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OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and its correlation of patient fall with preventing or precipitating factors among inpatients. METHODS: The observational study was conducted in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia from October 15 2012 to November 4, 2013. Data was collected using a questionnaire from 16 hospitals in four districts of Makkah province. The material was sampled through systematic randomisation from inpatient files and data was collected for those who had fallen inside the hospital. The questionnaire, validated through a pilot study run under the Directorate of Quality and Patient Safety in Makkah, was used to see whether the hospitals had adopted and applied international standards for assessment of adult and paediatric patients for falls as well as effectiveness of these applications. RESULTS: Of 4,799 beds, occupancy rates ranged from 1680(35%) to 4,799(100%). Out of 291 falls in all, 144(49.48%) were in Jeddah. Besides, 116(40%) of the falls occurred in the last quarter of the Islamic calendar. Statistically significant difference was found in fall episodes in different months (p=0.007). Statistical analysis indicated that the factors that significantly raised the number of patient falls were increase in hospital beds and their occupancy rate (Spearman's correlation: 0.621 and 0.579 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of falls varied from hospital to hospital and factors like higher number of bed capacity and occupancy rate increased the falls.

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BACKGROUND: Combining cognitive skills teaching related to the techniques leads to better understanding in a skill training course; but still there a substantial disagreement in curriculum on such combinations. This study aims to help guide the designers in making the outline of instructional plan for a Clinical Skills Module (CSM) for the undergraduates. Objectives were to assess performance of students on a clinical skill after training by two different models of (hands-on only or with cognitive skills) instructions and explore their perception on the employment of educational strategies through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) through a Sequential mixed method study design: (1) Quantitative (Pre- and post-assessments and comparing their results (2) Qualitative (Exploration of perspectives through constructivist approach using qualitative phenomenological design) The study was conducted during the month of September, 2015 at Rabigh Medical College, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah. METHODS: Students entering fourth year were randomized to two groups to participate in pre-post OSCE using global rating scale and their scores were compared. The examiners were kept blinded to the randomization of students undergoing two separate training methods. The test group (group A) was trained for both procedural as well as cognitive skills whereas the control group (Group-B) was trained only with hands-on practice. Later their perception about the addition of cognitive skills to improve of procedural skills was explored through focus group discussions. The recorded audio tapes of FGDs were transcribed and analysed thematically. Triangulation of themes and trends was achieved by relating the content analysis to the relevant frequency of quotes. Auditing of the data verification was done by all the authors separately.. RESULTS: A total of 42 students completed both pre- and post-tests. As a result, student performance in OSCE significantly increased from pre- to post-test (p<0.001) in both the groups; on the other hand no statistically significant difference was found in the pre- and posttest scores between groups A and B (p=0.108). Five themes (1) advantages, (2) disadvantages of combining theory with practice, (3) time balance in teaching a skill, (4) training on skills, (5) skillsassessment, were found prevalent on thematic analysis of the FGDs. CONCLUSIONS: Students' ability to grasp the procedural skills was not significantly different when they acquire the cognitive skills in addition to the practical sessions. Students were more convinced to adopt combination of the two in the learning of procedural skills.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of recombinant human (rh) IL-11 to increase platelets count in patients suffering from Dengue fever (DF). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized double blind placebo control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Farooq Hospital, Lahore, from July to October 2011. METHODOLOGY: Forty hospitalized patients suffering from Dengue fever having platelets count ² 30000 per micro liter were randomly categorized into two groups, rhIL-11 (test) and distilled water (placebo) groups. The efficacy outcomes (as indicated by step up in platelets count at 48 hours) for the treatment group were compared with the outcomes for the placebo group. RESULTS: The data revealed that the increase in platelet response with recombinant human interleukin 11, 1.5 mg subcutaneously is significantly more brisk than the placebo group. The platelets response in patients with severe thrombocytopenia was greater in the treatment group (50%) at 48 hours as compared to the placebo group (20%) (p=0.047). Response rate was slightly greater among males (6/10, 60%) than females (8/16, 50%); moreover, three-fourth (75%) female responders were in the placebo group, compared to half (50%) male responders in the treatment group. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that treatment of severe thrombocytopenia accompanying DF with recombinant human interleukin11 may be a useful therapeutic option.

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BACKGROUND: Since the Government of Pakistan abolished the gender based system of admission to medical colleges, all colleges have seen a huge influx of female medical students, reaching up to 70-80% of all students in some colleges. This trend is still persisting about 15 years after the decision. The objectives of the current study were to assess if there is any significant difference between male and female medical students in scores on a structured, standard, robust test of intellectual ability. Exact venue of the research is withheld for confidentiality. The study was carried out in 2003-2005. METHODS: A cross-sectional, comparative study with sample size of 150 students, 75 male and 75 female students. Participants signed a consent form, were assessed on Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), and data was analysed using SPSS-12. RESULTS: On the SPM test, the male students as a group, scored higher than the female students as a group, the difference was small but statistically significant (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Performance on the SPM inclines in favour of the male gender group. More research needs to be carried out into the other possible factors that could explain the gender disparity in medical colleges in Pakistan.

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A remarkable spectrum of clinical expressions of cutaneous leishmaniases is observed in humans ranging from nodular, hyperkeratotic, sporotrichoid, erysipeloid, zosteriform, eczematoid, warty, impetiginized and lupoid forms. Uncommon forms may also be observed. This case describes a 55-year-old lady who apparently looked liked offering from systemic lupus erythematosis due to butterfly distribution of a rash on face. She was misdiagnosed till laboratory tests including histopathology revealed that her lesion was due to cutaneous leishmaniases. Due to cosmetically sensitive site, treatment was started with antimonials and she improved considerably in 3 weeks with diminution in swelling and rubescence.