Subhashish Das

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of female cancer death in India. The Papanicolau (PAP) smear is the most successful screening test for carcinoma, since its introduction the national death from cervical cancer has dropped by 70%. In rural India, pregnancy may be the only reason for women to undergo PAP smear examination to rule out any associated cervical lesions. Hence, our study based on cervical cancer screening will help in achieving the objectives of National Cancer Screening Programme. Materials and Methods: 137 antenatal cases were taken from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of our institute. It was a cross-sectional study with 18 months duration. Results: Among 137patient studies, mean age under the study was 24.17years, most of them were in their third trimester.16.05% cases were younger than 20 years of age and large proportion of 32.11% was between 21-23 years of age. Most of the subjects (75.9%) were married above 18 years and 48.2% were primipara, 56.2% belongs to low socioeconomic status, 45.3% were uneducated and only 32.1% were aware of pap smear. None of the pap smears reported any intraepithelial lesion. Interpretation and Conclusion: Women having cervical lesions during initial screening were asked to revisit for further detailed evaluation. In cases of high grade dysplasia or in the presence of cervical cancer treatment should be initiated at the earliest. Hence, our study based on cervical screening programme using PAP smears will help to sensitize and create awareness among the rural population regarding prevention of carcinoma of cervix and thereby contribute towards the National Cervical Screening Programme. Keywords: Pap, CIN, Carcinoma cervix.

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Abstract

Introduction: Medical schools all over Indian mainly have lectures as the most widely used teaching and learning methods. Current medical education imparts knowledge in a disjointed manner and does not allow students to develop the skills to perceive the patient as a whole. There is need to teach the students by correlating the various subjects to create interest and promote active learning. Aim: This study was conducted to find out the scope of integrated teaching in the undergraduate medical curriculum. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical college in the coastal region of South India. Methodology: Objectives that are to be achieved by the end of the integrated teaching were clearly drafted, a detailed lesson plan was drafted and was circulated among the faculty and students, and it was decided that the integrated teaching would be conducted in coordination between Department of General Medicine, Department of Micro biology, and Department of Community Medicine. Statistical Analysis: Collected data were using Likert scale. Results and Conclusion: The pre- and post test scores showed that there was statistically extremely significant increase in the knowledge. Overall, 67.8% (38) students gave a feedback of very good for the integrated teaching on a whole. This method is an improvisation in the teaching methods to m eet the expectations of the students and to improve the quality of teaching and has the ability to make the teaching-learning process more effective. Keywords: Integrated teaching, Students and faculty feedback form, Traditional teaching, Case based learning.

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