Monday, October 12, 2009

Study for AIEEE

Cracking AIEEE is not very simple, and for this very reason knowledge horizon will provide you with best advise for the future.
If you goal is AIEEE, then there are 2 ways to get through that.
1) Study for you boards(whatever you have in the state first). The boards get over a month or two befor the AIEEE. After the boards, a student covers of about 80% of the syllabus. After boards, you can concentrate on AIEEE, the boards study will help alot. Knowledge horizon has courses tailored for students in this category. We have courses which prepares you from the start. For the boards and also for AIEEE.

2) The other way is to concentrate on AIEEE right from the begining. So there is plenty of time for getting used to the different format of AIEEE. Knowledge horizon also have courses, crash courses too. All of them are with mock test and revision classes for previous question papers.

Whatever way you choose to do and the way you want to prepare for AIEEE. We "knowledge Horizon" are there for your help and assistance.
To know more about the coaching, classes etc. Contact us.
Tell - 011-24366349/24366316/24365715
Website - www.khclasses.co.in

Monday, September 28, 2009

BEST COACHING

The Institute has produced wonderful results in the last few years and has made its presence felt in every corner of Delhi. Needless to say, this all could be possible only due to blessings of the almighty, proper planning at the institute, sharp implementation of the planning, taking timely feed back from students regarding their level of satisfaction at the institute and follow up action to plug the shortcoming pointed out by the students from time to time.

Special Features of the Institute:

1. Well planned program of teaching and highly competitive environment.
2. The courses are completed to the satisfaction of students and well in time. Sufficient time is slotted for making revisions, conduction of tests and doubt solving sessions.
3. Regular tests and their discussion is conducted so as to clarify any doubt left in the mind of students.
4. Regular feedback from students is taken to increase their level of satisfaction.
5. Monthly performance and attendance report is mailed for the reference of parents.
6. The courses are designed in such a way that study material is self-sufficient for the students and they do not have to look for any other study material for the purpose of Medical Entrance preparation..
7.Adequate library facility for reading is provided to the students so that they can consult books, whenever they find free time.

Coaching you towards success

Knowledge Horizon Classes is supported by some of the best academic brains & host of collaborations with some of the best names in supplementary education. The student will greatly benefit from our state-of-the-art infrastructure, highly competent & passionate faculty, well researched & innovative content & methodology in chosen subjects as well as special modules created for personality grooming & a very rich blending of education with technology.
Why students and parents choose us-
1. Impeccable system of administration with strict discipline, not only for students but also for teachers & admin staff
2. Highly qualified and trained teachers. We have teachers from top institutes/universities like IIT Delhi, IIT, Roorkee, IT-BHU, Delhi University & other state engineering colleges & universities. Additionally, we hire top quality teachers from market.
3. Unmatched results in entrance exams. Knowledge horizon has produced stars for the toughest entrance exams like, AIIMS, IIT-JEE, AIPMT, AFMC, JIPMER, MAHE, BHU etc.
4. Exhaustive, relevant and original study material and Test papers, which are designed to the correct pattern and approved syllabus by institute’s teachers
5. Learning and competitive environment We provide the necessary edge & exposure to students.
6. Integrated approach of teaching, which not only prepares students for entrance exams but also for school/board exams.
7. Special tutorial classes to discuss doubts of students. This helps a lot in uplifting the knowledge levels of weak & shy students.
8. Work culture, which creates a hub of entrepreneurs and not just bunch of employees. Everyone owns his/her job and produces best to his/her ability.
9. Strategically located centres for convenience of students & parents.
10. Brilliant initiative like online tests, attendance reporting and test score reporting through SMS, email etc

For further information please contact us at-
Tel- 011- 24366349/ 24366316/ 24365715
Email- info@nhindia.com
Website- www.nhindia.com , www.khclasses.co.in

Monday, September 21, 2009

Medicine as a Corporate Enterprise: A Welcome Step

Medical profession and corporate culture - are the two concepts mutually exclusive? From the era of the humble family physician who was the end point of all of a patient's needs, we have progressed to the era of the five-star corporate hospitals with hi-tech facilities but inadequate patient satisfaction. Let us not forget that medical science is about healing people. People involved directly in this enterprise are doctors and paramedical staff; and those indirectly are the pharmaceutical industry, services staff, medical equipment industry and medical institutions. Each spoke in the wheel of health care has its designated function, is indispensable and has an equivalent role to play in optimal health-care delivery.At the center of the wheel is the doctor. A humane approach by the treating physician not only ensures proper treatment but also elevates the doctor to the status of a demigod. Why is it that there are big tertiary care hospitals with such a reputation that patients flock to them from far and wide while some others are simply five-star hospitals catering to the rich and the insured?The culture present in successful business enterprises therefore needs to be implemented to make medicine a successful business. If health care were deemed a business, then the tools that help fix other businesses will fix it too (Waldman, 1996).Can big corporate hospitals do this? Why not? It would be all too easy if everyone involved at every level remembers that the hospital exists because patients have to be treated. Starting from the receptionist at the entrance to the administrative staff to finally the medical and paramedical personnel, everyone should treat the patient as a revered guest. Pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, philanthropic bodies, insurance companies and finally the government should work in tandem with doctors to ensure quality care and to subsidize poor patients.A corporate hospital may have all the trappings of a five-star luxury hotel, but a good number of such hospitals are found to be abysmal in terms of competency and adequacy of treatment. This is reflected in the increasing incidence of litigation against doctors and hospitals. Let us not forget that the patient is not a fool and is not to be taken for granted. A patient may be brought to the hospital on his deathbed and may not be saved despite the doctor's best efforts; but if there has been sufficient communication and a humanitarian approach shown to the family, very few disputes would arise as far as settling the bill is concerned. Not only doctors but also paramedical and administrative staff should be trained to handle such situations.Low Payoffs to Physicians and Patient - The Final RecipientAchievement of value and profitability through emphasis on efficiency, productivity and high quality is not necessarily seen as a feature of health-care delivery setups (Faria, 1998a). Despite inflated costs, the for-profit hospitals are often shown to provide inferior quality of care (Geyman, 2003). The term "medical-industrial complex" to describe these interrelationships is not a new concept, the term having been introduced in 1980 (Relman, 1998; IJME, 2001). It implies a new industry that supplies health services for profit (Relman, 1980).The evolution of the corporate hospital came from increasingly low payoffs to physicians from Medicare (Relman, 1980; Kereiakes, 2004). Physicians sought comfort and safety in numbers by resorting to group practice in the face of increasing litigation and practice costs. Although the corporate hospital gave a space for practice, it increasingly encroached on the physician's autonomy and forced him to compromise to curtail costs (Kereiakes, 2004; Faria, 1998b). This tendency to compromise is what ails the health-care system (Waldman, 1996). Even if health care is more a public service than a business, management principles and solutions can apply. A bridge must be built between the two cultures.It is often assumed that "hospitals function like other businesses, meaning high costs equal inefficiency" (Relman, 1980). This needn't apply to the health-care or hospital setting. A common example often cited is that of joint replacements. The cost of joint replacement is escalating with the cost of implants; however, the payments from care providers have remained almost static. This means that the bulk of the package goes towards implant costs, decreasing profits and physician payouts. To offset this, if a cheaper implant were to be used, the longevity and safety of the joint would be compromised, which is hardly the correct solution to curtail costs. This type of cost curtailing measure is often used to provide joint replacement solutions to uninsured and poor sections of society, in public health setups and in some private hospitals. Short-term gains are always attractive; but what does one say of long-term losses, of the higher incidence of revisions to be expected out of such irrational use of surgical procedures? A more rational solution is to include joint replacement in the ambit of general insurance more widely and also to ensure good local implant quality by implementing certification and continuous-monitoring procedures. The payouts in packages by the insurers must make provision for increasing costs.As a means to achieve efficiency, corporate strategies of TQM (total quality management) and CQI (continuous quality improvement) may be applied in the health-care setting. However, these strategies have not found equivalent success (Waldman, 1996).Every aspect of health-care delivery and ancillary services is inextricably linked to its final recipient, the patient. This equation changes the very perspective with which we view the so-called "enterprise." Our clients are human beings in physical and mental distress, and disease takes a heavy toll on emotions and well-being of everyone in the vicinity of the sick person. Profit-making, therefore, has to be weighed well against the comfort and care provided to the patient and his near and dear ones. Under no given circumstance can patients' concerns be allowed to be pushed aside in favour of curtailing costs and achieving profits.Corporate Trust HospitalsThere have been accusations of corporate hospitals run by trusts not fulfilling their obligations of providing free treatment to a certain percentage of patients as specified by law, while claiming all exemptions that can be claimed on tax and equipment. It needs to be noted that none of these so-called trust and research centers do any research. It would be enlightening to know their quantum of research output, besides that measured in rupees, and their research setups before permitting further sanctions.None of these trust hospitals are cheap either. Most of them are as expensive as the hospital next door. The only doctor who treats "cheap" in the private sector is still the nearby "small nursing home." The only thing in which the charitable and trust tag comes up is in the physician payout, which is miserable, to say the least. It is also quite educating to see the small proportion of the total package that constitutes the doctor's charges. Charity is practiced by the doctor, not the hospital, and the hospital practices charity in the name of the doctor.Corporate Culture in Health CareHealth-care organizations are social groups comprised of people who pursue a common purpose, share values and beliefs and therefore possess a common culture (Waldman, 1996).Corporate culture is fundamental for accomplishing any sustainable change in care delivery. The term implies that the altruistic call of healing has a business side too (Waldman 1996); and by culture, we mean values, attitudes and behavioral attributes.Waldman (1996) feels that there is a threefold reason for the problems in corporate health care:
If the corporate culture in health care is seriously dysfunctional, it could be the root cause of its problems.
The human resource development issues in health care are of concern because of high turnover rates and professional withdrawal.
Corporate culture tends to resist change. In medicine change is homeostatic and essential for functioning and doesn't always translate into costs.Sometimes, management principles such as optimization, which otherwise works well in other cultures, may have exactly an opposite effect in health care. The apparent cost cutting by cutbacks in staff and diagnostics, as per corporate management strategy, may actually lead to delays and increased costs as compared to savings which were expected.

Large Hospital Chains - Apollo, Max, Fortis, WockhardtThere has been a huge interest in the health-care segment in India in recent times. Large hospital chains have spread all over the country. The basic health-care setup was the small nursing home or the trust hospital in the past. This has now given way to a number of hospital chains like the Apollo, Max, Fortis and Wockhardt hospitals. These have not only penetrated big cities but they also cater to smaller towns and districts by way of satellite clinics or smaller outreach programs.Take the example of Apollo, which holds about 19 hospitals and has a foot in the pharmacy business too. It caters to primary-, secondary- and tertiary-care units, with the primary- and secondary-care units acting as feeders for the tertiary- and specialty-care centers. Bed strength is in the range of about 3,500 beds. It is the leader in tertiary care, and its Chennai and Kolkata facilities have a significant market share. It is now establishing a global presence - with units in Bangladesh and Colombo, staffed by a significant number of Indian consultants. There is a preference, noted by market analysts, to focus on tertiary care (as it is more paying) and to appoint doctors as full-time employees, as it is a major determinant in limiting costs and increasing turnovers. Historically, a revenue-sharing agreement was the norm. It has been shown by market analysts that as much as 28% of costs are employment costs.The Fortis group has established 10 hospitals and 12 heart centers in 5 years, bed strength of close to 1,600 and a stake in the Escorts Heart Institute. Wockhardt has also entered the hospital business with as many as 5 hospitals. Max is a subsidiary of the Max Group and has 4 functioning hospitals.It is to be noted that all these are run by major players in the pharmaceutical and health-care segment. For the doctor, this has created a never-before opportunity to practice in plush environments and offer world-class care. He has access to the best equipment, excellent trained medical staff and public relation and marketing support, without having to bother about any personal investment. Costs are still prohibitive and yet are offset by an increasing number of employers opting for these hospitals as preferred health-care destinations for their employees and paying for costs through group insurance policies. This not only makes health care more accessible but also generates a regular income for the hospital. Cashless insurance policies are also a major determinant in choosing these hospitals for care.The focus has therefore shifted away from the small nursing home. For the patient who has no access to insurance and who has no employer paying for him, the choice is still difficult and expensive; and probably the small nursing home may provide answers for his basic health needs. For the rest, the bigger corporate hospitals offer an attractive advantage.

Why are students keeping away from wards?

Much is being spoken about the undergraduate students and interns seemingly less enthusiastic about their 'ward postings'. They seem to abstain from wards more often, seem more interested in reading books in the library or even while in the wards and seem less inclined to attend 'ward rounds'. It is known that assessment scheme tends to drive student-learning and the type of assessment can influence learning. The assessment at graduation (MBBS) examination is done on the basis of theory and practical examination. The latter is still largely based on assessment of clinical skills. The scope of theory examinations is restricted to testing knowledge of a few important topics that are considered to be 'the bare essentials and basics' to be known by a medical graduate. Many new concepts in medicine have yet to find a place in the University syllabus. These make the MBBS exams quite predictable. In contrast, the postgraduate (PG) entrance examination is based on answering multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Most students today aspire to become specialists and hence, right from early days in the medical college, try to orient their studies to match the assessment pattern of PG entrance examinations. The MCQ-based PG entrance exams have no fixed syllabus. Most of these examinations, unfortunately, test only theoretical knowledge (mainly factual information) and not the practical skills. In spite of several obvious drawbacks such as having a surface approach and testing mainly memory the MCQ system was preferred for the PG entrance exam as this system is inexpensive, easy to administer, reliable, objective, uniform, and reproducible and has ample scope to increase competition. These examinations include many topics, which are not covered well in the graduation exams such as genetics, inborn errors of metabolism, newer histological and cytochemical techniques, serological markers, newer monoclonal antibodies, transplantation medicine, immuno-suppressants, anesthetic medications and techniques and oncology. For entrance exams to be cracked, students need to learn and remember finer details. The students apparently think that they can learn these by spending more time in the library rather than by seeing more patients in the wards! I can't imagine an undergraduate (UG) student of the previous generation losing his/her PG seat due to not knowing what 'Best' Disease in Ophthalmology is! Gone are those days, when a student aspiring to specialize could study only that subject thoroughly to get the postgraduate seat. Students today, have to face entrance exams that include detailed MCQs drawn from 20 UG subjects. One may lose a PG seat if finer nuances are not read and understood before the exam! It is this format that is pulling students back from the wards to the library! The students today are underestimating the importance of learning clinical skills. They should remember that it is these clinical skills that would help them throughout their professional career. The students should understand that both facets are important. The cases that one sees remain imprinted for a very long time. The details, of course, need a separate reading. This balancing act could be facilitated by broadening the scope of the UG syllabus. There is scope for improving the PG entrance exam model. As the outcome of MCQs depends on the type of MCQs framed, the MCQs could be drafted to test practical knowledge and understanding and the policymakers should consider including a step for testing clinical skills at these exams. The students' interest in ward work would be rekindled if the situation is reverted from being 'contradictory' to being 'complementary' between the two important evaluation stages in a medical student's life: (1) the graduation exam and (2) the PG entrance exam.

Medical education at the crossroads

Over the last 30 years, several changes have been introduced in medical education including the introduction of new contextualized approaches to instruction (e.g., problem-based learning [PBL]), the use of multimedia to enhance self-directed learning, the use of an integrated curriculum to address basic and clinical sciences, and the introduction of new formative and summative assessment tools that match with the curriculum changes. However, several challenges face medical education and need to be carefully researched. The list may be long and these challenges may vary depending on the needs of local and international health systems, the avaiability of resources, the vision of medical leaders and how they see these challenges and their impact. This paper discusses a number of challenges facing medical education including the selection of medical students and the validity of selection tools, students' learning skills, what makes a good medical curriculum, and the challenges facing a PBL curriculum.

"Medical education at the crossroads" was the title of an article published in the Proceedings of the Institute of Medicine of Chicago approximately 34 years ago by an American physician, Paul Rhoads. This challenging topic emerges every 20 or 30 years to stimulate leaders and educators to assess the direction of medical education, the current needs of the medical profession and what medical education can do to fulfill these needs. Medical education is conceptualized as the complex process by which a medical student is changed from a medical school applicant to a medical school graduate. In other words, from unknowing to knowing, from unskilled to skilled, from layman to professional, from medical student to physician. [2] Although these changes were described by Socrates more than 400 years before the Common Era, it is of interest to note that since the time Dr. Rhoads wrote his paper, several changes have taken place in most medical schools. For example, dissection of the whole cadaver used to be an essential component of every medical curriculum. Disciplinet based rather than an integrated teaching approach was used in most schools and teaching was mainly based on lectures. At that time, problemtbased learning (PBL) was only known in two or three medical schools and information technology and medical informatics were unknown. Furthermore, the importance of role models in medical schools was not clearly defined.Medical education comprises complex processes including faculty selection of students, learning and acquiring information by medical students, teaching by the faculty members and governance by the education unit. How these processes are interrelated to form medical education as we know it today warrants critical assessment.The aim of this article is to address key changes and critical issues facing medical education including: (1) the selection of medical students, (2) the art of learning, (3) what makes a good medical curriculum, and (4) challenges facing a PBL curriculum. A review of the medical literature shows that these issues are not adequately addressed. However, these issues should constitute a framework for medical educators and should stimulate researchers to target them.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Why choose engineering?

Job Satisfaction
It's important to find a career that you enjoy. After all, you'll probably be spending eight hours or more a day, five days a week, at your job. Engineering can provide a satisfying field of work.

Variety of Career Opportunities
From electrical and computer engineering, to environmental and biomedical engineering, an engineering degree offers a wide range of career possibilities. But the majority of today's college graduates will have more than one career during their work life, and engineering can provide a strong foundation for almost any one of them.

Challenging Work
There is no shortage of challenging problems in engineering. There is no single answer, no answer in the back of the book, no professor to tell you that you are right or wrong. You must devise a solution and persuade others that your solution is the best one.

Intellectual Development
An engineering education will "exercise" your brain, developing your ability to think logically and to solve problems. These are skills that will be valuable throughout your life-and not only when you are solving engineering problems.

Potential to Benefit Society
As an engineer, you can choose to work on projects that benefit society, such as cleaning up the environment, developing prosthetic aids for disabled persons, developing clean and efficient transportation systems, finding new sources of energy, alleviating the world's hunger problems, and increasing the standard of living in underdeveloped countries.

Financial Security
Engineering is a lucrative career. Engineering graduates receive the highest starting salary of any discipline.

Prestige
Engineers help sustain our nation's international competitiveness, maintain our standard of living, ensure a strong national security, and protect public safety. As a member of such a respected profession, you will receive a high amount of prestige.

Professional Environment
As an engineer, you will work in a professional environment in which you will be treated with respect, have a certain amount of freedom in choosing your work, and have the opportunity to learn and grow through both on-the-job training and formal training.

Technological and Scientific Discovery
Do you know why golf balls have dimples on them, or why split-level houses experience more damage in earthquakes? An engineering education can help you answer these questions, and push you to ask new questions of your own.

Creative Thinking
Engineering is by its very nature a creative profession. Because we are in a time of rapid social and technological changes, the need for engineers to think creatively is greater now than ever before. If you like to question, explore, invent, discover, and create, then engineering could be the ideal profession for you.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Rights of patients in medical education!

The London School of Medicine has developed a policy that emphasizes on the rights of patients in medical education.8 This framework should guide both teachers and students when interacting with patients clinically. The guidelines highlight the responsibility of medical teachers to serve as role models to trainees for ethical practice and to provide trainee doctors with an opportunity to discuss an ethical or difficult situation.
Patients must understand that medical students are not qualified
doctors
• Clinical teachers and students must obtain explicit verbal consent from patients before students take their case histories or physically examine them, making sure they understand the
primarily educational purpose of their participation.
• Clinical teachers and students should never perform physical examinations or present cases that are potentially embarrassing for primarily educational purposes without the patient’s verbal consentincluding for the number of students present
• Students should never perform any physical examination on patients under general anaesthetic for primarily educational purposes without patients’ prior written consent, which should be placed in the notes.
• Clinical teachers should obtain patients’ explicit verbal consent for students to participate in treatment (suturing, taking blood, delivering babies, etc.). Procedures not requiring immediate
supervision should be undertaken only if there is recorded evidence of competence.
• Clinical teachers are responsible for ensuring that these guidelines are followed. If students are asked by anyone to do the contrary, they must politely refuse, referring to these
guidelines. Encouraging students to ignore these guidelines is unacceptable.

139 colleges get varsity affiliation in 2 hours flat!

The Nagpur University’s academic council granted affiliation to 139 new colleges on Monday. Only four proposals including one of an MPEd college were rejected, university sources revealed to TOI. Additionally, 83 new courses were also granted permission to begin from this year while five colleges received permanent affiliation. With this, the total number of colleges affiliated to Nagpur University, has jumped from 610 to 749. According to rules, the local enquiry committees (LEC) reports of new colleges and shortcomings pointed out in them must be discussed in detail by the council members. However, the procedure is ritually ignored each year. This year was no different. Sources added that most colleges belong to politicians and influential persons and therefore, no council member dares to raise doubts. The recent CBI investigations into shortcomings of engineering colleges also failed to stir the university. CBI sleuths found that management of KDK College of Engineering was reportedly accommodating a school, a pharmacy college and also holding engineering classes in annexe building that was still under construction. After this, even LEC’s role came under the scanner as to how it had given a go ahead to the said college. The story may be even more awful in the colleges offering general courses, especially in the rural areas. Surprisingly, the CBI’s verification checks found mention in the meeting with the members deciding to thoroughly verify whether the new professional colleges were strictly following norms set by AICTE and NCTE before granting affiliation. Sources informed that during the meeting, pro-vice chancellor GS Parasher had requested the members not to grant affiliation to the new colleges without ensuring that they had appointed full-time, regular teachers

Single council for Medical Education.

In a complete overhaul aimed at cleansing the medical education system in the country, a task force of the Union health ministry has decided to scrap all regulatory bodies, including the Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India, Pharmacy Council and the Nursing Council, sources revealed There will instead be a single regulatory body - National Council for Human Resources in Health - which will oversee seven departments related to medicine, nursing, dentistry, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, pharmacy, public health/hospital management and allied health sciences, sources involved in the revamp process said on Thursday. The move now needs a formal government notification. This will not only perform the regulatory functions but also carry out assessment and accreditation of medical and health institutions across the country. Simply put, the council will coordinate the entire gamut of medical and health education in India. This will include drafting courses and the period of study, including practical training, subjects of examination and standards of proficiency, conditions for admissions to courses, provide guidelines on curriculum planning, monitoring and overseeing implementation of UG/PG courses with flexibility for local specific modules. ``Medical education today is dictated by bank balance and caste. The existing councils, besides being unwieldy, have failed to provide a synergistic approach. There is an urgent need for innovation in health-related education. It is unfortunate that medical seats are auctioned in front of students today. This is the best surgical solution for cleansing the system,'' a source told TOI. The report which was discussed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on August 26, 2009 by the task force states: ``Professional councils such as the MCI/ Nursing and Pharmacy Councils have been set up to regulate the practice of their respective professions, including education. However, many of these councils have drawn criticism from all sections of society and got judicial censure on several occasions.'' The council will be constituted as an autonomous body independent of government controls with adequate power, including quasi-judicial. Private medical colleges also place a heavy burden of fees on students and their admissions procedures are not transparent. The curricula of medical schools both public and private are not designed for producing `social physicians', the report said. Sources said the Centre will now take this move to all the states before implementing it. On its part, the Union health ministry has already readied a draft bill titled The National Council for Human Resources in Health Draft Bill, 2009.

NATIONAL EXIT TEST
Though all central and state universities shall conduct their own examinations and award degrees, the national council will conduct national-level exit examinations to standardise UG/PG medical and allied health courses. This screening examination shall be mandatory for students who have successfully completed UG from a foreign institution that is not recognised by the council. With this, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) shall be archived.
HOSPITALS TO OFFER PG COURSES
With a mere 9% of the UG medical students offering PG, the task force has proposed that prominent hospitals across the country be allowed to offer post-graduate courses. ``PG seats are so few that students have no option but to study what is given to them rather than what they want to pursue

Changing facets of anaesthesia education!

Undergraduate teaching of anaesthesia in India is constrained by the inadequate student contact hours compared with those of other disciplines. Final year students are taught the basic skills of life support such as bag and mask ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intravenous cannulation. More specialized skills such as endotracheal intubation and spinal anaesthesia are
desirable areas of instruction. Faculty need to provide positive role models for the students in learning anaesthesia. Although anaesthesiologists are involved in many educational activities, the focus is oriented only towards postgraduate training. Common issues include the selection, training and assessment of residents. Selection processes may be improved by incorporating psychological and psychomotor measures. A limited number of teaching methods, especially simulators, have generated much interest, while other traditional methods, such as bedside
teaching, have been neglected over the years. Newer methods of evaluation, for example, daily assessment by the attending faculty, have been described, but work continues to be needed on these and older methods, such as oral examinations. Programs of recertification or maintenance of competence, which have been announced by certifying bodies, may place new emphasis on the
study of the design, effectiveness, and outcome of continuing medical education. Emphasis in the postgraduate training programmes should be to provide trainees with clinical experiences and stimulation that will develop the required traditional competencies. It should also cultivate competency in clinical decision-making, intuition and judgement. This could be accomplished by developing an experiential curriculum. The basic premise is that learning is a process and its outcome is to a large extent related to what the learner does. The process begins with an experience that provides for observation and reflection. Integration of the thoughts provides the basis for executing either existing or new actions. In the experiential curriculum postgraduate
training and learning are enhanced by documenting and critically evaluating the experiences to which the postgraduate student is exposed. Included within such a structured programme are the methodologies of problembased and evidence-based learning. Faculty development will be required to help the postgraduate student pursue these skills of self-evaluation and efficient learning. Incorporation of an experiential curriculum into the residency training programme will achieve the goals listed above and allow maturation of the process of lifelong learning. It will also allow greater achievement of the application of new information to one’s practice. In conclusion, there are many opportunities for anaesthesiologists to conduct educational research into many traditional and new areas of medical education.

Medical Entrance

Medical education is controled and monitored by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Most of the Government Medical Colleges offer admissions only to Indian students on the basis of their performance in a competitive entrance test.
Here are the guidelines for all those who are preparing for Medical Entrance Exams.
Step 1
Get a blank piece of paper and outline the material you need to study. This helps develop a "big picture" overview of the material. Start with big topics and leave room for subtopics. Fill in the information as best as you can. Get another sheet of paper and start over if necessary. Once you see all the units of information in front of you it will be easier to organize your studying. This will help you with the next step.
Step 2
Break the material into smaller chunks and study each one. Only once you understand each one should you move on to the next. Do this part alone in your quiet study place. This is when you start to memorize the information you'll need later. Write down any questions that you may have.
Step 3
The next step is to work with someone else to clarify anything that's confusing. Work with others, go to review sessions, see a tutor, or work with the professor or a TA. At this point it's important to make sure that everything is clearly understood. This is crucial. If this step is skipped then you're left with trying to memorize hundreds of useless factoids. It will never mean anything to you later.
Step 4
Now it's time to put the information into your brain for retrieval. If you've been working all along you will already remember much of it. Make sure nothing is left out. Review the tips on memory. Many students focus on this step exclusively. It's called cramming. Just say no.
Step 5
This next step is not needed by everyone but it's useful if you are having trouble with the course. You've been studying for hours and hours but, do you really know anything? Try working with someone else who will ask you questions about the material. If you can answer and explain concepts without too much effort then you're in good shape. Usually this help to expose areas that require more attention and study.
Step 6
If the previous step went well then all you have left is to work on weak areas and a general overview the material. If you didn't do well explaining the material you'll need another round of steps 4 and 5. Hopefully you left time for this in your study schedule.

When should you start preparing for IIT-JEE?

Ideally from Standard IX, because the workload then is far lesser than those of higher classes. Preparation becomes easier and owing to the advantage of time, much deeper.
Nowadays, education institutes take students on the basis of their abilities such as understanding of concepts, sharpness of mind and knowledge; therefore, they launch common exams for all students. These common exams are specially designed to test special characteristics of student and are often called Competitive exams or Entrance Exams because they create lots of competition among students. Through competition exams, institutes are able to choose cream of students. So, they find competitive exams as best method to find best students among all.
Now question arises, how to prepare for such type of exams? You may hear about students which study whole year but still not selected and many such instants. Actually, what happens is these students do not have a proper strategy to prepare for competitive exams. Competitive exams are completely different from school or university exams. Competitive exams are different from other exams because with such type of exams, institutes want to test not only your knowledge but also your concepts, common sense for subject and sharp mind; therefore, students which dependent on knowledge only, cannot be selected for competitive exams.

Engineering- Study Strategies!

1. Exam Dates: Continously Check the entrance exams date so that you can prepare accordingly and give adequate time to each subject.

2. Self Belief: You should believe in yourself and your abilities. You should believe that you belong to the competitive arena and you can clear these competitive exams if you can perform to best of your abilities. Belief is everything and everything can be achieved through belief. There is a famous quote: “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen”.

3. Knowledge: Knowledge is a necessary element to clear competitive exams. You should have proper knowledge about your concepts. We don’t have to acquire extra knowledge, as conceptual knowledge is needed for competitive exams. We can prefect our conceptual knowledge by practicing questions based on these concepts.

4. Time Management and Data: We have to study minimum of 4 hours a day for competitive exams. We can manage this time by preparing timetable for each day. We also have to record weekly data, which ultimately helps in representing our performance graphically. We can take inputs such as time for each subject, part of syllabus completed, time for revision, questions attempted and so on to record data.

5. Sharpness: Sharpness of mind is mandatory for competitive exams. A sharp mind has many advantages such as concept understanding, quick response to a tricky question and speed. Main purpose of these competitive exams is to differentiate sharp-minded students from others. A normal mind can be converted into a sharp mind by regular brain exercises such as puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku. You can also play games such as Chess, which helps in sharpening the mind.

6. Sample Papers: Here comes my last and most important trick. The best way to perform in any exam would be to do so many similar types of such exams or Sample Papers. With the help of these sample papers, our mind is able to build so many stragies and tricks about particular type of questions, which ultimately helps us during Entrance exams. They have huge advantage as you can feel the mental atmosphere similar to that in competitive exams through these sample papers. Attempting so many sample papers helps in mental coherence during main exams. Sample Papers also helps in achieving a hard, stable concentration during competitive exams.

Tips for Success in Interviews

1) First impression is the best impression. You will be judged by ; the way you dress, your educational qualification, work experience, body language, manners, ability to absorb the information and interpret it intelligently and clearly. So take care to be at your best.
2) Carry your relevant documents in order - like certificates, copy of application sent, bio-data etc. in a folder so that it can be easily shown when asked. Take a pen also.
3) Present the documents only if the interviewer ask for it.
4) Never be late for an interview.
5) Greet the interviewers as soon as you enter.
6) Sit down only when you are asked to. It is better not to pull the chair, either lift it or move it and always enter from the right side of the chair.
7) Say 'please and thank you' whenever required.
8) Listen carefully and pay attention to the question. If the question is not clear to you ask politely for a repeat.
9) Reply confidently and immediately to the point, keeping your answers short unless asked for a longer description.
10) While answering, look directly at the person asking the questions and try to be pleasant.
11) Replies connected to any details regarding your bio-data should be authentic.
12) It is better to admit if you don't know something.
13) Remember to say 'sorry' if your opinions or answers are rejected.
14) Avoid indulging in certain mannerisms in your speech or behavior.
15) You can ask when you can expect to hear from them before you leave.
16) Don't forget to say "Thank you" at the end of an interview to every interviewer before leaving.
17) Shake hands only if the interviewer initiates the gesture.
18) Walk out confidently without looking back.
19) Gently shut the door behind you as you leave.

Career Options and Prospects in Engineering

Engineering is a vast field that offers infinite specialisation. All fields in the modern economy has been invigorated by engineering technology. This field deals with designing and its application. The three traditional branches of engineering are civil, mechanical and electrical. Apart form these, there are various other branches like Aeronautical engineering, Ceramic engineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, automobile engineering, industrial engineering, environmental engineering, marine engineering, textile engineering etc.
B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering)Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering:
Civil engineering deals with construction activities including building roads, bridges, tunnels etc. Mechanical engineering deals with design and production of tools, machines etc. to be used in industries. Electrical engineering deals with production of electrical equipments.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with high percentage of marks in Science subjects
Duration : 4 yearsFees: In private colleges fees range from Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh annually. In IIT's it varies between Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- per yearJob Prospects: They can find job in Government departments, private and public sector industries, research and teaching institutions etc.
Aeronautical/ Aerospace Engineering : This field deals with development of new technology in the field of aviation, space exploration and defence systems. It specialises in the development and research of commercial and military aircraft, missiles, spaceships etc.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with high percentage of marks in Science subjects and qualifying exam (JEE).
Duration : 4 yearsJob Prospects: Jobs are available with the airline services and aircraft manufacturing units. The defence service and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are two other important employers. These jobs are highly paid.
Ceramic Engineering: They specialises in production of ceramic products like glass, electric power line insulators, semi conductors etc.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with high percentage of marks in Science subjects
Fees: Around Rs. 1 lakh per year and in IIT's fees range from Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- per year.
Job Prospects: They can find employment in ceramic industry.
Computer Engineering: Deals with computer hardware and software. Manufacture and research, development of new design, technical improvements, alterations etc.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with high percentage of marks in Science subjects
Duration : 5 years
Job Prospects: The scope of the job is directly related to the growth and development of computer industry. They can get employment in computer fields and also work as maintenance consultants.
Chemical Engineering: It gives a vast knowledge of production of chemicals and related products.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with high percentage of marks in Science subjects
Duration: 4 yearsJob Prospects: They can find employment opportunities with chemical industries, refineries, manufacturers of acids, medicines, varnishes, paints, fertilizers etc. They can also find employment in research laboratories.
Automobile engineering: This field deals with design, development and maintenance of automobile and its spare parts.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Duration : 4 years
Job prospects : He can find employment in automobile industries, service stations, transport companies etc.
Industrial engineering : The industrial engineers aim is to increase productivity through management of people and methods of business organisation. They are the bridges between management and operations.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics plus qualifying examDuration : 5 years after 10 +2, 1 year after 4 years of mechanical or electrical engineering degree course.
Job Prospects : They can find the jobs in R & D establishments , Self employment opportunities are also possible as consultants.
Environmental engineering : It is concerned with the conservation of environment.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics plus qualifying exam
Duration : 4 years
Job Prospects : In this polluted environment they can find jobs in Government as well as private sectors, particularly in chemical manufacturing units, mines etc.
Marine engineering :Marine Engineers have the complete responsibility of the ship's engine room. Their responsibilities involve development and designing of the engines related to ships and propulsion system. Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, takes care of the training needs and conducts competency exam through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science (Physics, Chemistry & Maths)
Duration : 1 year for Navigation course, 3 years for B.Sc Nautical science, 4 years for (Marine Engineering Research Institute) MERI course
Selection: Written test / interview (Joint Entrance Examination { JEE}) conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which assesses the candidate’s knowledge of physics, chemistry and mathematics.The examination is followed by personal interviews/counseling, where the interviewers assess the degree of alertness, and awareness of the external environment, in the candidates and their suitability for a career in the Merchant Navy. Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, takes care of the training needs and conducts competency exam for promotions through the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
Job Prospects : This is a highly paid job with lots of overseas travel. Jobs are available with Shipping companies in India and other countries.
Textile engineering : They deals with the development, design, manufacturing and quality control of the fibers and fiber products.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 Science (Physics, Chemistry & Maths)
Duration : 4 yrs for Engineering degree, 3 years for B.Sc (Tech) degree
Fees: Around Rs. 1 lakh per year and in IIT's fees range from Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- per year
Job prospectus : They can find employment in Textile industry.
B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) : Architects design and supervise construction of varies types of buildings keeping in view the primary consideration of stability, utility and beauty. An ideal architect needs skill in visualising, designing, engineering and communicating your ideas to the client. In short Architecture is a unique blend of art and science. In Architecture there are several areas of specialisation like industrial design, interior design, town planning, regional planning, housing, transport planning, landscape planning, environmental planning etc.
Eligibility : 10 + 2 with high percentage of marks + qualifying examination and interview
Duration : 5 years/4 yearsFees: Around Rs. 1 lakh per year. In IIT's fees are lower.Job Prospects : Job opportunities are available in construction firms, government departments, town planning offices, private architectural firms, landscaping consultants etc.

Stress Control!

Time management
Good time-management skills are critical for effective stress control. In particular, learning to prioritize tasks and avoid over-commitment are critical measures to make sure that you're not overscheduled. Always using a calendar or planner, and checking it faithfully before committing to anything, is one way to develop time-management skills. You can also learn to identify time-wasting tasks by keeping a diary for a few days and noticing where you may be losing time.
For example, productivity experts recommend setting aside a specific time (or multiple times) each day to check and respond to email and messages rather than being a continual slave to incoming information. Banishing procrastination is another time-management skill that can be learned or perfected.
Organizational skills
If your physical surroundings (office, desk, kitchen, closet, car) are well-organized, you won't be faced with the stress of misplaced objects and clutter. Make it a habit to periodically clean out and sort through the messes of paperwork and clutter that accumulate over time.
Support systems
People with strong social support systems experience fewer physical and emotional symptoms of stress than their less-connected counterparts. Loved ones, friends, business associates, neighbors, and even pets are all part of our social networks. Cultivating and developing a social support network is healthy for both body and mind.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Medical Curricular reforms

Changing needs of the society, advances in scientific knowledge, and innovations in the educational field necessitate constant changes in medical school curricula. Dedicated efforts of effective change agents can bring about successful curricular change. Those who direct curricular change initiatives at medical schools need to consider the factors that promote or inhibit the change process. A series of reports published in Academic Medicine under the banner - “A Snapshot of Medical Students’ Education at the Beginning of the 21st Century: Reports from 130 Schools” - outlines the current thinking, the curricular reforms that have been initiated, and the
future direction that medical education is likely to take in 130 of the 141 accredited medical schools in the US and Canada. Importantly, these changes have occurred without a major influx of money or additional resources and have been due to a dedicated group of faculty and administrators responsive to societal needs. The innovations pertain to curriculum management and governance structure; establishment and role of offices of education; budgetary support for educational programs; creating a culture that A few of the curricular change initiatives deserve detailed mention here. Several US medical schools introduced early community-based training models for longitudinal clinical experiences. The outcomes of these curricular changes indicated that community experiences contribute positively to students’ education, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The students value early clinical experiences and make important achievements in clinical skills and knowledge development. However, logistical challenges exist in conducting these courses. Development and administration of the medical school curriculum by an interdepartmental faculty committee,comprising members from clinical as well as basic science departments, rather than individual departments may help achieve integration between departments. This would enable the participation of clinicians in basic science instruction of medical students. The existing basic science departmental administrative structure may continue, but the curriculum need no longer be the responsibility of the individual basic science departments. Several medical schools have also attempted innovations in the teaching of basic sciences to integrate basic and clinical science content and to promote active student learning.5 Introduction of problem-based learning (PBL) has been one of the most dramatic changes. Medical Education in India remains steeped in the traditional paradigm with a few efforts by several “forward-looking” schools seeking alternatives. Many stakeholders, including students, graduates, faculty,medical educators and members of the community, have criticized traditional Medical Education. Particularly problematic has been: compartmentalization among departments; lack of integration of course material among departments; absence of inter-departmental coordination leading to poor coordination between the material taught in basic science courses and clinical sciences; and ongoing adherence to traditional didactic pedagogic methods of instruction where significant alternatives abound. These are important issues.
The National Health Policy (1983) of theGovernment of India provided direction to restructuring the curriculum. Undergraduate medical education was to aim at training a Primary Care Physician capable of providing essential health care services to the rural population - one who is capable of diagnosing and treating common ailments of the community. In 1986, a consortium of Indian medical schools was formed. The consortium adopted an Inquiry Driven Strategy for Innovation in Medical Education and addressed the key issues of evolving a revised curriculum, defining the departmental objectives, classifying the course content as ‘Must Know’ and ‘Desirable to Know’, formulating Educational Objectives, and compiling a list of essential skills required for a Competent Primary Care Physician. The Medical Council of India (MCI)organized a National Workshop in 1992 for debating a Need Based Curriculum for Undergraduate Medical Education. The year 1997 is a major landmark in the history of Medical Education in India. The Government of India, on the recommendation of the MCI, promulgated the “Regulations on Graduate Medical Education” through a gazette notification. The MCI guidelines stipulate that undergraduate medical education should be oriented towards health and community as opposed to disease and hospital. It recognizes ‘Health for all’ as a national goal and health right of all citizens. The graduate must develop humanistic qualities in discharging professional obligations and be able to function as leader of the health team in urban and rural settings He must be competent to diagnose and manage common ailments and must be familiar with National Health Programmes and receive adequate training in maternal and child health care, management and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, sanitation and water supply, and health education of the community. Students’ training must aim at inculcating
scientific temper, logical and scientific reasoning, clarity of expression, and ability to gather and analyze information. Methods aimed at fostering self-directed learning and lifelong learning must be part of the teachinglearning process with greater emphasis on learning in small groups and didactic lectures should not exceed a third of the hours allocated to a subject. In a major restructuring, Phase I of the undergraduate medical course was reduced to one year. It requires integration among traditional subject areas using problem based learning approach and calls for horizontal integration among these subjects. Teaching of basic science subjects should be
clinically oriented and the student should receive additional learning experiences in these subjects during clinical years to ensure vertical integration. Student assessment should be by objective methods and student activities documented in logbooks and used for providing formative feedback.

Trends in medical education!

From the era of Susruta and Charaka, wherein devout disciples learnt the art and science of healing in ancient Guru Kulas, we are now in an age of rolling out modern day physicians along a conveyor belt. Medical students are not receiving the kind of one-to-one attention that was once the hallmark of medical education, neither during the teaching laboratories of the basic science years nor during the clerkships in the clinical years. Very few faculty spend much time teaching medical students. Medical educators must realize that no other institution in society is permitted to provide education and training leading to licensure to practice medicine. Rather than a change in the curriculum, what is needed right now is a change on those who govern and participate in undergraduate medical education.


The way medicine is taught and learnt has changed beyond recognition. Technology of education has undergone tremendous change. Further, the revolution in information technology has placed the advances of medical research at the doorstep of the common man. This has profound implications for the practicing physician. In a world that is becoming increasingly quality conscious, physicians have a moral, and maybe even legal in the foreseeable future, obligation to stay updated and deliver the best available care to their patients. Does the current system of medical education equip the product emerging from the portals of a medical school with the skills required to be a lifelong, self-directed learner? The answer to that question cannot be an emphatic affirmative. Basic medical education strives to produce a pluripotential individual who can move with ease into a number of different specialized programs. The end of medical school is not the end of medical education. Although, much effort has gone into reforming the undergraduate curriculum, the area that needs real attention is of ensuring that the physician continues to acquire new knowledge and skills long after his formal medical training is completed. The following sections will focus on two issues – practice of Evidence Based Medicine and Continuation of Medical Education - that impinge the practice of medicine and maintenance of competence of physicians in the new millennium in our country. A brief description of the market forces affecting medical education and curricular changes initiated over the last few years would precede them.

Medical education and market forces!!

Current health care delivery and finance systems are threatening medical education. Monitorization of the health care system and medical education has stimulated increased competition for fiscal resources. Medical education costs money while clinical care and research generate income.2 Investments in research and privatization of health care have relegated teaching of medical students to a secondary activity.3 The frustration levels among faculty who joined universities to teach medical students and be part of an environment that valued the learning process are rising. Faculty is being hired primarily for their research productivity or for their ability to deliver patient care services. Additionally, teachers of medical students rarely receive formal training in teaching, education, or assessment of learners. Most faculty who
teach are unaware of the literature on cognitive psychology, adult learning and the development of mastery and expertise. New faculty relies on imitation, trial and error, osmosis, and luck for obtaining educational skills. The rewards and recognition for research and patient care are substantive (financial) while those for teaching and education are much fewer. It must be realized that teaching medical students is central to the mission of medical schools.1 It is education that distinguishes a medical school from a research institute, clinic, or hospital.

Evolution of Medical Ethics

An extension lecture on ‘Evolution of Medical Ethics’ was held at J N Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, under the aegis of Department of Forensic Medicine. Prof. T. D. Dogra, Chairman Department of Forensic Medicine and Former Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, while delivering the lecture traced genesis and evolution of the concept of moral principles in ethics. He said, these principles are eternal and hence existed in the life of human being. He further stated that ethics is necessary for human existence. That is the reason, man in spite of being a defenseless creature, is superior in this planet, and dominating over other species that have highly evolved senses and feeling of self-awareness. He gave several examples in this direction. Man has quality of imagination, idea and action as well as power of thinking, expression, self-propagation and self-preservation. Due to intense sense of compassion, man needs peaceful coexistence even with several conflicts of interest. He further elaborated that man born after World War II is luckiest person in this planet. Prof. Dogra explained the Ontological and Deontological theory of various stalwart philosophers such as Kant, Jeremy Benthem, W D Ross and Sartre.
Introducing the guest speaker, Prof S J Rizvi, Chairman, Department of Forensic Medicine, said that Prof. T D Dogra is a man of immense qualities. He is a guide, philosopher and a source of inspiration for many students and co-workers.
Prof. Rizvi further said that ethics took centuries to develop from tribes to well developed nations. Ethical codes are also subject to evolution. During the process these codes were affected by religious philosophy, scientific and biological revolutions. She said that Indian civilization is one of the oldest civilizations of the world and it has contributed a lot to the medical ethics as propounded by ancient religious scriptures such as Manusmriti and Vedas have descriptions of various courses related to medical ethics.
Prof Ashraf Malik, Principal and Chief Medical Superintendent, J N Medical College and Hospital, presented vote of thanks and insisted that such lectures should regularly be organized in the college. Highlighting the importance of the topic of the lecture Prof. Malik spoke at length. He said Ethics is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality, such as how a moral outcome can be achieved in a specific situation (applied ethics), how moral values should be determined (normative ethics) and what moral values people actually abide by.
Highlighting the history of thought development on medical ethics, Prof. Ashraf Malik said that historically, Western medical ethics may be traced to guidelines on the duty of physicians such as the Hippocratic oath, in the medieval and early modern period, the field is indebted to Muslim physicians such as Ishaq Bin Ali Rahawi (who wrote theConduct of a Physician, the first book dedicated to medical ethics) and Muhammad Ibn Zakariya ar-Razi (known as Rhazes in the West). The British Doctor Thomas Percival (1740-1804) of Manchester wrote about “medical jurisprudence” and reportedly coined the phrase “medical ethics.”
Prof. Malik stressed that values such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, dignity, truthfulness and honesty be adopted.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Sadiya Saeed. A large number of teachers and students attended the lecture including Prof. Abu Qamar Siddiqui (Dean Faculty of Medicine), Prof Usha Singhal, Prof. Jawed Usmani, Dr. Munawwer Hussain, Prof D K Agarwal, Prof Abida Malik, Prof Haroon Subhan Khan, Prof Shahid Siddiqui, Prof R R Sukul, Prof R Sharma, Dr. Imran Ghani, Dr. Masood Siddiqui, Dr. Tamkin Rabbani and Dr Syed Ziaur Rahman.

What causes stress and how to deal with it!!!

What causes it?
In the case of exam results time it may be: Pressure from parents and relatives to do well The need to get high grades to get on track for the career you really want (be it medicine, journalism or mechanics) Uncertainty on what to do next - "There are so many options, what if I make the wrong choice?" The whole process of everything changing in your life - friends and yourself maybe moving away, your daily and weekly structure will be totally different The thing to remember is that while all of these fears and concerns are completely natural (all your mates are probably feeling exactly the same whether they let on or not) if you are getting yourself really worked up you need to try and relax.
How do I deal with it?
If you are suffering from stress try some of the following ways to calm down and chill out: Try to make time for yourself away from work to wind down. For example relaxing in a warm bubble bath, listening to soothing music and shutting out the world for a while. Take time for your mind and body to relax. Methods can include reading, meditation and yoga. Take time to exercise. Regular and frequent exercise is a good stress reducer. Eat well, skipping meals will deplete your energy and leave you drained. Talk to your family and friends. Make time to see your mates, it will help you unwind and let you unburden any problems.

Stress and Symptoms!

What is stress?
Stress is the reaction people have to excessive demands or pressures, such as passing exams. You may find it difficult to cope with tasks, responsibilities or other types of pressures or you might get anxious trying to meet such demands. This could be seen in you worrying excessively about getting results or about what you will do afterwards. Not only does it mess with your mind, it could also be affecting your physical health.

What are the symptoms?
1) Difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty waking up in the morning.
2) Constant fatigue .Forgetfulness .
3) Aches and pains for no apparent reason.
4) Poor appetite .
5) Social withdrawal.
6) Loss of interest in activities.
7) Increased anxiety and irritability.
8) "Flying off the handle" .
9) Increased heart rate .
10) 'Migraines/headaches.
11) Blurred vision .
12) Dizziness .

Everyone has bad days but if you've noticed three or more of the above symptoms and you've experienced them for some weeks you may need to do something about your stress levels. Visit your local GP to rule out other possible reasons for the symptoms such as depression. If you think you may be suffering from stress it is worth visiting your GP for a check up. Stressed out people have higher blood pressure, and where stress-levels hit boiling point sufferers are at a higher risk of death from any cause than their more chilled out colleagues. They are also prone to heart disease, colitis (inflammation of the bowels), thyroid disorders, and ulcers.

Tips to overcome Anxiety!!



1) Make a time table for a regular study or revision of minimum 6-8 hours daily. Do not study at a stretch, take a few minutes break.
2) Time management is very important. Learn to time yourself simulate examination situations while practicing.
3) Writing practice should be done by solving different questions.
4) Relaxation-practice deep breathing , yoga or any other relaxation technique to improve concentration.
5) Quickest and most effective way of eliminating stress is to shut down your eyes and take deep breaths.
6) As far as possible continue with the normal routine of sleeping and eating .
7) A balanced diet will boost energy.
8) Regular and moderate exercises reduce stress by relaxing tensed muscles.
9) Take help of the teachers and parents from time to time.
10) Believe in yourself and prepare well.
11) Never fear exams, avoid panic.and most important, do not worry about your results. Give your best shots and move over.
12) Students may also practice from the Sample Question Papers brought out by the CBSE, Marking Schemes performance analysis which analysis common mistakes committed by the students and provides remedial measures.

"Active" Study Strategies

When studying, you can WRITE you could
Make a chapter study Review Card ( Use an index card: include special vocabulary, main ideas, examples, key events and people, causes, result and so on )
Make and use a set of flashcards ( vocabulary and definition, math problems and solutions, questions and answers and so on),
Make list of related information by categories ( causes results, important event or concepts, main ideas examples, key people and so on and recite them,
Draw a diagram, map a sketch, or a chart; do this from memory and check your notes or books for accuracy,
Write questions you think will be on the test and recite the answers, Create a mnemonic to remember, information ( such as please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, used for order of operations in solving an equation - Parenthesis - Exponent - Multiply - Divide - Add - Subract )
Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers and semantic maps ( word maps ) which offer a visual representation of ideas. When students organize and design these maps, they apply important analytical skills as they think about how ideas are interrelated. Abstract information is put into concrete and visual form which can be pictured in one's mind and more readily retrieved later.
When Studying, you can VISUALIZE You Could
Your eyes and " picture in your mind" any chart, diagram, word, map event, time period, scene, experiment or character (from a Story) that you are trying to remember.

All you need is planning, books and coaching!!


Planning

This seems to be a boring and sometimes even unyielding a task but it can make you or break your preparations. Plan your studies on a monthly or weelky basis. Write your schedule at a place from where you can readily retrieve it. Take into account all the interruptions (like functions, gatherings and the like). Make your plan in a way that you complete your syllabus at least 2 months before the exams. Why? Read on. Also, each morning set yourself goals that you seek to achieve and then work hard to achieve them.

Books

Be selective in choosing the books. Never go in for more than 2 books for a subject/topic. And do not get intimidated by the bulk of the study material. If you plan well and remain selective, you’ll complete all of it. Read from the standard recommended books and take advice on buying books from peers and relatives but go for only one book as the main line of attack for concepts building and one another for extra reference or problems. Always try to complete a book rather than leaving three incomplete. If you are preparing for CBSE PMT, select books which will give you enough practice in subjective questions especially numericals. Solving objective types is easier but the hard stuff is where the losers stop!

Coaching

This is a highly situation specific topic. Always think a hundred times before taking admission. Will it be of real help? If yes, will it help you in an area where you can’t help yourself? Will it take too much time? Are you going in because you don’t want to miss out? Read my review on coaching institutions if you need more help.

Job vacancy at naukri.com!


With thousands of job vacanciesfor qualified engineers on Naukri.com, India’s No.1 job site, engineering courses have become the launch pad to a successful career.
There is a demand for qualified engineers in top companies across India and abroad. Pursuing an engineering course can make you eligible for these lucrative jobs. India has a large number of Engineering Institutions covering different engineering streams. These institutes are spread all over the country and are governed either by the State governments or the Central Bodies.The admission to these engineering education and training institutions is largely done on the basis of entrance examinations conducted by the entrance examination conducting board of the state, country or the respective institutes.The responsibility of successfully conducting these entrance examinations at different levels is jointly carried out by polytechnics, engineering colleges and universities in close cooperation with department of technical education and the designated government or other agencies.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Engineering -Assess your Aptitude

Answer the simple questions in Yes/No, to assess your engineering aptitude:
1. Math and Science are boring subjects.
2. You are not curious about how things work.
3. You do not look for doing things in a new way.
4. A gift says “Assembly required”, you put it aside.
5. You don’t enjoy working on computers and playing video games.
6. You hate solving mazes and jigsaw puzzles.
7. People around avoid your decision and opinion.
8. It’s always difficult for you to express yourself clearly in a precise fashion.
9. You hate doing things in an independent way.
10. You avoid reasoning out things and issues.
Remarks:Every ‘YES’ carries 1 point. More the points you score, less is your engineering aptitude.

Important Engineering Institutes

The traditional system of imparting knowledge was organized for the first time in the year 1847 AD, with the establishment of Roorkee College. A hundred years later, after India’s independence, engineering institute of national importance-the IITs were established to produce technical experts, who could steer the developmental process of the nascent India. IIT Kharagpur was the first of the seven IITs we have today. Many Regional and State Engineering colleges were also established to provide impetus to an all-round development of the country.The advent of globalization and liberalization in the early 90s brought revolution in field of Information Technology. To keep pace with the process of globalization it became imperative to boost up the IT sector of the country that was still in the process of development. Thus Institutes of Information Technologies were established to produce manpower, trained to expedite the IT sector of the country.NNE for the convenience of the aspirants has compiled a list of all the IITs, NITs, IIITs and the State/Regional Engineering Colleges of the country.

IITs
IIT Chennai
IIT Delhi
IIT Guwahati
IIT Kanpur
IIT Kharagpur
IIT Mumbai
IIT Roorkee

NITs

NIT Agartala
MNIT Allahabad
MANIT Bhopal
NIT Calicut
NIT Durgapur
NIT Hamirpur
MNIT Jaipur
NIT Jalandhar
NIT Jamshedpur
NIT Karnataka
NIT Kurukshetra
VNIT Nagpur
NIT Patna
NIT Rourkela
NIT Silchar
NIT Srinagar
SVNIT Surat
NIT Tiruchirapalli
NIT Warangal
NIT Raipur

IIITs

IIIT Allahabad
IIIT Bangalore
IIITDM Jabalpur
IIITGM Gwalior
IIITM Kerala
IIIT Hyderabad

We could fall, simply from bad health

We could fall, simply from bad health
You might recall that the Roman Empire did sort of the same thing. It's amazing what a bit of heavy metal in the plumbing will do for a city. In the case of ancient Rome, the lead poisoning drove the citizens (and their leaders) mad. But today, instead of poisoning ourselves with lead, we are poisoning ourselves with food additives. We are doing it consciously. We know it's happening. It isn't a mystery, but we are allowing it to happen because the special interest groups are running the country; they are arm-twisting these politicians who don't have the courage to stand up and do what's right for the people.
If we don't make some changes fast, we're going to get past the point of sanity. We may be past that point already. We're going to get to a point where maybe 60 or 70 percent of the people in this country are diseased and beyond the ability to think. How do you run a democracy when 60 or 70 percent of the people don't have the presence of mind to even vote rationally? How do you run a democracy like that? Well, you don't. It's gone. It's basically run by the special interest groups, just a few people in power who are acting like it's a democracy. I think that's actually where we are today.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we can turn this around, but I don't see any indication of it. I don't see any honest discussion of health care reform, do you? Look around out there! We don't see people talking about health care reform and saying, "We need to address the health: We need to ban dangerous food ingredients. We need to teach people about sunlight and water. We need to educate mothers on how to have good nutrition for their children.

We could fall, simply from bad health

We could fall, simply from bad health
You might recall that the Roman Empire did sort of the same thing. It's amazing what a bit of heavy metal in the plumbing will do for a city. In the case of ancient Rome, the lead poisoning drove the citizens (and their leaders) mad. But today, instead of poisoning ourselves with lead, we are poisoning ourselves with food additives. We are doing it consciously. We know it's happening. It isn't a mystery, but we are allowing it to happen because the special interest groups are running the country; they are arm-twisting these politicians who don't have the courage to stand up and do what's right for the people.
If we don't make some changes fast, we're going to get past the point of sanity. We may be past that point already. We're going to get to a point where maybe 60 or 70 percent of the people in this country are diseased and beyond the ability to think. How do you run a democracy when 60 or 70 percent of the people don't have the presence of mind to even vote rationally? How do you run a democracy like that? Well, you don't. It's gone. It's basically run by the special interest groups, just a few people in power who are acting like it's a democracy. I think that's actually where we are today.
Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we can turn this around, but I don't see any indication of it. I don't see any honest discussion of health care reform, do you? Look around out there! We don't see people talking about health care reform and saying, "We need to address the health: We need to ban dangerous food ingredients. We need to teach people about sunlight and water. We need to educate mothers on how to have good nutrition for their children.

Medicine - Study & Training

Young men and women who desire to choose a career of a doctor have to face a long, difficult, and extensive training period. It is a competitive course, and highly motivated students with a good academic record can compete. Students must know that for all those who aspire for this prestigious and noble profession, there are not enough training places in medical colleges. But for the students who have high potential, various medical specialities in the best professional institutes are available in our country. All such prospective doctors must have the ability and perseverance to complete the required years of study. Those interested in the medical profession must take a decision after class 10 and study Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the +2 level.
There are medical colleges in every State. While some are controlled by Central or State Governments, others are administered by municipal and private bodies. Admissions are through competitive entrance exams or marks obtained in the qualifying exam. A large percentage of students fail to qualify the final examination in their first attempt. Doctors who graduate are awarded an M.B.B.S. degree and are general physicians. Their job entails regular clinical work-examining patients, diagnosing, prescribing and administering treatment. They make referrals of cases to specialist doctors.
Medicine
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Graduate medical education offers a bachelor’s degree qualification known an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) to aspiring candidates. The course is 4½ years of classroom study followed by a year of rotating internship that is a total of 5½ years. The 4½ years of medical class room study is broken down into 3 phases of 18 months each. Each professional, as it is called, is of 18 months duration and is divided into 3 semesters of 6 months each. There is a test/exam called as Semester exam after the end of each semester. Examinations are held at the end of each ‘professional’ and they are called Professional I or II or final examination. Last 1½ years i.e. third professional is devoted to monthly clinical work in the wards and departments of the hospital. In all there are 3 professional examinations, followed by practical and clinical examinations. 50 per cent marks are required to be procured in each subject both in written, oral and practical. The success, rate of passing MBBS in one attempt in all the three professional parts is , however, only 70 per cent and this is the optimal aggregate.
Post graduation MD/MS/DM/MCh
Post graduation and super specialisation today is the need of the hour and 65-70 percent of all MBBS graduates try for post graduate qualification rather than going in for a job or practice. However, it is during internship that a student is able to decide his field of interests. His choice is based on large choice of subjects studied during MBBS - Surgery, Medicine, Microbiology, Dermatology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Otolaryngology, Biochemistry, Radiology, Opthalmology, Pathology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiology, Anatomy and Preventive Medicine etc. After specialisation there is a choice of further super specialisation as Neurosurgeon, Paediatric surgeon, Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Gastroenterologist, Cardiothoracic surgeon, Genito-urinary surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon.
Bio-informatics, Implant Materials and Prosthesis, genetic Engineering, Immunotechnology, Telemedicine, Biophysics, Bio mechanics, Bio materials, Nutritional Science, Biomedical Simulation, Cryobiology are some recent trends and developments in the field of Medical Sciences. The human genome project has opened up new vistas in the prevention, detection and cure of human diseases with molecular precision ushering in the medical researcher
National Board of Examinations (NBE)
The NBE offers postgraduate specialist training through select medical colleges in India , abroad and through almost 200 accredited institutions imparting medical education at different levels and specialisms. After specified training a Diplomat of National Board is awarded. Diplomat is equivalent to postgraduate qualification such as MD/MS or DM/ MCh. The Board confers a DNB is several broad specialities. The exam is held in 2 parts - primary and final. The Primary exam is open to medical graduates on completion of internship. Postgraduates and Diploma holders in any specialities are exempted from the the Primary exam and can take the final exam directly.

AIPMT Exam Pattern and Application Procedure

Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination would consist of one paper containing 200 objective typequestions (four options with single correct answer) from Physics, Chemistry and Biology(Botany & Zoology) to be answered on the specially designed machine-gradable sheetusing Ball Point Pen only. The duration of paper would be 3 hours. Final Examination: (Only for those who qualify in the Preliminary Examination).The Final Examination would consist of two papers each of 2 hours duration. Paper-1 would contain questions from Physics and Chemistry and Paper-2 would contain questions from Biology (Botany & Zoology).The Final Examination will have conventional (non-objective) type of questions to be answered in the Answer Book supplied.
Application Procedure
A candidate seeking admission to the Entrance Examination is required to send his/her application in the prescribed form, available with the prospectus. The Application Form duly filled-in alongwith other documents, if any, should be sent to:THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (AIPMT UNIT), CBSE,SHIKSHA KENDRA, 2, COMMUNITY CENTRE,PREET VIHAR, DELHI-110 301The application must be by Registered Post/Speed Post only in the printed envelope supplied by the Board so as to reach positively before the closing date. The Application Form will not be received personally from candidates in any case.

Medical Exams

Medical education focuses on study, diagnosis and treatment of a patient, who has a health concern and who seeks a physician’s help. Studying medicine requires that the student is inquisitive, analytical, like to communicate with people and is good at sciences particularly biology, chemistry and physics.
The undergraduate degree offered for medical study in India is MBBS. It is a four and half year’s course followed by one year of Compulsory Rotating Residential Internship. The MBBS degree has four stages. The first stage is a foundation course where the student learns the basic principles of communication, ethics and problem based learning. In the second stage the student learns the basic sciences of Anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. In the third stage the student learns about pharmacology, pathology, microbiology and forensic medicine. In the fourth stage the subjects that are covered are ophthalmology, community medicine, general medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics & gynecology.
There are two essential traits that are essential to become a successful medical practitioner. The first one is Inductive Reasoning, the knack for quickly seeing connections between unlike phenomena. Inductive reasoning helps in isolating the cause of an ailment or quickly arriving at a theory to explain the relationship between various symptoms. The second one is Structural Visualization, the knack for working with three dimensional concepts easily and quickly. Structural Visualization helps in visualizing the spatial relations between organs and understanding the effects of molecular chemical process on human anatomy. Medical entrance tests try to assess these qualities in a candidate.
In order to obtain a medical seat a candidate should take the entrance tests at All India Level or State Level. Most of the medical entrance exams have duration from 2 – 3 1/2 hour and gauges the student’s subjective knowledge in the subjects of physics, chemistry, biology and also general knowledge. The types of questions are multiple objective type, subjective type, assertion and reasoning type. The nature of these questions is both theoretical and numerical or calculation based.

Friday, August 14, 2009

How to be an Engineer!

If you are not a "genius” hard-work can help you attain your goal. To be an Engineer One should excel in problem solving and if one does not, should try to do so. Because Engineers spend much of their time in solving problems. Enrich your problem solving know-how by practicing Math, Physics and Chemistry numerical as much as possible.Admission to the Engineering course in India demands 10+2 qualification. One is supposed to write entrance examination conducted at all India level to get entry to the premier institutes of India. There are seven Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) viz, Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee, 20 National Institute of Technologies (NITs), couple of IIITs and several private institutes are engaged in the task of grooming engineers.The Joint Engineering Examination (JEE) and the All India Entrance examination (AIEEE) are the gateways to IITs and the NITs and the IIITs respectively

Going by the ratio of number of aspirants and the total number of seats offered by the premier institutes across the country one has to put in lots of hard work since class eleventh onwards. The aspirant should have thorough understanding of the syllabus and the nature of the questions asked in the entrance examination to have a right approach to the preparation of the examination coaching institutes also come handy for the students who don’t have access to the resources.

WHY Engineering as a stream

Any act of yours, bringing tangible change in the society, would undoubtedly bring a sense of satisfaction and feeling of pride. What if, besides the quotient of satisfaction and feeling of pride you also earn a handsome amount and reputation in the society?A career in the field of engineering provides just that.Engineering is amongst the few professions where creativity and ingenuity knows no bounds. Moreover if you are the one among those who look for challenging opportunities than probably, engineering is the most ideal profession to opt for. As an aerospace engineer you have the chance of developing cryogenics technology badly needed for the country to make advances in the space research, as a Civil Engineer you have the opportunity of developing earth quake resistant houses and as an electrical engineer the challenge lies in developing superconductors. The list is endless.In a similar fashion every stream of engineering has lots of such opportunities and challenges. And if you are the one looking for opportunities where creativity and imagination are the tools to mitigate the challenges then you ought to be an Engineer.

Rewards and Opportunities

Job Satisfaction
Studies show that, by far, the most important cause of dissatisfaction among the working people is the job dissatisfaction. Thus, it is important to find a career that provides job satisfaction. After all, one has to spend good part of his/her life at work station and if the place you work delivers content and satisfaction you are bound to grow in a better way with each passing day.

Variety of Career Opportunities
Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, and Alfred Hitchcock, an astronaut, a president, and one a filmmaker – from different streams of occupation all together but a commonality, they all started with an engineering education.
Engineering as a profession offers a wide range of career possibilities. From the design of fighter planes to that of pacemakers for hearts from boring holes deep in the earth for the petrochemicals to steeping at mars, engineers play the pivotal role.

Challenging Work
Engineering is all about fixing things so as to make the object serve its purpose in the best possible and efficient way. From the flying machine of the Wright brothers to the stealth bombers the range of improvement and development is enormous. Here lies the challenge. Challenge is not only about visualizing the development and improvement but also in performing it.

Intellectual Development
Engineering as a profession is function of creativity and ingenuity. Its more about developing the best possible option. This in turn involves great utilization of your mental faculties as compared to the professions where practice and pattern aid a lot in performing the job.

Contribute to Society
No one can deny the contribution of society in one’s own development but few bother to contribute for the same. Engineering as a carrier provides lots of opportunity to this end too. A civil engineer can design models for easing out traffic congestion. A software engineer can develop cheap and user friendly software for the disabled, an electrical engineer can devise ways and means for optimum utilization of electricity. All in the interest of the society and ones own career.

Financial Security
While financial security should not be the only reason for choosing a career in engineering, if you decide to become an engineer you will be well paid. Engineering graduates receive one of the highest starting salaries of any discipline.

Prestige
Engineers play an important role in the development of the nation and add to its international stature in a big way. And in this pursuit, one also earns a reputed place in the society.

Professional Environment
As an engineer, you will work in a professional environment where creativity and intellect are on the top priority. Working in such an environment with creative and intellectual colleagues is rewarding in itself.

AICTE permits second shifts at engineering colleges

With an aim to make technical education more accessible, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has allowed engineering colleges across the country to start second shifts from the forthcoming academic session.The institutes offering technical education have been asked to submit applications for launching the second shifts and offering courses accordingly.
"This will lead to an increase in the intake of students of the existing institutes. As a result, more students will get engineering education," said a senior HRD Ministry official.As per the guidelines prepared by AICTE, co-educational institutions having four years of standing and women institutes having three years of standing will be allowed to start the second shifts.Co-educational institutions in the states, in which the number of seats available in engineering institutions per lakh population is less than the all India average, are permitted to run second shifts.An official release from AICTE said, “There has been phenomenal growth of technical institutions during the past three decades, which has however resulted in a regional imbalance in the technical education system in the Country. In order to overcome the regional imbalance, it may be necessary to permit second shift in an existing engineering college in those states where the number of seats available in engineering colleges per lakh of population is less than all India average without additional investment and also to utilize the existing resources in optimal manner and to minimize the cost of education”.These states include Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal."But women institutes from any part of the country can start such shifts," the official added.