Purpose: To evaluate the research trends and underlying motivations that shape intentions for the future uptake of an academic career among medical students. Further, to investigate the barriers and sought-after interventions which may optimise research outcomes in a resource-limited setting.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 undergraduate (UG) medical students in Karachi, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess current research practices and future intentions, and to evaluate related motivations, barriers, and sought-after interventions.Results: Almost two-thirds of medical students reported some form of involvement in medical research and expressed positive attitudes towards the same. However, intentions to pursue research at a professional level not only remained low (19.7%) but were found to decrease with each passing year of study (p<0.01). The most commonly expressed motivation for pursuing research was “admission into a residency program” (71.8%), and was associated with a decreased likelihood of pursuing research professionally. The most cited barriers to conducting UG research were a “lack of time” (72.4%), “lack of supervisors” (50.3%) and a “lack of opportunities in the university” (48.3%). A dichotomy in sought-after interventions was observed among research-naïve and research-experienced students.Conclusions: Despite promising trends in UG medical research, the intentions for uptake of an academic career remain low. Research practices driven by career enhancement alone may be detrimental. Interventions to increase research output must promote the capacity building of research-naïve students and facilitate the ongoing practices of research-experienced students.
SARS-CoV-2 has been found to be the leading cause of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally. The disease is triggered by a new form of coronavirus and is characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or some primary chills. It was originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China and has engulfed 6.39 million lives globally uptillseptember-2022. Historically, the world has witnessed many noticeable epidemics in the form of, SARS-CoV (2002 to 2003), H1N1 influenza in 2009, and the most recent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which erupted in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Different people get this disease with different symptoms including mild to severe illness. The molecular and cellular basis of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis gives us in-depth mechanisms involved. Experimental investigations have elaborated bats as the primary host for viral the transmission behind COVID-19. Moreover, the anatomy of the virus revealed its RNA based on the genome, which makes its therapeutic interventions more challenging. By the involvement of pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytical strategies, patients with acute or chronic pneumonia can be distinguished as infected or not. Artificial intelligence has embarked significant importance in the course of viral detection based on computer algorithms. Furthermore, chemical or immune-based therapies were examined for finding a permanent solution to this epidemic issue. This review would cover every emerging aspect of pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and the latest therapeutic interventions in the course of COVID-19 treatment. By giving rapidly evolving knowledge about this virus, readers are urged to update themselves regularly.
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