Journal Issue: Volume: 47, No. 3 (2025)
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
ISSN (Print) : 1993-2979 | ISSN (Online) : 1993-2987
Journal Volume
Articles
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Medicine: A Nepali Medical Institute Perspective
(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Sharma, Mohan Raj
Abstract
The integration of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) has been changing the three facets of medicine namely, medical care, medical education and research especially in the last 10 years. By offering the modeling and rapid diagnostic and evaluating facilities and offering personalized approaches they have been reshaping the medical care. These technologies strengthen biomedical research by providing better predictive modelling and optimizing clinical trials. This, in turn, helps in the evidence-based approach to medicine. Similarly, they have the potential to transform medical education as to how the course is designed, how the contents are delivered, and how we assess the competency of the trainees. However, a major concern is the responsible use of these technologies and data privacy. This article briefly discusses the application of these technologies and guidelines regarding their responsible use.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, big data, medical education, medical research, Nepal
Clinical and Morphological Evaluation of Meibomian Glands in Dry Eye Disease
(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Shrestha, Poonam; Subba, Kishore
Abstract
Introduction
Studies on Meibomian gland morphology and association with dry eyes are not common in our scenario. The objective of this study was to know the clinical pattern and morphology of Meibomian glands and its association with dry eyes.
Methods
This was prospective observational study done in Cornea clinic of Nepal Eye Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal for a period of one year (December 2022 through December 2023). All the patients aged ≥20 years who were diagnosed with Dry eye disease was included in the study. The study variables included age, sex, Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Schirmer test, Tear break up time (TBUT), Lissamine staining, Meibomian gland loss, Meibomian secretion and dry eyes severity. Descriptive analysis of data was done using frequencies and percentage and correlation between parameters were done using Pearson's test.
Results
Out of fifty cases of dry eye diseases, there were 24 (48%) male and 26 (52%) female with mean age 46.47 years (SD ± 11.96). Most of the patients presented with grade 2 severity of dry eyes (44%, n=22) and the Meibomian gland loss was mainly grade 3 type (60%, n=30). There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.621, p < 0.01) between Meibomian gland loss and OSDI Score, also strong positive correlation (r= 0.584, p < .001) Meibomian gland secretion and dry eye severity.
Conclusion
The severity of dry eye is positively correlated with Meibomian gland loss and the meibum quality.
Keywords: Dry eye disease; Meibomian gland dysfunction; Meibography.
Psychological Well Being and Quality of Sleep Among Health Care Professionals at Tertiary Care Hospital
(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Pradhan, Nikita; Ojha, Saroj Prasad; Shakya, Suraj; Pradhan, Pramesh Man
Abstract
Introduction
Psychological well-being is linked to positive life outcomes and quality of sleep. Healthcare professionals often experience inconsistent sleep, affecting their well-being and patient care. This study aims to explore psychological well-being and quality of sleep of healthcare professionals and the association between them.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 305 health care professionals (medical doctors=61, nurses=183, laboratory technicians=61) selected by purposive sampling. A pre-structured questionnaire including socio-demographics, Ryff’s Psychological Well-being (PWB) scale and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. The result has been expressed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson Correlation was used to find relationship between psychological well-being and quality of sleep.
Results
The mean age of participants was 35.01±3.67 years with female preponderance of 248 (81.3%). PWB differed significantly across professions (p=0.01). Low PWB was reported by 23(37.7%) laboratory technicians, followed by 38(20.8%) nurses and 20(32.8%) medical doctors. Overall, 35.10% of participants experienced poor quality of sleep including, 19(31.1%) medical doctors, 72(39.3%) nurses and 16(26.2%) laboratory technicians. Quality of sleep was not significantly associated with gender and type of profession. A weak negative correlation between PWB and PSQI scores (r=−0.32), indicating that higher PWB was associated with lower PSQI scores, and thus good sleep quality.
Conclusion
Psychological well-being and quality of sleep demonstrated considerable variation among healthcare professionals. Improving quality of sleep will be an effective strategy to decrease the risk of developing lover psychological well-being among healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Health care professional, psychological well-being, quality of sleep
Compliance with WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in Otorhinolaryngology in a Tertiary Care Center: A Retrospective Study
(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Dongol, Kripa; Gautam, Shristi
Abstract
Introduction
Surgical safety checklist is crucial for patient safety and enhanced communication between operating team members. It decreases surgical morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization rate of Surgical Safety Checklist introduced by WHO and completion of its 19-items during Otorhinolaryngology surgery.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Otorhinolaryngology Department of tertiary care center, Nepal from 14th April, 2024 to 15th October, 2024. Surgical Safety Checklist attached in 111 charts of patients who had undergone surgeries of ear, nose, neck and throat under General Anesthesia were evaluated. Percentage of utilization and completeness of the checklist were calculated.
Results
The utilization of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in Otorhinolaryngology was found to be 67.56% (75 out of 111 charts). The entirely filled checklist was observed in only 8 out of 75 (10.67%) charts. Seventy-one charts were of elective surgeries while only four charts were of emergency surgeries. Time-out section was completed in nearly hundred percent charts. Sign-in was complete in 64 out of 75 (85.33%) charts. The least completed section was the sign-out section, which was filled in only 8 out of 75 (10.67%) charts.
Conclusion
Utilization of Surgical Safety Checklist in Otorhinolaryngology surgery was observed in two-thirds of the cases. However, its completeness was poor. Time-out was the most fulfilled section while sign-out was the least filled section in the checklist.
Keywords: Checklist, compliance , otorhinolaryngology, surgical, WHO
Self-Medication of Antibiotics among Medical and Nursing Students in a Medical College of Kathmandu
(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Sharma, Manoj; Khadka, Anjan; Kaundinnyayana, Sammodavardhana; Das, Premlata
Abstract
Introduction
The practice of self-medication of antibiotic among future healthcare professionals can lead to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and underlying factors associated with self-medication of antibiotics among medical and nursing students.
Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted at Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences among second year students of MBBS and nursing streams after obtaining approval from Institutional Review Committee and informed consent from participants. The questionnaire comprised statements for knowledge, awareness and perception and practice. Descriptive parameters were used to summarize the data.
Results
The overall percentage of self-medication practice with different antibiotics was 31.41% within the past one year among 156 total participants. The two most common reasons for self-medication were convenience in getting antibiotics (MBBS 62.1%, BScN 25% and BNS 12.5%) and previous experiences of similar illness (MBBS 58.6%, BScN 66.7% and BNS 87.5%). Azithromycin was the most used antibiotic for self-medication by BNS (62.5%) and MBBS (58.6%) students whereas metronidazole was more commonly used by BScN students (41.7%). MBBS and BNS students primarily self medicated antibiotics for common cold and sorethroat, while BScN students commonly used them for fever and diarrhea.
Conclusion
This study revealed the practice of self-medication with antibiotics among medical and nursing students albeit less as compared to the other studies. However, such self-medication practice can adversely affect the future of antibiotic related issues especially emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords: Antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, self-medication