Objectives: To investigate the level of awareness, sources of knowledge, and beliefs about the influenza vaccine in people ≥65 years in central Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used self-administered questionnaires conducted in 3 primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May 2018 and August 2018. Results: There were 496 Saudis participants (70.2% male) were included, of whom, 47.8% had been vaccinated against influenza at least once. Of unvaccinated individuals, 46% believed that the vaccine was unnecessary. The majority of participants (70.2%) preferred to receive medical information on vaccination from doctors and health workers. Participants with higher levels of education were significantly more likely to have been vaccinated (p<0.05). Compared to the vaccinated participants, unvaccinated individuals were significantly less likely to be aware of the Ministry of Health campaign against influenza, believe that influenza vaccine does not weaken the immune system, know that elderly people and people with long-standing health problems should be regularly vaccinated against influenza, and believe that the influenza vaccine was the best way of prevention. Approximately 40% of the participants considered the influenza vaccine to be very effective and safe. Conclusions: There is a need for further programs in order to increase the awareness level of influenza vaccination. Also, health workers need to make more effort to educate patients because they are the preferred source of information.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the awareness of Saudi population in Riyadh regarding cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and their risk factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used self-administered questionnaires conducted in universities, primary care centers, and electronic copies distributed in social media websites. Results: Overall, 47.1% of the respondents had a good awareness of CVD and associated risk factors. However, awareness of the symptoms of stroke and heart attack was low. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis were the most commonly identified types of CVD, with 39.2% aware of these conditions. The most well-known symptom of heart attack was shortness of breath (known by 54.4% of the respondents). In relation to stroke, the most commonly recognized symptom was “sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance” (45.4%). Respondents’ awareness of CVD risk factors was moderate. The most common factors—identified by over two-thirds of participants—were unhealthy diet, smoking, dyslipidemia, and physical inactivity. Independent predictors of good CVD awareness were age 35–44 years, living in the north of Riyadh and following a healthy diet. Conclusions: The awareness of CVD and associated risk factors is insufficient among Saudis in Riyadh City. This study emphasizes the necessity for effective education to increase the awareness about CVD in Saudi Arabia. High awareness may lead to early recognition of the risk factors and lead to early implementation of primary prevention which the cornerstone of family medicine practice.

Objective: To assess awareness of diabetic retinopathy (DR) for Saudis with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 in Riyadh City. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used self-administered questionnaires conducted in primary healthcare centers in Riyadh City between October and December 2019. Results: There were 267 Saudi participants with diabetes mellitus type 2 visiting primary healthcare clinics. (52.4%) were aged 40 years or above at time of diagnosis with diabetes. (73%) had diabetes for at least 5 years. Most of the participants have a good blood glucose control and they do home measurements. In regard to DR, (64.4%) of participants had no subjective or objective indicators of retinopathy, and (70%) had visited ophthalmology clinics. Majority of the participants were advised about DR or referred to an ophthalmologist by their primary physician, with the percentages being (64.8%) and (59.6%), respectively. Regarding other risk factors of DR, (19.5%) had a family history of DR, (23.2%) of participant are smokers and (41.6%) were hypertensives. Majority of the participants were aware about all the aspects of DR, its consequences, and appropriate management except the laser therapy. In terms of area of living and education respondents, who lived in the center of Riyadh City and the secondary level or less educated participants had the lowest level of education. Conclusions: Awareness of DR is acceptable but should not lead this information to reduced awareness and educational programs. Outreach researchers' efforts should cover other directions instead awareness of DR.

BackgroundMedical educators in academia have faced challenges incorporating leadership training into curricula while minimizing redundancy and assuring value and relevance for all learners. This study aims to assess the status of leadership training as perceived by family medicine residents in Riyadh to advise the development of a formal leadership training curriculum.MethodThe research is cross-sectional and quantitative. Participants were asked via an electronic questionnaire about their leadership attitudes, perceived degree of training in various leadership domains, and where they could find additional training.ResultsThe survey was completed by 270 family medicine residents in Riyadh. Residents rated the importance of physician leadership in their communities as high (6 out of 7 on a Likert scale). In contrast, agreement with the statement 'I am a leader' obtained the lowest grade (4.4 of 7 on a Likert scale). Overall, most of the residents participating in the study (50% or more) voiced a desire for more training in all leadership domains. Over 50% of residents indicated that leadership electives or selective lectures, workshops, or seminars as well as WADAs (Weekly Academic Day Activities), leadership mentors or coaches teaching junior learners (with training), and leadership courses could be incorporated into the curriculum to foster leadership skills.ConclusionResidents were enthusiastic about family physicians being leaders, aligning with the current educational philosophy but requiring formal training. They also indicated areas where leadership training might be improved and developed in the current curriculum. This poll's results could be used to help residents build leadership skills by incorporating them into a formal leadership curriculum.

Background Medical educators in academia have faced challenges incorporating leadership training into curricula while minimizing redundancy and assuring value and relevance for all learners. This study aims to assess the status of leadership training as perceived by family medicine residents in Riyadh to advise the development of a formal leadership training curriculum. Method The research is cross-sectional and quantitative. Participants were asked via an electronic questionnaire about their leadership attitudes, perceived degree of training in various leadership domains, and where they could find additional training. Results The survey was completed by 270 family medicine residents in Riyadh. Residents rated the importance of physician leadership in their communities as high (6 out of 7 on a Likert scale). In contrast, agreement with the statement 'I am a leader' obtained the lowest grade (4.4 of 7 on a Likert scale). Overall, most of the residents participating in the study (50% or more) voiced a desire for more training in all leadership domains. Over 50% of residents indicated that leadership electives or selective lectures, workshops, or seminars as well as WADAs (Weekly Academic Day Activities), leadership mentors or coaches teaching junior learners (with training), and leadership courses could be incorporated into the curriculum to foster leadership skills. Conclusion Residents were enthusiastic about family physicians being leaders, aligning with the current educational philosophy but requiring formal training. They also indicated areas where leadership training might be improved and developed in the current curriculum. This poll's results could be used to help residents build leadership skills by incorporating them into a formal leadership curriculum.

Objective: Our aim was to estimate prevalence rates of different headache forms among tinnitus patients in Arabia, to investigate whether there is a relationship between tinnitus laterality and headache laterality in patients with unilateral tinnitus and unilateral headache, to explore the relationship between tinnitus and headache over time, and to know the effect of headache pain medications in tinnitus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: The study is a quantitative observational cross-sectional study with a convenient sample by data from patients with tinnitus. The participants received a self-administrated electronic questionnaire measuring demographics, prevalence of an associated headache, and the relationship between tinnitus and headache. Results: A total of 226 patients enrolled themselves into the study, and all of them came from the capital city Riyadh of Saudi Arabia. 58% were females, and the remainder of them were males. Females reported significantly more ear tinnitus than males, and patients aged 51 years or older were significantly less inclined to report ear tinnitus compared to those younger; however, those aged 20–31 years were found to be significantly more inclined to report ear tinnitus. There was a statistically significant association between patients experiencing headaches and those experiencing ear tinnitus. Surprisingly, patients who take medications of any type to alleviate their headaches were significantly less inclined to report ear tinnitus than those who do not take medications. However, patients with ear tinnitus experienced longer headache duration in years than those who had no history of tinnitus. Moreover, those people who experienced right-sided tinnitus tended to report significantly more right-sided headaches, and the same goes for left-sided headaches. Conclusion: Our results showed that there is a relationship between headaches and tinnitus. Painkillers also showed a protective effect against tinnitus. High awareness about the relationship between headaches and tinnitus among physicians and patients may lead to early recognition and lead to early implementation of primary prevention, which is the cornerstone of family medicine practice, and treatment without referring to other specialties. However, the pathophysiology is still not clear. Further studies should be performed to know the pathophysiology.