Journal of Research in Medical and Interpathy Sciences

A Cross-sectional Study to Estimate Level of Awareness about Eye Donation and Willingness to Donate Eyes among the Students of MBBS Degree in a Medical College in North Maharashtra Region

2026-04-30T10:52:13+0530

Background: Corneal blindness is a significant public health challenge in India, with transplantation being the only curative option. Despite high awareness, the supply of donor corneas remains inadequate. Medical students, as future influencers of healthcare policy and community attitude, play a vital role in bridging this gap.
Aim: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and willingness regarding eye donation among undergraduate MBBS students in a medical college in North Maharashtra.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 174 undergraduate medical students. A pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered via Google Forms to assess demographics, knowledge levels, and attitudes toward eye donation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: General awareness of eye donation was near-universal (95.98%), and 85.63% were aware of eye banks. However, specific knowledge regarding eligibility was suboptimal; 25.29% were unaware that age is not a bar to donation, and nearly 40% incorrectly believed cataract surgery disqualifies a donor. While 74.71% of students were willing to pledge their eyes, the primary barrier among the unwilling was a lack of knowledge regarding the process (45.16%), followed by family objections (25.81%).
Conclusion: While medical students possess high superficial awareness, critical gaps exist regarding technical eligibility and procedural details. The findings underscore the need for vertical integration of organ donation modules in the medical curriculum to convert passive awareness into active advocacy.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Utilization of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Services: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Healthcare Centre in North-West Maharashtra

2026-05-08T14:28:17+0530

Background: The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched to improve access to quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated outlets across India. Despite its potential to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, the utilization of PMBJP services remains suboptimal due to varying levels of awareness and perceptions regarding generic medicines. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and utilization of PMBJP services among patients attending a tertiary healthcare center in North-West Maharashtra.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients attending outpatient departments of a tertiary healthcare center in North-West Maharashtra. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of PMBJP, attitudes toward generic medicines, and utilization practices. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings, and appropriate analytical tests were performed to identify factors associated with PMBJP utilization.
Results: Among the 274 participants,52.2% had heard about PMBJP, while 47.8% were unaware. Awareness was significantly associated with socio-economic status (p=0.0033) and educational status (p=0.0476), but not with gender (p=0.4287). Among those aware, 78.0% identified lower medicine costs as the main benefit, whereas 21.2% believed medicines were free of cost. About 80.2% recognized Janaushadhi medicines as generic, and 61.0% perceived them to be as effective as branded medicines. However, 61.3% associated lower cost with poorer quality. Of the aware respondents, 47.4% had purchased PMBJP medicines within the previous six months. Lack of physician endorsement, limited accessibility, and distrust were the major barriers to utilization.
Conclusion: Although awareness and positive perceptions regarding PMBJP exist, misconceptions about medicine quality and inadequate physician support limit its utilization. Strengthening public education and promoting physician endorsement may enhance PMBJP uptake and improve access to affordable medicines.

The Efficacy of a Structured Health Education Intervention on Improving Infection Prevention and Control Awareness among Healthcare Workers

2026-05-12T11:58:31+0530

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant global health challenge. Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are fundamental to patient safety and positive health outcomes. Despite this, a gap in awareness and adherence to IPC guidelines persists among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured educational intervention on IPC awareness among HCWs.

Methods: This was a single-group, pre- and post-intervention study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nashik, India. The study included a convenience sample of 56 HCWs (doctors, interns, and nurses). A validated, self-structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge before and after a two-hour educational intervention comprising interactive lectures, videos, and demonstrations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the paired t-test for score changes, and the chi-square test for categorical variables.

Results: The mean pre-intervention score was 28.32 (SD=6.33), which significantly increased to 34.33 (SD=5.88) post-intervention (t=5.1562, p<0.01). Before the intervention, 57.14% of participants had a good awareness score, which dramatically increased to 83.33% post-intervention (χ2=9.9017, p<0.01). Significant score improvements were observed across all occupational groups and both genders. While doctors and interns showed higher post-intervention scores, all groups demonstrated a significant positive change.

Conclusion: The structured educational intervention effectively and significantly improved IPC awareness among HCWs. The findings underscore the importance of continuous, multifaceted training to enhance HCW knowledge and adherence to infection prevention practices, ultimately contributing to a reduction in HAIs and improved patient safety.

AETCOM to Humanistic Competence: Strengthening the Affective Core of Indian Medical Education

2026-07-16T12:00:22+0530

Background: India’s Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) framework, introduced through GMER 2019, includes the longitudinal Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) module to strengthen the affective domain. However, humanism—encompassing compassion, empathy, cultural humility, reflective practice, and relationship-centred care—remains largely implicit rather than explicitly articulated within this structure.
Summary: This Viewpoint critically examines the evolution and achievements of AETCOM while highlighting gaps in current
implementation, including limited experiential depth, suboptimal assessment of humanistic behaviours, and the erosive influence of
the hidden curriculum. Drawing on global scholarship (e.g., Epstein & Hundert, Branch) and Indian policy documents, it argues that
humanism constitutes an essential missing dimension that should be deliberately integrated into AETCOM and the broader CBME
framework to produce more compassionate and resilient Indian Medical Graduates.
Recommendations: Practical strategies include explicit mapping of humanistic competencies, incorporation of narrative medicine
and reflective portfolios, reformed assessment using multi-source humanistic rubrics, and targeted faculty development. A conceptual
model and comparative table illustrate the proposed integration.
Conclusion: Explicit recognition and embedding of humanism within AETCOM will enhance the humanistic core of Indian medical
education, ultimately improving patient care, professional fulfilment, and equity in diverse clinical contexts.

Beyond the Dura: Primary Intraosseous Meningioma

2026-05-12T11:02:43+0530

Intraosseous meningiomas are a subtype of extradural meningiomas. They originate within bone, and have a different presentation and radiographic appearance than classic extraaxial meningiomas. These tumors have also been referred to as primary intraosseous meningioma. We report a case of 45 year old female who presented with a scalp swelling in the left parietal region along with headache and seizures since 4 months. MRI confirmed an intraosseous meningioma with both extracalvarial as well as intracranial extradural extension. The skull radiograph was extremely contributory as a first line investigation. This report discusses the approach to the diagnosis of the intraosseus meningiomas.

Thyroid Storm Precipitated by Medication Non-adherence and Infection Presenting with Proximal Myopathy: A Case Report

2026-06-08T15:03:42+0530

Thyroid storm is life-threatening endocrine emergency .It requires early recognition and aggressive management. A 59-year-old female with long-standing multinodular goitre, presented with complaints of fever, diarrhoea, palpitations, leg swelling and progressive weakness& poor compliance to antithyroid medications. On examination she was febrile, tachycardiac, with bilateral proptosis and multinodular goitre. Laboratory investigations revealed severe thyrotoxicosis. A Burch–Warsofsky score >45(65) supported the diagnosis of thyroid storm.

She was managed with beta-blockers, antithyroid drugs, corticosteroids, insulin infusion, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. she initially showed clinical improvement with treatment and developed sudden respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation. With intensive care support, she subsequently improved and recovered.

Our case highlights the critical importance of medication adherence in hyperthyroid patients and demonstrates that thyroid storm may deteriorate despite apparent biochemical improvement, necessitating vigilant monitoring and timely escalation of care.

The Interconnecting Slip: A Cadaveric Case Report on Accessory Extensor Carpi Radialis Tendon and Its Clinical Significance

2026-05-12T12:08:01+0530

Background: Cadaveric examinations help identify rare anatomical variations of radial wrist extensors, particularly Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis. Such variants are clinically relevant due to the restricted space of the second dorsal compartment. This accessory slip may enhance wrist extension strength but increases local friction within the already crowded compartment, potentially producing radial wrist pain resembling De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. MRI can assist in preoperative identification. The slip’s structure also makes it a viable autologous graft option for procedures such as adductor plasty or Extensor Pollicis Longus repair.

Methods: During routine dissection of a 74-yearold male cadaver, an accessory tendon slip was found originating from the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus muscle belly, in the posterior compartment of the forearm.

Results: An accessory tendon slip was observed arising from the ECRL muscle belly. It coursed through the second dorsal compartment and inserted at the base of the third metacarpal, positioned between the normal insertions of ECR Land ECRB. The primary ECRL tendon retained its standard insertion at the second metacarpal.

Conclusion: Awareness of this anatomical variation is essential for accurate diagnosis, avoidance of intraoperative complications, and effective planning of tendon transfer or reconstructive procedures.

Formation of Keloid Following Herpes Zoster: A Rare Case of Wolf's Isotopic Phenomenon

2025-12-12T10:14:07+0530

Introduction: When a new skin lesion occurs at the site of another lesion, which may be unrelated and may already be healed. It is referred to as Wolf’s Isotopic Phenomenon. It is generally seen in Post-Herpes Zoster infection (Shingles). In this case, Keloid is the new skin disease over an already healed skin lesion of Shingles. Despite of various theories, the pathogenesis of Wolf’s Isotopic Phenomenon in Herpes Zoster remains unclear. In this article, we have reported the case of a 50-year-old female who had developed Keloids on the same site where she had a history of Herpes Zoster infection.

Herpes Zoster infection is defined by the reactivation of the old infection of Varicella Zoster Virus and it spreads along the sensory nerves, presenting as blistering rashes associated with pain along the dermatomes.

The occurrence of an unrelated new lesion on the same site as an old lesion is called as Wolf’s Isotopic Phenomenon. Besides Herpes Zoster, it is also reported in Psoriatic lesions, Granulomas, Tumours of Skin or Lichen Planus

Generally, at the site of Trauma or any surgical injury, Keloids can be formed due to proliferation of Fibroblasts and excessive deposition of Collage. In addition, keloid in a post herpes zoster infection is reported very rarely, that is <1%.

Case Report: The patient was a female of age 50 years who came to the OPD having complaints of Tingling sensation and numbness of Right Upper Limb and presence of a Keloid on the chest, since 4 months. She had a history of Herpes Zoster infection 6 months ago for which she was diagnosed based on vesicular rash on the sternum and chest wall on the right side and also on the back. For which she was treated in outside hospital. She took Acyclovir for 7 days. She then observed formation of Scar tissue after 2 months on the chest wall in front of the sternum and on the back.

The Scar then expanded and progressed on the chest towards the right side and on the right arm, also on the back in the form of plaque and formed a Keloid. The Keloid was situated along the Sternal wall and lying along the T₂-T₃ Dermatome extending towards the right side both anteriorly and posteriorly along the same dermatome.

Discussion: The appearance of keloids (excessive fibrous scar tissue) in the exact area where herpes zoster (shingles) previously occurred is referred as Wolf’s Isotopic Phenomenon.

First described in 1955, it refers to a new dermatological lesion forming in the same site as another previously unrelated and healed lesion.

The development of keloids after herpes zoster is uncommon, but several mechanisms have been proposed: Post-inflammatory scarring tendency, Local immune dysregulation

Conclusion: The reported cases of Wolf Isotopic Phenomenon in patients of Herpes Zoster are very rare and hence the risk may be underestimated. Further research and studies are important to understand the Pathogenesis and epidemiology and will also help in management of such Cases.

Bridging Science, Clinical Excellence, and Humanistic Medicine

2026-07-16T12:09:20+0530

Happy Moments,
It is with great pleasure that I present the June 2026 issue of the Journal of Medicine and Interpathy Science. This issue brings together a diverse collection of scholarly articles that reflect the evolving landscape of modern medicine, where scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public health, and compassionate patient care converge to improve healthcare outcomes.