As in the rest of the world, obesity in Oman has increased and according to World Health Organization (WHO) data, prevalence of obesity in 2008 and 2016 were 20.9% and 27% respectively. This study explores primary care physicians’ current strategies and management of obesity, attitude and perceptions towards obesity, educational needs, and their views on long-term follow up. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted where practicing family medicine physicians from different governorates were invited to participate in an online questionnaire-based survey. Participant were invited via email and responses were kept anonymous. Responses were collected over three weeks in April 2019 and only responses that met inclusion criteria were analyzed with SPSS v22. Results: 77 complete responses met inclusion criteria and female were the majority (67.5%). Half of participants had less than 10 years of experience. Weight and BMI were recorded routinely by two-thirds of participants whereas waist- hip ratio was recorded by only 12%. Weight reduction medications were prescribed by 5.2% and 24% would refer an obese patient to Bariatric center. Main barrier to obesity management and referral was inadequate obesity specialist centers followed by short consultation times. The pathophysiology mechanism of obesity and related hormones was only known by 40.8%. Almost all participants agreed that formal obesity management training should be integrated as part of residency training. Conclusion: Despite the significant number of comorbidities related to obesity and its complications, weight, BMI and other anthropometric measures were not routinely performed. Nationally, the rate of referral to bariatric centers for evaluation is low. Boundaries and challenges do exist and need to be addressed. Obesity and weight management need to be integrated as part of Family Physicians Training Program.
Introduction: Higher education is no longer provided solely in the confines of national borders. Now days, the general trend is that students are no more reluctant to cross boundaries and travel to different places for achieving better education. Aim: To explore gulf medical students influencing factors, challenges, and perceptions to study abroad. Methods: Cross sectional prospective study was conducted with self-administered survey which consisted of six sections. The survey was distributed by email to gulf medical students studying in four countries (United Kingdom, Ireland, Kingdom of Bahrain, and Jordan). Data were tubulated on Excel and analysed with SPSS V.22. Results: Total responses received that met inclusion criteria were 94 with mean age of 20.89 (68.08% females). 51% of participants were from Kuwait, and 57% of participants were studying in European universities. Broadening personal experience was the main influencing factor to study abroad, and word of mouth from parents and students studying abroad were the main individual influences. Financial issues were the main challenges for studying abroad. Surgical specialities were the desired specialities for future career accounting for 44.7%. Conclusion: Understanding the underlying reasons behind a student’s decision to study abroad plays an important part on structuring scholarship and allocating resources. The high rate of students regretting studying abroad and at the same time the high rate of recommendation for other to study abroad indicate that personal satisfaction is a key factor, however, studying abroad does not suit everyone.
Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a cluster of acute respiratory illness that was first identified in Wuhan Province in China. The virus causing this syndrome is known as SARS-CoV-2. The COVID 19 pandemic affects every aspect of our life, including education, work, travel, business, and social life. Aim: To evaluate the final year medical students' perceptions of their preparedness for internship and assess their awareness of COVID-19 and patients’ management in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of cohort of final year medical students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and National University of Science and Technology (NU) was distributed to 227 students in both medical schools from 21st to 28th of April 2020. A total of 99 students fully completed the survey with a response rate of 43.6%. The survey had five sections exploring perceptions on preparedness for internship and awareness and knowledge on COVID-19, training, and implications. Results: Majority of participants (82.8%) were 24-26 years old. Omani students accounted for 88.9% of the participants. 81.4 of SQU participants were competent in carrying ward’s practical procedures comparing to 39.3% of NU participants (p<0.05). There was a higher level of awareness of the current ministry of health policies on the management of patients with COVID-19 with NU participants than SQU (p < 0.005). Training on preparedness for COVID-19 was higher in females than males (p= 0.02). Conclusion: COVID-19 has affected the teaching process and limited student- patient interactions. With ongoing rise in confirmed cases every day, the uncertainty of the duration of the suspension of on-campus teaching in higher education institutions in Oman is still ongoing. The overall perceptions of preparedness for internship among medical students in Oman are good. However, further education in emergency management and training on practical procedures are still required.
Background Childhood obesity is a public health concern that in expanding globally. Of those aged between 5-19 years in Oman, 32% were found to be overweight in 2016. Method An electronic survey was distributed to in-training and post residency paediatricians in Oman. Results A total of 69 responses met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. 50% of participants were less than 30 years-old (53.6% female). 70% were in training residency (R1, R2 24.6%, R3, R4 36.2%,) and 30% were post residency. 72% had their training in Oman. About half of participants measure child’s weight and Height, however, only 24.4% document BMI and compare with previous records. 75% regularly obtain family history of obesity and related conditions along with dietary intake. More than half of participants were not confident on discussing weight and related complication with the child, but 62.3 % were confident in discussing it with the parents. 50% were confident in initiating treatment for childhood obesity and providing dietary advice. Attitudes towards exposure to childhood obesity and management varied and overall excellent exposure accounted for less than one third of responses (Medical school 21.7%, Residency 26.1%, 27.5%). In general, only 20.6% believe they are confident in managing childhood obesity and only 29% attended seminar or training on childhood obesity. 93% believe there is a need for a more focused training on childhood obesity prevention and management. Conclusions Great efforts need to be targeted towards strengthening Paediatricians’ confidence in childhood obesity prevention and management via in residency-training and continuous professional development.
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