Interesting studies presented by student groups highlighting important issues

Research Symposium at JMDC

KARACHI: Jinnah Medical & Dental College organized its annual Research Symposium at its Medicare Campus on August 28th 2024. About two dozen students groups presented interesting studies highlighting important issues while participating in the competition. The panel of Jurists included Prof. Kashif from Dow University of Health Sciences, Prof. Mubin from Hamdard Medical College, Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid Chief Editor of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences and Dr. Rizwana Waraich.

Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid Chief Editor Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences alongwith Prof. Kashif from Dow University of Health Sciences, Prof. Mubin from Hamdard Medical College, and Dr. Rizwana Waraich Dean JMDC participating in the panel discussion during the Research Symposium organized by JMDC recently.

The study presented by Group-14 “Drug interactions in prescription of patients in private pharmacies” earned the first position while “Reasons of cancellation of elective surgeries on intended day” by Group-9 won the second position. The third positron was won by Group-21. The topic of their presentation was “Frequency and risk factors associated with surgical site infections after cesarean section”.
Other topics covered in the presentations by other groups who participated included the following:

1. Efficacy of PRP Vs Triamcinolone Acetonide in the treatment of Lateral epicondylitis.
2. Breast cancer awareness among different socio economic status, ages and regions.
3. Child labour – a work that deprive children of their childhood.
4. Impact of academic intervention regarding plagiarism related to Chat GPT in a private medical college.
5. Impact of informational care, and compliance therapy on treatment outcome in patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus.
6. Identification of risk factors of Frozen shoulder
7. Cyberchondria from click to panic.
8. Comparison of postmenopausal complication in women with natural menopause and premature menopause.
9. Drug adherence among tuberculosis patients in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi.
10. To assess malnourishment in children living in flood affected and non-affected areas.
11. Frequency of hypoglycemia in children under fourteen with acute gastroenteritis
12. Hyponatremia in children with pneumonia
13. Impact of psychological intervention (informational care and supportive counselling) in treatment outcomes in patients with psoriasis.
14. Evaluation of physiology knowledge loss in medical students.
15. Generation Z Selfitis: Diagnosis and its impact on Youth.
16. Post Covid-19 seasonal variation in infectious diseases of pediatric population admitted to a tertiary care hospital.
17. Evaluation of factors of ear discharge in general population presenting to ENT OPD
18. Effects of hearing by long term use of Headphones in under graduate students
19. Frequency and risk factors associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.
20. Food choices in hypertension amongst people in Karachi.
    Despite the fact that some of the groups had chosen very novel and innovative topics for their studies but it was either poor quality of slides or poor presentation which could not earn them any position.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid first congratulated all the presenters for their courage saying that when he made his first presentation many years ago, he was very nervous the presenters today were far better. Hence they deserve to be commended as it is their first step towards this professional journey. The organizers also deserve appreciation for organizing this academic activity in a medical institution. However, there have been some issues which needs to be highlighted. He pointed out that the presentations also reflect on the faculty, the supervisors and the institution. Hence it is essential that the students are provided enough opportunities for training. Making a presentation is an art which one has to learn. The speaker must keep eye contact with the audience and refrain from reading from the slides. Never put too much information on the slides, be careful while selecting the type face and fonts size as well as colours. An interesting topic will result in interesting study. Further it is better to use the word Method or Methodology which will cover everything whether the study was on patients, healthy subjects or material. Just mention points on slides and then dilate on them. The take home message from the study should be loud and clear.

Mr. Husain Mehdi Vice Chancellor of Sohail Univesity and Dr. Syed Sanowar Ali speaking at the Research Symposium organized by Jinnah Medical & Dental College on August 28th 2024.

He also highlighted the importance of health education and referred to a Telefilm Ibrat produced and shown in PTV in 80s numerous times which covered the risk factors, signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, importance of early detection, proper treatment, adherence to medication, failure to take drugs regularly leading to complications eventually leading to the death of the patient. It was an excellent idea to educate the public on tuberculosis. Professional societies and HCPs should select such innovative ideas for creating awareness rather than concentrating on conference in Five Star Hotels. It was heartening to note that most of the presenters referred to ethical approval of the studies which is a must for publication. One of the studies highlighted that over 50% of planned surgeries were cancelled due to factors related to hospital and surgical team. It creates lot of problems for patients and attendants which should not happen as it also brings bad name to the medical profession.

Prof. Mubeen in his remarks stated that the students should prepare manuscripts on the studies they have conducted and get it published. JPMA and Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences both entertain such studies from students and they also get some discount in publication charges. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid remarked that unless it is published, no one will get any credit hence try to get these studies published if not as original article, may be short communication or even correspondence.

Prof. Ambreen Usmani Principal JMDC presenting mementoes to Prof. Kashif, Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid, and Prof. Mubin at the Research symposium while on extreme right Prof. Kashif is presenting a memento to Dr. Syed Sanowar Ali.

Prof. Kashif emphasized the importance of selecting a topic identifying a problem and then try to find a solution. Most of the public health issues needs to be researched and interventions based on the study findings go a long way in decreasing the morbidity and mortality. The world has made tremendous progress just because they gave importance to research and found solution to their most important problems. Responding to a question from the audience it was pointed out that the authors of these studies published in Students Corner will get due credit.

Dr. Rizwana Waraich in her comments commended the organizers and the participants for promoting research culture in the institution and hoped that in future the quality of presentations will be much better. Mr. Husain Mehdi Vice Chancellor of the Univesity also appreciated the efforts of the organizers and stated that the quality of the presentation has improved from the previous years for which the faculty and supervisors deserve to be commended. Prof. Ambreen Usmani Principal of Jinnah Medical & Dental College also briefly addressed the meeting and thanked the panel of experts. We need to take their comments seriously as it will help to improve our future programmes.

Earlier Dr. Syed Sanowar Ali welcomed the guests and participants to the symposium and later Dr. Zeelaf Shahid Director Medical Education Department thanked the presenters, members of the expert’s panel and all those who extended their valuable help and assistance to organize this meeting. Later Mementoes were presented to members of the jury and group leaders which was followed by lunch.