Journal/Magazine Articles
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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Challenges in medical education to enhance quality in medical care(College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, 2007) de Silva, N*.Item Suitability of selection criteria as a measure of medical graduates: University of Colombo(University of Colombo, 2006) Mettananda, D.S.G.; Wickramasinghe, V.P.; Kudolugoda Arachchi, J.; Lamabadusuriya, S.P.; Ajanthan, R.; Kottahachchi, D.A prime obstacle faced by a medical educator is selecting the right student to be trained as a doctor, and the general consensus is that this is also the most difficult task. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of selected outcome measures on outcome performance of medical undergraduates of the University of Colombo. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the performance (marks) of students of 4 batches GCE (A/L) 1993 through to 1996). GCE (A/L) aggregate marks, attempt of entry, district of entry, English language proficiency and sex were tested as predictors of success. Results of main assessments were considered as measures of success. Relationship between outcome measures and outcome predictors were assessed using the multiple logistic regression model. Data of 699 students were analyzed and 82% of students entered from the Colombo district. A higher percentage of first attempters (at GCE A/L) performed well and obtained classes. Entering medical school from first two GCE A/L examination attempts was a significant positive predictor of passing any examination (odds ratio 3.2 to 7.5) or obtaining honors (odds ratio 2.8 to 16.0). Attempt of entry predicted 5.4% of the outcome (pass or fail) in university performance. Correlation between the GCE A/L aggregate mark and the student's position in order of merit for the internship appointments was -0.37 (p<0.001). A combination of factors should be used in the selection process of students to embark on the undergraduate process as any single factor is a poor predictor of outcome of performance. We believe that the number of attempts allowed to sit for GCE A/L in order to gain entry to a medical school as well as other degree courses should be confined to two attempts.Item Selection of students for admission to a medical school in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2004) de Silva, N.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, H.J.OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent to which selected entry point factors predicted success in a Sri Lankan medical school. METHODS: The study sample consisted of all students in two consecutive entry cohorts. Marks obtained at the national university entrance examination in physics, chemistry, botany and zoology; the aggregate marks of these four subjects (the only academic criterion used in selection); the district of entry (the other, non-academic criterion); and gender, were identified as entry point variables. Success in a medical school was measured in five ways, including whether a student had passed all examinations in the medical faculty at first attempt or not. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the extent to which the selected entry point factors could predict variability in outcome measures. RESULTS: Of 331 students, 6.6% were merit quota admissions, and 19.4% were from 'underprivileged' districts; 46.8% were women. Of the entry point factors, being female and obtaining an aggregate of > or =280 (of a possible 400) were the only independent predictors of success in all outcome measures. Obtaining at least grade B in zoology was also an independent predictor of passing all examinations at first attempt. The aggregate score alone accounted for only 2-5% of variance in a medical school performance. There was no association between admission from an underprivileged district and any of the outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: The one and only measure of academic performance used for selection of students admitted to our medical schools, is a very weak predictor of success in a medical school.Item Teaching communication skills(Ceylon College of Physicians, 2001) de Silva, N*.Item Sleeping sickness in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2000) Gunatilake, S.B.This is a response to Saroj Jayasinghe's article (CMJ 99:44:174). Comments on Jayasinghe's calculations of student time, student seminars and the case of trypanosomiasis in a farmer from Kalmunai. (letter to editor)Item Quality in medical education(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2000) de Silva, N.R.; Samarasinghe, H.H.R.No Abstract AvailableItem Sleeping sickness and teaching of medical students(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2000) de Silva, N.R.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.This is a response to Saroj Jayasinghe's article (CMJ 99:44:174) The aim of teaching diseases that do not occur in Sri Lanka is to enable students to become good doctors by national as well as international standards. (letter to editor)Item Distance education:a flexible learning approach for practising doctors(Galle Medical Association., 2000) de Silva, N*.Distance education is a mode of delivery of education materials such as printed matter, audio and video tapes to the doorstep of learners. It is flexible because it is learner centered, self paced, not constrained by fixed time and place commitments and is transferable to be undertaken anywhere at anytime. General practice teaching through this method was started in the U.K. in the 1950s. In Sri Lanka, a distant education programme for general practitioners to update themselves and obtain post graduate qualifications has enormous potential. These article describes the methodology applied to implement a distant education course for the Diploma in Family Medicine conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine. This method could be adapted for post graduate education or for CME programme in any other clinical specialising.Item Educational audit on the counselling module of the diploma in family medicine (DFM) course(Galle Medical Association., 1998) de Silva, N*.The criterion for the audit was that the audit was that the trainees should progress from their existing level of confidence to a highest level of knowledge and skills. Pretest and past test assessing of knowledge of skills and evaluation of teaching and learning was carried out results are indicated.Item International course on "Promoting Excellence in Teaching General Practice"(College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, 1996) de Silva, N*.