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In this paper, we have described the health care problem (maldistribution of doctors) in India. Later, we have introduced the concept of artificial intelligence and we have described this technology with various examples, how it is rapidly changing the health care scenario across the world. We have also described the various advantages of artificial intelligence technology. At the end of the paper, we have raised some serious concerns regarding complete replacement of human based health care technology with artificial intelligence technology. Lastly, we concluded that we have to use artificial intelligent technology to prevent human sufferings/health care problems with proper caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discrepancy in the demand for palliative care and distribution of specialist palliative care services will force patients to be eventually cared for by primary care/family physicians in the community. This will necessitate primary care/family physicians to equip themselves with knowledge and skills of primary palliative care. Indian National Health Policy (2017) recommended the creation of continuing education programs as a method to empower primary care/family physicians. With this intention, a taskforce was convened for incorporating primary palliative care into family/primary care practice. The taskforce comprising of National and International faculties from Palliative Care and Family Medicine published a position paper in 2018 and subsequently brainstormed on the competency framework required for empowering primary care/family physicians. The competencies were covered under the following domains: knowledge, skills and attitude, ethical and legal aspects, communication and team work. The competency framework will be presented to the National Board of Examinations recommending to be incorporated in the DNB curriculum for Family Medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research being an investigative process is employed to increase or revise the current knowledge. Scientific research involves the conduct of a methodical study to prove a hypothesis or give an answer to a specific question with the main aim of finding definitive answer. This paper aims to advance knowledge of research and develop interest in the postgraduate students. It also throws light on the existing and emerging research strengths within a "high-performance culture." The trends in dental research worldwide are looked at, in particular, a comparison between the publication status in two countries, namely India and Australia. The current themes in dental research are also discussed to facilitate future projects for the aspiring pediatric dentists. Stress is given to the importance of evidence-based dentistry as the current times call for high-quality and ethical papers which are devoid of plagiarism. The common reasons for failure of a research are explored and the strengthening factors are highlighted. Proper planning of a pertinent research project is beneficial to the researcher as well as the dental community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric practice in India is marked by an increasing gulf between largely urban-based mental health professionals and a majority rural population. Based on the premise that any engagement is a mutually constructed humane process, an understanding of the culture of psychiatry including social process of local knowledge acquisition by trainee psychiatrists is critical. This paper reviews existing literature on training of psychiatrists in India, the cultural construction of their professional identities and autobiographical reflections. The results reveal a scarcity of research on how identities, knowledge, and values are constructed, contested, resisted, sustained, and operationalized through practice. This paper hypothesizes that psychiatric training and practice in India continues to operate chiefly in an instrumental fashion and bears a circular relationship between cultural, hierarchical training structures and patient--carer concerns. The absence of interpretative social science training generates a professional identity that predominantly focuses on the patient and his/her social world as the site of pathology. Infrequent and often superfluous critical cultural reflexivity gained through routine clinical practice further alienates professionals from patients, caregivers, and their own social landscapes. This results in a peculiar brand of theory and practice that is skewed toward a narrow understanding of what constitutes suffering. The authors argue that such omissions could be addressed through nuanced ethnographies on the professional development of psychiatrists during postgraduate training, including the political economies of their social institutions and local cultural landscapes. Further research will also help enhance culturally sensitive epistemology and shape locally responsive mental health training programs. This is critical for majority rural Indians who place their trust in State biomedical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, a country with manifold multicultural bonds and relationships often witnesses a gross number of conflicted marital relationships. The plight in the frequency of marital abuse reporting in India has called gross public health attention globally. Multiple factors contribute to this arena in which, when we analyse can find out females submissiveness to report and or react to such kind of abusive incidences. The objective of this article is to review recent literature on female submissiveness in marital abuse. This narrative review is carried out to depict various perspectives that initiate abusive relationships and certain factors that prevent women from being subjected to rapid response. Literature relevant to the topic which was published within twenty years in prominent journals, newspapers, and websites has been reviewed thoroughly while writing this paper. Keywords for literature search included terms such as domestic violence, intimate partner violence/abuse, spouse abuse, married woman/female submissiveness, abusive marital relationships, and marital abuse. There is a paucity of studies analysing psychological and socio-demographic determinants of this submissiveness within such relationships in India. Several factors such as cultural, psycho-social, environmental attributes may prompt submissiveness among females in abusive marital relationships, which often leads to psychopathology and physical ailments. It is important to understand the need for a multidisciplinary approach to preventing marital abuse as a public health issue. By preventing and modulating such factors public health and women's well-being can be preserved in various domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infection is the most common cause of hospitalisation and the second most common cause of mortality amongst haemodialysis (HD) patients, after cardiovascular disease. Hand hygiene (HH) reduces infections and enhances patient safety across all settings. However, the lack of compliance with HH amongst health-care providers is problematic worldwide. With the above background, a study was conceptualised to ascertain the current status of the HH practices during a complete HD procedure among nursing staff of an HD unit at a tertiary healthcare teaching institute in India. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 October, 2018, to 10 December, 2018. A structured checklist for HH during a complete HD procedure was developed as per the WHO's five moments of HH. One hundred and fifty HD procedures were observed for compliance appropriate number of HH. Data analysis was done using the SPSS version 22. Results: Despite being a very simple step, the compliance rates of health-care workers (HCWs) in HH were found extremely poor, ranging from 23% to 35% only. Reasons for non-compliance by HCWs told by them were: poor nurse-to-patient ratio, frequent turnover of nursing staff, lack or inadequate training and lower level of competency among HD staff. Conclusion: The high number of times an HD staff is required to perform HH could be a reason for lack of compliance. However, compliance can be improved by continuous education and supervision and by providing, in convenient locations, sufficient number of sink with soap dispensers, paper towels, hand lotions and Anti-Bacterial Hand Rubs (ABHRs) placed at each patient station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Not much is known about impact of 1918 Influenza on patients confined inside mental asylums of that period. Aim and Methods: The study aimed to assess impact of Influenza pandemic on mentally ill patients in asylums, based on data extracted from provincial asylum reports (1915–1923) from British India. Results: The asylum population in most provinces was impacted both in terms of direct mortality (1918) as well as all-cause morbidity and mortality (1918; 1918–1920). Agra and Oudh lost 9.5% of average daily asylum strength directly due to influenza in 1918. All-cause mortality (1918) was highest for mental asylum/s in provinces of Agra and Oudh (16.83%), Punjab (14.83%), and Bombay (14.4%). Isolated outbreaks continued till 1923. Another peculiar finding was markedly reduced sickness and death rates in 1921–1923 compared to 1915–1917, across asylums of all provinces. Conclusion: Findings point to a significant impact of Influenza pandemic in mental asylums across several provinces, and provide historical insights with implications for the current pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Properly constructed single best-answer multiple choice questions (MCQs) or items assess higher-order cognitive processing of Bloom's taxonomy and accurately discriminate between high and low achievers. However, guidelines for writing good test items are rarely followed, leading to generation and application of faulty MCQs. Materials and Methods: During lockdown period in 2020, internal assessment was taken through online mode using Google Forms. There were 60 'single response type' MCQs, each consisting of single stem and four options including one correct answer and three distractors. Each item was analyzed for difficulty index (Dif I), discrimination index (DI), and distractor efficiency (DE). Results: The mean of achieved marks was 42.92± (standard deviation [SD], 5.07). Dif I, DI, and DE were 47.95± (SD 16.39) in percentage, 0.12± (SD 0.10), and 18.42± (SD 15.35), respectively. 46.67% of the items were easy and 21.66% were of acceptable discrimination. Very weak negative correlation was found between Dif I and DI. Out of total 180 distractors, 51.66% were nonfunctional one. Conclusion: Item analysis and storage of MCQs with their indices provides opportunity for an examiner to select MCQs of appropriate difficulty level as per the need of assessment and decide their placement in the question paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatology is the science of the skin. In India, dermatology came into picture in the twentieth century. Today's dermatology practiced in India is the modern approach developed and established in western countries based on western medical theory, knowledge, experience, and results from study. Growth of dermatology field in India has progressed since two to three decades. This paper assesses the contributions made by India in the dermatology field by analyzing the total number of publications in top dermatological journals. Materials and Methods: SCImago Journal Rank indicator (2019) was used to search for top dermatology journals and publication metrics was recorded from respective journal websites. Simple statistics tools were used to determine the number of publications during this 20-year period. Results: From 1999 to 2019, there were 547 publications from India, in the top dermatologic journals. It was noted that, original research article contributes maximum number of documents (136). Journal of Dermatology had a maximum number of publications with 174 when compared to other journals. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh' had a maximum number of publication (150). Conclusion: The last 20 years have seen a massive increase in the field of dermatology. Today, dermatology is a well-developed field in India. From 1999 to 2019, there is an increase in the trend of publications along with the collaborative publications in the top dermatologic journals. This show the encouraging trend in terms of publications from India in past 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, healthcare system in India has been largely centralized, expensive and impersonal. In a country where expenditure on healthcare is low, most healthcare expenditure is out‑of‑pocket and where most of the population continue to live in rural areas or in urban fringes, such a care is inaccessible, unresponsive and unaffordable. COVID pandemic exposed these realities further. Based on experiences of directly managing health services during COVID‑19 pandemic in different settings and across different levels, authors of this paper argue for a decentralized, distributed and responsive health systems for India, that is likely to be more effective and sustainable in normal times, and in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World Health Organization, over 41 million cases of COVID-19 and 1 million deaths have been reported globally. More than 7 million cases of coronavirus have been reported in India alone. The growing number of cases of coronavirus worldwide poses numerous challenges to the country's current healthcare delivery system, especially in developing nations such as India. In such a situation, the task of maintaining continuity in the provision of comprehensive primary healthcare services in the community becomes a big challenge. This article discusses how family physicians can help to augment the healthcare system at the time of pandemic by providing easily accessible, holistic healthcare and by use of telemedicine. It also talks about the need to mainstream family medicine into the undergraduate and postgraduate medical curriculum and establish a robust network of family physicians trained in outbreak response and disease preparedness. For this study we looked for all papers with the terms 'Family physician', 'COVID-19', 'pandemic', and 'Primary health care'. Databases searched include PubMed, Google Scholar and DOAJ, using key words – family physician, family medicine, primary healthcare, COVID-19, and pandemic in different combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient education is an essential component of improving public health as it empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for making informed decisions about their health and well-being. Primary care physicians play a crucial role in patients' education as they are the first contact between the patients and the healthcare system. However, they may not get adequate time to prepare educational material for their patients. An artificial intelligence-based writer like ChatGPT can help write the material for physicians. Aim: This study aimed to ascertain the capability of ChatGPT for generating patients' educational materials for common public health issues in India. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted on the internet using the free research version of ChatGPT, a conversational artificial intelligence that can generate human-like text output. We conversed with the program with the question - "prepare a patients' education material for X in India." In the X, we used the following words or phrases -- "air pollution," "malnutrition," "maternal and child health," "mental health," "noncommunicable diseases," "road traffic accidents," "tuberculosis," and "water-borne diseases." The textual response in the conversation was collected and stored for further analysis. The text was analyzed for readability, grammatical errors, and text similarity. Result: We generated a total of eight educational documents with a median of 26 (Q1-Q3: 21.5-34) sentences with a median of 349 (Q1-Q3: 329-450.5) words. The median Flesch Reading Ease Score was 48.2 (Q1-Q3: 39-50.65). It indicates that the text can be understood by a college student. The text was grammatically correct with very few (seven errors in 3415 words) errors. The text was very clear in the majority (8 out of 9) of documents with a median score of 85 (Q1-Q3: 82.5-85) in 100. The overall text similarity index was 18% (Q1-Q3: 7.5-26). Conclusion: The research version of the ChatGPT (January 30, 2023 version) is capable of generating patients' educational materials for common public health issues in India with a difficulty level ideal for college students with high grammatical accuracy. However, the text similarity should be checked before using it. Primary care physicians can take the help of ChatGPT for generating text for materials used for patients' education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has a potentially vital role to play in emergency medicine (EM), whether it be in high-, medium-, or low-resourced settings. However, numerous barriers are present which impede EM PoCUS implementation nationally and globally: (i) lack of a national practice guideline or scope of practice for EM PoCUS, (ii) resistance from non-PoCUS users of ultrasound imaging (USI) and lack of awareness from those who undertake parallel or post-EM patient care, and (iii) heterogeneous pattern of resources available in different institutes and settings. When combined with the Indian Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, this has led to the majority of India's 1.4 billion citizens being unable to access EM PoCUS. In order to address these barriers (globally as well as with specific application to India), this article outlines the three core principles of EM PoCUS: (i) the remit of the EM PoCUS USI must be well defined a priori, (ii) the standard of EM PoCUS USI must be the same as that of non-PoCUS users of USI, and (iii) the imaging performed should align with subsequent clinical decision-making and resource availability. These principles are contextualized using an integrated PoCUS framework approach which is designed to provide a robust foundation for consolidation and expansion across different PoCUS specialisms and health-care settings. Thus, a range of mechanisms (from optimization of clinical practice through to PoCUS educational reform) are presented to address such barriers. For India, these are combined with specific mechanisms to address the PCPNDT Act, to provide the basis for influencing national legislation and instigating an addendum to the Act. By mapping to the recent Lancet Commission publication on transforming access to diagnostics, this provides a global and cross-discipline perspective for the recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a web-based platform owned and operated by the Government of India for facilitating COVID-19 vaccination of the citizens. This project is considered a tremendous success, apparent from the sheer number of hassle-free and successful COVID-19 vaccinations. We believe that the CoWIN system is an ideal platform for capturing all the vaccine-related data in the Universal Immunization program (UIP) as well as providing an all-inclusive vaccine certificate in digital format. Advantages and challenges of upscaling the CoWIN system to include UIP and a vision statement of how this can be achieved are discussed in this article. We also enlist the state-level solutions currently in use for digital immunization records, which can serve as case studies for upscaling the CoWIN system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) provided legal status to brain death as a form of death in 1994. However, even after three decades, the deceased organ donation rate in India stands at a mere 0.52 per million population, crucially due to a lack of brain death awareness, and an absence of institutionalized protocols for deceased donations. Objectives: By taking the case of the state of Haryana, this article seeks to understand the existing state of brain death awareness among professionals working in the medical community, and identify the implementation challenges that would be involved in instituting a state‑level policy for donations from deceased persons. Materials and Methods: This paper adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with doctors in the districts of Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, and transplant coordinators across the state to gather a nuanced understanding of the issue. Results: The research finds that brain death awareness is lacking among doctors, along with the necessary resources for brain death declarations to become practice. There is also an evident district-wise variation in the responses of doctors when it comes to the potential challenges of instituting a brain death declaration standard operating procedure. It offers recommendations for improved implementation of organ transplant policies and scaling up of deceased donations. Conclusion: To unearth the potential that deceased organ donation holds, some immediate measures that can be taken include mapping all the functional organ retrieval facilities across the state and their closest civil hospitals or postgraduate medical institutions with trauma centres, and focusing on the sensitization of the medical functionaries with respect to brain death and its identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health is an integral component of pre-school health and well-being. Unfortunately, many children are afflicted with dental caries at an early age, even those as young as 12 months of age. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between Early Childhood Caries (ECC), Streptococcus mutans and genetic sensitivity levels to the bitter taste of, PROP among the children below 71 months of age. Materials and Methods: Total of 119 children belonging to the age group of 36 to 71 months of both sexes, were recruited from A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore (Karnataka). PROP sensitivity test was carried out to determine the inherent genetic ability to taste a bitter or sweet substance. One who tasted bitter as taster and one who was not able to differentiate/tasted like paper as non-tasters. Facial expression was observed during the tasting to support the verbal response. Estimation of S. mutans level and caries experience was recorded. The results were statistically analyzed using Mann'Whiteney-U Test and Kruskal value test. Results: In the total of 119 children, the mean DMFS was definitely higher in non.taster children compared to tasters and also had a high S. mutans level. Tasters had low ECC experience, low S. mutans level. The tasters had a mean DMFS value of 9.5120 (S.D. 7.0543) and non-tasters had a value of 7.7250 (S.D. 8.33147), which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Children who had higher level S. mutans had ECC and were non tasters. The PROP sensitivity test (filter paper test) proved to be a useful diagnostic tool in determining the genetic sensitivity levels of bitter taste. Age and low socio-economic status of pre-school children suggest a complex multifactorial relationship between S. mutans colonization, ECC and taste perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining of manganese ore in India started in the year 1899, in Nagpur district of the Central Provinces. Almost six decades later, in 1957, Dr. T. P. Niyogi examined several young men involved in dry drilling of Manganese ore, who had symptoms of muscular pain, weakness, clumsy movements, asthenia, anorexia, insomnia, and gait difficulties. These patients were also emotionally disturbed and prone to falls and accidents. He concluded that these symptoms were due to chronic manganese toxicity with parkinsonian features and psychiatric manifestations which he published in 1958.[1] This lead to the formation of an Enquiry Committee by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India which instituted corrective measures in mining of manganese in India. Very few reports of chronic toxicity due to inhalation of manganese have been reported subsequently. This paper highlights the contributions of Dr. T.P. Niyogi who was the Civil Surgeon in Chhindwara, MP during that period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper highlights the hydrocephalus research efforts undertaken at AIIMS, New Delhi, supporting progress in the field.Material: Over a period of three decades, basic research, clinical investigations, and multicentric studies were undertaken. This report will review the work mainly to emphasize the need for future generations to pursue further research. Studies that impacted hydrocephalus care (mainly in India) are described, and some of these findings may be useful in other resource-challenged situations.Results: Investigative studies on the effect of shunting on brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER), transcranial Doppler (TCD), and CT-SPECT were published offering management options for patients. Participation in the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS) study offered opportunities to compare our approaches and develop modifications in patient care. This effort proved shunting was equal or better for young children with congenital aqueductal stenosis. Shunt infection protocols and changes made in a systematic manner helped develop local protocols to reduce postoperative shunt infections.Conclusions: Hydrocephalus research over three decades at AIIMS, New Delhi was productive and educational, confirming that locally performed investigative work can help in decision making. Further studies and active participation in international efforts are necessary to advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What are the good practice guidelines for Pre implantation genetic testing applicable in INDIA? What is Already Known: Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is not new in India. It is used to identify euploid embryos for transfer, thus enabling couples to achieve a healthy pregnancy. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding PGT in the international forums; most of these debates have failed to reach a consensus on whether PGT should be offered or its concerns be validated more. Study Design, Size, Duration: This is the report of a 2-day consensus meeting where two moderators were assigned to a group of experts to collate information on Pre implantation genetic testing and embryo biopsy practices in INDIA. This meeting utilised surveys, available scientific evidence and personal laboratory experience into various presentations by experts on predecided specific topics. Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods: Expert professionals from ISAR representing clinical, embryological and genetic fields. Main Results and the Role of Chance: The report is divided into various components defining the terminologies, the various requirements, qualifications, recommendations on PGT - A,M,SR, and quality management: the report and recommendations of the expert panel reflect the discussion on each of the topics and try to lay down good practice points for labs to follow. Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The recommendations are solely based on expert opinion. Future availability of data may warrant an update of the same. Wider Implications of the Findings: These guidelines can help labs across the country to standardise their PGT services and improve clinical outcomes. Study Funding/Competing Interest(S): The consensus meeting and writing of the paper was supported by funds from CooperSurgical India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What are the Safe and Ethical practices for ART applicable in INDIA? What is Already Known: The Indian IVF industry is booming; with mushrooming of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics in the country, the need for regulation is immense. The ISAR has taken up this initiative to lead the way forward in establishing practice guidelines for the safe and ethical use of ARTs in our country. These guidelines discuss the points to consider before the starting of an IVF unit, to the designing of the laboratory, the staffing pattern and experience recommendations, laboratory safety guidelines, documentation and patient traceability, gamete traceability, handling biological material, the consumables and media, and different consents and checklists and also propose key performance indicators for the Indian scenario. Study Design, Size, Duration: This is the report of a 2-day consensus meeting where two moderators were assigned to a group of experts to collate information on safe and ethical ivf practices in INDIA. This meeting utilised surveys, available scientific evidence and personal laboratory experience into various presentations by experts on pre-decided specific topics. Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods: Expert professionals from ISAR representing clinical and embryology fields. Main Results and the Role of Chance: The report is divided in various components including the regulations, the various requirements for an ART center, qualifications and trainings, recommendations on good practices and quality management: the report and recommendations of the expert panel reflect the discussion on each of the topics and try to lay down good practice points for labs to follow. Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The recommendations are solely based on expert opinion. Future availability of data may warrant an update of the same. Wider Implications of the Findings: These guidelines can help labs across the country to standardise their ART services and improve clinical outcomes. Study Funding/Competing Interest(S): The consensus meeting and writing of the paper was supported by funds from CooperSurgical India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What are the good practices for the use of ADD-ON Treatments in IVF cycles in INDIA? What is Already Known: Add on treatments in IVF are procedures and technologies which are offered to patients in hope of improving the success rates. A lot of add on treatments exist; most of them have limited evidence and data for the Indian patient population is miniscule. These interventions may have limited effects, so it is imperative that any new technology that is offered is evaluated properly and has enough evidence to suggest that it is safe and effective. Study Design, Size, Duration: This is the report of a 2-day consensus meeting where two moderators were assigned to a group of experts to collate information on Add on treatments in IVF in INDIA. This meeting utilised surveys, available scientific evidence and personal laboratory experience into various presentations by experts on pre-decided specific topics. Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods: Expert professionals from ISAR representing clinical and embryology fields. Main Results and the Role of Chance: The report is divided in various components including the health of the Offspring, the various ADD ons available to an ART center, consensus points for each technology & qualifications and trainings for embryologists, the report and recommendations of the expert panel reflect the discussion on each of the topics and try to lay down good practice points for labs to follow. Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The recommendations are solely based on expert opinion. Future availability of data may warrant an update of the same. Wider Implications of the Findings: These guidelines can help labs across the country to standardise their ART services and improve clinical outcomes, it will also motivate clinics to collect data and report the use of Add ons to the national registry. Study Funding/Competing Interest(S): The consensus meeting and writing of the paper was supported by funds from CooperSurgical India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-quality mental health care is scarce in rural India. The Mental Health Action Trust a Nongovernmental Organization based in Kozhikode, South India, has been providing free mental health services to the economically disadvantaged people in the surrounding districts. Comprehensive multidisciplinary care is provided through existing health-care clinics through training of lay mental health workers (LMHW). The current paper evaluates the classroom training methods employed to educate the LMHW. Materials and Methods: The training module designed after coordination and need assessment was delivered through classroom training sessions by trained trainers over 2 months weekly 6 h and completed by 13 volunteer LMHW (5 males and 8 females and who were in the age range of 22-56 years) could complete all the modules of training. The evaluation of training was done quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: The LMHW's knowledge, attitudes, perceived interpersonal skills, and confidence levels demonstrated a noticeable change following the classroom training program. Conclusion: It is feasible to train LMHWs to deliver psychosocial interventions for people with severe mental disorders and their families in rural India. In addition to classroom training, case-based training and proper ongoing supervision are required to improve their skills, attitudes, and knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The aim was to identify the current training standard of laparoscopy skills among the urology residents. Aims: This paper presents the residents' subjective perception of their laparoscopy skills and evidence of an objective assessment of their actual skills. Settings and Design: An online survey was mailed, and completed by urology residents in training. The residents' perception of laparoscopy training received, exposure to laparoscopy procedures, and training facilities were queried. The assessment was done on the skill levels of the residents presenting at an annual training program. Subjects and Methods: 103 residents responded to the online survey and 115 residents were assessed at the training program. Statistical Analysis Used: Discrete data were compared using the t-test to test for significance of the means; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to obtain the relationship between variables. Results: An overwhelming 91% rated their laparoscopy skill as just "satisfactory" or worse, and 60% did not have any training facilities in their department. 66% continue to be "assistants only" in conventional laparoscopy surgeries. Assessment of basic laparoscopy skills in the dry lab revealed 92% of residents having poor laparoscopy skills; similar to the subjective opinion in the survey. Only 6% (n = 5) of the residents showed a good or better skill score in the dry lab; similar to the survey. Conclusions: Based on the survey, a large number of residents have a poor opinion of their own laparoscopy skills, and the training facilities available to them. The data objectively prove the self-assessment of the residents on their laparoscopy skill level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sudden upsurge in the newly emerging COVID-19 variants acted as a catalyst for India to scale up the viral Genomic surveillance in order to understand the nature and trends of the newer variants of concern and strengthen public health interventions across the country. The Government of India has proposed the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium to expand the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of this virus. However, in a vast country like India introduction and implementation of any new strategies amidst the already existing barriers due to COVID-19 will be a herculean task. This paper talks about how the primary care physicians can play a vital role in successful implementation of the above strategy in addition to the surveillance systems in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Anemia are important public health nutritional problems in India. Objective: To assess nutritional status and prevalence and correlates of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD among children. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out adopting systematic random sampling. Information on socio-demographic particulars was collected and 20 µL blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop on Whatman filter paper for Vitamin A estimation. Hemoglobin was estimated using indirect cyanmethemoglobin and Vitamin A by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standard. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia and VAD was 68% and 59%, respectively, while underweight, stunting, and wasting was 30%, 55%, and 11%, respectively, among under 5 year children. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of anemia and VAD with any sociodemographic variables, while the odd of stunting was four times higher among children of mothers engaged in labor and two times among children from low-income group, while underweight was two times higher among children from households not having sanitary latrine. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be associated with undernutrition among infants. Conclusions: Anemia, VAD, and stunting were high among children. Low intakes of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk product may be the reasons for the higher prevalence of anemia and VAD. There is a need to strengthen supplementation of iron and folic acid tablets and Vitamin A and also public distribution system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There are over 12,000 chemists registered in the capital city, Delhi to support patient health needs. A study was conducted to improve the tuberculosis (TB) notification rates as conceptualized by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP). As part of the end TB mission, the feasibility of capturing data of TB patients coming to buy anti-TB drugs at the licensee level (chemists and drug shop owners) in Central Delhi area was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study was conducted from July 2017 to March 2018. TB notification through a paper-based system and self-notification through online mode were the operational modality used for engagement with chemists. A team of paramedical workers was deployed for data collection from those pharmacists who chose to notify through the paper mode. Self-notification through online mode was through the RNTCP's NIKSHAY web-based reporting platform. RESULTS: From the 330 chemists sensitized, 871 TB notifications were received during the study. Younger age groups comprised a majority of these cases with 198 (37.5%) from 21 to 30 years and 122 (23.1%) from 11 to 20 years. By the end of six visits, 28 (46%) of the 61 pharmacies that were eventually successfully sensitized had started returning the Folio cards with filled patient details. A total of 581 (66.6%) prescriptions received by the pharmacists were from government hospitals. The annual TB case notification in Central Delhi showed a significant increase from 271 TB patients/100,000 population to 871 TB patients/100,000 population during the study period when compared with expected trends in the past year (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Self-notification of TB engenders successful TB notifications from chemists. This progenitor approach to TB notification in the capital emphasizes the need to categorize pharmacists as an independent private care provider for improving TB notification across high-burden settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Till 2016, India was the second largest consumer of tobacco in the world, second only to China. However, in June 2017, the factsheet release of Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2 showed a 6% point decline in the prevalence of tobacco use among adults (>15 years) in the country. Materials and Methods: This is a form of ecological study where trends in aggregate prevalence of tobacco use at country level (using secondary data) were studied in relation to corresponding policy actions over a period of two decades. Results: The results have shown that initial policy actions since the cigarettes act of 1975 till prevention of food adulteration Amendment act of 1995 were largely targeting cigarettes, and so smoking prevalence among men was constantly declining. On the other hand, smokeless tobacco use was increasing among both men and women and reached a peak in 2009--2010. After that, the government took strict policy actions including Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Gutka ban in 2011. There were other persistent efforts, which are discussed in this paper. As a result, a transition has occurred in relation to tobacco epidemic in India. Conclusion: The paper has been concluded with a note that there is no room for complacence and we have a noncommunicable disease action goal to further decline the prevalence of tobacco use in the country to <24.22% by the year 2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prosocial behaviour is one of the key features of the development of school-going adolescents. Therefore, the current paper focuses on the prosocial behaviour of school-going adolescents in Kollam District, Kerala. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study where 600 school-going adolescents, their parents and 60 class teachers were selected through cluster sampling method. English and Malayalam version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered among respondents. Chi-square and multiple linear regression models were used for analysing the data. Results: Self-report of prosocial behaviour predictors were significantly associated with gender (P < 0.01), urban-rural settings (P < 0.001) and government-private schools (P < 0.001). Parents' report shows highly significant relationship with gender (P < 0.001) whereas teachers' report is significantly related to urban-rural settings (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The current study found that one-fifth of school-going adolescents had borderline to abnormal (self – 17.4%; parents' – 16.9%; teachers' report – 20.8%) prosocial behaviour. School-going adolescents should involve in volunteer activities and campaigns for better development in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resilient health system necessitates strong governance, political commitment, effective administrative entities and inter-organisational collaboration. This paper examines India's current health policy landscape and explores the analytical and operational capacities required to establish a robust post-pandemic health system using the policy capacity framework described by Wu et al. (2015). We emphasised the need for a coordinated policy response to strengthen health information systems, health service management, human resource management and healthcare financing. The role that the planned implementation of Indian public health management cadres would play in the coming era, the importance of a comprehensive health information management system and the need for operational coordination between government and non-governmental organisations has also been emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Sexual dysfunction is often associated with substance use disorders. This study aimed to synthesize Indian literature on sexual dysfunction among patients with substance use disorders. Materials and Methods: Electronic search engines were used to identify studies of the last 20 years that reported sexual dysfunction with different substance use disorders. Information was extracted using a predefined template. Quality appraisal of the included studies was carried out using Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: Twenty-seven relevant papers were identified that pertained to 24 distinct studies. Most of them were in patients with alcohol dependence, and fewer were in patients with opioid dependence. The study designs were primarily single-group cross-sectional, though many case--control, cross-sectional studies were also identified. The proportion of participants with sexual dysfunction ranged from 22.2% to 76% for studies related to alcohol dependence and 40% to 90% for studies pertaining to opioid dependence. Varied types of sexual dysfunctions were identified, including poor satisfaction, lack of desire, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction. Efforts to address bias and confounders were not reported in most studies. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction affects a substantial proportion of patients with substance use disorders. Clinicians can make an effort to ascertain and address sexual dysfunction in their routine clinical practice while dealing with patients with substance use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The occurrence of workplace hazards, occupational diseases, and deaths contribute significantly to the increase in the global burden of diseases. The Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) workers experience occupational stressors throughout the process of waste management that affects their well-being and results in high rates of occupational health problems. It is vital to understand the workplace practices and occupational morbidities of the MSW workers to ensure their safety and well-being. In this context, the study aimed to explore the occupational health and safety practices at the place of work among the MSW workers in Karimnagar and Hyderabad in Telangana, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two cities of Telangana. A total of 394 MSW workers were surveyed. The number of MSW workers in Karimnagar and Hyderabad were 152 and 194, respectively. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to the MSW workers to study the occupational morbidities and workplace safety practices. Focused group discussions were conducted among the MSW workers in both cities. In-depth interviews of sanitary supervisors in Karimnagar were conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides were used with questions on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, work environment, protection strategy, and healthcare utilization. MS Excel and NVivo-12 were used for data analysis. Results: Musculoskeletal problem was the major reported morbidity among the MSW workers (76.6%). Injuries were reported more among the MSW workers in Hyderabad (39.7%) along with a fear of being hit by vehicles while working on the main roads. About 88.7% of the MSW workers had less than secondary education. There was a wage difference between the contract and permanent MSW workers. There was a lack of provision of personal protective equipment and poor working conditions, overall. Lack of basic amenities such as the provision of drinking water and toilets apart from inadequate social security and healthcare facilities was reported. Conclusion: This paper highlights the unsatisfactory working environment and high-occupational morbidities among the MSW workers in Telangana. There was a lack of basic amenities at the workplace making it difficult for the MSW workers. A comprehensive approach which focuses on the health and safety with social security for the MSW workers is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of extreme weather conditions at the site of interest is essentially required in the design of engineering structures so that the structures can withstand weather stresses. This paper presents an analysis of extreme values of meteorological elements observed at Narora site for the last three decades (1989–2019). The elements considered are extreme air temperature (°C), minimum relative humidity (%), extreme wind gust (km/h), maximum rainfall (mm) in a day and a month, and annual rainfall. The extreme value analysis reveals that the maximum air temperature, maximum wind gust at 30 m, maximum monthly rainfall, and maximum annual rainfall obey Fisher-Tippett Type-1/Gumbel extreme value distribution, whereas minimum air temperature, minimum relative humidity (%), annual daily maximum rainfall (mm), and annual minimum rainfall (mm) obey Fisher-Tippett Type-2/Frechet extreme value distribution function. Distribution function parameters, i.e., location, scale, and shape parameter for each variable, have been determined. Extreme values corresponding to return periods of 50, 100, and 1000 years are worked out using best fit linear regression curve as a compliance of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Safety Guide Recommendations. The derived extreme values are particularly useful to designer for arriving at suitable design basis values of different elements to ensure the safety of the reactors and other civil structures in Narora region, with respect to stresses due to weather conditions. Extreme values corresponding to return periods of 50 and 100 years at Narora are compared with corresponding values at other three nuclear reactor sites in India, namely, Tarapur, Kalpakkam, and Trombay. In addition, the time series pattern analysis of rainfall for 31 years at the Narora site closely following the 2-year moving average rainfall data pattern. These results can be used for water harvesting, irrigation, and floods management plans in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness is an abstract construct defined in multiple ways. It is a feeling of disconnectedness, emotional isolation, and subjective feeling of lacking social relationships. Research shows loneliness to be common in older people, which, in turn, is a potent risk factor for various physical and psychosocial health conditions. Chronic loneliness is a predisposing factor for suicide, worsens cognitive outcomes, and impairs quality of living. Conventionally, aging is associated with "loss of vitality" and the "desperate need to retain older abilities." In contrast to these concepts, eastern views center around acceptance, "letting go" and aging with a greater sense of purpose. Traversing loneliness with self-esteem is viewed over a consistent resistance against loneliness. Self-acceptance, wisdom, and understanding the processes of emotional aging can foster hope and resilience which help navigate the inevitable loneliness that may arise in old age due to a multitude of factors. Spirituality has various intersections with mental well-being, however, it is often considered to be an esoteric concept. In this paper, we provide an Indian understanding of accepting and dealing with loneliness through the daily implementation of spiritual practices in life as well as mental health interventions. The four ashramas of Hinduism are discussed with special relevance to Vanaprastha Ashrama (forest-dweller), which signifies renunciation and acceptance associated with aging. The actionable areas with respect to spirituality and its philosophical underpinnings in mitigating loneliness in older people are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the consensus statement reached by editors of psychiatry journals published in India. Topics discussed include the expansion of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and the formation of various branches and journals, the need to improve the quality of publications and ethical standards, and issues related to cost, collaboration, and indexing of journals.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic restricted movement, closed businesses, and economic activities which disproportionately affected people globally. This pandemic has resurfaced the existing cracks in the societal set-up and has pushed the vulnerable and marginalized communities like migrant workers, people with disabilities, geriatric population, and commercial sex workers (CSWs) to an edge for their existence. Materials and Methods: Due to the paucity of peer-reviewed research publications on CSWs, formative research was conducted to identify the determinants and attributes of the challenges faced by CSWs during COVID-19 situation in India. Media scanning approach was used to collate literature from newspaper and magazine reporting, and peer-reviewed articles were referred from research-based search engines. Results: In total, 31 articles were included for content analysis and four domains of issues i.e., economic, social, psychological and health related challenged faced by them were identified which are supported with the verbatims of the community members as reported in the data sources considered for this study. It was identified that the CSWs adopted several protective measures and coping strategies to deal with the pandemic situation. Conclusion: This research highlighted that there is a need for further exploration of issues among CSWs by conducting studies among the communities. Furthermore, this paper provides a scope for future implementation research by identifying the key priorities and determinants of the challenges among the personal livelihood of CSWs in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Coronavirus is spreading across the globe since December 2019. As India's first case was reported on January 30, 2020, the spread of this virus is experiencing by our population. As a result, there are extensive emotional distress and anxiety among populations due to this pandemic. Screening mental health is important for psychological well-being of any individual during this pandemic. The objective of this study was to validate the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) in an Indian population. Materials and Methods: The research proposal was laid out before an ethical clearance committee, which approved the conduct of the research and consequent publication of the paper. Data were collected from 246 respondents through online. CAS, developed by Lee (2020), was adopted for the study. Informed consent was given by all the respondents, and their participation was voluntary. AMOS and SPSS were used to calculate confirmatory factor analysis and other statistical analyses. Bartlett's test of sphericity and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test, and Cronbach's alpha, were also calculated. Convergent validity was calculated through average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR) in Microsoft Excel. Results, and Conclusions: Bartlett's test of sphericity was highly significant measuring Chi-square = 494.004, df = 10, and P < 0.001. The KMO was acceptable at 0.805. Fit indices (P < 0.001, Chi-square/df = 3.24, goodness of fit index = 0.976, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.954, and comparative fit index = 0.977) are statistically significant. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.822), AVE (0.526), and CR (0.745) were adequate. The overall findings of the analyses demonstrate that the CAS is a reliable and valid scale that evaluates the severity levels of dysfunctional anxiety linked to COVID-19 in an Indian sample. CAS is applicable to measure the level of dysfunctional coronavirus anxiety in the Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the perceived utility and the impact of web-based teaching programs being conducted following the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online survey was sent to trainee ophthalmologists across India through various social media platforms. The responses were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 768 valid responses were recorded. Majority of respondents (52.2%) felt that the ideal duration for webinars was 1 hour or less. Factors that helped trainees in choosing a webinar were the topic (95.1%), the timing (53.6%), and the speaker list (42.4%). Residents indicated a preference for webinars to attend aimed at postgraduate residency training, more specifically clinical problem-solving. Further questions were answered using a 1-10 Likert scale (1: least useful and 10: extremely useful). The median score when asked for overall usefulness of the webinars in general was 8 (interquartile range/IQR: 2). The median response when asked about utility of webinars in enhancing theoretical knowledge was 8 (IQR: 2) and the median for utility of webinar-based teaching programs in enhancing practical knowledge/surgical learning was also 8 (IQR: 2). The median score when asked about the utility of the webinar programs in acquiring skills for writing research papers/thesis was 7 (IQR: 3). Connectivity issues, audio/voice issues, and the long duration of webinars were some of the problems faced while attending webinars. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmology trainees in India found online teaching programs and webinars to be useful in enhancing their theoretical knowledge and practical skills/surgical learning. Administrators and educational institutes should tailor online teaching programs as per the needs and preferences of the residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-communicable diseases are already acknowledged as a double burden, and now childhood obesity is putting extra strain on our health system. The current paper aimed to analyze the ongoing health and related programmes/policies in India, and we discussed the existing opportunities in the programmes to address the issue of childhood obesity in India. We searched the "MEDLINE," "PsycINFO," "Scopus," "Web of Science," and "Google Scholar" databases using the following keywords: ("overweight") and ("obesity"), ("childhood obesity"), ("nutritional programmes in India"), ("Health policies in India"), ("malnourished children in India") in combination with each other and in truncated form. All the relevant articles and policy documents (MOHFW, INDIA) available in the public domain were included to support the argument for this narrative review. We found that we have programme gaps like guidelines issues by Food Safety Standards Authority of India to tackle childhood obesity and it has not been strictly implemented due to multiple reasons. School health programme has an opportunity to address the issue of childhood obesity, but at the ground level the outcomes are not very promising. The National Nutrition Mission have only focussed on undernutrition and anemia problem, ignoring the overweight/childhood obesity. Primary care physicians are key players in the treatment of childhood obesity, yet rates of obesity management in the primary care setting are low. National Programme for prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & stroke is dealing with health promotion and prevention, early diagnosis, and management of all ages, except children. Diet provided in Integrated Child Development Scheme is calculated based on calories, not by the quality which is a concern to us. The breastfeeding promotion programme named Mothers Absolute Affection programme has not been implemented with letter and spirit. Other than health programmes, we assume that Ministry of Urban Planning, Foreign Direct Investment policy, Advertisement Council of India and many more sector/policy/programme are indirectly responsible for the increasing burden of childhood obesity in India. Lack of awareness and wrong perception also responsible for the development of childhood obesity. We have multiple National Health Programmes and Policies to address the childhood malnutrition, but are focussing the undernutrition component only, ignoring overnutrition problem in the children, which is emerging as quadruple burden to our health system. Appropriate actions and inclusion of suggestions provided in this study for the improvement of the programmes at the practical level needs to be considered by the policy makers to halt the ever-rising trend of childhood obesity and primary care physicians should play a leadership role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclide 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K and the anthropogenic radionuclide, 137Cs in soil samples collected from Ballia and Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The mean activity concentrations of radionuclides in 43 soil samples from the two districts were measured using HPGe gamma spectrometry system. The activity level in soil samples varied from 23 to 50 Bq/kg with a mean of 30 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 30–74 Bq/kg with a mean of 47 Bq/kg for 232Th, 287–728 Bq/kg with a mean of 466 Bq/kg for 40K, and ≤0.1–1.4 Bq/kg with a mean of 0.4 Bq/kg for137Cs. The mean activity of naturally occurring 226Ra and 232Th is comparable with the international values reported by UNSCEAR while concentration of 40K is slightly higher. 137Cs activity is found to be comparable with the activities reported at other parts of India. Correlation of 226Ra and 40K activity with 232Th activity was observed as 0.85 and 0.75, respectively. A positive correlation (0.71) between 40K and 137Cs was found in the present study. The absorbed gamma dose rates in air were in the range of 44.6–98.3 nGy/h with a mean of 63.4 nGy/h, while the annual effective dose rates were observed in the range of 54.7–120.6 μSv/y with a mean of 77.8 μSv/y. The average value of radium equivalent activity in soil was 136.9 Bq/kg. This study provides a baseline data of natural radioactivity and 137Cs activity in soils of these two districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) established at public health facilities provide residential medical nutrition therapy for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) children with complications. A large proportion of their mothers are also malnourished. NRCs do not provide services to such mothers as part of routine practice. However, technical algorithm for delivering Maternal Nutrition (MN) services in facility settings is available. Objectives: To test the practical feasibility of layering the MN services in NRC as a routine service. Methods: The MN services were delivered by a nutrition counselor using a triage approach (assess, classify, supplement/counsel/treat). All mothers received diet, micronutrients, and group counseling, those at nutritional risk received individual counseling and SAM mothers also received catch-up diet during their stay. Program data were collected from mothers during January 1 to August 31, 2019 at the NRC in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital. To gain operational insights, a structured interview with nutrition counselor was conducted. Results: Out of 168 mothers, 8% were found to be pregnant and 89% were at nutrition or medical risk. The prevalence of short stature was 18%, severe/ thin 21%, overweight/obese 34%, and anemic 72%. Feedback from the nutrition counselor indicated no operational challenges, however, further efforts to ensure that mothers keep coming back for follow-up visits is needed. Conclusion: The findings indicated that existing staffs were able to deliver the MN services within the time, cost, and regime of the routine NRC. This paper provides four recommendations for layering the MN services in NRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Mental Health Survey of India reported a higher prevalence and treatment gap of psychiatric disorders among the general population. Task shifting is one of the important solutions to meet this requirement. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among primary care is about 30%--50%. Digitally driven primary care psychiatry program (PCPP) designed to innovate different module to upscale the skills of primary care doctors (PCDs) in live consultation of PCDs in their general patients. To exponential coverage of PCDs, Karnataka Telemedicine Mentoring and Monitoring (KTM) Program is been implemented across all districts of Karnataka. It is the training of trainer version of PCPP where psychiatrists serving in District Mental Health Program of all districts of Karnataka become trainers to implement of two digital modules (Telepsychiatric On-Consultation Training and Collaborative Video Consultations) of PCPP with the target to train all PCDs of Karnataka. This paper aims to provide a glimpse of this innovative KTM program and current progress with a preliminary analysis of translational quotient indicating skill transfer and retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID19 pandemic in India is causing significant morbidity and disruptions of healthcare delivery. The rapidly escalating contagion is straining our public health system, which is already under pressure due to a shortage of infrastructure and inadequate workforce. Neuro rehabilitation services that are still in its infancy in our country have been significantly interrupted in the last six months. An expert group from Indian Federation of Neurorehabilitation (IFNR) have formulated the guidelines and consensus recommendations for Neurologists, Physiatrists, and Therapists managing neurological disabilities during COVID 19. The aim of this consensus paper is to sensitize the clinicians and therapists about maintaining the continuum of care and rehabilitation needs of Covid patients as well as non Covid patients with neurological disorders during the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the International symposium on Research Priorities in Dental Science and Technology in Asia and Africa held in Hyderabad, India on December 1-3, 2007 is presented. Nearly 300 participants from India and abroad attended the symposium, including 27 invited speakers. 66 free paper presentations were presented. The first day was marked by scientific sessions that included six invited papers and 26 free papers presentations.

Objective: The main aim is to analyze the prescription forms to evaluate the completeness of these forms, and we also aim to bring to light the factors which need to be emphasized on while writing a prescription. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Prescriptions of 200 patients visiting the gynecology and antenatal outpatient department (OPD) were evaluated using a specially designed questionnaire containing specific questions pertaining about OPD prescriptions, and a score of 0, 1, or 2 was allotted to each question. Results: In an audit of 200 OPD prescription papers, complete name, age, date of consultation, sex, and OPD registration number of the client were present in 100% prescriptions as it was preprinted. Legible handwriting was seen in 93%. Essential medicines advised were available in the hospital dispensary in 77%. Dosage schedule/doses were clearly written in 85%. Prescription duly signed and the name is written (legibly)/stamped in 87%. The highest score for a prescription was found to be 17/17 and the lowest score for a prescription form was 8/13. Conclusion: Many areas are lagging in prescription writing, especially writing presumptive diagnosis and salient features of clinical examination. Physicians need to improve their prescription writing skills for the benefit of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This joint position statement, by the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) and Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI), proposes to address gaps in palliative care provision in the country by developing a community-based palliative care model that will empower primary care physicians to provide basic palliative care. Evidence: India ranks very poorly, 67th of 80 countries in the quality of death index. Two-thirds of patients who die need palliative care and many such patients spend the last hours of life in the Intensive care unit. The Indian National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 and other international bodies endorse palliative care as an essential health-care service component. NHP 2017 also recommends development of distance and continuing education options for general practitioners to upgrade their skills to provide timely interventions and avoid unnecessary referrals. Methods: A taskforce was formed with Indian and International expertise in palliative care and family medicine to develop this paper including an open conference at the IAPC conference 2017, agreement of a formal liaison between IAPC and AFPI and wide consultation leading to the development of this position paper aimed at supporting integration, networking, and joint working between palliative care specialists and generalists. The WHO model of taking a public health approach to palliative care was used as a framework for potential developments; policy support, education and training, service development, and availability of appropriate medicines. Recommendations: This taskforce recommends the following (1) Palliative care should be integrated into all levels of care including primary care with clear referral pathways, networking between palliative care specialist centers and family medicine physicians and generalists in community settings, to support education and clinical services. (2) Implement the recommendations of NHP 2017 to develop services and training programs for upskilling of primary care doctors in public and private sector. (3) Include palliative care as a mandatory component in the undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate curriculum of family physicians. (4) Improve access to necessary medications in urban and rural areas. (5) Provide relevant in-service training and support for palliative care to all levels of service providers including primary care and community staff. (6) Generate public awareness about palliative care and empower the community to identify those with chronic disease and provide support for those choosing to die at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: General hospital psychiatry units (GHPUs) are the major providers of mental health services in India. Unlike in high-income countries, GHPUs in India are also the main training centers for providing postgraduate training in psychiatry and allied disciplines. Aim: This paper traces the history of the GHPUs in India from beginning to the present. Material and Methods: PubMed, old issues of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry and related sources were searched with key words general hospital and psychiatry both electronically and manually to look for the related literature. Results: The history of the development of GHPUs is discussed under 3 phases: beginning to the preindependence period, independence to the year of the launch of the National Mental Health Programme of India, and afterward. Contributions of the GHPUs towards service development, teaching, research, community awareness and reducing stigma, and their future scope are discussed. Conclusion: GHPUs have been a revolutionary development in India with great contribution in the field of mental heath [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the majority of the neurosurgical burden of diseases but lack the resources to meet these needs.Objective: As we increase access to neurosurgical care in LMICs, we must understand patient attitudes toward neurosurgery.Methods and Material: PubMed, LILACS, and African Journals Online databases were searched systematically from inception to January 4, 2020, for studies on neurosurgical patient perceptions in LMICs. The articles found were blindly reviewed with Rayyan by two authors. The two authors resolved conflicts between themselves, and when this was not possible, a third reviewer was consulted. All the articles included were then appraised, and the results were summarized.Results: Six of the 1,175 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies were set in Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, South Korea, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Four of the studies (50%) were phenomenological studies, and the other two were grounded theory and narrative. The studies identified patient attitudes toward neurosurgical practitioners, diseases, and interventions. Ethiopian and Nigerian patients believed cranial diseases to be otherworldly and resorted to traditional medicine or spiritual healing first, whereas Brazilian patients were more comfortable with cranial diseases and even more so if they had had a previous craniotomy. The Indian paper was a recount of a neurosurgeon's experience as a spine patient.Conclusions: There are few studies on neurosurgery patient perception in LMICs. LMIC neurosurgeons should be encouraged to study their patient beliefs concerning neurosurgical diseases and interventions, as this can explain health-seeking behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]