Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Feb 2006
Relationship between item difficulty and discrimination indices in true/false-type multiple choice questions of a para-clinical multidisciplinary paper.
This paper reports the relationship between the difficulty level and the discrimination power of true/false-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in a multidisciplinary paper for the para-clinical year of an undergraduate medical programme. ⋯ MCQ items that demonstrate good discriminating potential tend to be moderately difficult items, and the moderately-to-very difficult items are more likely to show negative discrimination. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of our MCQ items.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2006
Factors causing delay in discharge of elderly patients in an acute care hospital.
Prolonged hospitalisation not only increases cost, it is also associated with other complications. Length of stay (LOS) is one of the indicators that reflect total cost of care during hospitalisation. So, it is of paramount importance to find out why elderly patients overstay in acute care hospitals and address these issues proactively. Since no local data is available, a study was planned to ascertain reasons why the discharging of elderly patients from hospital is delayed and whether these reasons are avoidable. ⋯ Elderly patients are more prone to hospitalisation-related complications like nosocomial infection and deconditioning leading to prolonged hospital stay. Early interventions can reduce these complications. Early identification of social issues and prompt discharge planning should be done to avoid delay in discharge.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Dec 2005
Historical Article2005 Distinguished Academician Lecture: Evolution of postgraduate medical education in Singapore--role of professional associations.
From 1910 to 1945, doctors in Singapore received postgraduate training through apprenticeship. During the early post-war period, some doctors in the public service were given scholarships to study in Britain and to obtain higher professional qualifications from the British Royal Colleges. ⋯ From 1970 to 1999, there was expansion in several aspects of postgraduate medical education: SPMS awarded more than 2000 M Med degrees; the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) established a Register of Specialists and formed a Specialist Accreditation Board; the Academy formed Chapters in 10 specialties and developed Advanced Specialty Training programmes leading to Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine Singapore (FAMS); the SMA formed Societies in some 20 specialties; and a College of Family Physicians was inaugurated. There have been more developments from 2000 to 2005: the University restructured SPMS as a Division of Graduate Medical Studies within the Faculty of Medicine; the SMC implemented compulsory Continuing Medical Education; and the Academy converted 6 of its 10 Chapters into Colleges.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Dec 2005
Continuing professional development--supporting the delivery of quality healthcare.
Patients and the general public have a right to expect that doctors remain up to date and are professionally competent. The ultimate aim of continuing professional development (CPD) is to contribute to high-quality patient care. The General Medical Council in the UK has published guidance in relation to standards for CPD, appraisal and revalidation. ⋯ This paper describes a framework for effective CPD and includes methods of self-assessment of clinical practice. Contributions to effective CPD come from 3 sources--doctors, CPD providers and accrediting bodies. The CPD system of recording credits currently in use by the Royal Colleges of Physicians in the UK is also described.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2005
Case ReportsFetus-in-fetu in the pelvis: report of a case and literature review.
Fetus-in-fetu is an extremely rare condition in which a malformed fetus is found in the body of its twin. To our knowledge, fewer than 100 cases have been reported. Wide variations of presentation have been described, although its embryo-pathogenesis and differentiation from a teratoma have not been well established. ⋯ Although an extremely rare clinical entity, fetus-in-fetu can be diagnosed prior to surgery with current imaging modalities. When it arises in the retroperitoneum of a male infant, it can hinder the descent of the testes. Complete excision is curative.