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Background: Erroneous treatments are hovering all over the internet and social media due to non-existence of the ultimate treatment to CoVID-19. There is a need to disseminate correct knowledge and encourage practices based on evidence, which can successfully prevent the spread of this deadly global pandemic. Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 pandemic in a pre and post health awareness workshop among the future health care professionals in a private medical university in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methodology: A quasi experimental study was carried out in March, 2020 over a period of two weeks at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad. The participants included undergraduate medical, nursing and pharmaceutical sciences students, making a total sample size of 315. Simple random sampling was used. Data was collected using a self-designed questionnaire exploring the myths and misconceptions. A pre and post health awareness workshop was conducted and questionnaires filled by the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23. Result: A change in the frequency of concepts related to myths and misconceptions was observed following the health awareness session, results were statistically significant using McNemar’s test in context to majority of the myths and misconceptions, p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: Health education has very important role in public health especially in times when the health problem is novel. In such situations, emphasis should be paid on the health education as it can modify the behavior regarding myths and misconceptions which can contribute to decrease in morbidity and mortality.

Mental health issues due to the pandemic of CoVID-19 have not been properly addressed since the outbreak emerged. Numerous studies were conducted worldwide to highlight the importance of the effect of pandemic on mental health. A large number of researches were carried out to address the impacts of CoVID-19. In present times, when social distancing and isolation at home is the main preventive measure suggested by the WHO, mental health problems are surfacing which need to be timely addressed and treated. This review article focuses on the importance of mental health issues after the lockdown, social distancing, staying at home and other measures implemented due to the outbreak of CoVID-19. Studies have also highlighted the effects of social media on the prevalence of mental health issues in people worldwide. Based on the findings of previous pandemics, mental health problems can leave long lasting and devastating effects on people. Therefore, adequate preventive measures must be taken to avoid such health problems. Studies have been carried out to emphasize the urgent need of research regarding the mental health issues due to CoVID-19. Many psychological problems like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, fear of getting infected and death, lack of motivation is common during this perplexing period and the challenge is to remotely access such patients for early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Furthermore, the increase in the cases of domestic violence during this time has also been reported which should be addressed. In order to strengthen the mental health of a community, we must find ways to cope with stress and trauma in a better and healthy way in times of crisis.

Introduction: Evidence based medicine is an interplay of individual clinical acumen and best available evidence through scientific systematic research. With the advent of modern medicine in the last two centuries, medical education has seen and continues to experience its revolutionary effects. An important aspect in this regard is the integration of biomedical research. Objectives: To assess the research skills among undergraduate medical students exposed to the teaching of research longitudinally through all the five academic years. Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted in which third year MBBS students were assessed in a group through power point presentation regarding different concepts of research while critically appraising a research article. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, as well as thematic analysis was done. Results: From a total of 102 participants, 58 were male and 42 were female. Majority of the participants (81.4%) achieved an average or a good score and only 18.6% achieved a poor score. Six themes were generated. General enthusiasm about the activity was noted among participants who considered it beneficial. However, only a few were in the favor of incorporating this activity as a mandatory component in undergraduate studies. Conclusion: Incorporating research in a mandatory longitudinal theme component as part of undergraduate medical studies seems a potential method of laying the foundation for future physician scientists.

Objective: The objective of the study was to integrate family medicine practice with the theme of school health service, nutrition and communication skills in the year 4 MBBS curriculum at Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad. Methodology: Health checkup of students aged 5-15 years, in a private school Mashal Model School, Nurpur Shahan, Islamabad was carried out by a family physician assisted by 100 medical students of Year 4, undergoing Community and Family Medicine clerkship at Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad. School children were given health education in their identified health problem. Medical students’ views regarding the activity were recorded through focused group discussion. Results: Each medical student got the opportunity to assist health checkup along with educating them on their health issue in an interactive group discussion for five minutes. Mean score of the impact of this activity on their career was found to be 7.55±1.04 while the impact of this activity in their role as a health provider was found to be 7.64±1.12. Different themes were generated from the focused group discussion. Conclusion: Themes of school health service, nutrition and communication skills can be successfully integrated in the undergraduate teaching of community and family medicine. Medical students by assisting the generalist practice in the school environment can learn communication skills, thus moving towards social responsibility.

Poliomyelitis commonly called polio is a highly infectious disease caused by three sero types of polio virus 1, 2 and 3, which attacks the nervous system. The virus is transmitted mostly through feco-oral route, less often it is transmitted through polluted food or water. Since there is no treatment or cure to poliomyelitis, this disease can be prevented only. The World Health Assembly in 1988 set the target to eradicate polio globally by the year 2000 through multiple doses of childhood vaccinations that protect a child for whole life.