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Aim: To explore the core competencies needed on part of the medical and dental teachers to carry out effective digital teaching for their students. Methods: It was a qualitative study which employed phenomenological approach. The data were collected from 12 teachers who were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. They were all expert digital teachers. The data were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed thematically. Textural and structural description of the themes helped to develop a new competency framework. Results: The data yielded 47 selective codes with 15 sub-themes and five themes. The emergent themes included general digital competencies, specific digital teaching competencies, mastery of the subject matter, mastery of pedagogical strategies and proficiency in using innovative digital technologies for teaching. The themes 1, 2 and 5 relate to digital competencies only whereas the themes 3 and 4 are generic competencies which apply to both digital and non-digital teaching. These generic competencies form the basis of all kinds of teaching, hence equally important for digital teaching. Conclusion: Medical teachers should possess diverse digital competencies. The competency framework that emerged in the current research encompasses the essential attributes that should be included in any future training program aiming at the digital capacity building of the teachers. This will keep them primed for effective digital teaching. Given its crucial importance, the digital teaching competency should be considered as a cross-cutting competency that applies to almost all of the famous eight roles of medical teacher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common amongst skin cancers, following the basal cell carcinoma. SCC of the lip carries relatively better prognosis if detected early and treated adequately. Public awareness about the significance of early presentation would help to improve the outcome of management. Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the clinical presentation of lip SCC and management outcome with surgery as the primary treatment modality. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Islamabad over a period of seven years. All patients who presented with lip SCCs during the study period were prospectively included in the study. Non-consenting patients were excluded. The lesions were excised with 1-2-cm palpable macroscopic safety margins. Results: Out of 37 patients, there were 28 (75.67%) males and 9 (24.32%) females. The ages ranged between 47-79 years with a mean of 59.91±9.17 years. Lower lip was the most commonly affected site (n=30; 81.08%). The duration of the lesions at first presentation varied from 6-13 months with a mean of 7.32±1.79 months. Majority (n=31; 83.78%), of the patients had early stage (stage I and II disease) whereas 6(16.21%) patients had stage III disease. The margin clearance rate after initial excision of the lesions was 91.89%. Karapandzic flap was employed as reconstructive tool among 15(40.54%) patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 62.16%. Conclusion: Lip SCCs were found more frequently among males aged over 50 years. Lower lip was the commonest seat of lip SCCs. Surgical excision with recommended safety margins was associated with tumor free margins in 91.89% cases. Karapandzic flap was the most useful reconstructive tool. The 5-year overall survival rate was 62.16%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]