AIDS-MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS

AIDS/HIV Positivity has been the most widely debated disease of this century. Reasons for this are manifold, viz-the non-availability of cure and consequent 100% mortality of a full blown case; its mode of transmission-homosexual and heterosexual activities; widespread occurrence amongst ‘main liners’; and patients receiving blood and blood products etc. These aspects have created a dreaded halo around AIDS as well as social stigma. Even the medical community is not exempt from these problems. Unfortunately, legislatures around the world, more so in India, have lagged behind in clarifying many legal issues involved by not enacting specific laws pertaining to AIDS. Consequently many legal & ethical doubts arise in the minds of doctors when confronted with a case of AIDS either in a live patient or in a dead body. In addition, the disease being incurable & 100% fatal, makes it essential to adopt effective preventive measures which in turn need thorough knowledge of social aspects of the epidemic. Certain medicolegal, and ethical aspects of the problem of AIDS are recapitulated in this article for the benefit of the medical community.KEY WORDS: Access, AIDS, Confidentiality     

ARE DOCTORS EFFECTIVE MEDICAL TEACHERS? RESULTS OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT ARMED FORCES MEDICAL COLLEGE,PUNE

Medical education remains the onerous responsibility of the senior medical fraternity. Not being formally trained calls for periodic introspection to be more effective teachers. This study, involving the fourth year medical students revealed a great need for self-reflection to improve the Style of teaching, ensuring greater involvement of the students and teaching what is appropriate to the stage of study. Aggressive behaviour was inimical to good learning. A better student teacher communication and the ability to run the session'' are important indicators of good teaching. A continued self-evaluation by teachers will improve student learning and medical education.KEY WORDS: Medical education, Medical teaching, Medical teaching methods, Medical students     

Amiodarone in treatment of fetal supraventricular tachycardia. A case report and review of literature

We report a case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis detected at 32 weeks of gestation. Fetal heart rate was 300 beats per minute. Ultrasound and fetal Doppler echocardiography showed it to be due to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Following failed maternal therapy with digoxin alone, amiodarone with digoxin was used. Conversion to sinus rhythm and resolution of hydrops followed this treatment. Since there is no ideal treatment protocol for these cases at present, we reviewed reports of transplacental treatment of SVT.     

The relationship of achievement of psychiatrists to their personal adjustment as residents

Two hundred one residents in psychiatric training were categorized as to good personal adjustment during residency, poor personal adjustment during residency, being dropped from training, high professional achievement after residency, and low professional achievement after residency.The preadmission MMPI was a weak predictor of personal adjustment during residency when applied across all age groups, but the K scale, H _y scale, P _t scale and E _s scale were able to discriminate between adjustment groups in applicants over age 30. Older age at the beginning of psychiatric training consistently and significantly was found more often among poor adjustment residents, dropped residents, and low-achieving residents.Women showed a higher incidence of poor adjustment during residency than did men. Being a foreign resident did not influence personal adjustment during residency. Further, there is a clear positive correlation between good personal adjustment in residency and post-residency professional achievement. Finally, risk candidates and residents dropped from the program do show greater morbidity and failure to complete training than do residents in general; nonetheless, sufficient numbers become productive psychiatrists to warrant their consideration for training.     

Maximal Genetic Potential for Adult Stature: Is This Aim Desirable?

Current nutrition theory holds that maximization of human growth and stature is a desired anthropometric outcome. However, some evidence demonstrates that lower energy intakes may actually confer a degree of future protection against degenerative processes, particularly atherosclerosis and cancer.