8±1.6, 20.2±3.5 and 15.3±2.1, respectively. Higher scores were associated with basic [odds ratio (95% C.I.), P value: 2.95 (1.21, 7.2), 0.02], medical and allied sciences [2.71 (1.09, 6.67), 0.03] and central zone [3.75 (1.39, 10.12), 0.009]. A substantial proportion of dissatisfactory responses were found regarding hospital antibiograms, antibiotics effective against anaerobes, WHO AWaRe classification of antibiotics, and role of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Conclusions. There is a need to sensitize and educate clinicians on various issues related to antimicrobial use such as antibiograms, double anaerobic cover, IPC practices and guideline-based recommendations to curb the AMR pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Apropos of the initiative by the Medical Council of India (MCI), a month-long Foundation Course was implemented in our institute for the Phase 1 MBBS batch (2019). The index study was carried out to assess the perceptions of faculty members teaching Phase 1 MBBS students about the usefulness and effectiveness of this course, and their suggestions for further improvement. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted online using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire in the form of Google Forms. A total of 41 faculty members were invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: Thirty-six faculty members responded, i.e. a response rate of 88%. Majority of the faculty (69.4%) considered the Foundation Course as a useful addition to MBBS course but felt that the duration is too long. Faculty members found almost all of the sessions to be very useful for the students. However, they also felt that some of the sessions such as spirituality, alternate health systems, disability competency, national health policies, and use of information technology were not relevant for the newly joined MBBS students. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Foundation Course recommended by MCI for MBBS students at the entry level is a positive addition. Incorporating the suggestions from the faculty members can enhance its usefulness further.

An open apex in a nonvital permanent tooth makes endodontic treatment a challenge. There is a necessity to induce or create an apical barrier against which the obturating material can be compacted. The present article reports the effective closure of root apex in a pulpless permanent upper incisor tooth with wide-open apex utilizing Biodentine in blend with platelet-rich fibrin in the form of a matrix showing excellent healing potential at a 12-month follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of an electronic apex locator (EAL), conventional radiography, and digital radiography in working length (WL) determination. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 25 vital premolar teeth, scheduled for extraction in orthodontic patients. After administration of local anesthesia, the teeth were isolated and the pulp cavities were accessed. The WL for each tooth was measured by an EAL (Justy II; Yoshida Dentcraft, Tokyo, Japan), conventional and digital radiographies. Immediately after WL determination, the teeth were extracted and actual WL was measured with a file under magnifying loupes (X3). Ability to measure WL was detected precisely and in acceptable range that is ± 0.5 mm of actual WL. Results: The mean value of differences between three experimental methods length and the actual WL were statistically significant (P < 0.05). EAL gave the most accurate readings out of all the experimental groups, with 100% accuracy within the acceptable range where as digital radiography gave the least accurate reading. Conclusion: The electronic method (Justy II apex locator) demonstrated significant accuracy in determining the working length.

Sarda AK, et al. Korean J Hepatol. 2011 Mar;17(1):71-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.1.71