We evaluated the use of a 4G smart phone for mobile teledermatology. A dermatologist took pictures of skin images with a mobile phone (8 Mpixel camera resolution) and made a face-to-face diagnosis. The images were transmitted to a second dermatologist who viewed them on a similar mobile phone and made an independent diagnosis for comparison. Images were taken and transmitted only after receiving informed consent from the patients. A total of 166 consecutive patients were included in the study (97 male and 69 female). A questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction was administered to each patient. Most of the responders were highly satisfied with teledermatology. However, 23 patients (14%) refused photography of the skin lesions (21 female and 2 males). The main reasons for refusal to be photographed were stated as social or religious. The broad categorical diagnostic and management concordance (i.e. when considering at least one of the diagnoses to be similar) was 95%. Specific diagnostic concordance varied according to the disease. The average kappa coefficient was 0.66 for diagnostic concordance and 0.82 for management concordance. Refusal to be photographed--a problem not limited to teledermatology--needs to be considered when designing teledermatology protocols for larger scale implementation in areas like the Middle East.
Introduction:All medical schools in Saudi Arabia have English as the primary official medium of instruction. Most of the high school education, however, is delivered in Arabic and hence the transition to an English based learning environment tends to be difficult for some students. Our study aims to correlate English language proficiency with academic performance among medical students in their preparatory year.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used. Test scores of 103 preparatory year students (54 female and 49 male) were analyzed after the students completed an English language course and medical introductory course in their preparatory year. The total score obtained in the English course assessment was compared to each component of the medical content assessment.Results:A significantly positive correlation (Spearman's Rho, at 0.01 levels) was seen between the scores of the English exam and the written exam (P <0.001) and the oral exam (P = −0.003) parts respectively of the medical examination. Significant correlation with the English exam score was not obtained for the other components of the medical assessment, namely; student assignments, presentations and portfolios.Conclusion:English language proficiency is an important factor in determining academic proficiency of medical students in our college at the preparatory year level.
BackgroundBirth defects and inborn errors of metabolism are related to variable poor perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Our aim was to explore the pattern and prevalence of birth defects and metabolic birth errors in Al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis retrospective case control study was done from April 2006 to 2009. Children with any birth defect or metabolic errors of metabolism at birth or in the neonatology section were our sample for study. Control group was randomly selected from the cases with normal live births. Blood tests were performed for children suspected to suffer from genetic blood disorders. The principal BD as per the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) code was also noted.ResultsOut of 38001 live births, birth defects were found in 1.14% and errors of metabolism were detected in 0.17%. The most common birth defects were craniofacial malformations. The 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency was the most common inborn errors of metabolism. Consanguinity, rural residence and prematurity were associated with significant rise in birth defects. On the other hand, consanguinity and low birth weight were associated with significant rise in metabolic errors.ConclusionFirst cousins consanguinity represented the most significant risk factor for birth defects and inborn errors of metabolism. High degree of inbreeding, consanguinity may exacerbate underlying recessive genetic risk factors.
Maternal obesity represented the most common predictor for certain categories of isolated structural birth defects including nervous system, facial, genitourinary and cardiac.
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