Choice of general practice for postgraduate training among medical graduates and undergraduates in Nigeria

A questionnaire survey of career choices was carried out among 112 medical graduates, after one year's internship (group I), during their National Youth Corps programme in Kaduna, Lagos, Cross River and Oyo states of Nigeria, and 365 final-year medical undergraduates (group 2) in the colleges of medicine in the corresponding states. A total of 13% in group I and 40% in group 2 were undecided as regards their first choice. Obstetrics and gynaecology was the most popular first choice in both groups. General practice ranked fifth among group I, but displaced surgery to rank second among group 2. The differences were statistically significant. A total of 41% of group I and 46% of group 2 preferred to work in a teaching hospital, reflecting the high preference for surgical specialties. Twenty-six per cent and 33.7% of respondents in groups 1 and 2 respectively wished to own their own practice or work in the private sector. General practice is a new specialty and its growth is supported by a national postgraduate training programme. A shift towards general practice is seen compared with previous studies of career preference among Nigerian medical graduates and students. This may be due to a changing balance of supply and demand in the medical work-force, or a better assessment of the nation's health problems and manpower needs.     

Attitudes of the 1984 medical graduates of Sri Lanka to anaesthesia

A total of 196 intern medical officers who had graduated from the four medical schools in Sri Lanka in 1984 indicated their attitudes towards anaesthesia as a medical specialty in response to a postal questionnaire. Eighty per cent of the graduates considered anaesthesia to be an established specialty in Sri Lanka, while 17% felt that the specialty had limited clinical application. A total of 62% of the graduates were not aware, prior to their entry to medical school, that anaesthesia was related to medical practice. All the graduates indicated that the intra-operative role of the anaesthetist was on a par with that of the surgeon, but 40% felt that the pre- and post-operative roles were of a secondary nature. Overall, 42% considered that an anaesthetist acts as an assistant to the surgeon. The graduates were of the opinion that only 35% of the patients undergoing surgery were appreciative of the services rendered by an anaesthetist. Fifty per cent of the graduates considered exposure to the specialty in the undergraduate curriculum as inadequate. Anaesthesia was chosen as the first career preference by 1.5%. The dominant reasons for not selecting anaesthesia as a career specialty were: minimal patient contact and patient recognition (62%), and lack of recognition of the specialty by society (54%). Anaesthetists in Sri Lanka are challenged to alter the perceptions associated with the specialty, which are probably a result of chronic staff shortages restricting practice to the confines of operating theatres.     

新型农村合作医疗基金分配与使用模式选择

各地新型农村合作医疗基金的分配与使用方案是筹资与补偿的中间环节,它关系到资金的安全管理,制约着对需方的补偿,是对新型农村合作医疗制度的运行进展、存在问题和对策进行研究必须要掌握的问题。将当前我国新型农村合作医疗制度各试点地区的基金分配与使用情况大致划分为5种模式:(1)大病统筹基金;(2)大病统筹基金 家庭账户(门诊)基金;(3)大病统筹基金 家庭(门诊)账户基金 大病基金;(4)大病统筹基金 家庭账户(门诊)基金 防保基金;(5)大病统筹基金 家庭账户(门诊)基金 防保基金 大病基金。最后,结合新型农村合作医疗制度本身运行特点、试点地区的经济发展状况和农民的经济收入能力等现实状况讨论了各种模式的使用和选择空间,以期为新型农村合作医疗制度试点及今后的推广工作有所裨益。     

Examining changes in students' perception of science relevancy and their career aspirations: Integrating sustainability-oriented socio-scientific issues into general chemistry curriculum

Making science relevant to students' lives, future careers, or societies by introducing controversial socio-scientific issues in classrooms motivates students to take more active roles in learning science. This study explored the influence of integrating two sustainability-oriented socio-scientific issues (SOS₂Is) - alternative energies and nanotechnology-into the General Chemistry curriculum on 743 students' career aspirations and perceptions of science relevancy. For the presentation of topics, two learning environments on Prezi were prepared. The participants were guided to explore these learning environments that focused on pros and cons of each topic, including environmental and health hazards of technological developments. In addition, students were encouraged to link these discussions to sustainability issues in the context of the UN SDGs. The analysis of Changes in Attitude Towards the Relevancy of Science and Career Aspirations surveys indicated that the interventions improved students' perception of science relevancy and altered their career aspirations in many areas, regardless of their socioeconomic status and ethnic background. This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of discussions around socio-scientific issues in changing students’ perceptions of science and career aspirations and recommends practical methods to encourage students to become global and scientifically literate citizens.     

Molecularly targeted therapy: toxicity and quality of life considerations in advanced colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and cause of death from cancer among adults worldwide. In recent years, the use of 5-fluorouracil-based regimens in combination with molecularly targeted agents has greatly expanded treatment options for patients with metastatic disease. With a more capillary use of this new class of agents comes the recognition of diverse adverse events related to disturbance of critical biological pathways involved in physiological functions. Proactive management and prevention of adverse events, with a focus on the necessary compromise between adverse events and tumor control, are often effective and allows for uninterrupted, full-dose therapy with targeted agents. Quality of life does not appear deteriorated, rather improved due to efficacy in prolonging wellness.     

济南某医院护士职业生涯管理现状调查及相应措施

目的调查护士的职业生涯管理现状并探讨其相应对策。方法选取200名护士(20～40岁),使用情况问卷和自编职业生涯管理现状问卷进行调查并分析结论。结果 40岁以下者职业生涯管理水平处中度偏下;已婚者高于未婚者(P<0.05);高与中、中与初级职称者比较其水平有显著性差异(P<0.05);是否进修及编内护士与聘用护士之间有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论护士的职业生涯管理现状不容乐观,需要引起有关部门的重视,做好职业生涯的教育、管理和干预十分必要。