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Abstract Background The cooperation of patients and their consent to involve medical students in their care is vital to clinical education, but large numbers of students and lack of experience as well as loss of privacy may evoke negative attitudes of patients, which may sometimes adversely affect the clinical teaching environment. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of patients towards medical students at Damascus University hospitals, and to explore the determinants of those attitudes thus discussing possible implications applicable to clinical teaching. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at three teaching hospitals affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine at Damascus University. Four hundred patients were interviewed between March and April 2011 by a trained sociologist using a structured questionnaire. Results Of the patients interviewed, 67.8% approved the presence of medical students during the medical consultation and 58.2% of them felt comfortable with the presence of students, especially among patients with better socio-economic characteristics. 81.5% of the patients agreed to be examined by students in the presence of the supervisor, while 40.2% gave agreement even in the absence of the supervisor. Privacy was the most important factor in the patients' reticence towards examination by the students, whilst the relative safety and comfort if a supervisor was available determined patients' agreement. Conclusions The study concluded overall positive attitudes to the medical students' involvement in medical education. However, it is essential that students and clinical supervisors understand and adhere to professional and ethical conduct when involving patients in medical education.

Background: An estimated 70.8 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, 75% of whom are women and children. Prioritizing a global research agenda to inform guidance, service delivery, access to and quality of services is essential to improve the survival and health of women, children and adolescents in humanitarian settings. Method: A mixed-methods design was adapted from the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology to solicit priority research questions across the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) domains in humanitarian settings. The first step (CHNRI) involved data collection and scoring of perceived priority questions, using a web-based survey over two rounds (first, to generate the questions and secondly, to score them). Over 1000 stakeholders from across the globe were approached; 177 took part in the first survey and 69 took part in the second. These research questions were prioritized by generating a research prioritization score (RPP) across four dimensions: answerability, program feasibility, public health relevance and equity. A Delphi process of 29 experts followed, where the 50 scored and prioritized CHRNI research questions were shortlisted. The top five questions from the CHNRI scored list for each SRMNCAH domain were voted on, rendering a final list per domain. Results: A total of 280 questions were generated. Generated questions covered sexual and reproductive health (SRH) (n = 90, 32.1%), maternal health (n = 75, 26.8%), newborn health (n = 42, 15.0%), child health (n = 43, 15.4%), and non-SRH aspects of adolescent health (n = 31, 11.1%). A shortlist of the top ten prioritized questions for each domain were generated on the basis of the computed RPPs. During the Delphi process, the prioritized questions, based on the CHNRI process, were further refined. Five questions from the shortlist of each of the SRMNCAH domain were formulated, resulting in 25 priority questions across SRMNCAH. For example, one of the prioritized SRH shortlisted and prioritized research question included: "What are effective strategies to implement good quality comprehensive contraceptive services (long-acting, short-acting and EC) for women and girls in humanitarian settings?" Conclusion: Data needs, effective intervention strategies and approaches, as well as greater efficiency and quality during delivery of care in humanitarian settings were prioritized. The findings from this research provide guidance for researchers, program implementers, as well as donor agencies on SRMNCAH research priorities in humanitarian settings. A global research agenda could save the lives of those who are at greatest risk and vulnerability as well as increase opportunities for translation and innovation for SRMNCAH in humanitarian settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness and cost of the integration of a tailored labour companionship model in three public hospitals in Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.Methods: Phased implementation research using mixed methods. Implementation strategies consisted of steering committees in hospitals, seminars for healthcare providers, information, education and communication materials, and adjustments in labour rooms. The labour companionship model consisted of (i) identification of a female relative as labour companion by women; (ii) provision of information, education and communication materials to women and companions; and (iii) allowing companions to accompany women throughout the first stage of labour. Semi-structured interviews with women, labour companions and healthcare providers were used to assess feasibility and acceptability of the model. Effectiveness was assessed through structured interviews with women, information abstracted from medical records and cost data. The comparison was made between the pre-implementation and the implementation phases.Results: This model was found to be feasible, acceptable, effective and cost-beneficial. Women's satisfaction and perception of control improved and caesarean section rates were reduced significantly.Conclusion: This model can be adopted for these countries and elsewhere with comparable health systems. It enhances the quality of care and the provision of equitable and respectful maternity services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The results on pregnancy outcomes of mothers afflicted with sickle cell trait are still contradictory. This study aimed to examine the fetal and maternal outcomes among a cohort of pregnant women., Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that examined the fetal and maternal outcomes among 98 women with sickle cell trait (HbAS) and 402 women with normal hemoglobin (HbAA). The study was carried out in 4 health centers serving Palestinian Refugees in Damascus, during the period November 2000 to May 2002. Hemoglobin electrophoresis was carried out for all newly registered pregnancy women. Women were then followed up until 40 days after delivery. Data was collected from antenatal records and interviews with women., Results: Outcomes of pregnancy were compared between women with HbAS and HbAA hemoglobin. There was no statistical difference in the rate of abortion, distribution of birth weight and perinatal mortality. Women with AS hemoglobin reported higher incidence of complications after delivery, namely, fever (risks ratio=4.05, 95% confidence interval=1.34-12.3)., Conclusion: In this study, pregnancies among women with sickle cell trait demonstrated high risk of complications after delivery. Watchful follow up of pregnancies among women with sickle cell trait is very necessary. Doctors and women must know that although the course of pregnancy among women with HbAS can be benign; it may well carry a high risk on women.